Philip Purser-Hallard
@purserhallard.com
I write stuff -- most recently Sherlock Holmes: The Monster of the Mere. Posting about writing, TV, SF, Doctor Who, politics, language, crosswords, things I like, things I'm interested in, things. He/him.
Pinned
Philip Purser-Hallard
@purserhallard.com
· Nov 14
Since new followers are arriving literally in their dozens, here's a quick rundown of my books and why, if you're interested in the stuff I post here, you might like to read them. Or vice versa.
Links are to my website, where there are links to buy from various sources.
Links are to my website, where there are links to buy from various sources.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
Why, annoyingly, I had to reassess Star Wars’ villains
I'm well attested as to having hated The Phantom Menace, well the entire prequel trilogy, and to having been incandescent with rage at Rise of Skywalker's racist, misogynistic bullshit. I'm pretty clear too that The Force Awakens took a turn…
I'm well attested as to having hated The Phantom Menace, well the entire prequel trilogy, and to having been incandescent with rage at Rise of Skywalker's racist, misogynistic bullshit. I'm pretty clear too that The Force Awakens took a turn…
Why, annoyingly, I had to reassess Star Wars’ villains
I'm well attested as to having hated The Phantom Menace, well the entire prequel trilogy, and to having been incandescent with rage at Rise of Skywalker's racist, misogynistic bullshit. I'm pretty clear too that The Force Awakens took a turn far too far into fan service and nostalgia rather than seeking to reinvent the story for a new generation with new ideas and challenges.
stewarthotston.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Why, annoyingly, I had to reassess Star Wars’ villains
I'm well attested as to having hated The Phantom Menace, well the entire prequel trilogy, and to having been incandescent with rage at Rise of Skywalker's racist, misogynistic bullshit. I'm pretty clear too that The Force Awakens took a turn…
I'm well attested as to having hated The Phantom Menace, well the entire prequel trilogy, and to having been incandescent with rage at Rise of Skywalker's racist, misogynistic bullshit. I'm pretty clear too that The Force Awakens took a turn…
I'm not going to list the female characters from Star Trek who I fancy the most (that is to say, having obviously listed them to my personal satisfaction, I'm not going to post that list here), but D'Vana Tendi is definitely among them.
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
I'm not going to list the female characters from Star Trek who I fancy the most (that is to say, having obviously listed them to my personal satisfaction, I'm not going to post that list here), but D'Vana Tendi is definitely among them.
I've watched it about 20 times, but you're right that coming to it fresh would be a completely different experience. One I no longer remember, though.
It turns out this is a film that you can only really watch once. Knowing the premise completely changes it - for the worst, IMHO - because the first half of the movie pulls you in with a series of weird juxtapositions and barbed little hooks.
February 9, 2026 at 8:16 AM
I've watched it about 20 times, but you're right that coming to it fresh would be a completely different experience. One I no longer remember, though.
DS9 rewatch: the kid, who's never seen amy of it, just walked in at the precise moment Bashir first meets Garak and asked, "Are they about to kiss?"
February 8, 2026 at 8:40 PM
DS9 rewatch: the kid, who's never seen amy of it, just walked in at the precise moment Bashir first meets Garak and asked, "Are they about to kiss?"
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
MY KIDS: so why are there muppets in the AUDIENCE
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
February 8, 2026 at 6:22 AM
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
Finally watched the last episode of Stranger Things. It went on too long and needed more 80s music, but in storytelling terms I reckon it did all the right things. It's rare for a multi-year series to get to the end and manage that.
February 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Finally watched the last episode of Stranger Things. It went on too long and needed more 80s music, but in storytelling terms I reckon it did all the right things. It's rare for a multi-year series to get to the end and manage that.
Finished the first draft of a 12,000-word story today, which feels like more of an accomplishment than it should. Nevertheless, whee.
February 7, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Finished the first draft of a 12,000-word story today, which feels like more of an accomplishment than it should. Nevertheless, whee.
See also heroes getting their shoulder dislocated, then popping the arm back into the socket with the other hand while giving a pained but stoical grunt.
It took three strong medics an hour to reset my dislocation, and my arm needed support, rest and physio for months.
It took three strong medics an hour to reset my dislocation, and my arm needed support, rest and physio for months.
I am sick to the tits of people being "knocked out" as a way to advance the action without a bunch of inconvenient actually having to write in between set pieces
Fuck off
A concussion bad enough to knock you out long enough to advance the action is going to immediately and permanently impair you
Fuck off
A concussion bad enough to knock you out long enough to advance the action is going to immediately and permanently impair you
February 7, 2026 at 1:59 PM
See also heroes getting their shoulder dislocated, then popping the arm back into the socket with the other hand while giving a pained but stoical grunt.
It took three strong medics an hour to reset my dislocation, and my arm needed support, rest and physio for months.
It took three strong medics an hour to reset my dislocation, and my arm needed support, rest and physio for months.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
My number one piece of writing advice is: don’t do it if you don’t actually like writing
February 7, 2026 at 11:09 AM
My number one piece of writing advice is: don’t do it if you don’t actually like writing
Episode 1 of The Night Manager season 2 makes me suspect this may be plotted more formulaically than the season based on the Le Carre book. Three deaths and a villain reveal all happened right on schedule.
February 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Episode 1 of The Night Manager season 2 makes me suspect this may be plotted more formulaically than the season based on the Le Carre book. Three deaths and a villain reveal all happened right on schedule.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
sometimes writing a thing is: deleting a sentence, retyping it, changing two words in it, changing them back again, deleting the whole thing again, then putting it back in nearly the same words but in a different order.
sometimes.
sometimes.
February 7, 2026 at 9:58 AM
sometimes writing a thing is: deleting a sentence, retyping it, changing two words in it, changing them back again, deleting the whole thing again, then putting it back in nearly the same words but in a different order.
sometimes.
sometimes.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
I really hope people advocating to ban kids from SM read this. Some kids are isolated by disabilities or circumstances. Furthermore, some kids grow up in abusive households. “Ideally, a child’s exposure to online worlds should be moderated by their parents” isn’t a reassuring sentiment for everyone
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
‘I’ve lost my friends’: advocacy groups warn Australia’s social media ban risks isolating kids with disabilities
Despite the ban’s aim to protect young people, experts are concerned that those in marginalised communities or living with disabilities could lose vital support networks
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I really hope people advocating to ban kids from SM read this. Some kids are isolated by disabilities or circumstances. Furthermore, some kids grow up in abusive households. “Ideally, a child’s exposure to online worlds should be moderated by their parents” isn’t a reassuring sentiment for everyone
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
Fuck these fucking thieves
Anthropic Knew the Public Would Be Disgusted by How It Was Destroying Physical Books, Secret Documents Reveal
Newly unsealed documents suggest that Anthropic was well aware that destroying books to train its AI would look bad.
futurism.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Fuck these fucking thieves
Well, that was a swift block.
"Talent is a gatekeeping mechanism" is a hell of a quote.
February 6, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Well, that was a swift block.
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
This comes up a lot so I do want to let you all know that the option of turning the existing building into a heritage/museum site has been costed out and it is substantially more expensive
How about this - new parliament building and government center in Slough, including Pm residence. Change parliament into a tourist and museum center.
February 6, 2026 at 10:41 AM
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
BLOW IT UP
Unarguable, this.
A lot of "golden age" science fiction has interesting ideas and workman-like-at-best prose, and Asimov was no exception to this. He and many other GA SF writers benefitted from "first-mover" status, and also, editors who preferred neat SF concepts (and men) over exceptional prose (and women).
Luke warm take? His stuff was influential but kinda-mid.
February 6, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Unarguable, this.
I'm thinking it might be a sign of wisdom to give up entirely on the idea of "good" and "bad" art, and just talk about what I like and why.
In unrelated news, I absolutely loved this week's Starfleet Academy.
In unrelated news, I absolutely loved this week's Starfleet Academy.
February 5, 2026 at 11:05 PM
I'm thinking it might be a sign of wisdom to give up entirely on the idea of "good" and "bad" art, and just talk about what I like and why.
In unrelated news, I absolutely loved this week's Starfleet Academy.
In unrelated news, I absolutely loved this week's Starfleet Academy.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
I felt weird about doing this, because I know I communicate much better in a written format than the spoken word, but Kenny is an excellent interviewer with a lovely reassuring voice, and I don't appear on the face of it to have said anything too profoundly stupid.
If this is something that appeals, you can hear me talking to Kenny Smith about my latest book, the Black Archive on the 1966 Doctor Who story The Ark, on the Power of 3 podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
493: The Black Archive - The Ark
Podcast Episode · Power of 3 · 04/02/2026 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:01 AM
I felt weird about doing this, because I know I communicate much better in a written format than the spoken word, but Kenny is an excellent interviewer with a lovely reassuring voice, and I don't appear on the face of it to have said anything too profoundly stupid.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
If this is something that appeals, you can hear me talking to Kenny Smith about my latest book, the Black Archive on the 1966 Doctor Who story The Ark, on the Power of 3 podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
493: The Black Archive - The Ark
Podcast Episode · Power of 3 · 04/02/2026 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
If this is something that appeals, you can hear me talking to Kenny Smith about my latest book, the Black Archive on the 1966 Doctor Who story The Ark, on the Power of 3 podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
Someone should do an Aliens vs Borg comic. As well as the fun of seeing who managed to body-horror whom, you'd get the maximum HR Giger out of the artwork.
February 5, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Someone should do an Aliens vs Borg comic. As well as the fun of seeing who managed to body-horror whom, you'd get the maximum HR Giger out of the artwork.
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
After a six year gap. we finally have a new Iris Wildthyme New Adventure novel out!
NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW by Dale Smith is the Who/Goodnight Sweetheart crossover - sort of, not really! - that we're convinced the world has long been waiting for!
obversebooks.co.uk/product/the-...
NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW by Dale Smith is the Who/Goodnight Sweetheart crossover - sort of, not really! - that we're convinced the world has long been waiting for!
obversebooks.co.uk/product/the-...
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
After a six year gap. we finally have a new Iris Wildthyme New Adventure novel out!
NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW by Dale Smith is the Who/Goodnight Sweetheart crossover - sort of, not really! - that we're convinced the world has long been waiting for!
obversebooks.co.uk/product/the-...
NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW by Dale Smith is the Who/Goodnight Sweetheart crossover - sort of, not really! - that we're convinced the world has long been waiting for!
obversebooks.co.uk/product/the-...
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
👁️NEW EPISODE!👁️
Philip Purser-Hallard joins us to discuss his latest #DoctorWho Black Archive from @obversebooks.co.uk - The Ark.
on.soundcloud.com/w0GSMXhcEeT3...
Philip Purser-Hallard joins us to discuss his latest #DoctorWho Black Archive from @obversebooks.co.uk - The Ark.
on.soundcloud.com/w0GSMXhcEeT3...
493: The Black Archive - The Ark
Hot off the presses, the latest publication from Obverse Books's Black Archive series has been released this week.
Philip Purser-Hallard takes a look at Paul Erikson and Lesley Scott's The Ark, and h
soundcloud.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 PM
👁️NEW EPISODE!👁️
Philip Purser-Hallard joins us to discuss his latest #DoctorWho Black Archive from @obversebooks.co.uk - The Ark.
on.soundcloud.com/w0GSMXhcEeT3...
Philip Purser-Hallard joins us to discuss his latest #DoctorWho Black Archive from @obversebooks.co.uk - The Ark.
on.soundcloud.com/w0GSMXhcEeT3...
Reposted by Philip Purser-Hallard
Join@Kenny Smith as he chats to Archive editor @purserhallard.com about the latest Black Archive on THE ARK!
soundcloud.com/powerof3pod/...
soundcloud.com/powerof3pod/...
493: The Black Archive - The Ark
Hot off the presses, the latest publication from Obverse Books's Black Archive series has been released this week.
Philip Purser-Hallard takes a look at Paul Erikson and Lesley Scott's The Ark, and h
soundcloud.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Join@Kenny Smith as he chats to Archive editor @purserhallard.com about the latest Black Archive on THE ARK!
soundcloud.com/powerof3pod/...
soundcloud.com/powerof3pod/...
Relocate Parliament and let the building become a marvellously picturesque ruin. Or just blow it up in the biggest Guy Fawkes celebration ever.
February 5, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Relocate Parliament and let the building become a marvellously picturesque ruin. Or just blow it up in the biggest Guy Fawkes celebration ever.
I felt weird about doing this, because I know I communicate much better in a written format than the spoken word, but Kenny is an excellent interviewer with a lovely reassuring voice, and I don't appear on the face of it to have said anything too profoundly stupid.
If this is something that appeals, you can hear me talking to Kenny Smith about my latest book, the Black Archive on the 1966 Doctor Who story The Ark, on the Power of 3 podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4...
493: The Black Archive - The Ark
Podcast Episode · Power of 3 · 04/02/2026 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:01 AM
I felt weird about doing this, because I know I communicate much better in a written format than the spoken word, but Kenny is an excellent interviewer with a lovely reassuring voice, and I don't appear on the face of it to have said anything too profoundly stupid.