Doctor Who: The Best of The Third Doctor Season 1 Episode 3 Spearhead from Space, Episode 3
- January 17, 1970
The Doctor regenerates into his third incarnation after being exiled to Earth by his own people, the Time Lords. In this episode, the newly regenerated Doctor is unconscious and being cared for by a young nurse named Liz Shaw in a hospital. His careful recovery is interrupted when a group of meteorites crash-land on Earth, bringing with them a strange alien threat. The Doctor must work with his new allies at UNIT – a top-secret organization dedicated to the investigation and defense against extraterrestrial threats – to stop the alien invasion before it’s too late.
The TARDIS has been grounded by the Time Lords, forcing the Doctor to rely on his cunning and ingenuity rather than his time-traveling abilities. This episode explores the Third Doctor’s newly-acquired physical abilities, including a strong aptitude for martial arts, as well as his brainpower as the titular Time Lord faces one of the most formidable foes of his career.
As the story unfolds, the Doctor and his UNIT comrades discover that the invading aliens are seeking a rare substance called ‘plastic’ which they use as a primary component in their weaponry. These creatures – who are revealed to be called the Nestene Consciousness – are capable of animating everyday objects made of plastic, turning them into deadly weapons. The aliens are first seen making their move against a London-based plastics factory – with eerie scenes of seemingly normal mannequins coming to life and attacking innocent civilians.
The Doctor’s mission to stop the alien invasion is further complicated by his uneasy and combative relationship with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the commanding officer of UNIT. The savvy chief initially dismisses the Doctor as an eccentric and possibly dangerous interloper but soon begins to appreciate the genius that the Doctor brings to the table.
As they dig deeper into the alien attack’s sinister plot, the Doctor and UNIT work to neutralize the invading forces before they can destroy the planet. Their detective work leads them to a busy London toy shop and a tense confrontation with the enemy.
The third episode of “The Best of the Third Doctor” is an exhilarating thrill ride, showcasing the action-packed approach of the classic British sci-fi series. While the show’s iconic hero has found himself without his infamous blue time machine for the time being, his new allies at UNIT bring their skills and bravery to the fight against the alien threat. The Doctor’s monstrous and robotic enemies are colorful and visually stunning, making the viewer feel as if they are on the front line of an epic battle.
As the third season of “Doctor Who” progressed, fans around the world were blown away by the show’s infectious combination of pulse-pounding action and dry British humor. “The Best of the Third Doctor” captures both of these elements perfectly, making audiences laugh and gasp in equal measure.
In this episode, the Third Doctor is starting from scratch – new face, new friends, and new foes to fight. Yet despite these challenges, the Doctor is unflappable and ready to take on anything that comes his way. The result is a classic episode and a thrilling look at one of the most iconic figures in sci-fi history.