It's the end! And the moment has been reached with our signature lack of preparation. Thankfully we've still got two blockbuster Doctor Who stories to enjoy in our sequeltastic season finale - the Fourth Doctor's first encounter with Davros in Genesis of the Daleks, and the Twelfth Doctor's return to Skaro in The Magician's Apprentice and The Witch's Familiar. 

Thanks so much for joining us over the last six weeks - it's the last episode in the season, but we'll be back in the not too distant future. If you've been enjoying the show, please leave us an Apple Podcasts review, and do drop us an email to hello@illexplainlater.com - we'd love to hear from you.

We'll be back - keep 'em peeled!

It's the "Of Death" special! In perhaps our most tenuously-themed episode yet, we discuss the uncanny valley, AI and helium as we consider Fourth Doctor classic The Robots of Death, then we switch mediums entirely to cop a load of X-rated VR while untangling the knots in our minds as we indulge ourselves in Third Doctor radio romp The Paradise of Death. (The latter nearly inspired us to upload last week's episode again in a high concept practical joke, but we thought better of it.) Plus we unveil a brand new game show format, exclusively for our listeners.

It's our last episode in the season next week - so "X" your comments to us here or drop us an email here. See you at the curtain call...

It's a holiday special! Not in the Christmas sense, or indeed in any meaningful way at all beyond that these are two stories where the Doctor and co attempt to take a holiday and fail. Under the microscope this week are Eleventh Doctor double threat The Girl Who Waited and the Seventh Doctor's encounter with Delta and the Bannermen.

Questions? Thoughts? Email them to hello@illexplainlater.com - and if you're enjoying this season of episodes, do leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts!

It's a Welsh special on this week's I'll Explain Later as we hop across the border to enjoy two stories that put Wales at the heart of the action - the Ninth Doctor's tense trip to Boomtown, and the Third Doctor's iconic brush with The Green Death.

Email your thoughts and questions to hello@illexplainlater.com or "X" us at @explainlaterpod - and we'll be back next week with another pair of adventures whose breadth and depth are perfectly proportioned for the small screen.

It's a dastardly double bill on this week's I'll Explain Later as we look back on the Doctor's encounters with two diabolical masterminds - Professor Zaroff, in aquatic Second Doctor caper The Underwater Menace, and The Sixth Master (as no-one calls him) in apocalyptic Tenth Doctor series finale The Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords. Can anything in the world stop us now? With our erratic release schedule, probably, but do check back next week for our next exciting episode...

Thoughts? Feedback? Views on the Question of the Week? Emails to hello@illexplainlater.com or X us (as no-one calls it) at @explainlaterpod...

We're back! Thanks for sticking with us during our extended hiatus - we toyed with releasing a charity single, but instead decided to knuckle down and record a WHOLE NEW SEASON of I'll Explain Later. We'll be dropping new episodes weekly for the next six weeks, covering a slew of Doctor Who adventures past and... even more past.

And we're kicking off with a Sea Devil special, as we look at Third Doctor classic The Sea Devils and make our first foray into the Chris Chibnall era with Thirteenth Doctor swashbuckler Legend of the Sea Devils. Is either one of them a clanger? Listen in to find out.

As always, email your thoughts to hello@illexplainlater.com, particularly your thoughts this episode's Question Of The Week. And check back next week for our next episode!

We tackled some weighty issues head-on in this month's livestream, as our analysis of MARCO POLO, THE RINGS OF AKHATEN and REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS took in the Paradox of Tolerance, the history curriculum and advanced horticulture. Luckily, we still found room for our usual array of double entendres and general low-brow humour as well. Come for Matt's treatise on Terry Nation's indictments of British cultural memory; stay for John's attempt at a Venetian accent.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on the night. Please send your emails to hello@illexplainlater.com; you can also tweet us @explainlaterpod. And keep your eyes peeled for details of June's live show!

For this month's live show, we fought against our better instincts to bring you a bumper-length consideration of all 14 episodes of 1986's courtroom epic Trial of a Time Lord. Along the way, we discovered a wholly unexpected intersection between the worlds of Doctor Who and reggae, considered the health and safety implications of Time Lord architecture, and wondered just how long the Matrix has been lying to us for. Thanks to everyone who joined us on the night and contributed via the chat box!

We'll be back in May with another live episode, but in the meantime do leave us a (nice!) review on Apple Podcasts, tweet us at @explainlaterpod or email us on hello@illexplainlater.com - we'd love to hear from you.

It's about time! A little more so than usual on this month's live show, as we weigh up the pros and cons of time-wimey classics Day of the Daleks and The Girl in the Fireplace, before going deep on heavyweight Time Lord brawler The Invasion of Time. Along the way we discuss the Doctor's drinking habits, whether Milton Johns minded being typecast, speculate on whether Steven Moffat took inspiration from the Crystal Maze, and have a pretty spectacular dust-up over one of the three stories (you'll have to listen to find out which).

If you like the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or tell your friends! And don't forget to join us for the next live show on Tuesday 27th April at 8pm (BST / UK time) where we'll be taking on Trial of a Time Lord in its entirety...

Our second livestream saw John and Matt tackle a trio of returning monster mash-ups in mind-boggling detail - taking in Cyberman sugar-rush THE MOONBASE, Gravity Bar crawl THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT, and the box-fresh PANDORICA OPENS / BIG BANG two-parter.

Along the way, we discussed whether Kit Pedler had an easy gig, enjoyed some prescient Sontaran video-conferencing, and apologised to Murray Gold. We also battled one or two technical issues with John's mic - nothing that will reduce your enjoyment of this episode (that's what our actual words are for) but something you may clock from time to time.

View the video version of this episode here!

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for details of our next livestream...

We emerge sleepily from an 18-month hibernation, only to find that we're confined to the house and a lot's changed in the interim. But our debut LIVE episode gave us the chance to find out whether kid's telly fave Doctor Who could tell us anything useful about the Very Strange Times we're living in, as we delved into Hartnell-era viral sensation The Ark, Peter Davison's laugh-a-minute swan-song The Caves of Androzani, and Peter Capaldi's adventures in lockdown in Heaven Sent.

Along the way, we discussed PPE supplies in the far future, invisible buttocks, the logistics of milking a bat, and we received some welcome real-time fact-checking from our livestream viewers.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on the night. You can watch a video version of this episode here - keep an eye on our Twitter for the date of our next live episode!

We've been away for a little longer than planned, but we're thrilled to say that we'll be back with a LIVE episode on 26th January 2021 at 8pm GMT!

You can enjoy seeing the panic in our eyes as we find things to say about The Ark, Caves of Androzani and Heaven Sent via our stream over on Twitch - and the chat box will be open for you to add your own comments, thoughts and questions in REAL TIME during the show.

If you miss the live stream, you'll still be able to enjoy it as a regular audio episode here a few days later - but WHY would you want to miss out on the frisson of us potentially saying something libellous, the risk of one of our kids running into the room, or the chance to see our lockdown haircuts?

Full details in this little teaser episode, but mark the date in your diary: Tuesday 26th January, 8pm GMT, at twitch.tv/illexplainlaterdw. See you there!

Page Peter Snow, brace for the exit poll - I’ll Explain Later goes psephological to explore three Doctor Who tales with political guru special guest Lewis Baston.

A duped demos dragged into drudgery slave away to fly the ship of state into unknown territory. If someone can get the Haynes manual off eBay. Live vivisection is just one of the highlights in lighthearted Fourth Doctor romp Full Circle.

The fall of an American president plays second fiddle to some tinpot story about a conglomeration of angry saucepans. We explore 2005’s moving mutation classic Dalek.

And [INSERT BREXIT GAG HERE - Ed] The Curse of Peladon.

Along the way, Matt muses on allergies, Lewis mourns the geek he could have been and John lays down the gauntlet to Jimmy Wales.

Rocks, redemption and referendums in episode 35 of I'll Explain Later. Tom Baker does his best to hold his own against unexpressive and rigid screenmates, while the Ogri and Romana I co-star in 1978's The Stones of Blood. The Eleventh Doctor battles wobble boards and has to eat humble pie as a hopeless dad beats off wooden dolls - disturbing pyjama-based chills in 2011's Night Terrors. And a dead-eyed leader believes the ends justify the means when desperately interpreting the will of the people after a pernicious plebiscite. No read-across to the present day, but some brutal and jarring scenes as someone or other seeks Vengeance on Varos. Along the way, Doctor Who tackles urinary etiquette, Matt contemplates a massive library fine and John gets a promise of alcohol via the psychic paper.

We're back - and it's ABOUT TIME! In our long-awaited comeback special, we enjoy a bit of horseplay with the First Doctor in The Myth Makers, relish a chicken dinner with the Tenth Doctor in Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead, and get schooled by the Fifth Doctor in Mawdryn Undead. Along the way, we asked whether the First Doctor was a mass murderer, rate the sizzlin' chemistry that the various Doctors had with River Song, and wonder why the Brigadier is obsessed with beating up middle-aged schoolboys.

Thank you for sticking with us during our longer-than-planned absence - we're back in the saddle, so send your comments to hello@illexplainater.com, tweet us @explainlaterpod or find us on Facebook.

It's ninety minutes of hellos and goodbyes on this somewhat delayed, erm, April instalment of I'll Explain Later. This month, the Third Doctor encounters some harsh imperial measures in The Mutants; the Eleventh Doctor rolls up his sleeves and gets under the hood in The Doctor's Wife; and the Fourth Doctor gets all big-headed about The Face of Evil. Along the way, we consider Geoffrey Palmer's motivations, reminisce about anthropomorphised TARDISes of yore, and sadly bid a fond farewell to Jim, in his last show as a regular co-host.

We're taking a few months off, but we'll be back later in the year with a regenerated show. In the meantime, do drop us an email on hello@illexplainlater.com, tweet us at @explainlaterpod or give us a poke on Facebook. Enjoy your summer, and stay tuned...

Genius abounds in this slightly delayed 32nd I'll Explain Later. With the Tardis crew keen to escape the clutches of Butcher Cumberland, the Second Doctor channels all his thespian guile to hoodwink his adversaries in 1966-7 knockabout romp The Highlanders. A schlub or a savant? Rose wants to know more about her deceased dad and uncovers his yogurt-based plan for riches in 2005 heart string-tugger Father's Day. And leave the girl, it's the man we want. But which one? Take your pick from the Seventh Doctor, Albert Einstein and Louis Pasteur for highbrow hijinks in 1987's Time and the Rani. Along the way, John wants to see everything, Jim wonders what could have been and Matt goes pink.

Some scenes filmed in Tiger Bay, some set by the Silvery Tay, Daleks seek their glory day - Cybermen in Haringey! That's right, folks - hit us with your rhythm stick (aka sonic device) for this 31st episode of I'll Explain Later. Monopoly capitalism, camp sneering and Patrick Troughton more animated than usual in 1968 epic The Invasion. The Tenth Doctor and Rose encounter a beastie that's far from tim'rous in 2006 gothic horror romp Tooth and Claw. And disco derring-do from the pepperpots' most fearsome and nattily dressed foes in Terry Nation Douglas Adams-penned Fourth Doctor drama Destiny of the Daleks. Along the way, John tests his co-hosts' tolerance, Jim goes studs-up into the UNIT dating controversy and Matt talks cartoon underpants.

Sometimes, inspiration does just fall from the sky. This 30th I’ll Explain Later explores three mysteries centred on alien threats mistaken as meteorites. The Third Doctor goes topless in fashion-centric debut Spearhead from Space. Public school and planetary peril in 2007 two parter Human Nature/The Family of Blood. And Who does Hammer Horror, as the Fourth Doctor and Leela tackle the Horror of Fang Rock. Along the way, Matt bungs up, Jim is non-plussed and John fluffs his line.

Don't forget - listener drinks at The Blue Posts, 81 Newman Street, London W1T 3ET on Saturday 3rd February from 2pm. See you there!

Because what says Christmas like honeymoon-based sex cosplay? That’s right, I’ll Explain Later delves deep into St Nick’s bulging sack to pull out, parboil and roast 2010 Yuletide special A Christmas Carol. Jingling along the way, Jim pulls a cracker, Matt spills his port and John goes deep throated.

Have a very merry Christmas, and see you on 3rd February at the Blue Posts for our listener drinks!

A December Dalek double as I’ll Explain Later heads back to 1973. A beleaguered leader inches towards a conflict with her trading allies she knows to be folly, egged on by forces internal and external and lacking the courage needed to face down the populist nonsense of her critics. Meanwhile, we review Frontier in Space. The Third Doctor asks for help from the Time Lords, who oblige by transporting him to a dangerous locale populated by conveniently invisible creatures and sexist militia. But we know it’s really the Planet of the Daleks. Along the way, Jim hits the student bar, John finds his third ear and Matt communes with his 10 year old self.

Save the date! We've got listener drinks on Saturday 3rd February from 2pm onwards at The Blue Posts on Newman St.

And check back on Christmas Eve for a little seasonal bonus...

Double trouble for the Doctor and pals in this 28th episode of I’ll Explain Later. Troughton meets his match - literally - in recently discovered deadly doppelgänger demagoguery thriller The Enemy of the World. Frozen in lifeless, arid suspension...or dying of cold in the Tardis? Karen Gillan must act, fast, to make Amy’s Choice. And a Fourth Doctor copyist needles the Tigellans into showing him their dodecahedron in sci-fi horticulture favourite Meglos. Along the way, John vamps it up, Matt likes his chefs sarcastic and Jim wonders if we’re still recording.

How many impossible things can you believe before breakfast? I'll Explain Later's 27th episode whisks you away to unimagined realms and mythical times. Tegan might not be well drawn, but her draughtswoman credentials are not in doubt. A smörgåsbord of cultures let bygones be Bigon as the Fifth Doctor takes Four to Doomsday.

Incoming showrunner Chris "safe-hands" Chibnall once again nails a chilling dystopia with his uncanny depiction of a future economy in which a world-leading project can employ just four workers - and inept ones at that. No portentous voiceover can sate The Hungry Earth, nor warm Cold Blood.

And meta machinations manifest massively, as First Doctor William Hartnell lands the Tardis on the sets of Ben Hur and Quo Vadis. With content so fantastic, surely it's churlish to question what The Romans have done for us?

Along the way, John sets Jim straight, Jim goes pop and Matt polices firework safety.

Doors to manual! The I'll Explain Later cabin crew are delighted to disembark you into three more terminals of Doctor Who adventure! No perfume counter and no flight-side 'Spoons, but one almighty immigration problem as the Fourth Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane arrive at The Ark in Space. An overzealous border official goes beyond a cavity search and takes a skin sample, creating excess family baggage for inbound traveller David Tennant in The Doctor's Daughter. And Gatwick takes the starring role in charming Shirley Valentine origins story The Faceless Ones. Along the way, Jim scoffs at rumour, Matt likes a Troughton and John introduces Yankee Doodle Riker.

Bikinis and budgie-smugglers at the ready, as the 25th episode of I'll Explain Later accompanies your summer break with another trio of tales!

Why have one when you can have two? A duo beating down on them, can Tom Baker and Louise 'Leela' Jameson ride out the heat and avoid the taxman in 1977 yarn The Sun Makers?

Oh no, it's clouded over! A typical British summer explored in harrowing depth over New Who Season 4 two-parter The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky.

And the Fifth Doctor and chums discover you can't sidestep bleedin' foreigners even on a staycation, encountering a pas probable foe in knightly nemesis Sir Gilles Estram. Lutes ahoy for The King's Demons!

Along the way, Matt worries about role models, Jim sings along and John muses on 23 years of hurt.