I saw The Dalek Invasion Of Earth for the first time in 1992 when UK Gold showed every surviving story in order from 1963-1989. I was already familiar with the plot as it was used for one of the two feature films with Peter Cushing as the Doctor and these were often shown on TV in the 70s. As this was a six episode story,there was more room for character development than there was in the movie. I can't remember too much detail now but I know this is one of the best William Hartnell stories with the action taking place in London and also in Bedfordshire where the Daleks' mine was located.

 

Genesis of the Daleks

 

Season 12, Story 4 (6 parts)

Starring: Tom Baker (Fourth Doctor), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) and Ian Marter (Harry Sullivan)

Enemy: Daleks, Davros

 

Genesis of the Daleks was ranked third in the Doctor Who Magazine 50th anniversary reader poll, ranking every story from An Unearthly Child to The Time of the Doctor. Behind only The Day of the Doctor and Blink, that puts Genesis as the most popular classic story, meaning it has quite the reputation to live up to.

 

It's not hard to see why from the concept alone. Genesis does exactly what it says on the tin - it explores how the Daleks were created, and by whom. By season 12 they had long since established themselves as the Doctor's arch-enemy, and after the heights of Dalekmania, it was obvious they were a hit with the viewers. Genesis also forms part of the Fourth Doctor's first season - also the first for showrunner Philip Hinchcliffe.

 

Genesis is ambitious from the word go, with a range of characters introduced as Kaleds on Skaro, and the war between the Kaleds and Thals was firmly established from the start. Of course we meet Davros for the first time - the creator of the Daleks, a genius with a warped perception of what is necessary to win the war against the Thals. Themes set up between Davros and the Daleks in Genesis continue to the new series - how while the Daleks have some sort of respect for Davros, they don't actually listen to his orders as he is not "like them". It's a genius concept and proves just how terrifying the Daleks can be. And on that note, some of the shots of the Daleks approaching in this serial are genuinely scary - something I've never really thought of the Daleks as much as I enjoy many of their appearances.

 

Of course, Tom Baker is the star of this story. He gives an incredible performance as the Doctor questions the morality of his mission from the Time Lords. It's what elevates a great concept to an even better one - the Doctor could easily have altered the course of history and stopped the Daleks from being created, but would it have been right to commit genocide? It's a great discussion point.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my watch through of Genesis and it's very easy to see why it's so popular. The stakes are high, the threats feel genuine and all of the cast give brilliant and convincing performances. The plot is intricate yet easy to follow, with the concept not only adding to the show's mythology, but also taking on a new slant for the show 12 years down the line.

This is certainly one of the best classic stories. I was nine when I first watched it. Parts of it were scary,but in a good way. I don't think Mary Whitehouse was justified in her complaints about the content.

 

Spearhead From Space

 

Season 7, Story 1 (4 parts)

Starring: Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor), Caroline John (Liz Shaw) and Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart)

Enemy: Autons, Nestene

 

Firstly I must apologise at the irregularity of these reviews - being back at work means I've got less time to watch episodes and I want to ensure that these reviews are as good as I can make them!!

 

Yesterday I watched Jon Pertwee's debut episode. I'm sure I'd seen at least part of Spearhead From Space before, but it was a long time ago (at least 10 years) and I had very little memory of it, so I was excited to watch it properly. I knew a lot of what happens in it anyway, purely because of how much it had to set up - the introductions of the Third Doctor and Liz, the re-introduction of the Brigadier and UNIT, as well as the central plot of the Autons.

 

Joining the Sixth Doctor and the Eighth Doctor, Spearhead means that I've now seen the Third Doctor's very first serial too. Jon Pertwee excels from the word go, immediately making his mark as the Third Doctor, who I am thoroughly enjoying in every episode I've seen him in so far. I love that plenty of his escape scenes are played with humour (the shower scene in particular is not one I will forget quickly :lol:) and I think he makes a brilliant team with Liz.

 

Speaking of Liz, this was the first experience I'd had of Caroline John's companion. At first, I wasn't so keen I must admit. Liz's interview with the Brigadier presents her as a little unlikeable and quite full of herself, but I enjoy her more as the serial goes on. Liz has a brilliant chemistry with Three, and contrasts brilliantly with the Brigadier's military approach.

 

The plot is really good, especially considering how little happens throughout the first part with regards to the Autons. Nevertheless, they are presented brilliantly - the Autons feel like a genuine, scary threat and of course the concept is great. I've not seen Terror of the Autons yet but I feel they were utilised better than in Rose (where they feel more like an afterthought to the introduction of Rose but still have some good moments).

 

Overall I enjoyed it a lot, and it kept me gripped more than most episodes do - the length of the classic serials can sometimes see my attention deviating halfway through!!

Spearhead From Space was broadcast two years before I started watching the programme so I first saw it on UK Gold in the 90s. Good story,I think children at the time would have been a bit frightened of shop mannequins for a while afterwards.

I remember being scared of Spearhead when I saw it as a child and had the VHS. I think the very first Autons are actually quite disturbing.

 

Plus the Autons breaking out of the shop is one of the most iconic moments in the Classic series; same with the Daleks in London or the Cybermen coming down St Pauls.