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WATCH ALONG | CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO | 7x4 | Spearhead from Space: Episode 4
🕑 Added 2023-07-12 14:01:13 +0000 UTCA Few Notes:
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Comments
Steven Cooper
The attack of the shop window dummies is one of the most well-remembered sequences of 1970s Doctor Who. It's brilliantly directed, despite the fact that they didn't have the budget to actually show the Autons bursting out of the windows, and had to rely on sound effects. That's why when RTD reused the idea in "Rose", he was insistent that *this* time we would actually see the glass shatter. :-)
Azmat Mahmood
I have to say that I love Spearhead From Space. The Autons are a great concept and their plan to infiltrate the government by replacing key government officials to take over the country is such a clever and cool plan. The moment they burst out of the shop windows (a moment that was recreated in Rose, a neat homage) is still very impactful and the way they gun down so many people on the street is still shocking and brutal all these decades later. The way that scene is filmed is brilliant and really helps to get across the threat the Autons pose. It's one of the best action sequences classic Who ever pulled off. This is just the perfect way to introduce this new Doctor and whole new era for the show. Jon Pertwee takes no time at all to settle into the role. He's immediately the cool, suave and charming Doctor we know and love and soon enough you'll get to know him too. He's described as the "James Bond" Doctor and we definitely get to see that side of him here with the gadget he builds to defeat the Autons. It's a very strong first impression. This story also really eases you into the new tone of the show with a very effective back to basics approach, but the other stories in this season are anything but 'back to basics'. They're some of the most mature morality tales Doctor Who has ever attempted. Many people would argue Doctor Who has never been more adult than in this season. Very much looking forward to see what you think of the rest of this tremendous season!
