3. The Time Meddler (Story 017, 1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwOTN8WFWgk The Doctor, Steven (Peter Purves), and Vicki arrive in England circa 1066, on the eve of a Viking invasion. Given the year, its somewhat surprising when they find things like a gramophone, a hot plate and a teapot. Turns out that theres someone who is, as the title implies, meddling with time. That someone is a Time Lord called the Monk (who will also reappear on the 8th Doctor list). Hes a friendly, charming sort of fellow who plans to change history be destroying the Viking fleet with an atomic bazooka. Yes, I imagine that would get the job done. Why does he plan to do this? For the lolz, basically. He just thinks it would be neat to let the Anglo-Saxons stay in charge for a while longer. The Doctor defeats him in the end, of course, and on the way out the door does something truly unpleasant to the Monks TARDIS. This is an important story in that it introduces another Time Lord (though he isnt referred to by that species on screen), and shows that the Doctors TARDIS is just one of many. But beyond the importance, its just a good, entertaining story. Hartnell is in great form and really does a good job of turning the Doctor from a reactionary anti-hero, as he has been in previous stories, into much more of a protagonist-hero. Its to the benefit of the series as a whole.
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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