The Pilot Episode: Personal Thoughts and Observations
FIRST THOUGHTS
I am aware that calling this The Pilot Episode is a misnomer, as Doctor Who never had a pilot episode. This episode was just the first attempt at shooting the very first episode An Unearthly Child.
Compared to the re-shot episode that aired on television, this version is a little rough around the edges. The camera shots are less visually interesting. Jacqueline Hill and Carol Ann Ford fluff a few of their lines. Some of the dialogue seems like it was delivered in the wrong order during the junk yard scene.
I enjoyed the addition of the thunderclap during the title sequence.
THE TARDIS
In the opening scene with the policeman and the junk yard I noticed that the TARDIS exterior - particularly the St. John's logo - looks noticeably cleaner and clearer than in the aired version. It recalls the “new” look that was introduced in The Eleventh Hour. During some online research I learned that before the re-shoot the police box was repainted - first with a coat of black - followed by another coat of blue - to give it a distressed and weathered look. I cannot decide if I prefer the police box looking pristine or battered. They both have their merits.
When Barbara pushes her way into the TARDIS both sets of doors - the police box exterior doors and the console room interior doors - are seen at the same time. It is an interesting effect.
I quite like some of the - er, odd? - sound effects used during the TARDIS interior scene. The take-off sounded a lot more violent than the sound familiar to viewers.
SUSAN
When Susan creates that strange image in paper and ink, it appears as if she is in some kind of trance. I was reminded of the prophesying Visionary from The End of Time - Part Two. Is Susan seeing into the future? Does a bad omen frighten her?
I prefer Carol Ann Ford's performance as Susan in this to the aired version. It is as if Susan really is an alien only pretending to be a teenager. It is more believable that this version of Susan would be unearthly enough to warrant the curiosity of two of her teachers enough to follow her home.
SUSAN: I was born in the forty-ninth century.
I do not care at all for this. The forty-ninth century is too specific and too near to our own contemporary time to generate any enthusiasm for me.
THE DOCTOR
The Doctor appears less absent-minded and therefore is a less interesting character. His attitude towards Susan is cold and seemingly lacking in emotion. He even calls her a “stupid child”. His laugh when Ian and Barbara are unable to open the door is chilling.
The use of an ordinary suit jacket and tie makes the Doctor appear ordinary.
DOCTOR: We are not of this race. We are not of this Earth. We are wanderers in the fourth dimensions of space and time. Cut off from our own planet and our own people by aeons and universes that are far beyond the reach of your most advanced sciences.
The change in dialogue is subtle. Yet it implies that the Doctor comes from somewhere very far from our understanding of time and space.
DOCTOR: Look, see how they watch and listen as we talk. If they leave the ship now they might come to believe at last that all this possible. Think what would have happened to the Ancient Romans if they'd possessed the power of gunpowder, if Napoleon had been given the secret of the aeroplane. No, my child, we both know we cannot let our secret loose into the world of the twentieth century.
This Doctor seems far more concerned with his and Susan's effects on history. His mentions of Ancient Romans with gunpowder and Napoleon having aeroplanes brought to mind The Time Meddler.
IAN AND BARBARA
Ian and Barbara appear much as they do in the aired version. The only noticeable different is that they appear less engaged when they are talking.
I am aware that calling this The Pilot Episode is a misnomer, as Doctor Who never had a pilot episode. This episode was just the first attempt at shooting the very first episode An Unearthly Child.
Compared to the re-shot episode that aired on television, this version is a little rough around the edges. The camera shots are less visually interesting. Jacqueline Hill and Carol Ann Ford fluff a few of their lines. Some of the dialogue seems like it was delivered in the wrong order during the junk yard scene.
I enjoyed the addition of the thunderclap during the title sequence.
THE TARDIS
In the opening scene with the policeman and the junk yard I noticed that the TARDIS exterior - particularly the St. John's logo - looks noticeably cleaner and clearer than in the aired version. It recalls the “new” look that was introduced in The Eleventh Hour. During some online research I learned that before the re-shoot the police box was repainted - first with a coat of black - followed by another coat of blue - to give it a distressed and weathered look. I cannot decide if I prefer the police box looking pristine or battered. They both have their merits.
When Barbara pushes her way into the TARDIS both sets of doors - the police box exterior doors and the console room interior doors - are seen at the same time. It is an interesting effect.
I quite like some of the - er, odd? - sound effects used during the TARDIS interior scene. The take-off sounded a lot more violent than the sound familiar to viewers.
SUSAN
When Susan creates that strange image in paper and ink, it appears as if she is in some kind of trance. I was reminded of the prophesying Visionary from The End of Time - Part Two. Is Susan seeing into the future? Does a bad omen frighten her?
I prefer Carol Ann Ford's performance as Susan in this to the aired version. It is as if Susan really is an alien only pretending to be a teenager. It is more believable that this version of Susan would be unearthly enough to warrant the curiosity of two of her teachers enough to follow her home.
SUSAN: I was born in the forty-ninth century.
I do not care at all for this. The forty-ninth century is too specific and too near to our own contemporary time to generate any enthusiasm for me.
THE DOCTOR
The Doctor appears less absent-minded and therefore is a less interesting character. His attitude towards Susan is cold and seemingly lacking in emotion. He even calls her a “stupid child”. His laugh when Ian and Barbara are unable to open the door is chilling.
The use of an ordinary suit jacket and tie makes the Doctor appear ordinary.
DOCTOR: We are not of this race. We are not of this Earth. We are wanderers in the fourth dimensions of space and time. Cut off from our own planet and our own people by aeons and universes that are far beyond the reach of your most advanced sciences.
The change in dialogue is subtle. Yet it implies that the Doctor comes from somewhere very far from our understanding of time and space.
DOCTOR: Look, see how they watch and listen as we talk. If they leave the ship now they might come to believe at last that all this possible. Think what would have happened to the Ancient Romans if they'd possessed the power of gunpowder, if Napoleon had been given the secret of the aeroplane. No, my child, we both know we cannot let our secret loose into the world of the twentieth century.
This Doctor seems far more concerned with his and Susan's effects on history. His mentions of Ancient Romans with gunpowder and Napoleon having aeroplanes brought to mind The Time Meddler.
IAN AND BARBARA
Ian and Barbara appear much as they do in the aired version. The only noticeable different is that they appear less engaged when they are talking.