Brief Summary
This video summarizes the first season of Doctor Who, which aired between November 1963 and September 1964. The season consisted of 42 episodes across eight stories, featuring the Doctor, his granddaughter Susan, and teachers Ian and Barbara. The initial educational focus shifted away from historical and futuristic themes. Key storylines include the introduction of the Daleks, a missing story involving Marco Polo, and adventures in various historical settings like the Aztec empire and revolutionary France.
- The first season established the groundwork for the show's future success.
- The Daleks' introduction was a major hit, leading to significant popularity.
- Several stories are missing, with some episodes later animated for DVD release.
Introduction to Season 1
The first season of Doctor Who aired between November 23, 1963, and September 12, 1964, comprising 42 episodes within eight stories. Early episodes had individual titles, later consolidated into story titles. The companions included Susan, the Doctor's granddaughter, and teachers Ian and Barbara. The show initially aimed to be semi-educational, alternating between historical and futuristic narratives, with Barbara teaching history and Ian teaching science.
An Unearthly Child
The first episode, "An Unearthly Child," is highly praised as a perfect introduction to the series. Susan, a student at Coal Hill School, is considered strange by her teachers, Ian and Barbara. They follow her to a junkyard where they discover a police box and meet the Doctor. The Doctor, upon being discovered, essentially kidnaps Ian and Barbara, taking them on a journey to ancient history. The subsequent three episodes involving cave people are considered of poor quality.
The Daleks
"The Daleks" is credited with solidifying Doctor Who's popularity and ensuring its renewal for a second season. The Daleks were immensely popular in the 1960s, even inspiring two movies. This seven-episode story established the template for the show's science fiction narratives and the recurring formula used by Terry Nation.
The Edge of Destruction
"The Edge of Destruction" is a two-part story considered a potential classic. The narrative involves the TARDIS crew being trapped with strange occurrences, such as melting clocks and Susan stabbing furniture. The explanation for these events is considered illogical.
Marco Polo
"Marco Polo" is the first currently missing story. The TARDIS is damaged, and the crew joins Marco Polo's caravan en route to Kublai Khan. This seven-part story featured impressive costumes and sets. Despite being filmed in black and white, photos suggest it would have looked stunning in color. The writing is noted for being relatively non-racist for its time.
The Keys of Marinus
"The Keys of Marinus" is a six-part story where the crew quests to find the keys of Marinus. The Voord, the antagonists, are considered an unsuccessful attempt to create another iconic alien race.
The Aztecs
"The Aztecs" is a four-part historical adventure where Barbara is mistaken for a god and tries to stop human sacrifice. The Doctor attempts to maintain historical accuracy but gets sidetracked by an accidental engagement.
The Sensorites
"The Sensorites" is a science fiction story featuring the Sensorites, aliens with telepathic abilities. The story involves conflict between human astronauts and the Sensorites.
The Reign of Terror
"The Reign of Terror" is a six-part historical story set during the French Revolution. The crew becomes involved in intrigues involving Robespierre and an English spy. This story marked the first instance of location shooting and the Doctor dressing in period-appropriate attire. Some episodes were lost and later animated for the DVD release, though the animation quality is criticized.
Legacy of Season 1
Season 1 was a mixed bag but laid the foundation for the show's future. Even minor details from this season, such as Susan's description of Gallifrey, have been referenced in later series. Season 2 promises significant changes, including the loss of companions and the introduction of a rogue Time Lord.
