Gallifrey One's Discussion Panel program track is one of the most popular facets of our annual event, focusing primarily on Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, as well as the world of science fiction and fantasy television and media, and incorporating fan topics such as costuming, gaming and conventioning. Panel discussions are led in our panel rooms by both attending professionals as well as selected fans, with rousing dialogue that always makes for a memorable event.

The following is our panel list for our 2012 convention, Gallifrey One's Network 23. Please note at this time that this is our tentative list; we may (and often do) add to and subtract from the list based upon time, panelist interest and other factors.

Doctor Who/Torchwood/SJA Panels

Moffat's Gold: Series 6 in Review -- Series Six of the new Doctor Who has brought us the Silence, revelations about River Song, the Flesh, Melody Pond, and so much more. Yet the series has never been more controversial since its return in 2005. We explore the entirety of the sixth series, its cast, its storytelling and the infamous story arc that has been the subject of much debate, and take the season under close review.

Fifty Years of Adventure: Our Favorite Doctor Who Moments -- This is it... we have thirty-two seasons, a TV movie, a 'specials' year, Christmas episodes, 'Children in Need' exclusives and even a segment on 'Jim'll Fix It', and it's up to our panel to select the best moments. In preparation for next year's 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, we look back at the most memorable moments of the series, classic and new, the great battles and confrontations and witty dialogue that made the show endure for so long.

More Magic of Doctor Who Music -- At our 2011 convention we focused on the unique and memorable music Murray Gold has contributed to the series since its return in 2005, but the rich history of Doctor Who music goes back nearly fifty years. We return to the joys of Doctor Who music as we open up the discussion to encompass the classic series, the most memorable pieces and themes it has brought us from 1963 to 2012.

Back to the Pagoda -- The classic series had barely ended before Virgin started publishing the New Adventures, the books that told Doctor Who stories "too broad and too deep for the small screen". Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Virgin Publishing, BBC Books and Telos Publishing brought us timeless tales starring the first eight Doctors and their companions. This panel will revisit the era of mass media publishing in the show's wilderness years, from the Timewyrm to the House of Lungbarrow, Iris Wildthyme to Sabbath and the Faction Paradox, and the days of Benny, Chris & Roz, Sam Jones, Fitz Kreiner, Compassion, Anji Kapoor and Trix MacMillan.

Crafting Who, Part Two -- We had so much fun with this panel that we decided to continue the discussion. Doctor Who fandom brings out all sorts of creativity, such as writing and film production... but it's also been a source of great fun for crafters, knitters, toymakers and prop designers, with lots of material to work with by fans who want to expand their creative minds. Our panel will discuss all sorts of creative outlets, resources, methods and tools of the trade, from making your own scarf to building a TARDIS, making a sonic screwdiver to building your own K9.

Move Along, Pond -- Amy Pond seems to be a very polarizing character for some: you love her, or you don't. What is the allure of the character of Amy Pond to the legions of fans she holds... and why do others want her gone, gone, gone? How much of the success of the character can be attributed to the talents of Karen Gillan? Which moments have been controversial? And how, in comparison, do we really feel about Rory and River Pond? We take a look at the companions from series six close up.

Splendid Fellow: Saluting Nick Courtney -- There's no denying it... Nicholas Courtney's tenure on Doctor Who, longer than any other principal actor in its history, had a staggering effect on the evolution of the classic series. From the late 1960s through his final appearance in 1989 (and later visit to "The Sarah Jane Adventures"), we look at the impact Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart had on Doctor Who, and salute the contributions Nick Courtney made to its long history.

Designing the Perfect Companion -- We all have opinions, don't we, about what the best companion would be? Older, younger, male, female, whatever works. Here's a chance to be a bit creative: if we were casting the next Doctor Who companion opposite Matt Smith, what would be some of the best traits and qualities? Our panel will discuss what the various companions have brought to the show, and what the 'perfect' companion would entail.

Sarah Jane is My Doctor -- For so many kids -- and probably some adults -- The Sarah Jane Adventures was their first exposure to the vast universe of Doctor Who. Now, with the passing of Elisabeth Sladen and the end of the series, it's left a huge hole in the bottom of the world. The loss of the lead actress of this series, which has followed in Doctor Who's footsteps, means the end of these wonderful adventures. We'll take a look at the end of the Sarah Jane Adventures, and why Elisabeth Sladen's character was a hero for our age.

Let's Take It From the Top: Introducing New Fans to the Classic Show -- You're a fan of the new series, who started in 2005 (or later) to get into this crazy show called Doctor Who. You've loved Chris Eccleston and David Tennant and Matt Smith. And now you've realized, this show has a rich history... complete with wobbly sets and dodgy effects. It's okay. We understand your trepidation. But Doctor Who has lasted for 50 years for a reason, okay? We're going to tell you why it's never been a better time to check out 'classic' Doctor Who.

Miracle or Mistake: Torchwood Series 4 in Review -- After the amazing critical acclaim of the last series, "Children of Earth," the new Torchwood season "Miracle Day" has been, shall we say, full of controversy. As the show came to America for some rather expensive co-production, introducing some big names, did it stay grounded in its original roots? Was the storytelling up to par? We take an in-depth look at "Torchwood: Miracle Day" and hope to come to some consensus about how it's all turned out.

Media Panels

The State of SF TV & Film -- Gallifrey One's annual extended-length panel review of the current state of affairs in genre film, including the big blockbusters and the independent SF, fantasy and horror flicks, and genre television on the networks and cable. So much to cover, so it's an hour and a half!

Why Aren't there More Captain Janeways? -- It's 2011, and while things have gotten somewhat better in the post-Buffy age of Sookie Stackhouse and her ilk, we can still count on our hands the number of genre series that have featured women in the lead role. Is this a remnant of days long past, or are we still dealing with an incredible amount of bias? We'll take a look at the nature of genre television, and the steps necessary in order to finally make casting decisions while gender-blind.

Serial Crunch: Great (And Poor) Endings to TV Sci-Fi -- Ever watch a show for years, enjoying its mysteries unfold, its characters grow and develop, and then... it all ends with a whimper? Or, worse yet, doesn't end at all? Let's face it, those serialized shows with endings that satisfy us are few and far between... and even then, there seems to be controversy. We'll be taking a look at some great and/or popular genre TV shows of the recent past, discuss how they ended, and how satisfying or disappointing they were. (Yes, "Lost," we're looking at you first!)

Lego! Lego! Lego! -- Need we say more? These colorful little blocks have captivated fans for ages. If you don't believe us, we used to have a lego exhibit in our Art Show. Why are the little blocks so damn popular? Why is there an entire amusement park dedicated to them? Why are we playing video games *based* on them? It's all-Lego, all the time.

Why We Collect Action Figures -- From Doctor Who toys to the old Star Wars action figures, comic book figurines and more: action figure collecting is more popular than ever (we have a few guests this year who even partake in the fun). What is the allure behind collecting these figures? And why, you ask, do people insist upon leaving them in the packaging?

Comics as a Television Afterlife -- Who cares anymore if a beloved series is canceled? Your heroes can live forever, immortalized in the pages of the comic book. Joss Whedon did it with what he calls the "eighth season" of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and more and more showrunners are getting into the act. Our panel will discuss the substance of continuing the television story in comic book form, the drawbacks associated with it (beyond the obvious), and why you should keep reading.

Making a Living as a Creative Person -- Being a fan of anything doesn't necessarily mean it all comes to an end when you go back to 'real life'... some people manage to parlay that into a full time occupation. There are ways to begin making a living doing what you love in your personal life. Our panelists will demonstrate some ways to get started.

Television Series You Should Watch -- If you're only watching Doctor Who or science fiction programs, you're missing out on some great stuff. Who says there isn't anything good on TV anymore? Our panel will discuss some of the great stuff you can see today on the small screen, from network television to pay cable to good ol' BBC America.

World Wide Watching -- It's a new era of content distribution... an era where a great deal of SF and genre programming has moved online ("The Guild," "Standard Action," "Gold: Night of the Zombie King") and where distribution of so much of the video we consume daily has moved to devices such as the iPad, AppleTV and Roku, websites such as Hulu and Crackle and Netflix and HBO GO. Our panel will sort out the best ways to get your fix of good entertainment through your broadband connection.

The Games People Play -- There is an argument to be made that television viewership is on the decline because of the immersive quality of video games. Many of us use our XBoxes and game consoles instead of watching reruns. We submerge ourselves in MMO role-playing games online with friends around the globe. There's even been an uptick in board gaming and good old-fashioned Dungeons & Dragons style tabletop fun. We will take a look at the way gaming has transformed our culture.

A Panel of Ice and Fire -- From almost out of nowhere, a popular if subtle series of fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin have become the latest TV craze with HBO's "Game of Thrones". Our panel will delve into the world of Westeros as we look back at the first season of the series, the struggles of the Stark family, the tribulations of Jon Snow, the rebirth of Daenarys Targaryen from orphan to warrior queen... and let's not forget the brilliance that is Peter Dinklage.

Cosplay Panels

Costuming 101 and Costuming 210 -- Our annual two-part costuming workshop event: one for beginners, to learn the tricks of the trade in getting your Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures costumes started; and one for more seasoned costumers, to share stories and swap secrets about how to perfect that costume for the Masquerade. Fabrics, materials, patterns, off-the-rack and thrift hunting. It's all covered here.

21st Century Doctor Who Fandom: The Cosplay Factor -- Fans dressing up as thier favorite characters (an activity better known today as Cosplay), has been around for many decades. This has seen a recent resurgence in popularity within Who fandom over the last 4-5 years. Why has this been the case? Why do some people express thier fandom in this fashion? What does this activity contribute to fandom as a whole? We'll discuss all this and more.

Doctor Who Prop Making 101 -- What to do if you need a trusty Sonic Screwdriver, Cyber Gun, Question Mark Umbrella or Nitro-9 to go with your costume. Approching the world of Dr. Who prop replicas from the found objects to custom items.

Cosplay Workshops

The following mini-panels will take place in the Cosplay Hall in workshop format this year.

TARDIS Wardrobe: Costuming as The Doctor -- Eleven Doctors, not counting any of the ancillary ones... which one do you choose, and why? What are the necessary steps for creating such classic attire? What makes a successful Doctor Who costume? Our cosplayers will discuss the steps to take to recreate the different incarnations of the iconic role in costume form.

Dressed to Scream: Cast and Companion Cosplay -- It's not easy to recreate the Doctor Who companions or the Torchwood cast... not only are there some with very specific costume apparel requirements, but even when some of them dress in normal street clothes, it's all about going that extra step and making the character instantly identifiable. What are some of the traits and specifics needed in recreating your favorite cast members and companions from these shows?

Diabolical Apparel: Villains and Monsters in Cosplay -- It takes a lot of effort to come up with a successful Doctor Who monster in costume form... and we're not just talking a mask and a modified voice synthesizer, either. It's part costuming, part prop-making, part make-up and part dedication to making something truly unique, from Daleks and Cybermen to sinister green bug-eyed monsters.

Out of the Hub Closet: Torchwood Cosplay -- If you want to keep tabs on aliens and time rifts, then you need to dress the part. We'll cover all of the major characters of this spinoff series and how to dress like a member of this elite covert agency. We'll hit the gamut including Ianto's suits, Jack's signature vintage greatcoat, finding the right Tosh wig, locating a great pair of Gwen boots and more!

Late-Night Panels

Doctor Who, Sexual Tropes and the "Gay Agenda" -- Is Doctor Who of late more restrictively gendered than in the past? Is there misogynism or a lack of understanding of women on display today in the writing? Does the Doctor have a willy, as one of the editors of Chicks Dig Time Lords put it, and does it matter if he does? And has there ever really been a "gay agenda" in Doctor Who? From feminism to asexuality and everything in between, we'd like to take a look at how Doctor Who is perceived by its writers and producers, and how good old-fashioned platonic friendship may have been left at the door.

The Rise of the Remix Culture -- "Remix culture" describes the use of derivative works... which is a fancy way of describing the videos and clips on YouTube that take bits of Doctor Who and put them together, frequently with music. How has remix culture become part of the Doctor Who experience? How has modern technology aided in this new 'genre' of fandom that leaves fanfic and fanart behind by sourcing the original product? And what are the implications of copyright infringement on its enjoyment? We'll take a look.

I Ship Everybody With Everyone Else in Every Fandom Ever -- Exactly what it says on the tin... shipper fans love their shipping (which is an easy way of saying "I like Character X and Character Y and they should really get together"). Let's drop the whole thing about TV shows being independent from each other, and start putting together the characters we love with each other, no matter the gender or universe or anything: the craziest, naughtiest ships on the internet and beyond.

Masquerade Versus Cosplay -- Many cosplayers wouldn't touch a Masquerade with a 10-foot poll. Those costumers who enter Masquerades in turn find themselves annoyed with cosplayers. In order to find a happy ground in between, Gallifrey One presents what cosplayers need to know about entering a Masquerade... and what Masqueraders need to know about cosplaying!

Time Lords & Time Ladies: Interpretive Cosplay and Crossplay in Doctor Who -- Along with the recent rise in Costuming among Doctor Who fandom, we've also seen a growing number of gender swapping in Cosplay. Women dressed as male characters, vice versa and even the more creative 'feminizing' of the costume of tradiontinal Male characters - especially the Doctor himself. We'll look at discussing this trend as well as offering ideas/tips to those looking for help in how to translate a character across the gender lines.