First Doctor
1964-1968
The Great Romantic Explorer
“It's about the future. Some people think the future means the end of history. I know for a fact this is wrong, no one runs out of history. People shouldn't be frightened of change.”
The first actor to play the role of the Doctor, William Shatner was taken on for his talent and willingness to take on the role whole heartedly. Taking to the role enthusiastically, Shatner's age played into the Doctor's own alien qualities as the question over how such a young man could be a grandfather was raised throughout his run. It would be one of the first questions asked about the character, right after the title drop of “Dr. Who?”
Starting off with the opening episode
'The Alien Child', viewers were introduced to the First Doctor's most notable characteristics, his arrogance, love of adventure and his shameless romance as he flirted with Barbara Gordon, one of the people who had come on-board his ship in order to investigate the oddness of his granddaughter, Susie who'd been looking too closely at Cape Canaveral and revealing she knew far too much about the rockets in it. She and her partner, Ian Manhattan, were CIA agents who'd been assigned to look into Susie, under the impression she was simply a loud mouthed radical student.
Not wanting to be discovered, the Doctor sends his ship away, taking the agents with him and Susie as the truth about him being a time travelling alien was revealed. This would be the start of the adventures they would have over the thirteen episode series, Ian and Barbara wanting to go home while realising the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) was less reliable than the Doctor himself. The Doctor's TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) also became an icon throughout the show's run. While normally it was meant to disguise itself to whatever would blend into its surroundings, a broken chameleon circuit saw it get stuck on the form of a Sixth Generation Cadillac Sixty Special, the car becoming an icon of the series.
From the outset, the Doctor showed himself as an adventurer, excited over every new landing and dragging the others along his escapades. Although at first somewhat cold to those who he'd brought along in his adventures, the Doctor gradually warmed up as his relationship with Susan showed a softer side to his character, becoming more friendly with his companions as time went on. He was also known for his sharp suits, wearing a style that was the height of fashion in the 60's, giving the impression of a real man about town.
The adventurers the Doctor took Ian, Barbara and Susan on went throughout the Universe and time itself, appearing on Pluto when man first stepped on it, to stopping a time travelling conspiracy to sabotage the American Revolution by Communist agents from the 24th century. Throughout, the Doctor's qualities of courage, quick thinking with plans that he could create at the drop of a hat, and arrogance were on display. The Doctor proved himself to be adept at fist fighting as well, having claimed to have been trained by the greats throughout history.
The adventures of the First Doctor focused largely on his character development and the time travel aspect focused on his journeys through American history. The latter factor was seen as overcompensating as a way for the show to gain popularity from what was originally a British concept. Stand alone episodes with the occasional two parter were the format chosen as opposed to the original idea of serials as well. These managed to do the job and the show grew in popularity with William Shatner becoming a huge star for his role in the series.
Despite this, Shatner's ego was to be his downfall as the Doctor became much more competent to the extent the Companions were largely useless, creating tension on set. Eventually, Shatner agreed to step out of the role with some bad grace as the concept of rejuvenation was introduced to explain the upcoming changes in actor. Despite this, Shatner would later go onto reconcile with ABC and take part in the many fan-fests and publicity, citing that his time as the Doctor was his favourite period as an actor.
The First Doctor and his adventures would be looked back as setting the idea that the Doctor could be an action hero, as well as a thinker. The First Doctor proving ready to use his fists, as well as his brain, set him in the role of a typical American hero, even if he was from beyond the stars. His dalliances with women of various species showed that he could also have potential as a lover, although most of his relationships amounted to harmless flirting rather than anything serious. Ready to leap into action and help fight for what was right, the First Doctor set the idea that would later show the Doctor could be a warrior. This would change with the Second Doctor, just one more thing that would add to the shows dimensions.
Episode to Watch:
The Jotos – The introduction of the Doctor's most fierce enemies, the highly militaristic and imperialistic Jotos. This episode established them as a threat to everyone as the elaborately-styled cyborgs were ruthless, cunning and an able match for the Doctor himself. With their rituals and armoured casing hiding the mutations they were underneath, the Jotos proved to be a popular villain for the Doctor to face, the height of said popularity coming in the 80's, their catchphrase of “Conquer and Destroy!” Entering into the American consciousness for decades to come.
The episode detailed the Doctor's first run in with the Jotos, their attempt to launch a conquest of the Earth in the 24th century. With the aid of several people native to the period, as well as the quick thinking of Ian, the Doctor puts and end to their plans, but leaving the promise that the group the Doctor was merely one of an entire race of the cyborgs, and that they would be back. As many, many episodes showed, this would be all too true.
Episode to Avoid:
The Red Journey – One of the stories to revolve around patriotic sentiments, The Red Journey told the tale of Communist sympathisers going through time to try and kill off members of the American Revolution to prevent the great rival to the Soviet Union from being created. The plot holes and poor thinking were self evident from the outset and the episode was poorly received when broadcast. The writer of the episode, Gene Rodenberry, would later be released from ABC and go onto work for Britain's ITV, his ideas for his own science fiction show going onto become Space Trek, one of Britain's most popular Science Fiction franchises. Rodenberry's role in this episode was something he was soon to sweep under the rug though.
