Jon Pertwee Was The First To Get Doctor Who Right First Time

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Although it took a while for Doctor Who to find its footing in the 1960s, a story from 1970 dramatically changed the show, immediately attracting viewers and solidifying its status as a beloved classic. Doctor Who is now famous as the longest-running science fiction series on television, but it wasn’t an instant success.

William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton, the first two actors to play the Doctor, were incredibly important in establishing the show and creating a lasting impact that continues today. However, it can be difficult to see how their early episodes connect to the much later versions of Doctor Who.

When Jon Pertwee became the Doctor in 1970, the show underwent major changes. His first appearance really established the style and feel of Doctor Who as fans know it today.

Jon Pertwee’s “Spearhead From Space” Was An Instant Classic

“Spearhead From Space” was Jon Pertwee’s debut as the Doctor, and it really kicked off a new direction for the show. It was the first series filmed in color, and it was also the first time a new Doctor began his adventures with a completely new group of companions – none of the old ones stayed on.

This story felt particularly important, with a lot riding on it, much like the very first adventure with Matt Smith as the Doctor, “Eleventh Hour,” which had to establish a new Doctor and his companion. Similarly, “Spearhead From Space” famously revealed the Doctor had two hearts – a defining characteristic of the Time Lord race that continues today.

As a big Doctor Who fan, I always loved this era. It’s where they really shook things up! Jon Pertwee took over as the Third Doctor, but with a twist – the Time Lords had banished him to Earth in the 1970s and stripped him of his TARDIS! That completely changed the format of the show, focusing on adventures right here on our planet. But honestly, it worked brilliantly. They introduced UNIT as a regular part of things, and Pertwee was just so charismatic and captivating. It was easy to get totally invested in these Earth-based stories.

This story turned out to be incredibly important for the show’s revival 35 years later. Russell T Davies directly used it as inspiration for his first episode, “Rose.” Both episodes center around the same villain – the Nestene Consciousness – and feature its terrifying plastic creations, the Autons, which resemble ordinary shop mannequins.

William Hartnell & Patrick Troughton’s First Doctor Who Episodes Weren’t As Polished

Jon Pertwee’s first story as the Doctor was a huge success, immediately captivating viewers with a fresh take on the character, new companions, and a different style of show. Compared to the first adventures of earlier Doctors, Pertwee had a bigger challenge, but thankfully, Doctor Who continued, and both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton eventually found their footing after a few episodes.

As a huge Doctor Who fan, I always come back to “An Unearthly Child.” It’s special because it was the very first episode! What I love is how well it sets everything up – you meet the Doctor, this incredibly enigmatic character, and his granddaughter Susan. Plus, it introduces Ian and Barbara, who quickly become essential parts of the team. It really laid the groundwork for all the amazing adventures to come.

The show wasn’t perfect, and sometimes the actors didn’t quite click. It was also a bit unusual and took risks, but that gave it a lot of heart and a bold vision.

When Patrick Troughton became the Second Doctor, his first episode immediately followed the very first regeneration – a concept that must have been quite shocking for viewers at the time. This was completely new territory for the show, as regeneration hadn’t been established yet, and it left audiences wondering what the future held for the series.

Looking back, I think Patrick Troughton’s Doctor was a real turning point for the show. He was so different from William Hartnell, much more mysterious and quirky. It was a totally new take on the character, and honestly, it took some getting used to for those of us who’d been watching from the beginning. It was unique, but a bit of a shock at first!

Jon Pertwee started playing the Doctor at just the right moment, and he joined a show that already had a solid foundation. He also brought a unique combination of charisma, sophistication, and enthusiasm to the role, completely revitalizing it. This is why his arrival was a turning point for Doctor Who, fundamentally changing the show’s direction.

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2026-03-25 22:09