Blimey, that's a fantastic cliffhanger of an image they left us with after An Unearthly Child. What the hell is causing that shadow? Answer, a rather dirty looking man. Oh.
I'll confess to generally falling asleep during some episodes of Doctor Who. I did with this episode as well. But! Wait! I was writing until about 11 PM and waiting for Mandy to get home (I'm normally well asleep by this time). So, I watched it again today whilst putting away the ironing (laundry activities feature fairly heavily in my attempts to stay awake during Doctor Who—you're going to think I don't actually like the show soon).
It was much better than I remembered it being.I was genuinely interested in the political struggles between Za and Kal.I'm glad there's not too much grunting.What the hell were they thinking doing a caveman story straight away? But on reflection far better than the Giants episode that would have been in its place.The Doctor is less annoying than I remembered him being. He's still not the character we know and love, but there are moments of recognition.Ian is ace. Viewers must have thought the show centred around him.
Ian Chesterton: Just a minute. You say we've gone back in time?
The Doctor: Yes, quite so.
Ian Chesterton: So that when we go out of that door, we won't be in a junkyard in London in England in the year 1963?
The Doctor: That is quite correct. But your tone suggests ridicule.
Ian Chesterton: But it is ridiculous. Time doesn't go round and round in circles. You can't get on and off whenever you like in the past or the future.
The Doctor: Really? Where does time go, then?
Ian Chesterton: It doesn't go anywhere. It just happens and then it's finished.