10 PERFECT Places To Start Watching Doctor Who
4. Spearhead From Space
Doctor Who spent its first seven years in black and white, but when Jon Pertwee became the Doctor in Spearhead from Space, the show switched to colour – and that wasn't the only significant change to the formula.
With the Doctor exiled on Earth and lacking the ability to fly the TARDIS, he became a scientific advisor for UNIT, an organisation that protects the Earth from alien threats. This fresh approach is the perfect place for a rookie to dive into classic Doctor Who.
This era saw the introduction of countless iconic characters like the Master, the Silurians, and the Sontarans, so you'll get a thorough schooling on Doctor Who lore. Sarah Jane Smith – arguably the most popular companion of all time – also debuted alongside the Third Doctor, while the legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart became a regular feature.
And that's without even mentioning Pertwee's highly entertaining performance as the Doctor. Two words: venusian aikido.
With a new Doctor in a new scenario, Spearhead from Space is a very accessible start – plus, all the episodes after this point are present in the BBC archives, unlike many in the black and white era.