Friday, November 1, 2013

Doctor Who Pilot / An Unearthly Child (100,000 BC) Story #001

AN UNEARTHLY CHILD
An Unearthly Child
The Cave of Skulls
The Forest of Fear
The Firemaker 

original air date:
November 23, 1963 to December 14, 1963

 
An Unearthly Child is the first story or serial in the British science fiction show Doctor Who. It was written by Anthony Coburn although C.E. Weber actually wrote the first episode for the most part. The pilot
was recorded at Lime Grove Studios on September 27, 1963. Series creator Sidney Newman wasn't happy with the original pilot. Producer Verity Lambert and director Waris Hussein quickly shot a new version on October 18, 1963.

Coal Hill schoolteachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright are concerned about their student Susan Foreman. She's very smart but seems to have gaps in her understanding of 1960's London. Babara has checked with the administration office about Susan, She has no phone and the address given is the I.M. Foreman junkyard. She is listed as living with her grandfather who is some sort of  doctor. The schoolteachers offer Susan a ride home on this foggy night. She declines. Ian and Barbara decide to follow Susan and watch her disappear into the junkyard and follow her in.


Once inside, they come across a blue police box that seems to be "humming". They quickly hide when they hear someone coming. An older gentleman appears and heads towards the police box. As he's about to open the door, he hears a noise and stops. He calls out and the schoolteachers present themselves. They ask about a student that they have been following. The older gentleman says that he has no idea of what they are talking about. Ian gets annoyed says he's going to get a policeman to investigate. Susan starts to open to door while calling out "Grandfather?" The two schoolteachers force their way inside with the older gentleman following. Inside they find a spaceship which, which both schoolteachers believe to be some sort of "illusion" created by The Doctor. When they are told that they are on the TARDIS, both schoolteachers think that the Doctor and Susan might be ill. They begin to argue and the Doctor quickly materializes the ship.



The rest of the story involves the travelers arriving during the Stone Age and becoming caught in a struggle with a tribe. The tribes "fire maker" has passed on while several tribe members wish to become the new leader. The Doctor and his companions are captured but eventually get free and race back to the TARDIS. Once inside, they quickly take off.

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