My Philcon 2013 Schedule

This weekend is Philcon, a science-fiction convention held annually in the Philadelphia area. This year, like recent years, it’s being held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. And this year, like recent years, I’ll be at the convention and participating on panels.

For those attending, here’s what my schedule this weekend looks like:

Saturday

MOFFAT ON TRIAL
2:00 PM in Plaza V

Panelists: Allyn Gibson (mod), Jim Freund, Savan Gupta, J. Andrew World, Crystal Paul

Doctor Who and Sherlock‘s Steven Moffat stands in the dock, charged with recycled plots and misogynistic storytelling. Half of the panelists serve as the prosecution, the other half as his defense. Will a jury of Philcon’s audience find Moffat innocent or guilty of his crimes against fiction and fandom

FIFTY YEARS IN THE TARDIS
4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three

Panelists: Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Andrew C. Ely, Gordon Linzner, Gail Z. Martin, Allyn Gibson

Doctor Who celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year with an anniversary special on November 23rd with a past Doctor (David Tennant) and a maybe Doctor (John Hurt), then a Christmas special with a new Doctor (Peter Capaldi). The panelists discuss what fans can look forward to this winter.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF SMAUG
5:00 PM in Plaza IV

Panelists: Allyn Gibson (mod), Robert Kauffmann, Susan Toker, J. Andrew World

The second Hobbit film, The Desolation of Smaug, arrives in theaters in December. What can fans expect from the film? How has Peter Jackson modified Tolkien’s source material, and have his changes improved or detracted from the original story? What is it about these movies that keeps fans coming back for more? Join the panelists as they discuss the penultimate film in Peter Jackson’s Middle-Earth series.

Sunday

ADDRESS: 221B BAKER STREET, LONDON AND NEW YORK
12:00 PM in Plaza V

Panelists: Allyn Gibson (mod), Melissa James, Richard Stout, Theodore Krulik, Kathy Sands

Two very different Sherlocks are entertaining the masses, one set in modern London, the other in modern New York. Panelists and fans will discuss the pros and cons of the shows, how they differ, what they have in common, and why they work (or not).

THE OLD DR. WHO EPISODES TIME TRAVEL TO THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
2:00 PM in Plaza V

Panelists: Allyn Gibson (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Jim Freund, J. Andrew World

It appears that 106 episodes from the days of the first two Doctors – William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton – have been found in Ethiopa. Find out what delights await you once they are aired.

There you have it — this weekend I will have to present myself as an expert on Doctor Who, Sherlock, Elementary, and J.R.R. Tolkien. I will try! I will valiantly try!

And perhaps I’ll even see some of you there!