Doctor Who: The Big Review (Season 3)
Doctor Who: The Big Review
Season 3 (1965-66)
Season 3 marks the last full season of William Hartnell's tenure. He’ll meet the Daleks, The Drahvins, and many other weird and wonderful villains. Season 3 introduces numerous new cast members, some of which don’t stick around for very long. I quite enjoy the constant change, never knowing what might happen to the people you grow attached to… However, Season 3 was hard-hit when it comes to missing episodes. Out of ten serials, six are missing. Now, as I’ve mentioned before, I have chosen to NOT comment on missing stories. I took this decision because I want to review what is readily available to the reader. It wouldn’t be fair to the series, either, to review episodes when most of the parts are missing or have to be pieced together with audio and stills. I will, of course, attempt to find the missing content in my own time, but for this review, I will only follow what is available whether it be animated or not. I hope this Is okay, and it still makes for a fun read, because I’m having fun doing it.
It's a great pity that so much of Season 3 isn't available, but I am excited to see what is!
First of all, I will grade each episode from A+ to F, the table below shows a concise list of the overall impression I'll want for each grade:
For each serial, I will provide a list of the main cast (omitting a few who don't appear often), and a list of some key facts of the episodes, such as the writer and director. I will then offer a little synopsis and my overall verdict. My favourite serial will then be listed at the bottom, where I will offer a few further thoughts and opinions.
Below is a table which offers some short, concise figures and a more in-depth description just below.
1. GALAXY 4 (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Stephanie Bidmead (Maaga).
Broadcast: 11 September 1965 - 2 October 1965
Writer: William Emms
Director: Derek Martinus & Mervyn Pinfield (uncredited)
Synopsis: The TARDIS team arrive on an eerily silent planet where they encounter the dangerous Drahvins and the Rills. Two races in want of escape, but unable to settle their conflict.
Verdict: N/A
2. MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN (one episode)
Main Cast: Barry Jackson (Jeff Garvey), Edward de Souza (Marc Cory), Jeremy Young (Gordon Lowery).
Broadcast: 9 October 1965
Writer: Terry Nation
Director: Derek Martinus
Synopsis: Unbeknownst to the TARDIS team, the Daleks are planning an attack. Marc Cory attempts to survive on this alien world in order to get a message back to Earth about the Daleks' plan.
Verdict: This episode is still missing, but as a faithful recreation has been made, I watched that. Sadly, it was one of the weaker stories in my opinion. There is nothing about this story that needed to be told. Doctor Who without so much as a companion being in the episode just doesn't cut it.
GRADE: D
3. THE MYTHMAKERS (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Adrienne Hill (Katarina), Barrie Ingham (Paris), Ivor Salter (Odysseus), Frances White (Cassandra).
Broadcast: 16 October 1965 - 11 November 1965
Writer: Donald Cotton
Director: Michael Leeston-Smith
Synopsis: Arriving in Ancient Troy, The Doctor becomes embroiled into the life of its citizens when he is mistaken for Zeus. Fighting and deceit lead to deaths and victories in Ancient times.
Verdict: N/A
Note: I am disappointed that no episode of this story exists, or has been found, since it is the last time we see Vicki. It's a pity as I really would've liked to see her departure.
4. THE DALEKS' MASTER PLAN (twelve episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Adrienne Hill (Katarina), Jean Marsh (Sara Kingdom), Peter Butterworth (The Monk), Nicholas Courtney (Bret Vyon), Kevin Stoney (Mavic Chen), Brian Cant (Kert Gantry).
Broadcast: 13 November 1965 - 29 January 1966
Writer: Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner
Director: Douglas Camfield
Synopsis: In the year 4000, the Daleks conspire to destroy the Solar System. Their clever and devious scheme can only be stopped by The Doctor and his allies, but not all of them will make it out alive.
Verdict: N/A
Note: Yet again, another serial that no longer exists. Katarina was in the show for such a small amount of time and I haven't seen any of it. So much happens in this story... I wish I could've seen it.
5. THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S EVE (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Annette Robertson (Anne Chaplet), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), Barry Justice (King Charles IX of France). David Weston (Nicholas Muss).
Broadcast: 5 February 1966 - 26 February 1966
Writer: John Lucarotti & Donald Tosh
Director: Paddy Russell
Synopsis: The Doctor and Steven arrive in 1572 France, on the days leading up to the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. As they get caught up in events, Steven wishes to change events, but The Doctor wishes not to.
Verdict: N/A
Note: This is the first episode of Dodo. Yet again, I'm missing a key episode of a companion.
6. THE ARK (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), Eric Elliott (The Commander).
Broadcast: 5 March 1966 - 26 March 1966
Writer: Paul Erickson & Lesley Scott
Director: Michael Imison
Synopsis: Millions of years in the future, the human race has begun their trek across the stars to a new World. The Doctor and his friends soon find themselves becoming legends on board the ship and seven hundred years after, the humans are no longer in charge.
Verdict: The Ark, for me, started rather slow. I found the first part to be quite slow, but once they arrived at their new home, it became a gritty piece of television. With some stunning effects and sets, the whimsical silliness of the monoids can be overlooked.
GRADE: B
7. THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER (three episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), Michael Gough (The Toymaker).
Broadcast: 2 April 1966 - 23 April 1966
Writer: Brian Hayles & Donald Tosh (uncredited)
Director: Bill Sellars
Synopsis: The Toymaker is a seemingly God-like being and is determined to challenge the TARDIS team. Separated from The Doctor, Steven and Dodo must complete a series of games for a chance to be reunited.
Verdict: N/A
Note: Now this episode reads quite interestingly, I would be intrigued to watch it and I feel it would rate quite well.
8. THE GUNFIGHTERS (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), John Alderson (Wyatt Earp), Anthony Jacobs (Doc Holliday), Sheena Marshe (Kate), Laurence Payne (Johnny Ringo).
Broadcast: 30 April 1966 - 21 May 1966
Writer: Donald Cotton
Director: Rex Tucker
Synopsis: In the Town of Tombstone, Arizona, The Doctor finds himself days before the greatest shootout of the Wild West. Mistaken for Doc Holliday, The Doctor must attempt to save himself and his friends, with the help of Wyatt Earp, before the killing begins.
Verdict: Once you put aside the bad accents and attempt to enjoy the ballad that plays at every transition, it's actually quite a nice story. It's clear the cast were enjoying themselves, and it's quite a satirical story. Despite the lack of Science Fiction, it is a nice history lesson, that is clear.
GRADE: B+
9. THE SAVAGES (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), Frederick Jaeger (Jano), Ewen Solon (Chal).
Broadcast: 28 May 1966 - 18 June 1966
Writer: Ian Stuart Black
Director: Christopher Barry
Synopsis: On a distant planet in the far future, the idyllic civilisation known as The Elders. However, their evil ways are soon discovered and The Doctor must change their ways and end the abuse of the Savages.
Verdict: N/A
Note: Sadly, all episodes of this story are missing. Once again, I miss a companion's departure, but I am interested to see how things develop without Steven.
10. THE WAR MACHINES (four episodes)
Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Jackie Lane (Dodo Chaplet), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), John Harvey (Professor Brett), John Cater (Professor Krimpton), Alan Curtis (Major Green), William Mervyn (Sir Charles Summer).
Broadcast: 25 June 1966 - 16 July 1966
Writer: Ian Stuart Black (by a story from Kit Pedler)
Director: Michael Ferguson
Synopsis: In 60's London, a new computer is unveiled, WOTAN. However, all is not as it seems, as the machine plots against the Human Race. With the help of hypnotised humans, WOTAN attempts to destroy London with twelve war machines.
Verdict: What a way to end the season! This is the first time I feel the companions have been given a proper introduction and a proper development. The pacing of the story was quite nice too. A pretty good end.
GRADE: A
My Conclusions
Choosing my favourite serial was quite easy for this season. With so few episodes to choose from to begin with, The War Machines was an easy win. First off, this is the only episode so far where it's truly felt like a Modern Who episode. I felt the pacing of the story was pretty spot on. Whether that's the general consensus or not, to me it felt like the villain was introduced at a good pace and the conclusion, albeit slightly quick, was steadier than I'd become accustomed to in the Hartnell era. Just from one story, Ben and Polly have quickly made an impact. They truly felt like they had development, charm, character. They were more than just a plot device to explain the story. Dodo and Steven's introductions didn't really feel like much, almost like they were just added in and that was it for development. With Ben and Polly, it felt different. I also appreciated the modern setting and what feels like the first contemporary Earth invasion story. The inability to stop the TARDIS just travelling anywhere is getting rather old, so I kind of liked it finally getting back to London in the 1960's.
My only issue with this story is how Dodo seems to have just been forgotten about. It didn't make much sense and it makes it more obvious that they just wanted rid of the character. A proper send-off would've been nice, especially since I've missed so many... For example, Vicki and Steven. I'm not over it.
*
Overall, it's quite hard to rate this season fairly because so much of it is missing. It makes for quite a weak review when half of the content can't be reviewed. However, from what I did see, it felt like it kept getting better and better so I can only predict that this would've been a favourite of mine. I don't have many issues with the series at the moment. There's just one. Too many stories develop at a questionable pace and then resolve themselves within about five minutes of the last part. 'The Ark' suffered from this issue. So much was developed, and it all seemed to be solved in two seconds. It just felt poorly done. I'm hoping this isn't an issue we see in the future.
Obviously, it's hard to give a true overall grade of the series since so much of it couldn't be reviewed, but I do have a grade and it's a B. I feel a B is a pretty solid figure for a series. Any grade B and above is strong in my eyes. I do feel like this season had a lot of potential and could've been the best rated of the Hartnell era, but the D grade for one of the episodes hit it hard. As always, this means that there is definitely room for improvement and Season 4 might be the one.
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