The Hamster Wheel of Science Fiction Television - "Frontios"
"The Hamster Wheel of Science Fiction Television" - Frontios Review
STORY DETAILS: "Frontios" (January 16 - February 3, 1984)
Production Code: 6N
Writer: Christopher H. Bidmead (former script editor, Logopolis and Castrovalva)
Director: Ron Jones (Arc of Infinity, future Colin Baker stories)
CAPSULE REVIEW: Jim: "Doctor Who in 1984 is the hamster wheel of science fiction television shows. It just keeps going round and round and doesn't go anywhere."
PLOT SUMMARY:
The TARDIS is drawn to Frontios in the far future, where Earth has been destroyed and desperate colonists survive constant meteorite bombardment. The Doctor insists they leave (invoking Time Lord non-interference), but the TARDIS appears destroyed by meteors. Captain Revere's son Plantagenet leads the failing colony while second-in-command Range and science officer Brazen navigate political tensions.
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: Resurrection of the Daleks (two 45-minute parts) with special guest Shag Matthews (The Irredeemable Shag Podcast) - "Now it's going to be two against one!"
PATREON PLUG: "Nothing says I love you like a Patreon subscription to The Doctor's Beard" - $3/month gets early access, bonus content, comic strip discussions, Memory TARDIS wheel spins, Doctor Who news coverage, and music theme variations. Current Patreon Exclusive #148 covers Part 4 of "Four Dimensional Vistas" (Meddling Monk + Ice Warrior team-up).
SPECIAL APPEAL: Jim asks listeners in Marietta, Georgia area to support Dr. No's Comics after catastrophic power loss from truck taking down lines during Christmas season. Shop running on generator, needs community support through devastating loss of holiday revenue.
Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Support via Patreon at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast.
Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Frontios #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Season21 #Tegan #JanetFielding #Turlough #MarkStrickson #ChristopherHBidmead #RonJones #Tractators #TheGravis #ColonyShip #TARDIS #TARDISDestroyed #RecycledPlots #HamsterWheel #SheenaEaston #80sFashion #Plantagenet #TractatorPTSD #RacialMemory #GravityMotor #TimelordNonInterference #JNT #JohnNathanTurner #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #ClassicDoctorWho #1984 #BBCOne #ProductionCode6N #MonsterOfTheWeek #Woodlice #TargetBooks #AndrewSkilleter #Novelizations #BookCovers #DrNosComics #Marietta #Georgia #ComicShop #ChristmasSeason #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PodcastReview #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #VintageWho #RetroTV #80sTV #SciFiTV #BritishTV #ClassicTV