Saying Goodbye To The First Doctor... - Doctor Who: The Smugglers + The Tenth Planet (1966) - REVIEW 

"The concept that the Doctor's body had simply worn out and that was why he had to 'regenerate' into another, younger self, was not so far from the truth. My grandfather really was exhausted." - Jessica Carney Thanks so much for being a part of this epic, year-long journey. The future of the Classic-era reviews will be explained soon, but for now please consider leaving a "like" and a comment to appease the almighty RU-vid algorithm!

The marathon started exactly the 2nd December last year & ends the same day this year. Really good timing

I'm still glad that Blue Peter saved the first regeneration scene in The Tenth Planet back then.

“The Nazis” It’s a shame they didn’t give that story another chance. Imagine if it were done in the Pertwee era; “The Nazis of Death” or “The Nazis of Doom”.

As someone who first saw the show as a kid with Christopher Eccleston's 9th doctor, I am so glad I went and watched the 1st doctor's era. He is easily my favourite classic doctor and the show had such variety in the stories. I agree that he is a doctor half remembered.

Honestly, this review is exactly why I wish more people would watch the Classic Era, especially what you say at the end. I know so many people who give at the beginning, because they say Hartnell's Doctor is "objectively wrong/not the Doctor" etc. Like, he didn't start the Doctor, he BECAME the Doctor. That's why I honestly think Hartnell's Doctor might be the best purely from a WRITING standpoint... specifically, because he evolves the most. In a world where they don't yet have the idea of regeneration? In order for him to have an arc, the writers need him to actually progress and grow and change as a character, so he has a dynamic evolution. Now that they have regeneration? If they want the Doctor to change or evolve, they can just regenerate him. The caveat of that plot device means the individual incarnations no longer really NEED to have dynamic arcs, and are largely static characters. Hartnell's incarnation is a massive exception, with a richly dynamic arc from selfishly elitist to fiercely compassionate.

Thank you for this video's epilogue. I have long said that Twice Upon a Time equaled a character flanderisation of the First Doctor and I was glad to see someone with a platform come to the same conclusion after watching the Classic stories.

Brilliant retrospective William, I feel both the First Doctor and Hartnell himself go massively under the radar by a lot of fans and you’ve done him justice by trying to enlighten people’s perspective of him and his Doctor as more than just a crotchety, old man. The tribute at the end was very heart wrenching, say what you will about Hartnell as a man but he clearly approached the role with love for both the character and the children you watched him. Fantastic. One of my favourite Doctors of all time. Very excited for the Troughton marathon if that is in your plans at all! EDIT: The Time Meddler is my favourite Hartnell story btw :)

Looking forward to your Troughton analysis

William hartnell. Like all historical figures, carries a lot of baggage due to the time period’s standards. Even then, he was a very troubled individual with his youth and experiences growing up. But regardless, he was my first classic who doctor. And in fact my second doctor overall. Truely an icon, who delighted in inspiring the children of his time and beyond into the future. Without him we wouldn’t have this marvellous show, and that amazing doctor who he started on his journey

Also, lovely tribute to Hartnell at the end. My heart jumped because ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ is my favourite song of all time!

Everyone deserves such a tribute when they're gone.

This year, over the course of watching these reviews and a recent rewatch of "An Adventure in Space and Time", the First Doctor has been bumped up to my top 5 Doctors. I find I have a lot empathy for Hartnell as a man who was beat down in life and was buffeted by the constant changes in his life, and I think his era is criminally underated. Thankyou MrTardis for your excellent reviews this year, I look forward to more in the future.

After I completed a NewWho rewatch leading up to the 60th anniversary specials, I wanted to go back to the Classic series, as there's many stories from that era I've not seen in awhile, or just never saw. I just finished watching the Hartnell era last night, and definitely have more appreciation for this era of the show now. Will continue with the 2nd doctor in the new year, and I do hope you'll make more classic episode retrospectives. Thanks for making this.

Well, the plot and themes for The Smugglers was suggested by Gerry Davis. I know because my late friend told me - I actually have him on tape saying this. I must dust of those recordings. Gerry set the story up, believing that young audiences would know something about smugglers on Romney Marshes and Dr Syn.

Was a pleasure to contribute to this in a very small way. Absolutely wonderful as always Will

I've sort of binged most of these in an odd order but I've absolutely loved these retrospectives so much. I found this era to be difficult to watch, due to it being very slow paced but you've really brought it to life with this series. Brilliant work.

Haven't seen many stories of this era, but these reviews gave me a great insight. My favorite would probably be The Chase (ironic cos I like more serious stuff), but any time Bill gives one of his speeches, or the show gives a great cliffhanger, I cannot help but drop my jaw. And drop my jaw I did when that tribute started playing at the end of this with Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Cheers, Will.

3:45 - "DON'T TELL HIM, PIKE!!"

Wonderful video, and the final Goodbye segment was wonderful too. My favourite Hartnell story is still probably The Tenth Planet, but I've come to respect and fall in love with the rest of his stories too, thanks to this review marathon. I would, of course, love to see more.

Mondassian cybermen are still the scariest monsters to me. The combination of the white cloth face, soulless eyes and the empty voice just sent chills down me and the first part of the series 12 finale reinforced thst for me as hospitals are up there as one of my least favourite places and thoughts

I was 6 years old in 1963 when I first saw Doctor Who, I was entranced by this mysterious character and even more mysterious contraption called the Tardis. I was also a little weary as I did not know if the Doctor was good or evil, I admit I did not take to the Doctor for some time and initially found him grumpy and frankly unlikeable, none the less the program had a grip on me and I continued to watch it. By the end of Hartnell's tenure as the Doctor, I regarded his behaviour as just the way he was, a little bad-tempered and eccentric but essentially a good person. I was quite sad when he left the series as I had grown to see him more as a grandfather figure who could be a bit ill-tempered but would walk over burning coals for you if you needed help.

The First Doctor is one of my personal favorite version of The Doctor (maybe favorite classic Doctor), and I always appreciate your fun and well made retrospectives

Great reviews filled with so much interesting information! Loved the first Doctor edit at the end. Hartnell’s incarnation is definitely one of my favourites!

I wish Bill couldve seen that ending montage ❤

Imagine if the Doctor Who Mr Men books were actually animated like the original 1970s series.

That ending though. Chilling, and so well done Mr. Tardis!

This was a fantastic video, and very touching. I had no idea Hartnell had a drinking and gambling problem. And despite his bigotry he considered Waris Hussein and Verity Lambert very close friends. It sucks how Moffat wrote the First Doctor in TUAT. You mentioned that Hartnell wasn't happy with how the show was changing, and it's interesting to think how it started off as very fairy tale and ended as very scientific, with all these lines that he had to remember.

Beautiful tribute to Hartnell, Mr Tardis! The First Doctor truly is something else! :)

There really is something magical about Hartnell's performance. I don't know what it is. I didn't expect to enjoy the early stories of his I watched, but he surprised me again and again.

Man you really outdid yourself with the ending. This was such a great review marathon and If you’re planning on covering the Troughton era and everything after that, then I highly look forward to it

Woahhh I was nopt expecting a jazz cover of boulevard of broken dreams! 😂 but it rlly does work with Bill :) perfect song for a perfect doctor

Not Gona lie the end of this video effectively a eulogy to William harrnel leaves a small lump in my throat every time I hear it well written and put together

I always adore the late Roy Skelton's voice role as the Cybermen which of course Peter Hawkins did as well for only Ep 4.

Wow, never heard his natural voice before seeing that interview clip. That's a pretty stock difference which has never really been true for the other actors apart from Tennant.

What a wonderful set of reviews well done for all the hard work.

Got quite emotional at the end there, great video!

Superb. An excellent close to a great series of retrospectives. Looking forward to what you do with the Troughton era.

so awesome, thankyou , i love these, comprehensive , respectful and enjoyable

Amazing review. This is my favourite video of yours, and that's really saying something. Congratulations on finishing your marathon!

I’m all honesty, I’ve always sort of interpreted why the 1st doctor seemed to act in Twice Upon a Time as being partly, or even mostly, a front. He knows that he’s staving off regeneration, his FIRST regeneration (as far as he is aware, at least.) and he’s around this person who claims to be him, in a situation that’s completely strange with people he’s never met, and no companions that he knows to back him up. I always saw his behavior as him trying to look tough, for lack of a better word, to project authority and confidence, partly to convince others, and maybe even himself, that he’s in control of the situation. Sure, it’s not a perfect answer, but it makes sense in my head, so I suppose it works well enough.

As always, these reviews are terrific.

A wonderful review and a sensitive and touching tribute to the 1st Doctor & William Hartnell both. Always enjoy these videos and look forward to the future ones too.

Thanks, your reviews have really rekindled my love of Hartnell's Doctor.

A very big well done on this - its clear that there is so much heart put into it at well as so much respect for Hartnell - and the First Doctor himself!

Been quite the journey watching all these reviews! Thank you for bringing your perspective to the early days of the show! 🙌🏻

thank you for this compasinite and adoring and self awear journy. you were the manin reason i started my own journy into his stories and gosh am i pleased, his autilatly funny and sweet but also grumpy attitude wasmy fave thing about the first doctor, and its a pleasure to share these opnions with you as the marathon proggressed

Thank you. This has been a great set of shows.

Oh, those were very lovely reviews! It feels as if I re-watched all the episodes myself. Analysis so detailed, well-informed and witty! Thanks a lot, Mr TARDIS. I do hope that there will be more and more reviews, especially of the 2nd and 3rd Doctors, my favourite ones! As for the First Doctor, I can really see now the immense growth of the character over the seasons, so I appreciate him - and William Hartnell - much more! And my top story from this era, still, will be The Romans!

i really hope you continue this series, especially as two is my favorite doctor and i’d love to hear your thoughts on his run

Did not think Green Day would fit a Hartnell complilation until today. Really enjoyed this Hartnell retrospective as it was a big blind spot before and now I'm insanely more intrigued to watch his stories. Onto Troughton now!

This was definitely an incredible way to cap off the review run of The First Doctor’s era of the show. I think William Hartnell, for all his personal faults and foibles, truly exercised a great deal of love and care for Doctor Who and it shows not only in his performances but also in his fierce dedication to continuity (the fact he could pinpoint each button on the TARDIS console and how they operated being an excellent example). I am happy his approach to the character is always being given fresh perspectives, as it not only laid the blueprint of so much to follow but also showed that behind the cold exterior was a warm being that has evolved into the hero we know and love to this day. I also loved how Hartnell himself perfectly summed up how children perceived him being a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Father Christmas, as he was right on the nose with his Doctor being sort of an inventive yet aloof and cunning man hiding behind an illusion (the Wizard behind his curtain and the Doctor behind his unassuming police box) who also had the ability to become a man who also had the capacity to love and spread goodwill even in the face of evil (Father Christmas in a nutshell). R.I.P. William Hartnell, and thank you Mr. TARDIS for such an incredible retrospective on this great era of Doctor Who history. 😊

"Love, pride, hate, fear, have you no emotion, sir?!?" That was the highlight of the Tenth Planet.

Thanks for bringing much needed attention to the First Doctor. He wasn’t a pilot episode character they finally cut after three years. He’s as “Doctorish” as any of them. Just inexperienced and immature, in a wonderfully old man way

While I myself can't call Hartnell my favorite doctor (although he is in my top 5) , I have a friend who definitely can. And he perceived something I had never thought of. The doctor's past was written in honor of Mr. William Hartnell, a man looked down upon as lesser by his peers because of his birth status, a man whose love for his granddaughter led him to commit the most game changing act of his life. A man who warmed to those around him because of said choice, and the good that came from it. It was the greatest way of honoring Hartnell, making his life story, the doctor's life story.

I was afraid you were going to skip the Tenth Planet since you skipped all the Dalek episodes. I hope you continue this with the Second Doctor (and so on).

excellent series Mr T, thankyou

This actually made me tear up Thank you

Absolutely love the first doctor and how his character evolved probably the most important arcs in Doctor Who.

I’ve been watching every episode of doctor who and about to finish the first doctor(with twice upon a time) and I don’t want to see him go 😭 In the words of the brigadier “well, here we go again” we may have just lost this doctor but we have a whole new one to enjoy :)

My favorite Hartnell story: "The Gunfighters". I wish he'd done more comedy! That said, I'm also hoping sometime in the next year or two to pick up the CARRY ON boxset. "CARRY ON SERGEANT" is a brilliant film that spawned a long-running franchise. And you know what else? It was remade in America as "STRIPES".

Wow, have I enjoyed this entire series! I am fairly new to the DW fandom, as I started with curiosity when Jodie was cast. Thanks to a dear friend with an extensive collection, I’ve had a chance to watch the first five Doctors in their entirety and intend on continuing the journey back to Jodie and beyond. I truly hope you continue this project with Troughton as I enjoy your commentaries and reflections. I also appreciate your livestreams and political commentaries in relation to the show. They are often highlights of my week. Thanks again, Will!

Ooooh, ! A double Review, spicy

I get that they wanted to keep the regeneration as a surprise, but it’s a shame more wasn’t made of the Doctor’s frailty. Perhaps the cybermen could have offered him conversion, and he could have given a vague hint that he has his own life preserving tricks up his sleeve.

Great feview of the two stories and the Hartnell era as a whole.

I have only recently gotten to watching any of Hartnell's era, and I think I am like many who have underestimated the quality (as well as importance) of these stories. What I always remain shocked by is that Hartnell wasn't really that old. He comes across as a 70yo man, but he was still in his 50s in the 10th Planet! and to dies at 67 is no age at all really :( My fave serial? Probably The Aztecs, closely followed by The Delak Invasion of Earth.

The Tenth Planet is the top 10 favorite all time Who episode. The Cyberman costumes scared me when I first saw it. The gaping holes and haunting mechanical voices haunted me for decades.

Gotta say man, you killed these. Hands up that montage at the end hit me straight in the feels

no way!! I've had The Tenth Planet first on VHS in 2000 and then DVD in 2013.. watched them hundreds of times yet I've never noticed the Cybermen's eyes before!

great video got me watching hartnell myself

If the showrunner in the 60s made the nazis episode they could of had the Daleks team up with the nazis. Could of been an interesting story.

Big Finish should remake missing episodes, that's if there's enough source material and information ofc (at the very least a script). The CyberMondasians are my favourite. There designs, voices, and how they act (e.g. not immediately trying to convert you) is so much more scary than other incarnations. There designs capture the body horror quite well and the low budget just adds to this - they're being held together with scraps.

Oh favourite Hartnell story The Aztecs probably although weird soft spot for The Web Planet.

26:50 - Patrick Wymark? He would later appear in Gerry Anderson's Doppelganger (aka Journey to the Far Side of the Sun) in 1969, didn't he?

I enjoyed this as I haven't seen every 1st Doctor story myself. Especially those only viewable via telly-snaps. My favourite 1st Doctor story would probably the novel Ten Little Aliens. Although it would likely have been far too violent to have been onscreen. It's the next Doctor retrospective that I am the most looking forward to, though. To me, peerless.

the smugglers is certainly a story that i would love to see return to our screens, it feels so under-rated

I will be honest, outside of "The Three Doctors" 10th anniversary special, I had never seen a William Hartnell episode of Doctor Who until the episode shown in "Tales from the Tardis", and even since then, whilst I've seen a number of episodes from each classic Doctor since I was a teenager until today...Hartnell is one I've not often gone back to watch because I simply didn't know where to even begin. Which to be honest, was the same problem I had with Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor.

Lovingly done. I have enjoyed this series thoroughly. I think if he were here, I think Hartnell would have to.

Fuck i got emotional at the end there

27:18 - Ron Moody would later provide the voice of Badger in The Animals of Farthing Wood in 1993.

I listened to the audio narration of the target book read by anneke wills with nick briggs as the voice of the cybermen and its really nice. Gerry davies' writing of that version is really good.

i always hate when people point to the smugglers when talking of william hartnell's health. a body double was used so they didnt need to use hartnell. They main tardis crew was in 1 days filming

Great stuff. Thanks for making these. My favorite story is the an unearthly child. But there are so many that I like.

Once you said that one of the leads asked a woman out on a date aftee she gave him immense pain, anything after that registered. Now i want to know michael and edwina's relatonship dynamics.

Okay I wasn't expecting the Green Day cover towards the end of the video.

I like how you have to re-review Tenth Planet because Smugglers is such a non-entity to end on lol.

Brilliant .

Would An Adventure In Space and Time be Reviewed?

1:06:38 Interesting that Troughton's young family that made him accept the role, wasn't his 'official' family aka the one that includes Michael Troughton, who played his dad's role on numerous occasions.

I'm not crying

Are we getting a patrick troughton marathon?

Man, knowing Hartnell’s struggle and passion for the role makes him getting replaced so tragic. It feels like I’ve lost a friend. Hartnell’s performance really made the show great. I’ve loved going through the Hartnell’s era for the first time with these reviews

Thanks for this. You've given me a new and unexpected love for Hartnel and his Doctor.

Camelot ...Camelot...Camelot!

"Wizard of Oz and Father Christmas" why can I actually see that like even on a physical level, I do reckon that the First Doctor is often characterised by his bad moments/the moments that date him because naturally that's what stands out most to people, like when you review a restaurant you'll often notice that bad waitor before noticing the other people there who are alright enough, ultimately he's dated but I do feel that the character's legacy shouldn't just be the grump grandad but more the grandad who's sometimes a bit grumpy but equally loving and caring, that said I don't think he can escape the "jolly good smacked bottom" but to be fair if I were in charge of a multi doctor scripts I'd have like 9, him and 12 in a pickle and have 9 go "what you gonna do? Give the Daleks a jolly good smacked bottom?" And have him reply something like "you're my descendant?" "Yes, I am, a few hundred years in the future actually" "and you're still laughing about that?" "Why shouldn't I? It's the single thing I regret saying, you have no idea how embarrassing th-" and 12 just goes "shut up or I'll give *you both* jolly good smacked bottoms! If you'd both quit bickering like a dysfunctional father/son duo, that'd be lovely!" Idk just I feel like that line could've been a funny thing that the doctor looks back on. On the whole the First Doctor is honestly a very solid iteration and I do think he should be characterized for his merits and not his flaws more often tbh.

1:01:28 - I think Planet 55 used the rotoscoping technique for this moment.

Dalekcember, the trip of a lifetime and Cybercember were excellent. But THIS is my favorite massive retrospective. EDIT: And seeing as you asked, My favorite first doctor story is The Dalek Invasion of Earth.

Finally Finally Finally!!! 😁😁😁

What's your name son? Don't tell em Pike!

I just wrapped up the last Hartnell stories yesterday and was waiting for this. Mind you, I did the Tenth Planet earlier.