Don't get me wrong, Doctor Who certainly has its fair share of gender equality issues, but it also frequently goes well out of its way to portray strong women in leadership roles. In this morning's episodes of The Web of Fear there is a classic example of this. The London Underground is evacuated and under siege, with the military in place to repel the impending disaster and also with two scientific advisors -- an aging Professor Travers (last seen forty years younger in The Abominable Snowmen) and his daughter Anne Travers. At one point, a soldier asks Anne, "What's a girl like you doing in a job like this?" to which she replies, "Well, when I was a little girl I thought I'd like to be a scientist, so... I became a scientist."

Dude, you should try asking her about her feminist agenda...

So yeah, let's talk about that...

Here's a bit of meaningless trivia for you: The two episodes I watched this morning of The Enemy of the World also happen to be the very first episodes of Doctor Who to have been broadcast during my lifetime. I was born on January 15, 1968 and then five days later Episode 5 of this story originally aired. I missed it the first time around, but I am thrilled to have finally caught up to it today. It only took my 49 years to get around to it. As for the story itself, the wrap-up was every bit as good as the setup.

Let's talk about that.

There have been very few times in the past three months and 188 episodes where I have not been acutely aware that I am definitely walking on a treadmill while watching Doctor Who. I intentionally keep myself pushed as close as possible to my limit, so especially by the end of my second episode for the day I am generally fighting a battle of willpower to keep moving while desperately trying to distract myself with the current story. Today, however, I became so wrapped up in The Enemy of the World that I was completely transported and then stunned by a truly unexpected plot twist. Seriously, if you have never watched this story but intend to do so in the future, please do not read below the fold here. Because, wow...

Let's talk about that.

Well this is novel territory. Today I started in on The Enemy of the World, and it is truly unique. First of all, up until four years ago it was almost completely lost until episodes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were found in Nigeria. More than that, though,  it is also a very case of being a straight-up political thriller instead of a science fiction or horror story. Patrick Troughton not only plays the Doctor, but also the part of Ramón Salamander -- a charismatic but ruthless politician who is on the verge of total world domination. Where every other story this season is a standard "base under siege" situation, The Enemy of the World is an entirely different animal.

Let's talk about that.

First off, huge headline:  THIS MORNING I WEIGHED IN AT MORE THAN 30 LBS LESS THAN WHEN i STARTED THIS PROJECT! 

After the better part of a week of frustration, banging my head against the barrier of getting below 280 lbs, this morning I weighed in at a record low 276.5. This was due in no small part to having spent two consecutive days walking around Walt Disney World with my autistic son in 95°+ weather, in addition to the daily treadmill time. You'd better believe that I am taking the win. On top of that, I found out over the weekend that I got a callback for a professional theatrical production that I auditioned for. I am a very happy boy indeed.

So anyway, Doctor Who... I did watch the final two episodes of The Ice Warriors this morning and made an astonishing discovery.

Let's talk about that.

First thing: I stumbled across the image I used for this post and fell in love with it. It is by the very excellent Roger Langridge. Second thing: I finally dropped back below 280 again today -- yay me! I am celebrating by spending the afternoon taking my son to Epcot to photograph princesses like a Princess Paparazzi. As for Doctor Who, this morning I watched episodes 2 & 3 of The Ice Warriors.  I went the full 55 minutes on my treadmill at my highest sustained speed ever. I've got my second wind, and I am surging onward. Also: The ice warriors are creepy as hell.

Let's talk about that.

No spoilers, for my friends on the West Coast. Following directly on from last week's Extremis, the Monks come into forefront in the middle part of a three-parter. Stylistically very different than usual, but I liked it. The middle part of the season is definitely much stronger than the early bits, and I am liking it. I am going to miss those Attack Eyebrows when they are gone.

As I write this, it is 11:22pm. I am going to keep this brief, but...  Today is not the day I fail to get in my hour of treadmill time. I didn't start until after 10pm because of a very full day, but I am determined not to fail in this project. I know that you, my imaginary readers, would be very disappointed in me if I did. So I watched the first two episodes of The Ice Warriors tonight. Yay me.

I had really hoped to start this post with "what a difference a day makes", but sadly I am still in a slump. That's four consecutive days back above 280, which is frustrating as hell. I expect my son is going to run me ragged around Walt Disney World this weekend, so hopefully I will be moving back in the right direction shortly. The good news is, this morning I was able to go the full 55 minutes for the first time in days. This is going to be a long, long battle.

Anyway, I finished watching The Abominable Snowmen this morning. Let's talk about that.

I ain't gonna lie, some days this project is more challenging than others. It's not the story, I am still digging The Abominable Snowmen, but today is the third day in a row I have been back up above 280. It's been less each day, but still frustrating. I know it's just a blip, and I will get back on track, but it makes for a frustrating time. On top of that, for the last several days I have had to back off on the speed because I just couldn't keep up. Again, I know it's just a normal part of the process, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. 

At least I still have robot yeti to amuse me. Let's talk about that.