Identity Theft (Bifurcating “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood,” with guest Steven Schapansky)

In Doctor Who’s early years, there were many episodes where the Doctor was noticeably absent, usually because William Hartnell or Patrick Troughton needed a holiday from the grueling shooting schedule. But Human Nature is the only episode of Doctor Who where the Doctor doesn’t appear at all outside of flashbacks. Of course, David Tennant is front and center, giving a performance for the ages, literally, in John Smith. There are many reasons this episode, along with the conclusion, The Family of Blood, is so well remembered: Its central plot device tees up the climax the Series 3, it showcases some brilliant guest performances in the villainous Family, and it might even explain why the Eighth Doctor said he was “half-human.” But it’s the love story between Doctor’s alternate identity and a human woman that the story lives or dies upon. Let’s get at the heart of this thing… This time there's THREE of us! We welcome Steven Schapansky⁠ from ⁠Radio Free Skaro⁠ for this special episode. Don't forget to give your own rating for Human Nature and The Family of Blood on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Commentary for Human Nature | The Family of Blood begins at 24:03. Subscribe to our newsletter at ⁠⁠pulltoopen.net⁠⁠ for extended notes on Human Nature and The Family of Blood. Please consider ⁠⁠becoming a patron⁠⁠ of Pull To Open on Patreon. Use ⁠⁠⁠our special link⁠⁠⁠ to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan: https://zen.ai/VQLNX7mi_ybWBP5VHbJw9w Please review Pull To Open on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠ Follow us on: TikTok! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pulltoopen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pulltoopen63⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pulltoopen63⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠@pulltoopen63⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠@pulltoopen⁠⁠ Please subscribe to our ⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠. Play ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pull To Open Bingo⁠⁠⁠! Story Essentials Series 3, Episodes 8+9 Story number: 188, per the The Pull To Open Codex Writer: Paul Cornell Director: Charles Palmer Showrunner: Russell T. Davies Aired 26 May – 2 June 2007 Pull To Open: Human Nature / The Family of Blood Season 4 Episode 45 Hosts: Pete Pachal and Chris Taylor Guest: Steven Schapansky from Radio Free Skaro Music: Martin West/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinking Fish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pull-to-open/support