Your Guide to Dr Who 1st Doctor Episodes: A Classic Series Bingewatch

Embarking on the journey of Classic Doctor Who can feel like stepping into a time machine without a manual. With 26 seasons and numerous Doctors, it’s a vast universe to explore. If you’re intrigued by the origins of the Time Lord and want to witness where it all began, the First Doctor era, portrayed by William Hartnell, is the perfect starting point. This guide will navigate you through the Dr Who 1st Doctor Episodes, highlighting the must-watch stories, the maybes, and those you might consider skipping as you delve into the genesis of this iconic series.

The beauty of Classic Who, especially in its early days, is its episodic nature. Overarching storylines are minimal, making it easy to jump in with any Doctor. However, for a truly foundational understanding and appreciation, beginning with the 1st Doctor episodes offers a unique perspective. You witness the show finding its feet, experimenting with genres, and establishing the core elements that would define Doctor Who for decades to come.

While the pacing and production values differ significantly from the modern series, the charm and inventiveness of the William Hartnell Doctor Who era are undeniable. Adventures are typically longer, unfolding over four to six 25-minute episodes, allowing for more intricate storytelling, though sometimes with pacing that might feel slower to contemporary viewers accustomed to faster narratives.

Let’s journey back to the very beginning and explore the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes, season by season, to curate your classic bingewatch experience.

Season 1 (William Hartnell): Genesis of a Legend

The First Doctor era begins with a show still discovering its identity, balancing educational history with science fiction and horror elements. It’s a season brimming with iconic moments that still resonate today.

• An Unearthly Child – Watch. The very first episode is essential viewing. It masterfully blends mystery and intrigue as it introduces the enigmatic Doctor, his granddaughter Susan, and companions Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright. The initial episode, a captivating mix of The Twilight Zone and Narnia, is superb, setting a compelling and eerie tone. While the subsequent episodes of this serial are less strong and feel dated, that first episode is a must-see for any Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes enthusiast wanting to understand the show’s origins.

  An Unearthly Child episode still featuring the First Doctor, Barbara, Ian, and Susan in a mysterious setting, highlighting the eerie and intriguing atmosphere of the debut episode.

• The Daleks – Watch. This serial marks the debut of the Doctor’s most iconic adversaries, the Daleks. While it may have pacing issues and some filler, its historical significance is undeniable. Witnessing the Daleks’ first appearance and the unsettling cliffhanger is a crucial part of the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes experience and understanding the genesis of these enduring villains. Even if you find parts slow, the cultural impact and introduction of the Daleks make it a worthwhile watch.

• The Edge of Destruction – Watch. A unique and claustrophobic two-episode story set entirely within the TARDIS. This tight, paranoid drama is a turning point for the First Doctor, showcasing a shift from his initial cold and withdrawn demeanor to a more relatable and warmer character. Its concise format and character-focused narrative make it a standout amongst the 1st Doctor episodes.

• Marco Polo (all episodes missing) – Skip. Sadly, this entire seven-episode serial is lost. While reconstructions suggest visual spectacle and an epic scope, the story itself is considered meandering and slow-paced, even in its reconstructed form. Unless you are a completist, this Dr Who 1st Doctor episode is best skipped due to its missing status and pacing concerns.

• The Keys of Marinus – Skip. A Terry Nation-penned adventure that is considered filler. While not terrible, it lacks the spark and memorability of other 1st Doctor episodes. It’s a sequence of adventures that doesn’t quite reach greatness, making it skippable for those prioritizing essential viewing.

• The Aztecs – Watch. Considered by many to be among the best of the First Doctor episodes. This historical adventure delves into complex themes of interfering with history. Barbara’s attempts to alter Aztec society create compelling drama and ethical dilemmas, making it a standout story from Season 1. It’s a strong narrative showcasing the show’s potential for historical storytelling.

• The Sensorites – Skip. Largely considered tedious and overlong, despite a few interesting moments. While it contains Susan’s first description of the Time Lords’ home planet, these brief highlights are not enough to redeem the overall slow pace of this 1st Doctor episode. Focus your time on more engaging stories from this era.

• The Reign of Terror (episodes 4 – 5 missing) – Maybe. If you are willing to engage with reconstructed episodes, this dark serial set during the French Revolution can be rewarding. The Doctor’s flamboyant disguise and the historical setting offer some appeal. However, the missing episodes may detract from the viewing experience, making it a “maybe” for Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes exploration, depending on your tolerance for reconstructions.

Season 2 (William Hartnell): Expanding Horizons

Season 2 sees the TARDIS team more bonded and William Hartnell’s Doctor becoming more avuncular and engaging, though the season itself is considered slightly less consistently strong than the first.

• Planet of Giants – Watch. A fun, short adventure where the TARDIS crew is miniaturized. This concise and engaging story offers a unique premise and is a solid, enjoyable entry in the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes catalog. Its brevity is a plus for viewers seeking a quick and entertaining watch.

• The Dalek Invasion of Earth – Watch. While some consider it overrated, this serial is packed with iconic visuals of Daleks in London. The final scene is rightly celebrated as one of the First Doctor’s most powerful and memorable, featuring a speech for the ages. Despite potential pacing issues, its iconic imagery and emotional climax make it a must-watch 1st Doctor episode.

  The Dalek Invasion of Earth episode still showing Daleks menacingly rolling through London streets, capturing the iconic imagery of the Dalek invasion.

• The Rescue – Skip. A middling, short story introducing companion Vicki. While it serves to bring in a new companion, “The Rescue” is generally considered unmissable in terms of plot or memorable moments within the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Romans – Watch. A fun and dorky historical romp. Ian in a toga and the First Doctor’s accidental involvement in Nero’s court, culminating in “fisticuffs,” make this a highly recommended and entertaining 1st Doctor episode. It’s a lighter, more comedic historical adventure.

• The Web Planet – Skip. Stylistically weird and with a slow plot, “The Web Planet” is skippable. Despite ambitious character designs and movements, the overall story and pacing don’t make it essential viewing within the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Crusade (episodes 2 & 4 missing) – Watch. A compelling historical drama set during the Crusades, even with missing episodes. Julian Glover and Jean Marsh’s performances and chemistry elevate this story. Despite the missing parts, the compelling narrative and strong performances make it a worthwhile 1st Doctor episode to experience.

• The Space Museum – Skip. Not particularly memorable. While the concept is neat, it doesn’t develop into a compelling narrative, making it skippable among the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Chase – Maybe. Worth watching for the character goodbyes of Ian and Barbara. If you are invested in the original TARDIS crew, this episode is a “maybe” to witness their departure. Otherwise, the exit scene alone is sufficient to understand the companions’ farewell in the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Time Meddler – Maybe. A bit slow-paced, but introduces the first Time Lord outside of the Doctor’s family, and with his own TARDIS. This introduces a significant concept to the Doctor Who universe. The medieval setting also adds to its appeal, making it a “maybe” for 1st Doctor episodes depending on your interest in Time Lord lore and historical settings.

Season 3 (William Hartnell): Ambition and Loss

Season 3 is uneven but grows stronger, culminating in the ambitious epic “The Daleks’ Master Plan.” It’s a season where the Doctor begins to grapple with the weight of his travels and William Hartnell’s performance strengthens.

• Galaxy 4 (episodes 1 – 2 & 4 missing) – Skip. Despite some good moments in the middle episodes, the long stretches waiting for slow-moving robots diminish the viewing experience. The missing episodes further detract from its appeal, making it a skippable Dr Who 1st Doctor episode.

• Mission to the Unknown (missing) – Maybe. A unique, standalone episode designed to set up “The Daleks’ Master Plan.” While the original is missing, a fan remake is available. As a precursor to a major story arc, it’s a “maybe” for dedicated 1st Doctor episodes viewers, especially those interested in the Dalek storyline.

• The Myth Makers (all episodes missing) – Skip. Entirely missing episodes and heavy exposition in reconstructions make this a chore. Despite an intriguing premise of the Doctor mistaken for Zeus, the lack of visuals and pacing make it skippable among the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Daleks’ Master Plan – (episodes 1, 3 – 4, 6 – 9, and 11 – 12 missing) – Watch. A dark and immense epic, considered a highlight of the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes. Despite many missing episodes, the reconstructed versions offer a glimpse into a magnificent, consequential story with a strong Hartnell performance. Skip The Feast of Steven, a Christmas filler episode within this serial, to maintain narrative flow.

• The Massacre of St Bartholomew’s Eve (all episodes missing) – Maybe. The story can be hard to follow in reconstruction, but the ending is thoughtful and powerful, as Steven confronts the realities of non-interference. The ending scene and Hartnell’s monologue are highlights, making it a “maybe” for 1st Doctor episodes fans interested in character drama and historical themes, despite the reconstruction challenges.

• The Ark – Watch. A dorky but conceptually rich time travel adventure. “The Ark” introduces several sci-fi ideas that would reappear in Doctor Who lore, making it a noteworthy and watchable 1st Doctor episode for its inventive concepts.

• The Celestial Toymaker (episodes 1 – 3 missing) – Watch. A gonzo and high-concept adventure into the realm of the Celestial Toymaker. This unique story, though with missing episodes, is an interesting and imaginative entry in the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes, exploring mind games and surreal challenges.

• The Gunfighters – Maybe. William Hartnell as Doc Holliday in Tombstone is a fun concept, but the pacing and repetitive theme song might test patience. It’s a “maybe” for its novelty and Hartnell’s performance, but be prepared for potential pacing issues in this 1st Doctor episode.

• The Savages (all episodes missing) – Watch. Despite being entirely lost, “The Savages” is considered a strong morality tale with a righteous Doctor. Its themes and the Doctor’s strong moral stance make it a worthwhile 1st Doctor episode to experience in reconstructed form, highlighting the Doctor’s character development.

• The War Machines – Maybe. The last complete Hartnell episode, introducing companions Ben and Polly and serving as Dodo’s exit. It’s an okay story, but somewhat forgettable otherwise. Watch for the companion introductions and Dodo’s departure, but otherwise, it’s a “maybe” among Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

Season 4 (William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton): Regeneration and Renewal

Season 4 marks a monumental shift with William Hartnell’s departure and the arrival of Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor. This transition is a pivotal moment in Doctor Who history, beginning in the final 1st Doctor episodes and leading into the Second Doctor era.

• The Smugglers (all episodes missing) – Skip. A rote historical episode with little of note. The first scene where Polly and Ben realize they are time travelers is a minor highlight, but overall, this Dr Who 1st Doctor episode is skippable due to its missing status and lack of significant plot developments.

• The Tenth Planet (episode 4 missing) – Watch. Essential for being the introduction of the Cybermen and the First Doctor’s regeneration. Despite a less exciting plot, this episode is historically significant as it features the first regeneration in Doctor Who history. While episode 4 is missing, the overall impact and historical importance make it a must-watch 1st Doctor episode.

• The Power of the Daleks (all episodes missing) – Watch. Despite being entirely missing, reconstructions are available and worth watching. This serial is a classic, showcasing Patrick Troughton’s initial, zany, and unpredictable take on the Doctor. It’s a crucial story for witnessing the Doctor’s first regeneration aftermath and the introduction of a new, radically different Doctor, making it essential viewing among Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes and the transition to the Second Doctor.

• The Highlanders (all episodes missing) – Skip. The Doctor’s character exploration and the introduction of companion Jamie McCrimmon are the main points of interest. However, as a whole, this Dr Who 1st Doctor episode is considered a snoozefest and skippable due to its missing status, except for Jamie’s introduction.

• The Underwater Menace (episodes 1 & 4 missing) – Skip. Slow-paced with a few fun Troughton moments. Despite Troughton’s comedic moments, the slow pacing and missing episodes make this a skippable 1st Doctor episode.

• The Moonbase (episodes 1 & 3 missing) – Watch. A taut base-under-siege episode and one of the best for the Cybermen. This episode is a strong Cyberman story and features a well-defined Second Doctor. Its suspenseful plot and strong villain portrayal make it a worthwhile watch as the series transitions from the 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Macra Terror (all episodes missing) – Skip. Intriguing premise but ultimately doesn’t go anywhere. Despite a memorable monster and cool atmosphere, “The Macra Terror” is considered skippable due to its missing status and ultimately unfulfilling narrative within the context of Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes and the early Second Doctor era.

• The Faceless Ones (episodes 2, 4, 5 & 6 missing) – Maybe. A murder mystery at an airport, notable for developing Troughton and Hines’s double act and being Ben and Polly’s last episode. If you are invested in the companions, this is a “maybe” for their farewell. Otherwise, it’s less essential viewing amongst the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes.

• The Evil of the Daleks (episodes 1, 3 – 7 missing) – Maybe. Introduces a more complex side to the Daleks and the Second Doctor’s manipulative nature. The first half is stronger than the second. For Dalek fans and those interested in the evolving Doctor character, this is a “maybe.” However, be aware of the significant number of missing episodes and potential pacing issues in the reconstructed Dr Who 1st Doctor episode.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the initial seasons and discover the magic of the Dr Who 1st Doctor episodes. While opinions vary on each serial, this curated list offers a strong starting point to appreciate the genesis of Doctor Who and the foundational era of William Hartnell’s First Doctor. Happy watching!