STACK #188 June 2020

TV FEATURE

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DOCTOR WHO: SERIES 12

After a bumpy start for Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor, showrunner Chris Chibnall has taken fan feedback onboard and delivered a terrific sophomore season that features the return of several famous foes, and an old friend who delivers an ominous warning – "Beware the lone Cyberman." Two-parter Spyfall kicks things off with a bang and a James Bond vibe. Stephen Fry guest stars as the head of MI6, and the Doctor confronts a new regeneration of longtime nemesis The Master – played with Machiavellian relish by Sacha Dhawan. Further highlights include the return of those mercenary space rhinos in Fugitive of the Judoon , which sets up an enigma that will pay off later in the season. Mary Shelley's inspiration for Frankenstein is revealed in The Haunting of Villa Diodati , and Ascension of the Cybermen makes the iconic metal villains scary again, reimagining them as a

relentless force to rival the Borg from Star Trek . This is easily one of the best Cybermen stories since the classic series' Earthshock . Then there is the polarising season finale, The Timeless Children , which boldly rewrites Who history and suggests a new direction for the programme when the Doctor returns in the holiday special Revolution of the Daleks , due late 2020/ early 2021. Speaking of Daleks, this 5-disc set also includes the 2019 NewYear special Resolution – a cracking episode that finally brings the 13th Doctor face to eye stalk with her deadliest foe. Bonus material includes episode audio commentaries, A Look Back at Series 11, What to Expect in Series 12, A Dalek Re-formed, and a behind-the-scenes featurette on Resolution . Out June 3

*while stocks last

BLUEY VOL. 6 – ASPARAGUS & OTHER STORIES

The domestic life of a Brisbane blue heeler puppy and her family is the go-to cartoon series for preschoolers – and parents love it, too. A smart and humorous reflection of the contemporary Australian family, Bluey received the 2019 AACTA for Best Children’s Program and is now delighting a global audience. Vol. 6 stresses the importance of manners when a dish of magical asparagus transforms the Heeler family into wild animals in a wonderfully

silly episode that will leave the kids giggling for hours. Elsewhere, pet emu Shaun causes chaos; the girls attempt to conquer Mount Mumandad; and Christmas Eve brings a visit from Verandah Santa. Nine episodes in total to keep the little ones – and parents – amused. Out June 17

images © BBC

36 JUNE 2020

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