51)SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE

Fast-paced, intelligently written, unintentionally humorous, excellent pacing and structure all add up to what is possibly the best possible introductory story for the Third Doctor. The sole purpose of Spearhead from Space is to set-up the earthbound/Doctor in exile formats which will dominate the show for the best part of the next 3 years. The serial does more: it mixes the surreal/uncanny and provides some haunting and frightening imagery where everyday objects become nightmarish monsters. There are also moments of overt horror, echoing the direction the show would take under the leadership and guidance of Philip Hinchcliffe.
   The Autons themselves are similar to the likes of the Chameleons from The Faceless Ones; they suffer identity crises where, without a recognisable image, they revert to faceless dummies (perhaps a metaphor for the human-race?). The Autons and Nestenes also provide another frightening thought in which an exact facsimile double can replace anyone within society, and no one would be any the wiser. The moment when Major General Scobie opens his front door, only to stare back at himself, is a moment where the show firmly abandons its childish whimsical overtones, and firmly grounds the show on its new path. Yet we have another layer to the Autons, providing moments of unease during the Madame Tussauds scenes. Even Liz (a sceptic, and hard-core scientist), feels uneasy about the all-seeing eyes of lifeless mannequins, a feeling shared by the audience where one can never be too sure if they are being watched.
The Autons are just one side to the well-remembered villains; less remembered is Channing, superbly played by Hugh Burden. Episode 1 introduces Channing as the silent partner of the alien invasion, remaining in the background, and not uttering a word; but by episode 4 he has displayed his hidden dark side, and becomes a force to be reckoned with.
   The direction is excellent, almost voyeuristic at times; the opening shot of Earth and the zooming in provides a moment where it is we the audience who are crashing down to Earth after enjoying countless adventures in space with The Doctor. There are a few jarring editing cuts and the cross-cutting conversation(s) between scenes are happening simultaneously, but these are few and far between and thus forgivable. The action-sequences are particularly well-handled; everyone remembers the Auton attack from episode 4, which is possibly the best alien attack in the show’s entire history. 
   Spearhead from Space is an excellent excuse to get The Doctor away from space-bound adventures, and firmly grounds Doctor Who as an action-packed series, where the show will continue to grow from strength-to-strength.*****
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