An Unearthly Child

[Bill Medland]

Out of all the episodes that could have gone missing from the early classic years,
we really are so luckly that the very first story has survived for us to enjoy.

[TomH1138]

The Doctor . . .  at this stage is conniving, mistrustful, selfish, and rather dangerous.

Well said, Jago!

I don't even like the first episode because the Doctor at this point is so uncharacteristic of who he becomes. He actually kidnaps Ian and Barbara, and nobody really ever deals with this fact. They become fast friends, and nobody talks about it, and when Ian and Barbara leave, it's a warm-hearted goodbye. And I can't stop thinking: But he kidnapped you!

It took me a long time to warm up to Hartnell because of this first storyline. I love him now, though.

And I certainly am grateful that the first story has survived. I wish I could say the same about "Tenth Planet" and "Power of the Daleks"!

[judgefloyd]

to be honest, I've never been sure why he kidnapped them.  He doesn't want them around.  He says he's worried about them telling people * but since he's never going  back to crummy old England, where's the harm?  In any event, those dur brains on earth won't understand it (well that's what the Doctor thinks).  Also he doesn't need their company, what with having Susan and a machine that makes instant food. 
   Then again, he didn't want to kidnap them, so perhaps kidnap is the wrong word.  I mean, didn't the Tardis just accidentally start?  hmm, I need a better memory or access to wikipedia for this one.  At least he doesn't start off as needy as the other Doctors....all 'pleeeeeeease come with me'.  To be fair, they weren't stuck with a pair of tweedy teachers, so perhaps it makes more sense to be needy about Billy Piper

[TomH1138]

Heh. Yeah, I think the Doctor says he must bring them with, since they know too much now, even though it's against their will. Susan tries to talk him out of it, and there's a big argument, and then the TARDIS accidentally gets started.

And then, later on, he lets them go home, even though the "problem" (if it can be called that) would be exactly the same.

It was just a convenient way to get the story going and to get them stuck, but it's kind of funny how it was never really dealt with after that. 

[The Assassin]

When I watch the scene when Barbara and Ian meet the Doctor for the first time I'm actually reminded of a line from the series 5 episode The Lodger. Matt Smith's Doctor says "They call me The Doctor, don't know why" which could be a reference to his first meeting with Ian and Barbara. They know him as a doctor but since he never tells them his name they keep calling him by just Doctor.
As with the TARDIS "accidentally starting; I like to retcon the TARDIS herself thinking "You are being too miserly and you need some friends."
The later episodes in the serial are a bit weak but the first 30 minutes of the first ever story is absolute gold in my opinon.

[Michele]

Ha! I love Assassin's retcon about the TARDIS making the decision. The Doctor certainly needs those early companions to help soften his character and nudge him toward becoming the hero that he matures into.

My recollection of watching the first several stories (at least those that survive), is that Ian and Barbara continue to mistrust the Doctor at first (and probably vice versa), but that trust and friendship grows over time. Certainly they seem intensely concerned about getting back to earth for some time -- and don't want to miss the opportunity when it finally presents itself.

If you've never seen it, William Hartnell's outraged, hurt indignation in the scene where he's letting them go is heartbreaking. One of the most emotionally affecting scenes in the classic series IMO.

[The Assassin]

I agree. William Hartnell's Doctor did have quite a few moments of real heart-wrenching tenderness during his tenure. This is what has made me grow quite fond of the character.

When Ian and Barbara want to leave he does behave very hurt and anxious that they are leaving but his performance makes me believe that he is telling the truth when he says that it is dangerous for them to use the ship. When he has been convinced that they will not budge in their determination to leave I am sure that this Doctor double checks everything to make sure that they are as safe as possible on their journey.

Hartnell's performance of "I will miss them. Yes I will miss them." conveys so much care and affection that the Doctor would never have shown to their faces, especially Ian's.

[Bill Medland]

If you've never seen it, William Hartnell's outraged, hurt indignation in the scene where he's letting them go is heartbreaking. One of the most emotionally affecting scenes in the classic series IMO.

I agree with Michele, but I would even go further and say William Hartnell was not acting
and that it really was from the heart.  We have to remember that it was a punishing time
for the actors, always under pressure, one new episode each week without a break,
sometimes with only three hours to film a complete episode! The actors of Ian and Barbara
went a long way in supporting Hartnell at a time when Williams health was constantly being
run down by the crippling film schedule. I would even go as far as saying that it was this
extreme film shooting schedule that went some way towards ruining the health of both
Hartnell and Troughton causing their early passing away 

Cheers, Bill.

[TomH1138]

I also agree with Michelle. The Doctor's heartbreak in "The Chase" is one of Hartnell's best moments in the series. By that point, he had very much become a Doctor that I loved, and that scene is one of the reasons why I love him!

[Michele]

I agree with Bill (is this getting sickly sweet or is it just me??  )

I think one of the reasons that sequence is so powerful is because it wasn't all acting. It seemed to be an honest combination of frustration, sorrow, anger, disappointment -- perhaps tinged with a touch of despair.

Makes your heart break for the character as well as the real human.