Day 1 - An Unearthly Child

It's the first night in the new apartment. All day was spent moving and I am surrounded by boxes, and furniture that needs putting together. But I don't have the energy for any of those right now. We said "au revoir" today, and now only time will tell what happens next. So it's time to start this project and see what happens.

I am curled up on the couch having put the DVD straight in and pressed play. I have no idea which box the remotes are in, so Play All is the only option. Thanks to the difference in the opening titles, I immediately notice that when you use “Plat All” it starts with the Pilot episode. I will be watching 5 episodes instead of 4!

Episode 1 - An Unearthly Child

What is there to be said about the opening episode of Doctor Who that hasn’t been said before? The opening is clever and spooky and draws you straight into the plot. What is this junkyard? What is a Police Box doing there? And then we are suddenly transported to a normal 1960s school, and two teachers talking about a problem student. There is such chemistry between Jacqueline Hill and William Russell, even in this early scene. They seem to get on very well, and it appears that the often get together to talk over the day and their students. It doesn’t seem like a new thing for Ian to drive her home either. A budding romance already seems on the cards, even before the experiences I know are to come. Or perhaps that’s just my own situation being projected onto what I am seeing.

One of the amazing things about this episode is that it’s just four people who make up the drama. And it’s captivating. We care and are intrigued about these characters all the way through the 25 minutes. The mystery builds and culminates with the most harrowing TARDIS take-off ever. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Episode 2 - The Cave of Skulls

Viewers tuning in this week must have been mystified. Instead of immediately continuing the story of the 4 people we met the previous week, we go immediately into cave-person politics and the quest for fire. Five minutes later we go back to the schoolteachers and the peculiar Doctor and his grand-daughter. Once they venture out into this prehistoric wilderness, I am marveling at the effects – especially the view into the outside from within the TARDIS. It looks amazing for 1963, and is even more impressive considering all I know about the size of the studio in which the show was made. It’s too bad that the only on-screen credit that was given for Visual Effects was to the team as a whole, rather than to the individuals.

It’s wonderful that the TARDIS’s (in)ability to change form is discussed so early in the run. And of course we get the first “Doctor Who” joke! It is wonderful stuff. The Doctor’s curiosity and constant search for adventure are front and center as the crew leave the ship. I love the pipe he is lighting up as he is captured by the tribe.

The scenes of debate among the tribe could come across as ridiculous. But everyone is taking is seriously and committing to the drama, despite being dressed in animal skins. Even the background actors look engaged in the debates taking place before them. Once the Doctor wakes, and is threatened by the tribe, and realizes he has no matches, the fear in Hartnell’s eyes is palpable. The same is true when the rest of the crew are marched off to the Cave of Skulls. None of this would work without the commitment of the cast.

Episode 3 - The Forest of Fear

I love the mention of “Hope” early on in this episode. The Doctor has fear, but he also, always has hope. This is something that I need right now. Hope that things will get better. Hope that all will turn out for the best, whatever that might be.

Doctor Who was so lucky in its original casting. The scene between the Doctor and Barbara where she starts to see his compassion shows early flashes of the chemistry that will get stronger as the series progresses, and the fear of Jacqueline Hill’s face when they are in the forest is very believable. Once again Ian is providing great comfort and it is clear that there is attraction between the two of them, and that he feels that it is his duty to protect her.

There’s such a variety of locations in this first story. We started in 1960s England and the TARDIS, were out in the desert and in caves full of skulls in the 2^nd episode, and now the design team have put together a good-looking forest that seems so much larger than I know it must have been in the studio. The later part of the episode has several shots of the actor’s feet as they carry Za on the stretcher. I don’t see any sign of the studio floor, which is more than can be said for certain later episodes that take place in similar locations.

And then I come to the most infamous scene in the Doctor’s long history; as Ian and Barbara try to teach him humanity, and he shows his brutal practical side. The Doctor’s intent as he picks up the rock seems very clear. It’s not the last time that we will see him put practicality above all else; the end result of the Time War bears that out. Never again though will we see him be so wilful and remorseless about his practical decisions. Ian and Barbara definitely rub off on him, and I am looking forward to watching that over the coming weeks.

The episode has a great cliffhanger too. It’s perfect for the action adventure that we are watching. Just when the goal is in sight and the characters breathe a sigh of relief, one more obstacle is put in front of them, and their chances of escape look grim! Waris Hussein does a great job with the shot too, and the appearance of the cavemen from behind the sand and rock is quite intimidating – especially in the next episode reprise.

Episode 4 - The Firemaker

Another first. We get to see the Doctor’s mental acuity as he tricks Kal into showing that he was the one who killed Old Mother, rather than Za. It’s the sort of trick that he will play countless times over the next 47 years, and it rarely seems to fail!

This is a strong finish to the first story. Despite their differences during the adventure, Ian clearly acknowledges the Doctor as the leader of the group, and everyone works together to provide fire. And then it’s time for the first big action sequence as Kal and Za fight to the death. Even the Doctor looks shocked at the brutality of it all. And Za’s final blow comes from a rock far bigger than that he planned to wield in the previous episode.

Once the fight is over, there quickly seems to be fire all over the place! It must have been a health and safety nightmare during filming! The final trick the travelers play to get away, with the flaming skulls is very clever (and perhaps Susan’s only real contribution to events, or is that too harsh?) It looks great and is shot very well, as is the chase afterwards, which uses close-ups to great effect.

It’s a relief to finally get back into the ship. But while it provides a safe haven, it would now appear that to get home the crew has to go traveling, have adventures, and open themselves up to new possibilities in life. It’s something that rings very true to me right now.