5. The War Machines (Story 027, 1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d91AfSeSvgA The TARDIS arrives in swinging London circa 1966! Yes, this is one of the very few First Doctor stories to take place in modern times. It concerns a maniacal computer (is there any other kind?), thats using mind control to get up to all sorts of nastiness. It features the titular war machines (though, alas, not THE War Machine), and a nicely violent set of battles. This is a weird serial in some ways. While the story itself is solid and works quite well, we have strangeness like the Doctor being referred to, on screen, as Doctor Who. We alsowell, dont see, exactly, since it doesnt happen on screen, but Dodo (Jackie Lane), the Doctors previous companion, leaves. And when I say leaves, what I actually mean is, just sort of wanders off and doesnt come back. On the other hand, we have the introduction of not one, but two new companions in the form of Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze). This is the last fully-intact First Doctor story, as well as being the only intact story with Ben and Polly. Those facts alone would make it worthwhile, but the story makes it great.
Chris Swanson
Chris Swanson is a freelance writer and blogger based in Phoenix, Arizona, where winter happens to other people. His blog is at wilybadger.wordpress.com
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