Hartnell's Doctor also seems best suited to the well-informed grandfatherly role that the historicals allow albeit a grandfather with a chuckle and glint in his eye when meeting and interacting with Robespierre, Nero et al...
That said - all they're all worthy of honourable mention - my favourite 1st Doctor story is the Daleks' Master Plan.
It is such a shame that we're cruelly robbed of the chance to watch much of this story which, in my view was the shows biggest 'blockbuster' to date. Are you watching Moffat? Top this with The Day of The Doctor if you can...
Effectively 13 epiodes when counting the Doctor-lite (see, this wasn't invented by Russell T Davies) Mission To The Unknown it had plenty of action and drama as well as a smattering of humour. Yes, I even love the novelty value of the Feast of Steven.
Critics would probably point to the fact that there's a lot of running around and a pretty thin premise for the plot. They'd maybe have a point but consider:
*the viewer/listener is always on edge from when Katarina dies. Years before Adric we had a companion die - who knew who might else might go?! She might not be a hugely established chapter but it's still a shock
*the Machiavellian Mavic Chen is magnificent. Hats off to Kevin Stoney - the first of three excellent guest roles for him
*Nicholas Courtney debuts. Ok, not as the Brigadier but basically as the 'space Brigadier'.
*The Daleks are at their devious best, with political scheming to add to the usual shout-and-kill shtick. And if you think the 'time destructor' seems daft then come back to me when you've re-watched the 'reality bomb' in the Tennant/Tate finale
*The Monk is back and on top form
Add in the fact that the whole lot is held together by strong performances from Hartnell, Purves and Jean Marsh as Sara and you've got an epic classic.
Now all we need is someone to animate all this...any takers?!
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