The second episode. It seemed so much longer than 25 mins. Already I'm gripped by the cavemen society; the hierarchy, the politics, the need for food and warmth, the children playing as children must always have done.
And into that world are thrown our four travellers. The Doctor, so confident at first in front of Ian and Barbara as the TARDIS lands, is soon as lost as the others, suggesting that although Susan and he have undoubtedly travelled, albeit it seems only through different periods of Earth's history, at this stage he is far from the confident adventurer we know and love; here looking far more out of his depth. Much is made of the Doctor and Susan's genuine confusion as to why the TARDIS has not changed as it clearly has been doing, again suggesting that they are very new to this way of life.
The scenes in the TARDIS at the beginning are compelling. The device of building part of the planet set and the TARDIS interior next to each other so that it may be glimpsed through the open doors is genius, as is the cut back to show the Police Box doors closing at the same time as the inner ones. After this first season this was almost abandoned until the new 2005 series.
There are some marvellous pieces of dialogue as Za asks Hur to "throw some more of the dead fire on" and Kal unwittingly describes the Doctor as "full of fire".
And then there's lovely Eileen Way, sitting on her rock offering commentary like a stone-age Nanna Royle. Untouchable. I met her once, years ago, at a Dr Who Convention in Birmingham. Tables were limited at breakfast and so Marc Platt, who I was with, and I asked if we might share her table. She was immaculate and stern and utterly charming I recall, dressed all in black with her hair tied tightly back. She was reserved at first, but as she warmed to us and realised that we held her in genuine affection she revealed that her primary reason for coming was to get Patrick Troughton's autograph for her grandson. And there she was, a very special guest at the convention, loved by all, who had only finally accepted the invitation because of her family. Unstoppable things, grandmothers. She asked us whether we thought he would mind her asking and we reassured her that we thought he probably wouldn't. Anyway, she asked him and he was delighted; two fine old actors who truly respected each other. And both gone now, sadly.
Next episode: The Forest of Fear
