13. The Web Planet

And this is the one with the dodge giant ants and big moths. But I love it so! This has to be one of the best realizations of an alien planet and several non-humanoid species ever in the history of the show. Other than our TARDIS crew, there are no other humanoids in this story. Instead we are introduced to several giant insect species (who speak English- the TARDIS is good at translating insect chirps) who populate this moon-esque planetoid.

Despite the Zarbi (the giant ants) having extremely over developed legs (imagine ants on treadmills), the costumes are all amazing. The only shame is that this is still in the black and white era and this production must have looked fantastic in color. The butterfly-like Menoptra must have looked akin to bees in yellow and black stripes. Of the 4 or 5 different insect species we see on Vortis, only 3 speak. I would have been quite amused to hear what the Zarbi had to say about all this!

The surface of the planet is wonderfully illustrated on screen despite being studio-bound and small budgets. All the surface shots are given would we would call today the "JJ Abrams effect"- lots of lens flares. It is very effective to really give that otherworldly feel. It still amazes me what the production crew did then with little resources and even littler money.

Our intrepid travelers are in top form over the course of these 6 episodes. They are all given a fair share of the story, interact well with the indigenous life forms, and each shine with strong characterizations. Vicki is finally given a proper "adventure" and after 13 stories, we find out the true purpose of the Doctor's ring....

This is such a strong story, I am surprised the Doctor never return here. With today's budget and production quality, a return to the Web Planet with Matt Smith would be amazing!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Web_Planet

Next exciting adventure: The Crusade!!

12. The Romans

The Romans is season 2's "celebrity historical" with Cesar Nero being the guest star. This story also showcases an as of yet unseen talent of our TARDIS crew- comedy. This is by far one of the best farcical romps ever!

Picking up from where the last story dropped us (ha ha), our intrepid travels are enjoying a relaxing vacation in a roman villa in 64 AD. Vicki has quickly adapted to the life of a time traveler actually whining for more adventure. Ian and Barbara are getting VERY comfortable with each other, as I assume they're snogging off screen. And the Doctor is enjoying this respite after the emotional upheaval of recent events.

Things quickly go south as the crew gets separated, kidnapped, and mistaken for other people. The Doctor does a turn with the Emperor's New Clothes with his harp. Barbara is very heavily perused by Nero himself while his wife tries to poison her. Ian is enslaved and has to fight for his life. And they're all running around Nero's palace at the same time, unaware that they are all there at the same time.

The Doctor does give Vicki a 2 second lecture on not changing history, as opposed to the lecture he gave Barbara for 4 episodes! All in all, this is probably my favorite story of season 2. After so many life and death stories, it's nice to see a more lighthearted and fun adventure.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Romans_(Doctor_Who)

Next thrilling adventure: The Web Planet!

11. The Rescue

After the departure of Susan last episode, we are now introduced to Vicki, an orphan from the Earth of the future. She's quite different from Susan, but in much need of parenting. Barbara and Ian quickly become surrogate parents to the young girl while the Doctor once again takes on the grandfather role.

This is a quick and cute little 2 episode introduction story and resets our TARDIS crew. Without Susan, the Doctor, Barbara and Ian have some lovely moments together as they learn to live without her. After all the time they have spent together, you get a real sense of an emotional bond they have formed.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rescue_(Doctor_Who)

Next episode: The Romans!

10. The Dalek Invasion of Earth

And so ends the first major chapter in Doctor Who history. Despite her protests, the Doctor leaves Susan behind for her to start a life with her love David Campbell. Over the course of the 6 episodes, you see them growing closer and closer, as they fight against the Daleks. It is a heart wrenching turn after the defeat of the Daleks.

This story also contains the very first scene of William Hartnell that I saw. The 20th anniversary special "The Five Doctors" begins with a clip of the 1st Doctor from the end of this story. "Go forward in all your beliefs, and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine." For years, that was the only thing of William Hartnell I knew, until my PBS station started to air his episodes. And when I finally saw the clip in context, it was even more powerful.

Our TARDIS crew finally return to London, full size, but in a future under Dalek occupation. For Barbara and Ian, it must have been heart breaking to be so close to him yet so far away. This also marked the first returning monster to the series. With the popularity of the Daleks in the season 1 story, it was a no-brainer that they would make a quick return to the series. This time, having them invade London and appear in very familiar surroundings, truly strikes terror in our hearts.

It is a treat to see so many familiar London sights from 50 years ago. Of course we assume that in this future, the London Eye and the Millennium Bridge were destroyed in the Invasion. :)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dalek_Invasion_of_Earth

Next episode: The Rescue!

9. Planet of Giants

And so begins the second season of Doctor Who. If the first season set the mold for generations of Doctor Who, then the second season broke the mold. By the end of this season, our TARDIS crew will look very different from where we begin.

This story marks the series return to 'modern day' London. Unfortunately, our intrepid adventurers are only an inch high! And to add to the drama, Barbara has been poisoned by insecticide, as the crew race against time to get back to normal size and save her. This is very much "Honey I Shrunk the Doctor!".

One of the treats of this DVD is a reconstructed episode 4.This story was broadcast in 3 episodes but originally planned as 4. For various reasons, the originally scripted episodes 3 and 4 were condensed to just one. Now for the first time, those original scripts for 3 and 4 are brought to life with the original living actors and stand-in voicing the dialogue and some clever editing and new footage cobbled together. A joy to behold!

By this point in our crew's travels, you can feel the genuine affection they have for each other and the bond they have forged over the past year. It is what turns out to be a final moment of peace before the events of the next story, when the TARDIS family will be changed forever....

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_Giants

The next dreaded episode: The Dalek Invasion of Earth!!!!

8. The Reign of Terror

For some time now, only 4 of the 6 episodes of this story existed. But on February 12th, this story will be released on DVD with its 2 missing episodes replaced with animated versions set to the original soundtrack. So for the first time in 49 years, we will be able to enjoy this story in a completed form! I will write my review of this story and of the first season after viewing the DVD.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reign_of_Terror_(Doctor_Who)

Next exciting episode: The beginning of Season 2 with The Planet of Giants!

Update 2/26/13: At long last, the Reign of Terror has been released and what a joy it is! With its two missing episodes replaced with animated versions, it is the most complete it has been since it first aired. Reign was a gripping season-ending historical drama that threw our crew in 3 different directions to suvive during the Frech Revolution. Everyone is in top form and as always, the BBC excelled at period pieces, The new animated episodes are fascinating to watch with their unique style, truly capturing the essence of the actors and almost seamlessly creating a feast for senses!

7. The Sensorites

After the death defying escape from the Aztecs last episode, the Doctor and crew journey to the far future where they meet the alien race The Sensorites. This is the first time the series presents a fully realized humanoid alien species. While the Daleks didn't look human at all and the Thals looked like perfect humans, the Sensorites looked alien. We are quickly introduced to their culture, their planet, their morality and motivations. Within the course of these 6 episodes, we see the spectrum of morality in them from good and benevolent to back stabbing and evil.

In looking at the overall arch of the first season, this story wonderfully presents three dimensional characters for our cast to act with and against. Too often, aliens are played as 2-dimensional cardboard cut-outs (see The Daleks). While the Sensorites do look similar to each other, their individual personalities do emerge from behind the masks to portray a race not to dissimilar to ourselves.

While our TARDIS crew has been yo-yo-ing through time and space, bouncing between the past and the future, each story has presented something different. Again, this story sets the bar for all stories to come with an alien race. Paradoxically, these non-humans show what is most human about us.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sensorites

Next episode: The Reign of Terror!