Time Ladies Debate: Orphan 55

The third episode of Doctor Who series 12, Orphan 55, has turned out to be a divisive one among fandom. Some of us love it, some of us loathe it – like marmite, but with added space adventures. The only thing we can all agree on is how iconic the line ‘BENNI!’ is. In order to cover all sides of the story, we present to you; Time Ladies Debate: Orphan 55!

ORPHAN 55? NOT FOR ME… says Kez

In some ways, Orphan 55 is the very essence of Doctor Who – a base siege, a chase, a threatening monster… but it never truly landed for me. The first scenes of the fam landing at the plush spacey spa were brilliant – the pace from Spyfall was still there, as was sustaining the brilliant wit from the leading characters. I was overjoyed at the mental imagery being conjured of Graham lounging with a cocktail, and them all taking a damn break after wrestling with a deep-space squid, well deserved.

As in the series opener, the fam were expertly split off from each other, primed for different versions of the adventure. But alas, were (literally) crammed together again for large parts of the story, a massively missed opportunity. Talk about three being a crowd – when you have a main cast of four, adding another seven (!) onto that means that frankly, we’re not going to have time to become emotionally invested in these guest characters. You could barely keep track of who was there, who had died and who was left behind. Something that really highlighted this for me was the use of sacrifice in this story – something that should hold such impact – a total stranger giving their life for the Doctor and their friends. But this was done four times in one story. When we don’t have time to become invested in these characters, we probably care little when they die, let alone when it becomes a ‘thing’ that happens.

This need for sacrifice feels like it’s there to create peaks in a story that fundamentally is a constant chase. A chase that, instead of thrilling, completely flatlines when they leave the building. After the pacey beginning, where was the push and pull from each side? When the Doctor looked into the mind of the Dregs, she could see the terrifying reality of who they were. But why did we not have the opportunity to learn about this further, to hear about what happened, and how to help them now? Leaving the planet with no resolution apart from ‘hoping it’s just one possible future’ felt like they were running away from the problem rather than facing what had been done. Climate change is a real terror, it’s not something we can run away from. It felt callous and abrupt to simply leave it there.

I admit that as someone who was completely transfixed by the end of Spyfall, I may have been a little disappointed by the drop in focus. But a story centred around such an important message? It could have been better.

ORPHAN 55? THE BEST OF SERIES 12 SO FAR… says Beth

Orphan 55 captures many aspects of my favourite parts of Doctor Who; Action. Adventure. Love. Danger. An important message. There are many layers and characters woven throughout the Tranquillity Spa – something I believe works well to establish the world we’re immersed in. Thanks to Ed Hime’s brilliant characterisation, everybody has a personality and a reason to root for them. Then there are the dregs, some of the scariest and well-designed Doctor Who creatures for a while. Not only do they look incredible, but the truth behind their existence is even more gruesome and hammers home the message of the tale. It’s great to see the Doctor teaching her friends too – even though she’s suffering. It’s particularly interesting to see the fam’s relationship changing out of mistrust and the Doctor’s sorrow, which ties in brilliantly to the storyline.

The truth of Orphan 55 is hidden inside a wrapper of capitalism and human fault – the planet is Earth’s future and the dregs are the human race, evolved and terrifying. This is the type of plot that Doctor Who was made for. In a similar vein to The Green Death, it educates and opens the mind to the climate crisis as well as providing fun and escapism on a Sunday night. There is a positive to come out of such an on the nose message. Because even though Doctor Who is an escape, a place to disappear away from the terrors of our world, it is also a reminder that we can be better and that we should be better – and that’s the most positive thing of all – that we still have hope. As the Doctor tells us at the end of the adventure; ‘Be the best of humanity.’ Hopefully, we won’t let her down.

 

After we discussed the story, we decided to put our differences aside and have a custard cream and a cup of tea. After all, Doctor Who is vast and complicated and beautiful – we won’t always love it or hate it!

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5 Questions we have after Spyfall

By Beth Axford

After a year’s wait, Doctor Who finally returned to our screens last week in the huge Series 12 opener, Spyfall. The two-part story exploded with twists and turns that took our breath away – leaving us with a whirlwind of questions and ponderings. The Kasaavin! The Master! Gallifrey! It’s more excitement than a Time Lady can handle. There are five main things we’ve managed to get our brains around and thoughts down, but a million more questions inside each one…

Who are the Kasaavin?

The Doctor managed to stop the Kasaavin and their evil plan to upgrade human beings by travelling back in time and planting a virus in their tech. But just who are the Kasaavin? We know from what we’ve seen so far that the creatures are ‘alien spies’ who have been collecting information on the human race, but is there more to them than we’ve seen in Spyfall? We aren’t sure what they truly look like or the real reason they appear the way they do. Plus, their plan to upgrade and make humans better all seems a bit… Cybermen. We know the Doctor’s deadly foes are returning later this series (as seen in the S12 trailer) – could they be in on the plan too? We’re intrigued and hope series 12 expands more on these deadly villains.

Barton also nips off to an unknown location, leaving us questioning what became of him. As seen on the scanner in Part 1, He isn’t 100% human – so what is the other 7%? Will he stay in league with the Kasaavin? Where has he disappeared to? So many questions!

What happened to Yaz?

Poor Yaz got zapped to the Kasaavin dimension during Spyfall Part One. The next time we see her, she is transported to Australia where the Doctor, Graham, and O are investigating – but what happened to her, and why was she taken? It’s unclear why she was moved between the dimensions and if anything significant happened to her there. She is visibly shaken and distraught from the experience, even telling Ryan she thought she was dead. It seems like something deeper might be going on here and that Yaz might not be the same person who went into Barton’s office.

Building on this, the Master pays significant attention to her and tells her to stick with him. This could just be his way of messing with the Doctor by teasing her friends – or perhaps something more is going on with the pair since we are unaware of what happened to Yaz in the Kasaavin dimension. One thing seems clear though; Yasmin Khan has been through a lot – who knows where her character arc will go next?

Who is the Timeless Child?

The Timeless Child was first mentioned in The Ghost Monument (2018). Surrounding the Doctor and the gang, the deadly shrouds hissed at the Doctor; ‘We see deeper though. Further back – the Timeless Child.’ At the time, none of us were sure if it was a hint at a story arc or just a throw-away line, but it looks like Chibnall has been planning this one for a while. At the end of Spyfall, The Master tells the Doctor that he destroyed Gallifrey because the Time Lords lied to them; ‘built on the lie of the Timeless Child.’

Who is the Timeless Child? What is the lie surrounding them? Will we find out this series?

Will the fam ever truly know the Doctor?

During Spyfall, we see Yaz, Ryan, and Graham split up from the Doctor. Of course, a returning villain like the Master brings up LOADS of questions and the fam realise the absence of knowledge about their friend. At the end of the adventure, Graham asks, ‘Why don’t you ever share anything with us?’ Rightly pointing out that she knows everything about her TARDIS team but they don’t know much about her at all. She reveals where she’s from and the name of her race, telling her friends who the Master really is. But will their relationships be affected by how little they know about her? It seems like the lack of trust may be a continuing plot thread in this series, and we are very intrigued by this deeper look into the Doctor and her companions.

What will the Master do next?

The biggest surprise of Spyfall has to be the return of the Master… seriously, who was expecting that?! Played by the incredible Sacha Dhawan, the Master disguised himself as agent ‘O’ in order to fool the Doctor and help the Kasaavin with their plan. Hell-bent on killing the Doctor and her friends, he puts them on a crashing plane with a bomb in the front seat. Of course, the Doctor isn’t letting her fam die in a hurry and manages to save them from their impending death. The Master follows the Doctor through time, trying to track her down and end her once and for all; even having time for a deep chat on the Eiffel Tower. Good will always win out though, and when the Kasaavin hear the truth of the Master’s plan they disappear to their realm, taking him with them. What will the Master do next? Will he be stuck there? If the Gallifrey storyline continues, we’re bound to see him pop up again…

What did you think of Spyfall? Do you have any other questions or theories? Let us know via Twitter, Instagram or email us at thetimeladies@yahoo.com

Christmas without Who

By Beth Axford

Whether you celebrate it or not, Christmas is a special holiday for many. It’s a time of rest and giving, for spending with family and loved ones… and for watching Doctor Who. Tradition is important during the festive period and Doctor Who on Christmas day has become just that for many families. Since The Doctor and Rose saved the Earth during Christmas 2005, we’ve been treated to a special festive episode every year.

Taking the prime time evening slot, families would sit down together filled with mince pies and turkey and enjoy an adventure through space and time. This year though, Doctor Who is embarking on a new tradition – the yearly special episode has been moved to New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.

The Christmas Invasion (2005) begun a Christmas tradition for many.

Christmas can be difficult if you’ve lost someone. It can be difficult if you suffer with mental health struggles or family issues. Throughout all of my Christmases, and all of these difficulties, I’ve always been comforted by the Doctor Who Christmas special. It has been there to wrap its arms around me and tell me I’m not alone. It’s taken me on adventures and helped me escape when I’ve found the festive period hard.

No matter the contents of the story, the Christmas episodes are always based around one core theme: hope. This is exactly what I and many others need during the holidays, particularly on the big day itself. I spent Christmas day sick and alone, and I really could have done with that Doctor Who episode this year. Somehow I’ve been left feeling like my hope was taken away, or my only saviour around Christmas time had let me down. That is the importance of this show to me and many others.

The Doctor, the widow and the wardrobe (2011)

In times like this, it’s easy to get upset with how the show changes when it means so much to us, or when things differ from its traditional way. But Doctor Who has lasted for 55 years for a reason – it thrives on change. In the words of the Doctor, ‘If things didn’t end, nothing would ever get started.’

Despite my feelings, I am very excited for a brand new adventure with team TARDIS on New Year’s Day. What better way to begin a new year than with my favourite form of hope – Doctor Who! Christmas may have been hard without it, but January will be much easier with it.

Resolution airs New Years day

Am I upset with the lack of Who on Christmas day? Yes. But times change, and so must Who. We will begin 2019 with The Doctor and friends taking us on a brand new adventure. So begins a new tradition – New year, new Who.

What do you think of the move from Christmas day to New year’s day? Let us know @thetimeladies_

Demonology and The Doctor: Demons of the Punjab review by Diksha Bhugra

There is no doubt that the Punjab of 1947 was populated with far more than its fair share of demons, and did not need any alien assassins to help with the bloodshed. And yet, I was afraid that might be where the plotline of Demons of the Punjab was headed. But the writers of Doctor Who have yet again managed to pleasantly surprise me and I could not be more relieved. Not only has Vinay Patel managed to depict the atrocities of Partition through a heartbreakingly poignant script, but also introduced us to one of the most compassionate species of the Who universe, the Thijarians.

Team TARDIS lands in 1947 Punjab to witness the wedding of Yasmin’s grandmother, Umbreen. Only Umbreen isn’t getting married to Yaz’s Muslim grandfather, but a Hindu man – Prem, that she has never told her granddaughter about before. Yaz is filled with confusion and injured feelings for having been kept in the dark about such a crucial fact. But in walking away from his murder at the end of the episode, Yaz shows the inner strength and maturity of her character. Perhaps Prem’s sacrifice and her newfound understanding of love might act as inspiration for her somewhere down the line as she travels with the Doctor. But more importantly, she finally understands her heritage and the importance of the distinctiveness of her identity in modern-day Sheffield. This all harps back to the ‘demons’ that had ‘cursed’ the days and the land her grandmother had escaped from.

Perhaps the most striking part of this predominantly historical episode, apart from the stunning set location, is the dynamic and shifting definition of the ‘demon’. Umbreen’s mother, in the characteristically superstitious words of a rustic Punjabi woman, is the first to call the alien a demon. But while the Thijarians, in the beginning, seem like the perfect cooking pot of all the villainous ingredients of a typical Doctor Who episode, it is somewhere else that the true evil lies. Even the Thijarians are only there to witness the consequences of that evil.

Is the demon really Manish who kills his own elder brother, Prem, for marrying a Muslim? Or is the demon inside every one of the mindless mob who is hell-bent on bloodshed? The villains of Partition weren’t always complete strangers. They were very often neighbours, friends and in Prem’s case, family. All the outside world within the episode seems like the enemy, and yet there is no escaping the fact that despite their actions, every single one of the mob is just a human being. In typical Doctor Who style, Demons of the Punjab makes you wonder who the true villain is, and whether they might deserve at least a part of our compassion.

By painting a picture of the oncoming violence and rioting impartially yet solemnly, the show remains respectful of the suffering of countless victims and fills my heart, quite like the Thijarians, with empathy for all those who died without being properly remembered. The Partition of India remained for a long time, an event consciously denied by many. Even for those who went through the confusion and terror of immigration, like my own grandparents did, it was something too traumatic to be shared. Forceful eviction and neighborhood violence are perhaps some of the less darker stories of the times. Partition was more of a civil war, both for and against identity, which cannot easily be depicted on screen. Demons of the Punjab, in that sense, has an even deeper meaning behind its title than most will see. In many ways, this honourable portrayal of such a huge tragedy seems like the final closing of a book that had been open for too long, both in its representation in Doctor Who and in the act of Graham reassuring Prem that he is a “good man”. It seems like the end of a long history of colonial resentment and the beginning of a relationship of newfound trust and respect.

In the midst of this implied violence, Umbreen and Prem’s wedding is one of the most emotional scenes of series 11 so far. It is also a real cultural treat. The Hindu and Muslim rituals blend beautifully into Doctor Who with the Doctor even officiating at the wedding, a golden marigold propped over one ear. Truth be told, they really couldn’t have found anyone better for the job. Traditionally, Hindu weddings are performed by a priest (pundit) or what the Hindus might call a ‘learned man’ and who, really, could be more learned than the Doctor?

The only hiccup for the episode, for me, occurs, when Prem and Umbreen share not just one, but two passionate kisses in the episode right in front of Umbreen’s mother. While this may appear normal on the 21st century television screen, it’s a decidely startling scene for someone like me who grew up in a relatively conservative family in India, aware that gestures of physical affection like this were seldom made in front of family members in the India of 1947. Perhaps the scene may be justified, seeing as how extraordinary the situation was, or maybe there was the need for dramatic impact. But the lack of any reaction whatsoever from the bride’s mother on this open intimacy remains an eyebrow-raising mystery to me.

But overall, the performances of Amita Suman (young Umbreen), Shaheen Khan (Umbreen’s mother), Shane Zaza (Prem) and Hamza Jeetooa (Manish) are exceptionally commendable not just for portraying the complexity of the emotions of their time, but also for managing to retain the distinctive South Asian body language and subtle speech gestures of native Punjabi and Urdu while delivering dialogues in English. The TARDIS translation is apparent throughout, making it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Also worth praising is the special score for this episode without which the true essence of the story’s setting would be lost. The Punjabi remix of the Who theme by Segun Akinola is as much a delight to the ears as a dagger to the heart. The deep, resonant notes of Indian classical music and soulful percussions of the tabla, the traditional Indian drums, tie the episode even more profoundly to a nostalgia for the homeland that is at the heart of the tragedy of Partition. It brings back forgotten as well as passed down memories of a time and place we all wish we could go back and save, if only we had a time machine.

This guest piece was written by Diksha Bhugra.

You can find her on Instagram @dikshabhugra and her blog: awriterscauldron.wordpress.com

Thirteenth Doctor Outfit and Make-Up Tutorial

By Beth Axford

The Thirteenth Doctor will be making her on-screen debut very soon, swishing about in her long coat and rocking those yellow braces. Her already iconic outfit has become popular with Doctor Who fans everywhere with many (including us), giving it the cosplay treatment. If you’re itching to get your hands on her Doctory garments and give it a go yourself, we’ve put together this handy guide to fulfil all your time travel dreams.

Striped Rainbow Top

The staple item of The Doctor’s new get-up is her dark shirt with a series of Tom Baker scarf style stripes across the chest. From the trailer we can also see that she has a pinky maroon version of this, but we don’t know why, or whether it’s important. Either way, it’s great that there’s a variant to choose from. Luckily, this style of rainbow tee has been popular on the high street in the last few months, meaning it’s easy to dress like you’re about to save the world at any time! If you’re looking for one more accurate though, you can find both variations of the shirt on Redbubble.

Grab yours here

Teal Trousers

The Doctor can’t save the universe without wearing some funky trousers, right? This new outfit is no exception, with our hero sporting some teal trousers. Rolled up at the ankle, they appear to be high waisted as well – although this probably isn’t too important for your cosplay. In some images they look bluer than others, but teal seems to be the general colour consensus.

You can grab some similar leg wear here or here

Yellow Braces

Another popular accessory, braces appear frequently in various Doctors costumes. This time they’re a bright mustard yellow, giving another pop to the outfit. These are relatively easy, cheap to find and because they’re simple, it doesn’t matter if they aren’t completely accurate.

You can grab a pair on amazon

 

Boots and socks

No Time Lord outfit would be complete without a pair of comfy shoes! The Doctor’s brown ankle boots finish off her outfit and give it a more put together look. She pairs them with blue and white striped socks that peek out of the top – just to confirm her toes are cosy.

Get your feet in these boots and striped socks

Coat

As always with Doctor costumes, we’re treated to a fantastic coat – this time it’s a sky-blue hue and floor skimming, perfect for flying out behind her when running down corridors. The rainbow trimming is an extra special touch, holding both significance for LGBTQ+ fans, as well as matching her tshirt. This item may be a little more difficult to get hold of, but if you’ve got some cash to spare for your cosplay,‘Her Universe’ have created a replica coat that’s near perfect. This coat is officially licensed, however you can find similar coats and fan made replicas around the internet.

Take a look at these Unofficial 13 coats

Earrings

Thirteen’s costume sports some beautiful jewellery this series, more than we’ve ever seen before on a Doctor! We particularly love her ear cuff chain earring. The original design appears to be hands holding linked by a chain to an upper design of stars. It’s pretty hard to come across this exact earring set, as it’s custom made, but you can get similar ones here:

Alternative Earrings

Make Up

The Doctor’s beauty look for series eleven is natural and glowy, with a hint of colour on the eyes and lips. If you’d like to achieve a similar makeup look, we’ve got you covered. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to achieve the perfect Thirteenth Doctor make up:

Skin

To achieve that glowing Thirteenth Doctor skin, it all begins with a good moisturiser. Once you’ve slathered it on, grab a primer to smooth out your face and make any make up you apply stay on that bit longer.

Magic moisturisers:

Simple

Lush

Perfect Primers:

NYX

Benefit

Once your base is prepared, apply your favourite foundation with a beauty blender sponge, dabbing it from the middle of your face outwards. This will disperse the product evenly and make sure you don’t look cakey!

Fab foundations:

Rimmel Match Perfection

NYX Total Control

Now that you’ve begun to enhance your beautiful skin, it’s time for some concealer. This isn’t always necessary, so it just depends on how you feel. Dab some onto any areas you’d like to cover up such as spots, dark circles or scars, and then blend with the beauty blender. Remember, you aren’t trying to change your naturally beautiful face, you just want to enhance it. If you’re putting some under your eyes, place it in a triangle shape underneath them – that way it will highlight the area and lift the face. The Doctor has flawless skin, so we’re just aiming for that look as much as possible.

Cool concealers:

Collection Lasting Perfection

NYX Concealer Wand

To make sure what you’ve applied so far stays in place, you’ll need to use a powder to set. This can be a translucent one if you don’t wish for anymore colour. Use a fluffy brush to smooth onto your face or dab it on with a sponge to the areas you wish to have more coverage. The nose, forehead, under the eyes and any areas which get naturally shiny during the day are best to target so that your products don’t slip off.

Pretty powders:

NYX High Definition

Makeup Revolution Pressed Powder

 

Face Colour

Now that we’re done with the base of the face, it’s time to add a little colour on top. The Doctor has chiselled cheekbones and glowing highlights, so it’s important to get that right.

The best way to contour your face is to take a bronzer and a fluffy brush and begin at the top of the forehead. Brush it lightly along the forehead where the sun would naturally hit and then take it down around the side of your face as if you’re outlining it, stopping at the top of your ear. This technique is almost like drawing a 3 shape. Next, take the bronzer down along your cheekbone towards your lips, stopping midway. Sweep back up that line, taking it back round the side of your face to the bottom, completing the 3 shape. Repeat on the other side and you’ll have the contoured look! You can also run some bronzer down each side of your nose and over the bridge if you would like to chisel that as well.

Bold Bronzers:

e.l.f Bronzer Palette

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

To add a little colour on top of the bronzer, take a darker blusher and your fluffy brush and sweep over the apples of your cheeks. Blend upwards into your bronzed cheekbones and it’ll look as natural as if you’ve been running down corridors all day.

Beautiful Blushers:

NYX Sweet Cheeks Blush Palette

Finally, it’s time for that highlight to pop. Pick a natural, sparkly highlighter and sweep along the cheekbones above the bronzer and down to the apples of your cheeks. The other prime places to highlight are the top of your nose, under your brows, your forehead and the top of your cupid’s bow. This will perfect your Thirteenth Doctor glow!

Handy Highlighters:

Revolution Highlighter

L’Oreal Highlighter

 

Eyebrows

Now your face colours are complete, it’s time for BROWS. Arguably one of the most important parts of any beauty look, the eyebrows shape the face and change it according to how they are styled. The Doctor has thin, round eyebrows lightly filled in with a brown-blonde product. To keep it as natural and simple as hers, sweep some pencil or brow powder lightly into your own brows. Pick a product as close to your hair colour (or wig if you’re using one) as possible. Start from the bottom hairs and feather the product in so that it follows the direction that the hairs are growing in and looks as natural as possible. Brush them into place using a spooly (the brush on the end of an eyebrow pencil) and you’ll have perfect, natural brows.

Easy eyebrow products:

L’Oreal Brow Artist

Benefit Brow Collection

Eyes

This Doctor’s brand new eyes are wearing a natural, shadowed brown. To create this look you’ll need a couple of eyeshadows in a beige or cream colour and a slightly darker brown. It’s best if the brown is a similar colour to your bronzer. Begin by smoothing the cream coloured base over the lid and upwards. Once it’s smooth and blended, take a fluffy eyeshadow brush and blend the darker brown shadow into the crease of your eyelid. Start with a small amount of product and build up so that it looks natural and blends well. If you take it down and blend underneath your lower lash line it will create a less harsh shadow look and blend into the rest of your face. Once you’re done with the main shadow, take an eyeliner pencil or dark eyeshadow and draw neatly along your top and bottom lash line with a small angled brush. Make sure it isn’t too thick – the look has to stay lowkey! Finally, add a brown or black mascara to your lashes to build  and open up the eyes. The Doctor doesn’t wear heavy eye makeup, so don’t apply too much.

Shiny Shadows:

Revolution Flawless Palette

Luscious liners:

Brown Liners

Magic Mascaras:

L’Oreal Miss Manga Mascara

NYX Mascara 

Lips

We’re going to finish off the Doctor’s make up look by adding a splash of colour to the lips. Take a pink or nude lip liner and follow your natural lip line to recreate Jodie’s subtle look. Add a lipstick shade of the same colour to your mouth to make it really pop.

Lavish Lipsticks and Liners:

NYX Lip Cream

Natural Collection Liner

Hair

The Doctor sports a short, blonde bob with some fashionable root showage. If you’d like to opt for a wig, style it with hairspray accordingly and stick it on your noggin. If you’re styling it yourself, use a round brush to blow dry your hair inwards towards your face.

And there you have it! You’re ready to see new faces, new worlds and new times. Show us your Thirteen cosplay and make up look by tweeting @thetimeladies_ or emailing thetimeladies@yahoo.com

 

One Year of The Time Ladies

Where’s our birthday cake? We’re ready to blow out our first candle!

Beth

Today marks one year of The Time Ladies.

A year ago we launched our social channels and blog with a beautiful poem by the amazing Em, without whom we couldn’t have got to where we are today. Over the course of the months since, we’ve had incredible support and equally, terrible hatred aimed towards us. When I set up this blog, I wanted a place where I felt comfortable as a woman and as a Doctor Who fan, as all spaces I could see for the show were male dominated. There’s nothing wrong with that – I’ve made some amazing male friends through the show. But something was missing, and when The Time Ladies was created, I filled that hole I had been feeling for years.

We rapidly grew due to amazing support from friends and followers, and when Jodie Whittaker was announced as the 13th Doctor, we truly knew we had a place. I will always be astonished that just 4 months before a Time Lady Doctor finally happened, I’d created a blog by the same name. Radio appearances, brand partnerships, convention invites and many viral posts later and we finally have the voice I always wanted. We absolutely couldn’t have done it without all the support from so many amazing people; the brands and companies that ask to work with us, the friends who share our posts, the people who give advice. The retweets, the feedback, the submissions and the interactions. So here’s to a year of us and to the future, which is bright and full of excitement as the build up for series 11 begins.

Kez

A year ago, the landscape of the Doctor Who fandom looked very different to me. I, personally had compartmentalised my interests and beliefs into little boxes when really, they were all related. Am I nerdy as heck about a certain sci-fi show? Yes. Do I love clothes, make up and all things feminine? Yes. Am I a feminist and believe women’s work should be celebrated in male dominated environments? Yes. Is there a place for intersectionality within the Doctor Who fandom? No.  As if there would ever be a place for female Doctor Who fans to voice their opinion proudly, in a safe space where they wouldn’t be shouted down or told they were wrong! Happily, this space now exists.

For every nasty tweet about us being ‘man-haters’ (yawn), every patronising message claiming we know nothing about the show we love, there have been women (and men!) who validate and empower the voice of this small corner of the internet. And I can’t tell you how amazing that feels… and how important it really is. Getting feedback from women telling us they finally feel part of a community who understands them pushes us to create more.

Me and Beth have been able to work on some amazing things this year – who remembers our press tour?! And this year with a new Time Lord in the TARDIS, who knows what we’ll be up to! Moving forward, we want to share this space more. We’re all part of this community and we should all benefit. Keep your eye out for some amazing opportunities… and of course we’ll be posting more pieces you’ve written, too. We can’t wait. Thanks for everything so far, here’s to many more years, many more candles and much more cake!