"Doctor Who" Spearhead from Space: Episode 1 (1970)

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Derek Martinus

Writer:

Robert Holmes (written by)

TV Series:

"Doctor Who" (1963)

Original Air Date:

3 January 1970 (Season 7, Episode 1)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

As the newly-regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene too.

Plot Keywords:

Crash In The Forest | Object From Space | Tracking Shot | Recruit | Babe Scientist

Cast

Jon Pertwee	...	Doctor Who
Caroline John	...	Liz Shaw
Nicholas Courtney	...	Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Hugh Burden	...	Channing
Neil Wilson	...	Seeley
Talfryn Thomas	...	Mullins
John Breslin	...	Captain Munro
Antony Webb	...	Dr. Henderson
Helen Dorward	...	Nurse
George Lee	...	Corporal Forbes
Tessa Shaw	...	Unit Officer
Ellis Jones	...	Technician
Allan Mitchell	...	Wagstaffe
Prentis Hancock	...	2nd Reporter

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U

Trivia:

This episode was watched by 8.4 million viewers on its original transmission.

Quotes:

Lethbridge-Stewart: In the last decade, we've been sending probes deeper and deeper into space. We've drawn attention to ourselves, Miss Shaw.

Movie Connections:

References Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Soundtrack:

Oh Well, Part 1

Fantastic debut for both the Third Doctor and the Autons (Story #51)

Jon Pertwee's debut as the Third Doctor coincides with Robert Holmes introducing the Autons for one of only three television stories they would be prominently featured in (if I recall correctly, they are the only three they would be featured in, period). Ah, Robert Holmes. Always good to see that name at the start of a story, isn't it? In many ways this was the first story in which he really showed his knack for creating solid dialogue and characterization as well as keeping the science fiction, horror, or adventure plot fresh every episode of the story ('The Krotons' was average and 'The Space Pirates' is missing, but apparently not a hidden classic based on reconstructions). I don't want to give any of the plot away but it will suffice to say that the Autons are really bloody good villains, and so is the intelligence behind them, the Nestenes. There are some pretty violent scenes in this story and I remember being very scared upon watching this story for the first time when I was five or so, which is always good in a Doctor Who story.

It was ingenious to actually have Doctor Who villains who are ACTUALLY made of plastic within the confines of the story, and one of the reasons this doesn't seem particularly dated. The character of the Third Doctor is brilliantly introduced over the course of this four parter, as is Liz Shaw, and there is also some excellent character development for the Brigadier. The story was shot on film rather than video for some reason and does look fabulous and is directed well.

Episode 1: 7/10 Episode 2: 8/10 Episode 3: 8/10 Episode 4: 9/10

Overall: The average rating amounts to 8 out of 10 stars, but I will give it an 8.5 out of 10 overall.