Doctor Who, season 4 continues …

The previous story, The Smugglers, leads well into the first two episodes of The Tenth Planet.  The contrast in stories is stark, but that’s a good thing.  We again have some great set design, particularly with the snowy frozen tundra.
William Hartnell is again on commanding form in The Tenth Planet.  The previous story, and this one, gives season 4 a much stronger opening than season 3.  It’s hard to imagine, on watching these stories, why anyone thought that Hartnell wasn’t up to the task of continuing with the series.  I know in hindsight that we’re aware of his problems, but the last few stories of season 3, and the first couple of season 4, are arguably some of his best and most commanding of performances.  There’s barely a fluffed line or misspoken word to be found, unlike in some of his earlier stories.  It’s almost as though his victory over John Wiles gave him additional strength and power of confidence to project a much stronger and more commanding Doctor.

Watching the start of season 4, and musing on how season 3 ended, and bearing in mind that I’m now on Hartnell’s final adventure, it’s bewildering to think that he didn’t have at least a couple more years in him.  There’s no sign of him not being up to it. If anything, he seems much better in the role now than some of his more uncertain times earlier in his era.

Next time … The Tenth Planet continues