This was just alright I think. I don't love how the story handled Dodo, yet it is kind of what stands out most out of the whole thing. WOTAN and all that was pretty boring, although I do appreciate that this story was important in developing the Doctor into a more heroic character. The whole Ben and Polly intro was also very underwhelming. It was a decent way for the First Doctor to start his exit from the series, and Hartnell does stand out quite a bit in the War Machines in a positive way, even with his health issues.

“DOCTOR WHO … IS … REQUIRED”

Le récit touchant d’un Docteur dépassé qui se bat dans une histoire qui n’est plus la sienne, par contre le traitement encore très dédaigneux des personnages féminins limite considérablement tout ce qu’il pourrait achever

Dodo subit une dernière fois tout le sexisme crasseux de scénaristes qui, visiblement, la détestent. 

Mais même Polly passe toute sa première histoire asservie par le monstre du jour. 

La série tente alors peut-être de changer, de faire peau neuve. Mais elle a toujours beaucoup à apprendre. 

The War Machines: 9.3/10 - Wotan is simply a great AI villain. The concept of an Ai villain back then was very new and the way it’s executed feels really nice. Ben and Polly are both good characters and I’m interested in seeing how their characters develop. The major weakness of this episode is the way that Dodo is written out. She simply leaves and we get no explanation for it. Another downside is the sounds that the War Machines themselves make which can end up being really annoying similarly to the Zarbi.

It's refreshing to be in contemporary 1960s London. Having only one companion in their home setting establishes Dodo a little bit further for her final story although I still don't feel there has been much of an effort made to flesh the last few companions (especially the female ones) out, they instead continue to fulfill the original companion's templates.

The Doctor suspects something wrong in the BT tower and somehow infiltrates it straight away. It would have been nice if they had tried to justify this. On meeting WOTAN the super intelligent computer there is a degree of intrigue, if perhaps it’s a tad pedestrian... but then suddenly we are transported to the "hottest nightspot in town!" The Inferno!!

We meet the bright young sparks Ben and Polly! These companions are exciting, contemporary and have a sense of play and banter between them. Seeing them meet and get to know each other is fantastic fun. For the first time since Barbara we are given a strong female character. I am glad they have finally re-written the rules for what the companions can be. They are SO cool.

I'm not quite sure why they kept getting the War Machines to drive into boxes. We get it, they are strong! But I like the idea that they are an unstoppable force. The modern day setting helps sell the story, as the team are able to cut to a pub where local citizens watch news broadcasts commenting on the situation. More of this please! The Machines rampaging through London look great.

WOTAN's control over humans is excellent - I love it calling the club and controlling Dodo who isn't the most inconspicuous person under Wotan's control. As soon as doctor catches wind of it he puts her to sleep to recuperate for 48 hours, if this is the production team writing her out of the show its a bit cruel. No actor should spend there last episode asleep. Would they have done this to Steven? Absolutely not.

Once the Doctor reprograms a war machine to foil WOTANS plan and bring the hypnotised people (including Polly) back to consciousness, he sets off. He mentions Dodo one more time... she has a message for him - no dramatic exit - she just wants to stay in London now. Despite that disappointment every part of any viewers being would surely be desperate to see Ben and Polly jump aboard, The Doctor didn't invite them - but Ben still has a key from earlier!

In terms of direction this episode is so beautifully shot, the angles are perfect, the show feels refreshed.

What an amazing end to a series and for one I feel gives us a whole new era of the show Hartnell is at his best here too with dodo leaving half way through it’s probs the closest we got to a 1st doctor aline tardis team vibe