Doctor Who: 9 Great Third Doctor Stories

4. Spearhead from Space (Story 051, 1970)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nenc1eQnVY Well, here we are. The first color story, the first Third Doctor story, the first Auton story, the first story shot entirely on film instead of video, and the introduction of Liz Shaw as the Doctor€™s companion. That€™s a lot of firsts! Thankfully this story is also really excellent. You have the sinister Autons coming out of shop windows and attacking civilians on the city streets, killing dozens. You get some really interesting cinematography which wasn€™t ever seen again. Plus, for them as wants it, you get a little Pertwee fan service (and you get to see the Doctor€™s tattoo!). All of this in a story that€™s tense, entertaining and frequently quite funny, especially in the early scenes. It is a bit silly in parts, like when the Doctor is being attacked by tentacles that he's clearly pulling onto himself, but it certainly is by far and away the best of the Auton stories, and that includes anything from the new series.