As both the first colored story of Doctor Who Classic Era, The first episode of the Third Doctor, this was a delightful story to watch. Autons being introduced in this story was a good choice.

P.S: Autons were also the first evil protagonists of the very first episode of Doctor Who Revival Era.

We come to the Third Doctor’s beginnings with Spearhead from Space. I consider Power of the Daleks to be the most important Doctor Who story of all time, but this would not be too far behind in that conversation either. Even though changing the Doctor’s appearance worked brilliantly with Patrick Troughton, attempting this a second time to prove it wasn’t a fluke was just as risky. Not only that but taking such a radical approach to the format of the show. From the start of this era, we’d be spending most of the time on present day Earth rather than out amongst time and space, the show would take on a much larger cast of regular characters, move to a colourised presentation, adopt a more action-based tone with clear influence from Quatermass, and lean heavier into themes and topics that reflected on the then-present-day culture of the 70s. Whether that be the introduction of the Silurians and addressing the theme of two differing societies unwilling to co-exist based on different form of prejudice, or Inferno which based itself on the Russian’s attempt to drill to the centre of the Earth that was happening at the same time.

I can’t imagine how much of a shock it must’ve been for fans coming in from the Second Doctor era being thrown into a new era, with so few recognisable elements carried over. Unlike Power of the Daleks that used the Doctor’s number one enemies to help ease the transition with the Second Doctor, Spearhead from Space almost feels like a completely different show with only the Brigadier and UNIT there to help provide some familiarity. Fortunately, not only was Spearhead from Space successful but it went on to become part of my all-time favourite year in the show’s history and makes for a perfect jumping on point for newcomers to Classic Who.

As an added bonus, due to some filming troubles behind the scenes where they weren’t able to film on their usual videotape, Spearhead from Space ended up being the only Doctor Who episode made on 16mm film, making this the most cinematic looking episode in the show’s history and one of the best looking overall.

The real strengths of this story come from establishing the new setting for Doctor Who going forward with the introduction to the Third Doctor, continuing from the end of his previous life having been sentenced to exile on Earth without the use of his TARDIS, beginning his long employment with the military investigation group UNIT led by the Brigadier by assisting them with the alien invasion of the week and bringing on board a companion that can almost match him as his intellectual equal. Enter Dr Liz Shaw played by the later Caroline John who unfortunately only stayed for the one season and thus never got the chance to properly travel in the TARDIS. Nonetheless despite her short stay, Liz quickly become one of my favourite companions and one of the most capable the Doctor’s ever met with her scientific expertise.

Perhaps the biggest risk when going into this story was the fact that they gave the responsibility of beginning the new era to writer Robert Holmes who previously had scripted two of the worst Doctor Who stories of all time with The Krotons and The Space Pirates. Thankfully in one fell swoop he wipes the stigma of those stories away with this episode and it would be the first of many top-notch stories from him, Holmes might just be the best writer the show ever had and stories like this demonstrate why.

Season 7 is notable for being the first season to rely entirely on original monsters, an approach that worked so well that two of them would go on to reappear in later years, one being the Silurians and from this story we have the Autons. Living plastic drones under the control of a collective intelligence called the Nestenes who plan to use the Autons to infiltrate and destroy the human race. The Autons would go on to appear the following season in the much weaker but solid sequel Terror of the Autons which mainly served to introduce the Master and then would not be seen until 2005 with the relaunch of Doctor Who in its first episode Rose. These are one of Doctor Who’s more terrifying monsters with their blank facial expressions, their relentless will to destroy and their near indestructability. It wouldn’t shock me at all to know that these things scared the daylights out of children in all three appearances. Particularly in this episode during one of Doctor Who’s most iconic scenes where the shop window dummies come to life and begin marching through London killing everyone in their path. A scene that was frankly terribly remade in Rose, for one thing the Autons in this story don’t just fire wildly at people off camera so that we don’t get to see anyone killed! Also, the Nestenes in this story are defined as having no proper form and are represented by their chilling puppet Channing, rather than just being a roaring CGI blob making faces at the camera.

Overall, one of the best Doctor intro stories of all time and in my mind, the story that sealed the deal on Doctor Who’s long term future having proven twice that the show can change lead actors.

this story is so good the only main issue I have with it is well the cliffhangers are all awful like they feel like an afterthought each ep just well ends either way the story is amazing one of the best post regen

In my full honest opinion, a very good start to Pertwee’s era, and a good introduction for both Liz and the Autons. It is still a bit dodgy in some places, but overall the plot plays out, and it’s a nice slow four parter to ease you into classic who. I’d recommend it as the ideal starting point for fans who don’t want to sit through the black and white era. That is why I give it four stars.

Wacik’s random facts - this intro was the first coloured Doctor Who intro (besides the movies), and featured a newer version of Delia Derbyshire’s 1966 redo of the 1963 theme. These changes in the newer version were the doooweeeeoooo came earlier, and had the new “siren” at the end. The title text would appear in white Futura Bold. This was also the first intro to have a dedicated logo, as the previous two had basic text, such as Times New Roman (Troughton’s 1966 - 1969).

Its 1970 and this ninety minutes split over four episodes is a perfect length for the show, I'm not sure why it takes the producers so long to establish that as a trend. Along with some cracking cliffhangers, the pacing of this story is perfect. This is aided by our brand new more 'action led' Doctor, who I'd add is  underrated in terms of his comedic performance (maybe because The Second Doctor is seen as the 'funny one'). His post-regeneration confusion is a wonderful introduction and fills you with optimism for the series. It is a small shame however that we do not get to see that all important scene depicting the moment of regeneration, it must have not occurred to them as a vital element of the show.

Perhaps the most immediately striking thing about Spearhead from Space is the drastic shift in visual style following on from the previous year's The War Games. With the possible exception of The TV Movie I don't believe there has ever been two episodes side by side which has displayed more visual development (and there was a six year gap for that one!). This is not just because of the use of colour, it is also due to being uniquely shot entirely on film which gives it an exciting big budget feel, it looks astonishing (if only the other major industrial strike had effected Shada in this way!)

It is wonderful however to see Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart on the scene. He does not simply provide a comforting link to the past, his return is justified by being central to the form of the new show. If The Doctor has to be on Earth permanently (I'm not sure why he does) then thank goodness its with one of the very best recurring characters from the first six years of the show. Even with all the changes that are about to take place, there is no doubt that this is the same show.

Liz Shaw is an interesting sort of companion, she provides a sceptical equal to The Doctor. It is a brave move which I am enjoying. As with all companions, the question is whether they continue to skillfully develop the character in the same vein. During the 1960s we've had brilliant introductions for characters which have immediately gone limp and completely changed course by their second story.

The Nestenes and Autons show a level of sparky imagination that we have not seen in a brand new monster for years. Plastic window shop dummies sit alongside the untouchable elite of Daleks (1963), Cybermen (1966) and Yetis (1967). They have a frightening presence which the audience will want to see again. They are the perfect choice of monster for a Doctor's introduction too. Their motives and story are simple enough to be intelligently fleshed out over a few engaging beats. Whilst this is happening we can get to know our new regular cast.

I am not convinced about The Doctor being stranded on one planet though I do appreciate that a key essence to the show is change.

This is by far my most watched classic Doctor Who story and is one that I cherish. I think it is a highly promising debut for the Third Doctor, if not quite as excellent as Troughton's first story The Power of the Daleks.