The First Doctor
The Style: Though technically the least sophisticated, there is something eerily iconic about the opening titles of the William Hartnell era. That opening spike, piercing through the blackness before swelling into these waves of light, sweeping across our screens in kaleidoscopic patterns. The sequence in actual fact is quite spooky. It's not trying to be bombastic or overwhelming, it is very hypnotically matter of fact, you are entering the weird and mysterious worlds of Doctor Who. You better be ready, because here we go. It's quite representative of the time, when the character of the Doctor played by William Hartnell was much darker and mercurial, you can't be sure whether he is good or if he is harbouring a bad side. This would change as the character developed. How far in advance the approach was known it is difficult to tell, but whether by design or accident it set the trend for what was to come later.
Score: 7 The Logo: Eeh... this is where the whole thing kind of flounders. The Logo at the time might as well have been typed out on a typewriter or stenciled in with different sized rows of letters. The box shape with 'Doctor' on top of the 'Who' is the only respectable style decision made. It's only now that we can jazz it up for whatever purposes in black or white or with a drop shadow to lift it. It just kind of feels like little effort was made to make it look like a logo. It's just the title. I am probably being unfairly harsh as resources were limited, but given the sequence itself it lets the whole thing down. The only good thing about it comes from its entrance into the title sequence. When it materialises finally is an underwhelming moment.
Score: 4 The Theme: It would be sacrilege to say a bad word about the original theme. It is dated to an extent but that is not a bad thing. It and the titles are a perfect blend of mystery and wonder so in that respect it is a superb combination. On its own however, whilst being an immense technical achievement that would set the basis for the next 50 years, doesn't quite have the same impact as later versions. But credit where it's due, it paved the way for many years to come.
Score: 7.5
Overall Score: 18.5