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First Doctor (William Hartnell)

May 2023

AN UNEARTHLY CHILD, THE DALEKS, THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION (3 stories, 13 episodes): Still hangs together quite well as basically an extended pilot and proof of concept. Introduces you to Susan, Ian and Barbara, and the Doctor, as well as giving them a brief sojourn into Earth's past and an alien planet as well as a shorter character piece.
THE KEYS OF MARINUS or THE SENSORITES (each 6 episodes): Not necessary to watch both. The Keys of Marinus is shorter-form and quicker-paced at the expense of depth; The Sensorites allows for more depth and more potential stagnation. Nice to watch one of them though.
FAREWELL, GREAT MACEDON (6 parts, audio, from The Lost Stories): A stronger historical story than any that were actually in Season One. Good pathos and well-performed in a more audiobook style. Quite long but well-paced.

THE DALEK INVASION OF EARTH (6 episodes): Susan's exit, but also a very strong post-apocalypse story and the second appearance of the Daleks. Highly recommend if you can get past the way Susan gets tragically kicked out at the end.
THE RESCUE (2 episodes): Short and sweet, and the introduction of Vicki. Very good.
THE SPACE MUSEUM, THE CHASE (2 stories, 10 episodes): Ian and Barbara's (much stronger) exit at the end. The Space Museum is the stronger story by far but The Chase is also quite fun, with great moments from Vicki in both. A sort of mock season finale.
THE TIME MEDDLER (4 episodes): Pseudo-historical with Steven, Vicki, and the Doctor all in fine form. Season 2's best story in my opinion.

Best stories: