Spearhead From Space (1970) Christmas Review

The moment you realize you need to get a job.

Spearhead From Space is a confident introduction to the Third Doctor era and that's about it. It manages to tell us what we'll see ahead and manages to answer the questions left by the previous story. However, besides an iconic scene(the Autons' attack), there's really not much here on its own.

PLOT

The regenerated Doctor lands on Earth and is found and hired by UNIT. Meanwhile, a plastics factory has been taken over by alien plastic that threatens to conquer the planet.

CHARACTERS

Jon Pertwee's introductory scene gave me an unexpected heartbreak - a final scene with the Second Doctor(seriously, it's him). I had no idea that would happen and it was brilliant, I just knew it was the same guy and was okay with him changing into the Third inside. Speaking of which, the cool, classy Third Doctor gets a solid thumbs up from me.

I'm also really excited about the interplay between him and the Brigadier, the two really seem to be rebuilding their working relationship from scratch. I was surprised at how little they trusted each other, even after they began working together.
One thing I didn't like was that the Doctor never explained what actually happened to him.

Liz Shaw is decent, but nothing to write home about. To be honest, I don't really see the point of a companion in an earthbound show. The Third Doctor seems to handle everything just fine.

The villains were also just okay. The Autons were creepy and well done(I was surprised at the maturity - like the blood-spattered windows), but both Channing and Hibbert were dull.

NOTES

*Why does the TARDIS have a metabolism detector on the lock when it has that thing that makes the lock melt if you turn it the wrong way - has he updated his iLock?

*The way they set up Bessie was just shoddy. They should've just had the Brigadier bring in the yellow version in the next story or have the Doctor mention he did.

*What was that wristband the Doctor wore when he stumbled out?

*What happened to the Second Doctor's clothes?

*Considering that the Doctor supposedly doesn't remember how to take off, what was the point of trying? He acted like the Time Lords just changed the password or something.

*1970s London looks like crap. It looked way, way nicer in black and white.

*I do love the early scenes where the Doctor rides the wheelchair, it was hilarious.

BEST QUOTE

"All right, all right, I suppose you want to see my pass. Yes, well, I haven't got one! And I'm not going to tell you my name either! Now you just tell Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart I want to see him! Well, don't just stand there arguing with me, man! Get on with it!"

CONCLUSION

Enjoyable, but too slow and too empty. Works as the introduction and looks visually pretty cinematic, but that's about it.