Doctor Who: Every Post-Regeneration Episode Ranked Worst To Best

The newfangled technicolor was embraced with vivid opening titles that resembled the LSD trip regeneration sequences we'd experience later on with the Doctor's future incarnations. No wonder he felt groggy and fainted into the heather.

Ah yes, the falling into heather seems to be a running theme throughout.

His convalescence at the hospital doesn't last too long before he's abducted, escapes by racing away in a wheelchair, then gets shot at. Brand new Doctor - just what he needed.

Despite the customary post-regeneration craziness, Jon Pertwee confidently glides into the Doctor's shoes - he did get rather comically attached to them here - with suave authority. He dovetails effortlessly with the equally authoritative Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and equally accomplished Liz Shaw. The vintage roadster he appropriates is also very him, although one in yellow would suit him more.

The Autons are a freakishly disturbing sight, especially the scout leader who stalks the woods. Their ability to just amble along with relentless Terminator-esque murderous intent but then break out into a 28 Days Later zombie run is a fearsome combination. No wonder poor old Ransome sweated with genuine terror. In fact, the brief, almost company video look into the making of dolls at Auto Plastics is unnerving enough. Madame Tussauds will never be the same again.

The pulsing Nestene Consciousness is effectively abominable; unfortunately this is slightly offset by the risible climax when the Nestene's terrible (in more ways than one) tentacles nearly make the Third Doctor the shortest-lived incarnation.

The inspirations for NuWho's Rose goes without saying, and the way the Doctor steals his signature look is a nice reminder of how the Eleventh Doctor assembles his bow tie and tweed get-up, also in a hospital.