William Hartnell with Ken Tyllsen and Joe Greig as two Sensorites on the spaceship set in BBC TV Centre Studio 3 during a photocall at 3.45 PM on Friday 5th June 1964, prior to taping "The Unwilling Warriors"
This story might be lost but that doesn’t mean it don’t pack a punch. Hear me out but this story is what every historical in Doctor Who should aim for. I love everything about it from the antagonist to Barbara and Ian to meeting Marco Polo! It’s a story with a great feel and an even greater performance from the Doctor. This is easily my favorite story as it keeps me entertained despite it being a reconstruction and I never lose interest. Not to mention the aesthetic of the story and their use of story-telling is top notch.
2. The Daleks
Daleks. Must I say anything else? Nothing is more iconic than their first appearance in Doctor Who. From the moment I see their eye stalk to those first utterances of Exterminate I am in love. This story introduces us to the most iconic TV villain ever with an intriguing plot and some advanced world building. It’s hard to top this sort of start but we just have to wait and see what season 2 brings us for our favorite cans of baked beans.
3. An Unearthly Child
Why is this episode so high? It’s not because of the prehistoric caveman story I can tell you that much. No, it’s so high because there is something about watching the first part in this story. There is something about looking at that policeman walk past Totter’s lane and there is a feeling as we step into the TARDIS of the first time that this is beautiful. Watching this story makes me fell eternal, like I am watching history unfold and am about to see the birth of modern medicine and contraceptives. This story embodies what it feels like to walk through a history book.
4. The Reign of Terror
Oddly enough, I’ve rated other stories higher than this but I have a soft spot for historicals. History has always been my favorite, even if I am a psychologist, and nothing makes me happier than to sit down and watch a Hartnell historical. While the plot is lacking and there isn’t a great antagonist I do enjoy the era this is set in. And it doesn’t go without mentioning the Doctor’s wicked costume change. My man definitely knows how to rock a period outfit. Dude must be pulling all them french bitties.
5. The Aztecs
Another historical, what a surprise. I mainly enjoy this story because it showcases for the first time how certain parts of history are set in stone and that we can’t change them. It’s our first real look at the laws of time travel and it’s done through an intriguing plot with a false goddess and a blood thirsty war chief who wants them all dead. Also, pretty sure Susan invents feminism during this story.
6. The Sensorites
This story is quite average to me. It’s not a bad story and in no way is boring, but I think the story was badly paced at certain points and that kind of dulls the quality of it a bit. Other than that I have no qualms with this story and it makes me excited to meet new species of alien in the Whoniverse. It’s like an ever-expanding inventory of species, planets, and technology. It’s just so much fun.
7. The Keys of Marinus
If you look up the definition of side quest in a dictionary this episode would pop up. Either that or probably some shit elder scrolls quest where you have to fight through repetitive monsters just to collect some ugly necklace from a chest at the end of the dungeon. Despite the episode feeling like a side quest it is great. Not only are we introduced to a cool new species of alien like the Voord but we also get to explore a planet! Not just one section they landed in but multiple areas. We get to see jungles, cities, and mountains. This story contains it all! The world-building is at its best here and I would enjoy nothing more than to see a plot like this pop up in a new who episode.
8. The Edge of Destruction
I only like to talk about the good things in Doctor Who and I’m not going to let this story stop me. This is the only story I didn’t like in the season and it’s a bit disappointing but that doesn’t mean there weren’t parts I enjoyed. What I think I enjoyed the most about this story was them showcasing psychological terror. As a psychologist this story is one of the more interesting just because we get an in depth look at what people are capable of under scrutiny and pressure. While it isn’t true to life it is a good perspective on how we are able to easily turn on those we may usually trust in times of great duress. I hope to see more psychological stories in the future.
