Doctor Who: The Best of The First Doctor Season 1 Episode 1 An Unearthly Child, An Unearthly Child

In the first season of Doctor Who, The Best of The First Doctor, we are transported back to the beginning of the iconic sci-fi series. Episode one is titled "An Unearthly Child", and it introduces us to the very first incarnation of the Doctor, played by William Hartnell.

The episode begins with two teachers, Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton, growing increasingly concerned about one of their students, Susan Foreman. Susan is a brilliant and highly intelligent young girl, but she seems to have some strange gaps in her knowledge. When the teachers decide to follow her home one day to investigate, they find themselves in a junkyard in 1963, staring at what appears to be an ordinary police box. However, when they enter the box, they find that it is in fact much bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

Soon, they meet Susan's grandfather, a grumpy and eccentric old man who seems to know an awful lot about science and technology. He is, of course, the Doctor, a time-traveling alien from the planet Gallifrey. Barbara and Ian are completely dumbfounded by his appearance and his claims, but before they can get too many questions answered, the Doctor decides that he needs to take them and Susan with him on a trip through time and space.

The travelers find themselves transported to an unknown time and place, where they discover a tribe of cavemen struggling to make fire. The Doctor is initially dismissive of the cavemen, but Barbara is determined to help them. This leads to a conflict between the Doctor and the other travelers, as they struggle to understand the ethics of interfering with the development of other civilizations.

But while the travelers bicker among themselves, they discover that they are not the only visitors to this primitive world. A mysterious figure is watching them from the shadows, and it becomes apparent that he has his own agenda. As the travelers try to unravel the secrets of this strange world, they realize that they may be in far more danger than they ever imagined.

"An Unearthly Child" is a fascinating and powerful introduction to the world of Doctor Who. William Hartnell is brilliant as the Doctor, portraying the character with a cranky charm that only grows more endearing as the episode goes on. The interplay between the Doctor and the young teachers is fantastic, highlighting the contrast between his vast experience and their mundane human lives. And the story itself is an intriguing blend of science fiction and historical drama, exploring questions of ethics, morality, and the nature of progress.

Overall, "An Unearthly Child" is a classic episode of Doctor Who that sets the stage for all the time-traveling adventures to come. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is a must-watch. So grab your sonic screwdriver and get ready for a trip through time and space!