The War Machines

"Machines cannot govern man."

Writer: Ian Stuart Black

Format: TV

Broadcast: 25th June - 16th July 1966

Season: 3.10

Featuring: First Doctor, Dodo, Polly, Ben

Synopsis 

The TARDIS arrives in London, 1966, where the Doctor and Dodo visit the recently opened Post Office Tower. At its top they discover a brilliant new problem-solving computer - the Will Operating Thought ANalogue. 

But when WOTAN decides that it should rule the world, the Doctor is the only person who can stop the rampaging War Machines from destroying London. Luckily, he has the help of a young secretary called Polly and a sailor called Ben...

Verdict 

The War Machines is a wonderful serial and is a favourite classic of mine. It holds a special place in my heart as it was one of my first classic stories and only my second ever William Hartnell serial and watching it again today has brought back my original thoughts some years ago and now I've matured I could appreciate the story aspects a lot more. It was brilliant to have a 'present day' setting, even if now it's 48 years ago, the premise remains. It was home for Dodo so I still got the feel of a present setting. After Steven's emotional departure in The Savages, it seemed quite sad that he didn't make this trip. It was perfect for him! But with Dodo leaving and a big cast shake up occurring, planning on what's to come, the introduction of Polly and Ben was flawless. What better way to introduce the new companions to the viewer than in a city and time they live in? The landmarks of the story worked excellently with the Post Office Tower and Covent Garden the obvious standouts. I adored how immediately upon arrival the Doctor felt something alien about the new building. The same feeling he got when the Daleks were around. Beautiful. WOTAN was a terrific villain and the concept, in the 1960s, of a computer that can think for itself and know absolutely everything (including what TARDIS is an acronym for!) was superb! Dodo's role in the story, well the first two parts, was actually really good. The hypnotism worked well and if you're going with that angle then the Doctor has to be a bit gullible, and with the first incarnation it's probably the easiest to portray the gullibility. The guest cast were all very strong and I really liked Sir Charles, Professor Brett and Major Green. A fabulous trio, not that they worked together in the serial, far from it! But for me the highlights of this serial were the Doctor, Polly and the War Machines. William Hartnell's performance was absolutely brilliant. For the first time the Doctor was involved with present day occurrences and everyday life. Something he was involved in made the news and was discussed at 10 Downing St. The meddling on Earth has begun... And then there was Polly who from the get go was immediately likeable. Smart, stunning and dazzlingly blonde! Her humour in cheering up Ben in the Inferno nightclub was lovely and throughout she was just a joy. She's going to make an outstanding companion! The War Machines, who the story is named after, looked very impressive and their concept was excellent too. Their destructive abilities were awesome and the fact that they were easily manipulated by the Doctor highlighted how great our hero is! The way the Doctor manipulated a War Machine against WOTAN, the nucleus of the constructed machines, was tremendous! A fantastic climax to a terrific story. I do love this story but the way the departure of Dodo was dealt with is what prevents this story from getting full marks from me. Yes, she hadn't been travelling for too long and her look and accent was always changing, but she had a lovely relationship with Steven and was companion for her fair share of adventures! She deserved a much better sendoff than simply disappearing with a message via Polly. But her departure allowed for Polly and Ben, two characters who'd been intelligently introduced, to board the TARDIS and become companions. I look very forward to their adventures! 

Rating: 9/10