Spearhead From Space

Spearhead From Space

'Spearhead From Space' is a story that I would have first come to with the Target novelisation and I think the first time I would have seen it would have been the compilation VHS version, released in 1988. It's possible I'd seen an unofficial version before that, but if so, my memory has clearly been wiped. Or possibly swiped.

Watching this opening edition, it's remarkable how little we see of Jon Pertwee with even members of the supporting cast such as Talfryn Thomas getting more lines. But at least the Doctor has better hair than Mullins's optimistic comb-over.

If you list the number of things that have changed since the previous episode, you can make the case that 'Spearhead' racks up more innovations than 'The Power Of The Daleks', even if not all of them were planned. We are so used to the transmitted all-film production, that one rarely stops to consider what it would have looked like it if had followed the studio / film mix of the rest of the Pertwee era.

Hugh Burden gets precisely no lines at all, but still makes an instant impression. But that's the skill of this talnted actor shining through and the more people that discover him in 'The Mind Of Mr J G Reeder', the better.

The Brig and UNIT are supposedly here to smooth over the transition from the previous decade, but if new viewers come on board at this point, all this talk of the past is of little help, thus putting Liz into the role of the identification character. And her dismissive talk of 'invisible ink' brings a bit of useful cynicism to the table.

Also worth a mention is the sheer matter-of-factness in the opening scene with Tessa Shaw's UNIT Officer. At no point does Ellis Jones give even a hint that his superior being a woman is unusual and it's a shame we never see her again. This is so far away from some of the nonsense that Zoe has to put up with in 'The Invasion', it's a wonder people don't comment on it more.

And, of course, another innovation occurs with the first of a long line of Pertwee era Comedy Yokels in the form of seedy Sam Seeley. We note that he's clearly been told it's going to be in colour as he's brought along his best neckware in a shade of red that sears itself into the memory more than anything else.

Maybe Doctor Who should have nicked that in Episode Two and combined it with that flat cap he so hastily discards?

No, maybe not...

Our video about 'Spearhead From Space' can be seen here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)