The War Machines - Episode 1

The War Machines is the final story to feature Jackie Lane and thus starts the era of awkward exit for companions.  The story was written by Ian Stuart Black who’s previous work had only finished airing seven days before this episode was transmitted.  The DVD lists that he wrote this based on an idea by Kit Pedlar. I’m never quite sure why they do this. Why didn’t Kit Pedlar write the whole story? Why did ISB have to do it? I suppose that unless it’s been answered somewhere else that we will never know. This episode also introduces Anneke Wills and Michael Craze as Polly and Ben respectively. The episode starts off in a weird fashion with a title sequence that we haven’t seen in Doctor Who before, its very 1960’s and when that’s done the story starts off with the arrival of the TARDIS on modern day earth. The story likes to use the newly built Post Office Tower as a part of the story. The story deals with what is in effect a super computer, one that connects to other computers around the world which is pretty much what we have now. In 1966 it must have been something that seemed like 100 years away whereas in less than half that time this idea became a reality (but without evil computers). It’s never really explained what created the evil aspect of WOTAN and why it wants to overthrow humanity. It’s a shame really as it would have given a bit more to the story.

There’s a lovely opening scene with Dodo and the Doctor where they notice the PO Tower and the Doctor talks about the same prickly sensation that he experienced when he first met the Daleks which obviously confuses Dodo.  Polly is introduced in rather a dull way. She is purely introduced as a secretary and judging by the cheeky way she interacts with Professor Brett its clear that this isn’t the line of work that she’s suited to. When the story shifts to the Inferno which is apparently the hippest place in town, we are introduced to Ben who comes across as a rather sad and downbeat person. Ben is a sailor who’s a bit glum because he’s got to spend 6 months away from the sea. Ben is clearly the one who takes the mantle of action hero/tough guy from Peter Purves. Within minutes of being introduced he’s gone from being a sad person to a gentleman.

The groundwork for Dodo’s exit is started quite early when its clear that her interaction with WOTAN has had a difficult effect on her. It leads to her spending most of the episode is spent by her having headaches and quite quickly she is taken over properly by WOTAN. In fact lots of people seem to be taken over by WOTAN which is quite impressive considering its just a computer with a silly W on the front. Professor Brett, Dodo and Major Green are the first three to be hypnotised. The final scene where the hypnotised are gathered and we hear the voice of WOTAN. It’s a well created voice but I think that they could probably have done something that was slightly more audible and easier to understand.

It’s a very good opening episode. It’s nice to have a story set on modern day Earth where they don’t immediately get into trouble. All the building blocks are in place and its great how it doesn’t seem obvious from this episode that Ben and Polly are about to becomes permanent additions to the TARDIS. There has been something about this story that I have liked and I think that the modern day setting is what is making this one of my favourite stories of the third season.