Spooky-TIme Review 2 - 'Scared Stiff'

Our Halloween celebrations continue with the Tenth Doctor as we journey to the eerie halls of Ratchett Abbey for a review of Scared Stiff by Mark Gatiss, featured in the Doctor Who Storybook 2010.

What begins as a seemingly ordinary live paranormal television broadcast soon descends into something far more unsettling. As the Doctor investigates strange events at a supposedly haunted abbey, long-buried dangers emerge, blurring the line between staged supernatural entertainment and genuine terror.

Join us as we discuss the story's spooky atmosphere, the return of a familiar threat from the Doctor's past, the clever use of Halloween themes, and a uniquely Doctor-ish solution that makes this short story stand out. We also explore how Mark Gatiss balances horror, humor, and mystery in a seasonal adventure that delivers more than a few chills.

If you're a fan of Doctor Who short stories, Tenth Doctor adventures, Mark Gatiss, Halloween-themed Doctor Who tales, or the Gelth from The Unquiet Dead, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Be sure to subscribe to Traveling the Vortex, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts on Scared Stiff. What's your favorite spooky Doctor Who story?

Spooky-Time Review 1 - 'Wholloween'

What happens when the Eleventh Doctor tries to out-scare a galaxy full of alien trick-or-treaters? In this Halloween-themed episode of Traveling the Vortex, we take a quick trip into the pages of Titan Comics' Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #4 to revisit the delightfully funny one-page comic, "Wholloween." 

Join us as we explore how writer and artist Marc Ellerby perfectly captures the charm, confidence, and chaos of Matt Smith's Doctor alongside Amy Pond in a short but memorable Doctor Who adventure. From alien Halloween traditions to a familiar blue box that doesn't quite impress the locals, this bite-sized comic delivers plenty of laughs and classic Eleventh Doctor energy. 

We'll discuss what makes this story such a fun celebration of the Doctor and Amy's dynamic, why the humor works so well, and how even a single-page comic can capture everything fans love about this era of Doctor Who. 

If you're a fan of Doctor Who comics, the Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond, or are looking for some seasonal Whovian fun, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

We're traveling the vortex for our final stop in the Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker multimedia saga as we review Short Circuits, the audio release featuring Battleships and Get Rich or Die Trying, both written by Alex Hewitt and narrated by Dan Starkey.
First, we discuss Battleships, a character-driven story that explores the origins of a dangerous future adversary and examines ambition, prejudice, and survival within the Sontaran Empire. Then we turn to Get Rich or Die Trying, a time-twisting adventure involving mystery, deception, dinosaurs, and unexpected connections to the wider Doctor Who universe.
Do these stories add meaningful depth to the Circuit Breaker saga? Are they essential chapters or enjoyable bonus adventures? Join us as we break down the performances, storytelling, character development, and how these audio tales fit into the larger Circuit Breaker narrative.
Whether you've followed the entire Circuit Breaker range or are simply looking for new Doctor Who audio reviews, this episode has you covered.
What did you think of Short Circuits? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Doctor Who reviews, discussions, and podcast episodes from Traveling the Vortex!

Circuit Breaker Review Part 11 - 'Full Circuit'

Big Finish's Full Circuit brings the Fugitive Doctor's Circuit Breaker saga to an explosive conclusion. We break down the shocking truth behind the resistor project, Andrew Turner's secret, the rise of the Sontaran Conductor, and the emotional finale that ties together this ambitious Doctor Who multimedia event. Join us for our full review of Jo Martin's latest Doctor Who audio adventure and find out whether Full Circuit delivers a satisfying ending to the Fugitive Doctor's biggest story yet. #DoctorWho #BigFinish #FugitiveDoctor #FullCircuit #CircuitBreaker #JoMartin #UNIT #DoctorWhoReview #TravelingTheVortex #DoctorWhoAudioDrama

Circuit Breaker Review Part 10 - 'The Kaleidoscope'

A mysterious artifact. A forgotten life. A Doctor on the edge of rediscovery.In this week’s Traveling the Vortex, Glenn dives into The Kaleidoscope, Jo Martin’s ambitious Fugitive Doctor novel that blends cosmic danger with cultural depth and identity‑driven storytelling. It’s a tale of buried memories, ancestral echoes, and the forces determined to keep the Doctor from learning who she truly is.

Forgotten Incarnations - 'Coda - The Final Act' Review

Glenn reviews 'Coda - The Final Act', a reality‑bending finale that brings the Fugitive Doctor and the War Doctor to the world of Coda, where hidden forces push two forgotten incarnations toward a mythic confrontation. The Final Act delivers a bold, emotional close to Big Finish’s Once and Future saga, powered by standout performances from Jo Martin and Jonathan Carley. A fierce, anniversary‑scale adventure that celebrates the Doctor’s most mysterious corners.

Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker - The Black Archive Files takes center stage as we revisit UNIT’s most secret vaults and the Fugitive Doctor’s clash with Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, and even a rogue Weeping Angel. This episode breaks down the new Blu‑ray release, explores how its ten curated stories connect across the Circuit Breaker arc, and dives back into our original Fugitive of the Judoon review from 2020. Perfect for fans following the Fugitive Doctor’s evolving journey or collectors curious about this latest multi‑media set.

Circuit Breaker Review Part 9 - 'Momento Mori'

The Fugitive Doctor and Martha return to the Black Archive as we dive into another Circuit Breaker tale from Doctor Who: Lost in Time. Glenn explores how this latest installment, Momento Mori, expands the arc’s mysteries, plays with UNIT lore, and connects to familiar moments in Doctor Who history.

Circuit Breaker Review Part 8 - 'The Doctor and the Three Witches'

Glenn takes a look at The Doctor and the Three Witches, a quick and imaginative continuation of the Circuit Breaker arc. The story picks up right after Don’t Blink, bringing back UNIT’s upgraded Indigo Device and giving Martha Jones a strong role alongside the Fugitive Doctor. In this review, Glenn highlights how the fairy‑tale setting challenges both characters, how the Doctor’s choices hint at meaningful growth, and how a shadowy force behind the scenes adds momentum to the larger storyline.

Circuit Breaker Review Part 7 - ‘Don't Blink!’

In this Circuit Breaker review, we break down “Don’t Blink!”, a standout Doctor Who chapter that pushes UNIT, Osgood, and the Fugitive Doctor into one of their most atmospheric challenges yet. Blending UNIT procedural tension with eerie supernatural elements, the story delivers sharp character work, rising dread, and a major turning point for the Circuit Breaker event.

 
We also spotlight the overlooked UNIT shorts — including a clever sonic screwdriver deep‑cut — that quietly strengthen the arc’s continuity. If you’ve been waiting for Circuit Breaker to fully click, this is the entry that brings everything into focus.

Circuit Breaker Review Part 6 - ‘Castling’

The Fugitive Doctor tears through the Shadow Proclamation in Castling, a chaotic comedy‑action chapter from Doctor Who: Lost in Time. Glenn breaks down the Judoon takedowns, UNIT misfires, and Sontaran blunders that make this Circuit Breaker entry a fast, funny, lore‑teasing highlight, complete with hints of a bigger mystery.

The Division’s Shadow: Dead or Alive Reviewed

Glenn reviews Big Finish’s Fugitive Doctor Adventures: Dead or Alive, breaking down Flying Solo, The Junkyard Loop, and Hereafter. Featuring Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor, Division secrets, Great Vampires, and powerful character arcs, this episode delivers a tight, story‑driven look at one of the most compelling eras in modern Doctor Who audio drama.

Circuit Breaker Review Part 5 - ‘Dawn of the Daleks’

Glenn reviews Dawn of the Daleks, a fierce and emotional Circuit Breaker chapter where the Fugitive Doctor lands on Skaro and discovers the last surviving Kaleds fighting to endure Dalek domination.

Circuit Breaker Part 4 - ‘The Deadliest Weapon’

A return trip to the Saturn Jewel Hotel pulls us deep into the Fugitive Doctor’s past as I review The Deadliest Weapon, the latest entry in Circuit Breaker. Jo Martin delivers a fierce, emotional performance as the Doctor relives a morally devastating Division mission, while David Banks brings chilling weight back to the Cyberleader. It’s tense, personal, and one of the arc’s standout stories.

 

Division's Forgotten Files - 'Doctor Who: Most Wanted' Review

A sharp, lore‑rich dive into the Fugitive Doctor’s first full audio era. In this episode, Glenn reviews Doctor Who: Most Wanted, the three‑story Big Finish box set starring Jo Martin and introducing Alice Krige as the formidable Cosmogon. Across Fast Times, The Legend of Baba Yaga, and The Dimension of Lost Things, this set delivers everything from prison‑break chaos to folklore‑infused sci‑fi to a surreal realm stitched together from lost memories. It’s energetic, atmospheric, and packed with character‑driven intrigue that expands the Fugitive Doctor’s mythos in bold new directions.

 

Circuit Breaker Review Part 3 - 'The Honourable Society'

The Circuit Breaker arc takes us to 1894 Italy, where the Fugitive Doctor crashes into a brewing crisis and a shadowy “Honourable Society” with far more going on than the locals realize. It’s a quick, character‑driven chapter that puts Andrew in the spotlight and nudges the larger mystery forward - perfect fodder for this week’s deep dive on Traveling the Vortex.

 

Gallifrey’s Forgotten Rebel

The vortex drops us somewhere dangerous; somewhere forgotten and the Fugitive Doctor is already on the run. This week, I’m cracking open Titan Comics’ Doctor Who: Origins, a story that doesn’t solve the mystery of this incarnation… but absolutely sharpens it.

 

Circuit Breaker Review Supplement 1 - The Fugitive Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

A sharp, stripped‑back look at the Fugitive Doctor’s new sonic - why its clean design, bold vibe, and smart callbacks make it one of the freshest tools in the Doctor Who arsenal.

 

Circuit Breaker Review Part 2 - 'Adversary of the Daleks'

The Fugitive Doctor faces the Daleks for the very first time — and it goes about as well as you’d expect. In Titan’s Circuit Breaker: Adversary of the Daleks, bright, vibrant art meets a sharp, friction‑filled story as Osgood’s hero worship crashes head‑on into a Doctor who refuses to play the part. Ancient Greece, false gods, alien refugees, and a Dalek scout on the hunt — it’s a messy, chaotic, character‑driven entry in the cross‑media event, and we’re breaking it all down. Join us as we dive into the Fugitive Doctor’s most explosive mission yet.

 

Circuit Breaker Review Part 1 - 'Calling the Doctor'

Glenn reviews the opening chapter of the new Doctor Who cross-media event, 'Circuit Breaker.' This episode is a review of the short story, 'Calling the Doctor'