Spearhead from Space: Episode 1

Honestly go watch all 4 parts you will fall in love with Pertwee's doctor. 9/10

Jon Pertwee's debut as the Third Doctor coincides with Robert Holmes introducing the Autons for one of only three television stories they would be prominently featured in (if I recall correctly, they are the only three they would be featured in, period). Ah, Robert Holmes. Always good to see that name at the start of a story, isn't it? In many ways this was the first story in which he really showed his knack for creating solid dialogue and characterization as well as keeping the science fiction, horror, or adventure plot fresh every episode of the story ('The Krotons' was average and 'The Space Pirates' is missing, but apparently not a hidden classic based on reconstructions). I don't want to give any of the plot away but it will suffice to say that the Autons are really bloody good villains, and so is the intelligence behind them, the Nestenes. There are some pretty violent scenes in this story and I remember being very scared upon watching this story for the first time when I was five or so, which is always good in a Doctor Who story.

It was ingenious to actually have Doctor Who villains who are ACTUALLY made of plastic within the confines of the story, and one of the reasons this doesn't seem particularly dated. The character of the Third Doctor is brilliantly introduced over the course of this four parter, as is Liz Shaw, and there is also some excellent character development for the Brigadier. The story was shot on film rather than video for some reason and does look fabulous and is directed well.

Episode 1: 7/10 Episode 2: 8/10 Episode 3: 8/10 Episode 4: 9/10

Overall: The average rating amounts to 8 out of 10 stars, but I will give it an 8.5 out of 10 overall.

Other than the fact that the CGI is bad compared to 2020 doctor who, this episode was pretty good. The doctor is great - and underused. Wasn't the best episode ever, but it was a satisfying start to a new doctor.

Review of the Complete Story:

SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE is a well-remembered and classic DOCTOR WHO story, and for good reason. It contains one of the entire series' most frightening pieces of imagery ever, in the form of shop mannequins coming to life and wreaking havoc on the high street.

Of course, the said dummies are part of a sinister alien plan to invade earth, but a newly-regenerated Jon Pertwee is on hand to thwart them. SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE isn't perfect - it is quite slow and it takes a while to get to the action, partly because a lot of it's about Pertwee "discovering" himself - but it has a timeless charm that makes it irresistible to this viewer.

The entire alien invasion plot is familiar but workable, and the story is enlivened by the dedicated performances from the supporting cast. Nicholas Courtney's Brigadier is on particular top form here, but here's merely a highlight of a generally well-made and inventive story overall. When it comes to DOCTOR WHO, SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE is one of the very best.

Obviously listings like this on here are for fans, so these are just personal thoughts.

I wasn't aware of this being shot on film, I just kept thinking how great it looked. Now I know of the technician strike. I'm sure they got their issues worked out, but certainly a wonderful side effect.

It appears the strike itself was referenced in the episode in this dialog:

"HIBBERT: We're turning over to automation, General. It means we can keep staff down to a minimum. SCOBIE: Splendid. Don't get machines going on strike, eh?"

I've watched a lot of Who, starting with PBS in the 80s, and rather liked Pertwee, but never saw this one. It's comical to me personally that my reaction to Tennant's intro was that he was knocked out most of his first episode. Well, there certainly was precedent-- this very serial, where Pertwee is in a coma for half of it!