Story: An Unearthly Child
Written By: Anthony Coburn
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1963
Way back in 1963 a drug was born called Doctor Who. I am completely addicted. The first serial broadcast was this, "An Unearthly Child". While generally considered a four part story, to me it seems to be a single episode followed by a three-parter.
The first episode is really really good. I had seen the Unaired Pilot Version three times, but having gotten the DVD from the library I was finally able to watch the true first episode and not the pilot version. The pilot version is odd. Its pacing is all off and the characters act strangely, especially Susan. The actual first episode, that aired is much better. Basically a reshoot of the pilot but with the acting fine tuned...as well as the pacing. This episode is great, the start with the curious teachers, to the first meeting with the Doctor, and the eventual reveal of the inside of the TARDIS. The performances are great, and unlike the Pilot, the Doctor gives a great little speech about being exiles and "Wanderers in the Fourth Dimension".
The Doctor traps the teacher, Ian and Barbara in the TARDIS and sets off to an unknown destination, which our subsequent three episodes take place. They do work for setting the tone for the story, but I wouldn't call these three episodes brilliant or genuinely good television. The second viewing though, is better than the first. The TARDIS lands in the past...amongst the cavemen. For three episodes our heroes are being chased around, imprisoned, and forced into making fire. Some good sequences are there, but overall it feels like it just goes in circles a couple of times for three episodes.
I did enjoy myself watching these cavemen episodes, moreso than I did the first time I watched it. But in terms of historical importance and well written television, Episode 1: An Unearthly Child, is truly exceptional.
Truly important episodes to watch for any Who fan, as they are where it all began, but nothing truly stellar beyond the first 25 minutes. Like all the Black and Whites though, the moody lighting is great. It is amazing that all 4 episodes, and of the subsequent 2 stories, exist...as well as the unaired pilot. So much of the 60s is lost forever, and having the very beginning as well as something that never made it to television screens still there is wonderful.
NEXT TIME: The Oldest Foes
Written By: Anthony Coburn
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1963
Way back in 1963 a drug was born called Doctor Who. I am completely addicted. The first serial broadcast was this, "An Unearthly Child". While generally considered a four part story, to me it seems to be a single episode followed by a three-parter.
The first episode is really really good. I had seen the Unaired Pilot Version three times, but having gotten the DVD from the library I was finally able to watch the true first episode and not the pilot version. The pilot version is odd. Its pacing is all off and the characters act strangely, especially Susan. The actual first episode, that aired is much better. Basically a reshoot of the pilot but with the acting fine tuned...as well as the pacing. This episode is great, the start with the curious teachers, to the first meeting with the Doctor, and the eventual reveal of the inside of the TARDIS. The performances are great, and unlike the Pilot, the Doctor gives a great little speech about being exiles and "Wanderers in the Fourth Dimension".
I did enjoy myself watching these cavemen episodes, moreso than I did the first time I watched it. But in terms of historical importance and well written television, Episode 1: An Unearthly Child, is truly exceptional.
Truly important episodes to watch for any Who fan, as they are where it all began, but nothing truly stellar beyond the first 25 minutes. Like all the Black and Whites though, the moody lighting is great. It is amazing that all 4 episodes, and of the subsequent 2 stories, exist...as well as the unaired pilot. So much of the 60s is lost forever, and having the very beginning as well as something that never made it to television screens still there is wonderful.
NEXT TIME: The Oldest Foes
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