An Unearthly Child (Episode 1)
Apparently, the first story is not available in many places but - fortunately for me - it is available in the USA via BritBox. I’ve seen this story a few times and believe I have it on a VHS tape somewhere. But BritBox is much easier.
It’s kind of interesting that a British show from 1963 had a woman producer and a 25-year-old British-Indian director. However, any thinking I had that the show was ahead of its time and progressive was muted by the Doctor’s unfortunate reference to the “Red Indian.” Oh well, I guess you can’t expect too much.
Not a bad story to set up the show, although I wonder about the propriety of two teachers stalking a student and following her home. I’d forgotten that Susan says she made up the term “TARDIS” in this episode. It seems like that will cause some continuity problems later when other Time Lords have their own TARDISes and refer to them as such, but I probably shouldn’t think too far ahead.
The musical choices were interesting. The opening theme does seem pretty impressive for 1963 and must have involved some crazy jerry-rigged electronics. However, I was surprised by the near absence of music for the rest of the episode. It wasn’t until Ian and Barbara wander around the junkyard that I heard some bassoon and harp music. I believe that was the only music in the episode outside of the opening and closing theme, and I was surprised by its analog nature. They must not have had much access to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop outside of composing the theme.
When the Doctor dematerialized the TARDIS, Ian falling was not exactly an Evel Knievel-level stunt. I remember a fair amount of similar flopping during this era, but that did stand out. Maybe it’ll get better?
Anyway, those are my initial thoughts. Onward to 100,000 BCE!
It’s kind of interesting that a British show from 1963 had a woman producer and a 25-year-old British-Indian director. However, any thinking I had that the show was ahead of its time and progressive was muted by the Doctor’s unfortunate reference to the “Red Indian.” Oh well, I guess you can’t expect too much.
Not a bad story to set up the show, although I wonder about the propriety of two teachers stalking a student and following her home. I’d forgotten that Susan says she made up the term “TARDIS” in this episode. It seems like that will cause some continuity problems later when other Time Lords have their own TARDISes and refer to them as such, but I probably shouldn’t think too far ahead.
The musical choices were interesting. The opening theme does seem pretty impressive for 1963 and must have involved some crazy jerry-rigged electronics. However, I was surprised by the near absence of music for the rest of the episode. It wasn’t until Ian and Barbara wander around the junkyard that I heard some bassoon and harp music. I believe that was the only music in the episode outside of the opening and closing theme, and I was surprised by its analog nature. They must not have had much access to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop outside of composing the theme.
When the Doctor dematerialized the TARDIS, Ian falling was not exactly an Evel Knievel-level stunt. I remember a fair amount of similar flopping during this era, but that did stand out. Maybe it’ll get better?
Anyway, those are my initial thoughts. Onward to 100,000 BCE!
Comments
Post a Comment