When Hartnell says: "I dread to think what you'll do without me," it makes a little bit emotional as it is his final scene as the First Doctor. Sure, the character would come back, but not the actor.
There's an outright reference to this story in "Day of the Doctor" when Kate said "there was a precedent" for three Doctors being together then proceeds to request a file to that incident code named "Cromer."
@lancealot1235 Cromer is a British coastal resort town. The Brigadier initially thought, in "The Three Doctors," that Omega's planet was actually Cromer since the Brig didn't believe that they were on another planet.
Cromer is a rather nice town on the coast of East Anglia, a region of Britain North of London, that round bit that sticks out on the maps. Cromer is on a stony area by a river, has sand or shingle (stones) beaches, and has numerous fishing villages, a quite a few ancient churches, etc. Easily mistaken for Omega's world, just with fewer buildings. ;-) The East Anglian region is low-lying farmland, marsh and canals, much like the Netherlands (which it doubled for in the film 'The Dambusters'), and is full of old airfields, and arguably has it's own version of the English language, the local accent and dialect being notably archaic. The studio Ghibli film 'When Marnie Was There' is set in a similar coastal area on the North coast of East Anglia. The film of the M R James ghost story 'Whistle and I'll Come to You' is set in a similar town on the coast, a bit further East and South.
At a Doctor Who convention, I surprised him, I think, by getting him to autograph my DVD of "Into the Labyrinth" a short (fifteen episode) children's fantasy series he created, starring Ron Moody (who had turned down the role of the Third Doctor). Sorry to hear this news.
There’s actually a reference to Omega in the 11th Doctor’s speech in ‘The Rings Of Akhaten’, the line “I walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a mad man”. Good luck with the move and thanks once again for all your wonderful reactions to this legendary show!
The Doctors' parting ways always chokes me up for that reason. Knowing that the last job of Hartnell's career, so near the end of his life and in failing health, was celebrating the show and role that meant so much to him. And more broadly, knowing that none of the titular Three Doctors are with us now, but left behind such a wonderful legacy.
I totally agree people should start with the 1st Doctor, when watching classic who. I don't like The 1st and 2nd doctor being skipped over. They're just as significant and important as the the rest of the Doctors.
I hate it anyway, when people say you should skip this and that, because it's bad, boring or whatever. Let people decide for themselves. What's the point of getting into something if you're not going to experience the full breadth of it?
I agree too. The First and Second Doctor eras had a whole lot of experimental stuff that I wish more of Classic Who had (pure historicals, for example). The Second Doctor actually has my favourite Classic Who story (Enemy of the World). It makes no sense to start from the Third Doctor.
They are both incredible Doctor Who's. William Hartnell CREATED the role with his charisma, charm, and gravitas and to just say he is nothing, skip, is a crude realization of what the show really was and how it started. He gave his LIFE to the role as did Patrick. They loved being Doctor Who, it was special to them, and even I have watched every episode (even if through just audio recons, we have Audio's these days so I don't see the big deal about them).
@@SamuelBlack84 it's a genuinely unnerving moment for sure! A great performance by Stephen Thorne, (who also played Azal in the Dæmons of course) throughout, imho.
This is why I agree with Moffat on what an anniversary story needs to do. It moved the story along. Fraizer Hines was supposed to come in as Jamie but they couldn't work it out schedule wise.
I always felt that the doctor regeneration was a reaction to his previous life so 1st doctor was a grumpy old man and was very proper 2nd became a younger fun loving cosmic hobo, 2nd to 3rd his fun loving side got him exiled and a forced regeneration so now he's going to take things more seriously
I really like this - you could even say the Second Doctor was extra-determined whenever he defeated Cybermen because they caused his first regeneration/renewal.
@@TheElderBlotch it continues 3 was very serious and spent a long time with humans so 4 became goofy and more alien then 5 became the most human and kind doctor
At this point of the Series the concept of Regeneration as we know it isn’t a thing yet. The word hasn’t been used at all yet, 1 to 2 was explained as a function of the Tardis, 2 to 3 was explained as a “change of appearance” as part of The Doctor’s punishment.
@@alexthehunted You’re getting too far ahead. There is no “regeneration” yet. It’s not been written into the show’s canon by this point so there’s no concept to compare anything to….
The Brig had wonderful moments: keeping Jo and Benton in line as UNIT personnel despite the weirdness, making sure everyone else had gone through the Singularity before he did, and then calmly addressing Jo as "Jo" as a way of providing reassurance.
Your interpretation wishing William Hartnell could see what he created and how long it lasted was so sweet and genuine very touching. Thank you so much for posting!
Omega's scream when he realises there's nothing left of him always gets me Yeah he's mad but It's hard not to feel sorry for him. The actor did a terrific job
That was a second take. The original scream was even louder, and more terrifying. The suits made them do it again so as be less frightening and not as loud, according to the DVD commentary.
50th anniversary: Ends with the Doctor looking to the future as he sets out to find Gallifrey. 20th Anniversary: Ends with the Doctor once again going on the run from his people. 10th Anniversary: Ends with a guy asking his wife if supper's ready.
Watching not just Classic Who but especially the earliest Doctors really fleshes out a thing Ten remarked (to Five in that short), about how he was always trying to be old when he was young, and Five was the first time he regenerated into a physically younger man. The Doctor trying to be old when he was young and trying to be young a lot when he got older (Five, Eight, Ten, Eleven, Thirteen..).. expresses a sort of constant dissatisfaction with himself, often trying to be something he's not. Watching the earliest Doctors really adds dimension to that, and it's funny how unplanned that had to have been over the course of different actors being selected to play the iconic role, and how much you realize that aspect only emerges out of the series after getting to watch Modern Who then Classic. I think, at some point in the show, it becomes more explicit that each Doctor is shaped most by their previous lives, especially the most recent. Nine had the most direct (or immediate) PTSD from the Time War, although it affected all later incarnations. There's the accent thing where Ten's was supposed to be the same as Rose's (Estuary?) and Amy was Scottish and then Twelve was Scottish. There's the thing with "where the faces come from" for Twelve looking like Caecilius. At least RTD and Moffat were writing in that each new life was a byproduct of elements from the previous life/lives.
William Hartnell's final words as The Doctor (indeed, his final words as an actor) seemed throwaway at the time, but have added resonance and poignance as the years roll by. It is the greatest tribute to him as the originator of the character, but also to the two young gentlemen in this story - and to all those who followed them. A Saturday night teatime show for all the family which has, over time, become a phenomenon.
The very end, with you talking about moving and the first reaction you did in that space being "The Eleventh Hour", almost brought a tear to my eye. I'll miss seeing the kitchen. I agree about the story of this episode not being the most complex and that's one of my main criticisms of it. I love all the stuff with the three Doctors and I like Omega but it takes a long time to get to both. I could've done without the slow-moving monsters and all the running around in the quarry.
You’re quite right. The point of multi-Doctor stories is to have fun. In terms of the logistics, I rationalise it like this - during the story the timeline is in flux (hey, that’s a cool name for a story...). When it is over, the current Doctor can remember being the previous Doctors during the story, but he doesn’t remember while it is ongoing. They resolve as new memories he has from that point on... “A beautiful, pleasant surprise”. That’s exactly what this was supposed to be. I’m glad you got to experience it that way. Good luck on the move...
There are pics of Pat and Jon with Bill in his garden that were taken during this filming, I only wish they had filmed it and made it a part of the end. Glad you enjoyed this anniversary story, looking forward to more of your reactions to Dr Who. I hope you had a good move and look forward to seeing the new house :)
Hartnell was filmed but not with the other 2....The shot of Hartnell looking at the flowers and then turning to camera was shot at the same time as the photo call...1972
The spool of 16mm film shot of Hartnell was junked in Nov 1976...so all his monitor scenes that were shot..the film was junked considered no value...The only colour film of him dressed as Dr.Who in the 1970s and the BBC threw it out...Oh well done BBC got rid of valuble footage
The second doctor said to benton ‘I haven’t seen you since that nasty buisness with the cybermen’ referring to ‘the invasion’ so pretty late in the 2nd doctor’s timeline. Hopefully we will get you’re classic who reactions back in December?
I’d like to think Omega’s wonderful shouty hammyness comes from living for so long isolated in pocket universe. He only just now has people he can talk to that aren’t blobs.
Hartnell was the original and the main reason this show still exists today. His performance was brilliant the moment he came on to screen way back in 1963 in that famous junkyard. His very limited roll was very sad in this serial but all credit to him that he was able to give what he could in his very last roll.
What you were saying about your thoughts on regeneration and the perspective reminded me of some of the eleventh Doctor's closing speech 'We all change, when you think about it, we're all different people; all through our lives, and that's okay, that's good, you've gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.'
Farewell sofa by the stairs with the cooker in the background. Waiting in keen anticipation for the new location. Meanwhile, I hope you have moved smoothly and settled.
I`m glad you enjoyed this story, like you I really enjoyed seeing the three Doctor`s together. But in my case back in `73, it was also interesting learning that multiple Doctor stories could be possible.in the future. Of course, it was an extra thrill to see my favourite Doctor return when I never expected to see him in the role again. Describing 2 & 3 as his replacements, the Dandy & the Clown. :)
Stephen Thorn's performance is one of the best in Doctor Who tbh. If it's not camp, silly and over the top, it's not Doctor Who. That's why you watch it, same reason you'd watch Adam West's Batman
This was William Hartnell’s last professional work, before his death two years later. Originally the First Doctor’s part was to be more substantial, though Producer Barry Letts got Mr Hartnell on a good day, and Billy was very enthusiastic to take part. It was only when the scripts were nearly completed that Heather Hartnell found out and called to say Bill wouldn’t be able to do it. Despite William Hartnell’s health and memory issues, he certainly brings his A Game playing his favourite role one last time. Vale Mssrs. Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee and Courtney. Sadly no longer with us, but available whenever we need them. Splendid chaps, all of them. Traditionally the Doctor has been said to be rubbish at choosing what their new form looks like when they regenerate, but when you think about it, multi-Doctor stories, including The Three Doctors, Time Crash, Day of the Doctor and Twice Upon a Time, clearly shows the inspiration of how the Doctor chooses their new face, when they regenerate.
It is erie that this reaction came out on the day Bob Baker, a huge writer in doctor who who helped on this story, passed away. He was also famous for creating K-9.
Fun fact: when Stephen Thorne, who played Omega, first did that mournful wail upon finding out that he no longer had a body, the first take was so intense that the director told him to tone it down because he thought it might be too scary for the kids at home.
Omega is probably the Number 1 villain from Classic that Whovians-in-the-know want to see in NuWho. It almost became a joke that everytime something unexplained or convoluted happened (read: Moffat Era) it was attributed to Omega. 🙂
He was supposed to be the voice that spoke when the screen cracked in the series 5 finale but they relaised they didn't have the rights of him at the time
@@garymcgregor5951 Yeah I agree though I would have liked to have seen him in eleven or twleves era and I don't really think he's like legend, rassilon stole most of his work and credit for himself, also the big finish story simply titled 'Omega' was really good if you want to check it oit continuing on from arc of infinity it should be free on Spotify or Apple store if not there is other ways you could get it and it's also pretty cheap now anyway
I find it interesting given all the deaths of first time characters in the 3rd Doctor's era that in "The Three Doctors" everyone survives both minor as well as major characters...well except for Omega it would appear. The game warden character, Mr. Ollis upon rewatching this story is now one of my favorite minor characters because he doesn't allow himself to become canon fodder and keeps himself alive before encountering the Brigadier, the Doctors and everyone else. I wonder if UNIT ever went back to debrief him and had him sign the Official Secrets Act given what he experienced.
I started Dr Who in 1967 with the 2nd Doctor, so when this 10th Anniversary story was made, I was as excited as you were to see Patrick Troughton again and in colour. The bonus was William Hartnell too, as I was too young to remember him. Mr Hartnell was by that time very ill, so his parts were cut down to what you see in the story, but what a bonus to have all 3 actors in the same story. You will probably like the 20th Anniversary 'The Five Doctors' then. Wishing you all the very best with your 'Move' and hope to see you back with your reactions asap :)
Just a little reminder from the 50th Anniversary, “The Moment” was stored in the Omega Arsenal with all of the Time Lords greatest weapons. Omega is a giant figure historically to Gallifreyans and particularly Time Lords, so they’ve name important things after him. The little fight the 3rd Doctor had in this was an idiosyncrasy of that particular Doctor due to Pertwee being a trained martial artist and his wish to have that be worked into his version of the Doctor.
I'm guessing the main reason behind the recommendation to start Classic Who from the Third Doctor is probably the lost episodes being mainly from 1 and 2's years. (And possibly they're being in b&w, and then maybe the belief it was such a different era that newer, younger viewers might struggle to relate or know the historical/social/political atmosphere of those years?) I don't agree either. (Of course, some part of that might be that I tend to be a completionist, but also now a fair bit of the lost episodes have been either recovered or animated, reducing the gaps from what they were before..)
Eleventh Doctor: 'I walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a mad man' (The Rings of Akhaten) Was in reference to this special and Omega!
William Hartnell was very ill at the time and the disease took him away 2 years later, that's why he is not very much around but they managed to put him in. He was sitting and had a a teleprompter to give him the lines. this is sadly his last contribution to Doctor Who. Amazing first Doctor RIP William Hartnell. And the fact that of all the doctors and companions of the episode, only Katy Manning (Jo) and John Levene (Benton) are alive today makes me very sad. But a great story, the next one is a bit eccentric but I love it and I hoe you will too !!! Thank you for your honest reaction and review, it's very refreshing. Sorry for my English it's not my primary language btw
The reason people say 'start with the third' is the fact that 1) the first two Doctor series were never widely destributed in North America, 2) The Third Doctor was in color (or COLOUR is we are speaking the King's English 🤨) and 3) There are no missing episodes with the Jon Pertwee years... where as the previous two have HUGE gaps missing in the episodic storylines. Thank you to those short-sighted cheap $h*ts at the BBC for wiping the tapes and not preserving Sci-Fi history
It makes sense with his line in the three doctors and it sounds like something the power hungry and greedy rassilon would do, to take the credit of time travel for himself, and his tatics at creating regenerations through all forms of other life so he could gain immortality and then giving limited versions of it to other timelords so he could keep it for himself, thinking it made him like a God Though timeless children ruined that and made it tecteum instead who did some experiments on the doctor who wouldn't have even been around then at the time as well as replacing the Celestial Intelligence Agency with Division, destroying the character and canon of the show just out of spite and to get their way, to demoralise people
In the new series the rule regarding multiple Doctors meeting is that the previous Doctors won't remember the encounter, only the current Doctor will retain the memories.
The argument for starting with the 3rd Doctor is because Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts (showrunners) really start to flesh out the character of the Doctor in the 70's. The show during the 60's was fun, innovative, and it was Hartnell and particularly Troughton were endearing character actors. I still love the Troughton era because of Pat Troughton and his relationship with the companions which were very strong.
Glad you got to this before your move...good break off point...great times ahead when you get back...reaction top notch as always looking forward to more after your break
Love all your reactions, and always enjoy watching them, hope you have a good, safe move and look forward to continuing to enjoy all your reactions in the future, God Bless :)
I'm glad you enjoyed This story, William Hartnell was too unwell to appear fully he read his lines off cards that where In front of him while he remained seated Mr Hartnell passed away two years after this was broadcasted.
Thanks for an amazing reaction. So fitting for you to finish on the 10th Anniversary story . It's worth reading the Wikipedia article on this story because there is some really good info. Enjoy your rest, I hope your 'regeneration' goes smoothly & see you soon!
Y'know, Jess, when you were trying to explain all the timeline stuff (how Who-vian of you!) regarding your move and posting the reaction to this story, all you really had to say was that it was "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey" and we would have understood. :-) Hope it all will go / is going / went well. Take care!
Since I know you love classic Doctor Who, I wanted to pass along the news that Bob Baker, who created K9 and some great villians while writing for the Third & Fourth Doctors, just passed away (he also co-wrote the Wallace & Gromit shorts and first feature film). I'm actually friends with his daughter, Sarah, who has become a wonderful author of children's books, and she posted his obit on her FB page today. So, in his honor/memory, I wanted to share this because, many times, the writers of shows we love don't get the recognition that the actors and/or shows do. Raise a glass for Bob if you can this weekend.
Even William Hartnell wanted to be there, and if there were no health issues, he would have been there in person. As for regeneration in general (during the original series), I'd say that the personality of the next Doctor depends on the final thoughts of the last, combined with how they "died." Oh, and without spoiling anything, I will say that events in this episode explain something that happens in a future episode. That way, you can enjoy watching for it in upcoming seasons. ;-)
Remember, remember, The fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason, And plot. T'was also, they say, Regeneration saved the day, Pat Troughton came to stay, Did he not? With stove hat, plus recorder, All charm and disorder, An apparal quite a clown, So it seemed. With music for balm, With elan he disarmed His eyes a'twinkle He had the problem sorted. Now dear Pat, our friend, Has departed, but wait, Is that music that's started? It floats like a trophy down the years The sound of . . a flute? No, not a flute, strictly speaking, It's sweet note has us . . and Jess, In tears. That's a tone that was right, Made a sombre moment bright, And the music-maker . . The Doctor? Who?? . . quelled all our fears. Goodnight Pat.
Wonderful, wonderful! Just what I needed on a dull November afternoon - Summer person, can't stand dark chill evenings and mornings! Bleergh! Hope the move's going according to plan. I'm presuming this is practically the last we'll see of the familiar old manse?
Stumbled across the first two episodes reaction, I was amazed, but then I’d always known what happened in this story. I’m so glad you loved it. If you get chance you should try out Sapphire and Steel, which was the main competitor channel’s answer to Doctor Who; and Blake’s 7 which was created by Terry Nation and many of the people who worked on Doctor Who. I think you’d enjoy them.
In college in the late eighties, one of my lit classes showed a videotaped stage production of Oedipus Rex starring Stephen "Omega" Thorne, done with classical Grecian style theater masks. He "boomed" all his lines there as well and I kept having flashbacks to Omega in "The Three Doctors."
I love when Pat gets his sass mode on with Omega early on. Btw, this is the first time we hear of "Contact" (the same mental link Doctors shared in the 50th). And that scene with the 1st Doctor is the best, he just slapped the Time Lords with a white glove. Omega at this stage told them the plan because he had plenty of ego, but yeah, it's a bit stupid for one of the most brilliant minds in Gallifrey (I'll say something more about Omega closer to the end of this Classic Who watchalong for... reasons). But the cherry on top of this delicious multi-Doctor cake is the dematerialization circuit at the end. After the Doctor finished this work for the Time Lords, he finally gets to celebrate and travel in his TARDIS again. This newfound liberty will set in motion a lot of stuff as you will see. Best of luck in your house change! "It's gonna be a whopper" - a good one for sure 😉
Lovely to see Bill, Pat & Jon wave you off before your big adventure begins. Who will entertain me now when I do my Saturday morning exercises while you are away? Best of luck with the house move and I look forward to seeing you and your new house hopefully in the not too distant future, keep the Kettle handy, regards.
I started with the 4th Doctor, but that was on PBS in the mid 80's! James Bond is also probably a time lord, new bodies but memories from the previous versions!
Hi sesska I'm your biggest fan! I saw in your reactions a controller to a console (Playstation or Xbox). What console do you have? Please answer. Thank you. By the way your the punisher, the boys reactions helped me to get through a lot though times. I discovered you in 2016. If we don't see each other this year I wish you happy holidays and a happy new year sesska bye!
I always fond Omega to be one of the most fascinating and yet tragic villains in the show's history. He was one of the founding fathers of Time Lord society and discovered the power of time travel but received nothing but isolation and abandonment for millions of years. All he wants is freedom and to be home in the proper universe of matter again and yet he goes about it in the wrong way. His OTT rage and hysteria can get criticised, but this is a guy who's been on his own for millions of years. Isolation for that long is gonna mess you up in a big way! With Rassilon being brought back in Modern Who, I hope Omega returns one day as well.
It's funny you should say that, because there is something going on in the the way they have been telling the 13th Doctor's back stories lately that's been arousing my suspicions, and having just watched The Halloween Apocalypse the other day, even more so now! Watch this space I would say!
I don't know that it's always a matter of "learned" but I very strongly believe the experiences of one doctor on some level shape who the doctor that follows is and while it's rarely if ever intentional, it is still inevitably true simply because what has been written before on some level effects what is written next.
It was a sweet little story. Nothing too major but still enjoyable. The dynamic between Doctor 2 and 3 was amazingly portrayed! Shame Jamie didn’t made it but I’m glad Benton was more involved! It made up for it
Good luck on the move. RE: The Doctor's memory during multi-Doctor stories... Apart from Time Crash the earlier Doctors always seem to instantly forget the adventure after it's over (otherwise the older Doctors would already know what's going to happen - and they don't seem to. Clearly that's a huge plot point in Day of the Doctor which causes Doctors after the War Doctor to forget that they saved Galifrey rather than destroying it.)
I think the doctor regains his past memories as the events begin to happen from his perspective. What he first received the Fez in Day of the Doctor, he said something like, "I remember this. Or I Almost Do". Or words to the effect.
Just a caveat: there does seem to be a loophole where past Doctors *regain* their memories during a later multi-Doctor stories, e.g. Two and Three equally recalling their interpersonal friction from this serial.
Usually when an earlier Doctor is pulled out of time (like by the Time Lords) they lose their memories of events when returned to the moment they were taken out of time. G'luck w/ the move
Regarding what the second Doctor remembers of the events in this story. Its been said somewhere that when a Timelord meets a future or past version of him/herself. He/she remembers it in the same way we remember dreams. Very hazy.
I do love the three doctors, with hartnell he agreed to do and they announced his appearance but then his wife explained that realistically it wouldn't be possible due to his health and memory, so theyade his part minimal so that it wouldn't be too much for him but he could still be part of it
All the parts of the first Doctor had to be written on cue cards for Bill Hartnell. His arteriosclerosis and overall body weakness forced all scenes also to be filmed at his home...
This story was also the point that opened the Brigadier's mind completely. From this point forward he stopped questioning the scale of what was and wasn’t possible.
Unfortunately, William Hartnell was not medically cleared to get physically involved. He wanted to be fully involved but they wouldn't allow it. Sadly he died 2 years later. It's still great to have him in some capacity. Loving your reactions. Hope the 3rd Doctor will make your top 5 :-)
