The Toms Tardis Doctor Who Marathon

Day 78

2011-08-15T21:46:00.000+01:00

Day 77

2011-08-14T21:24:00.000+01:00

Today is the first day that I do my video updates.

Day 77 video

Day 76

2011-08-13T12:42:00.001+01:00

Due to a early start due to a wedding. I didnt get back home till 11 and only had the energy to watch the first episode of The Mind of Evil. Its a VHS copy and when I put the video in the machine it made a funny noise which wasnt particuarly positive but it soon stopped.

EPISODE COUNT: 286

Day 75

2011-08-12T12:41:00.000+01:00

The start of series 8 sees the return of the Autons and also the debut of the Master and Jo Grant. It's a nice story that starts the Master series of brilliantly.

EPISODE COUNT: 285

Day 74

2011-08-11T22:19:00.002+01:00

The final story of series seven is the final story for Liz Shaw. It's a fantastic story and its the best story for Nicholas Courtney. Tomorrow, the debut of the Master, Jo Grant and the return of the autons.

Day 73

2011-08-10T22:16:00.000+01:00

The Ambassadors of Death has finished and its surprising me how quickly I have blitz this seventh series. The feeling that I had when I was watching the Patrick Troughton stories after the Hartnell stories isnt here now I am watching Pertwee.

EPISODE COUNT: 274

Day 72

2011-08-09T22:14:00.000+01:00

The Ambassadors of Death continue and the story just gets better and better. I am still looking or the VHS so back to the iTunes version. Knowing my luck I'll find it after I have finished it.

EPISODE COUNT: 272

Day 71

2011-08-08T22:20:00.002+01:00

The first half of The Ambassadors of Death is hit by a snagg. I have got the VHS but cant find it so I realise that I had a itunes version of it so I will listen to it via that. This will definetley be the last time I will have to do this (fingers crossed)

EPISODE COUNT: 270

Day 70

2011-08-07T22:13:00.000+01:00

The next installment of the the Third Doctor era sees the Silurians story and its another fine story and so I whizz through it all in one day. Now if this had happened in the previous series then it probably wouldnt have been as good but this being in wonderful colour it makes it better.

EPISODE COUNT: 267

Day 69

2011-08-06T20:11:00.001+01:00

For the first time since I started this marathon I finally get to watch a Doctor Who in colour. Ok its an odd story to start off the Third DOctor story but its still good. I dont have the DVD copy with me so I watch them on my iPod.

EPISODE COUNT: 260

Day 68

2011-08-05T15:03:00.000+01:00

The end is here. Well for the second chapter of the marathon. It's taken me slightly longer than I expected but to be honest its made me appreciate this era a bit more. I think that when the stories were good they were great and when they were poor they were rubbish. The sixth season is a clear example of this. There are stories like The Invasion and the War Games and then there are stories like The Dominators and The Space Pirates.

Here are some interesting stats so far.

Time Taken to watch;

First Doctor Stories: 28 days (May 30 - June 26)
Second Doctor Stories: 41 days (June 26 - August 5)

Season 1: 10 days
Season 2: 9 days
Season 3: 10 days
Season 4: 15 days (largely cds)
Season 5: 14 days (largely cds)
Season 6: 12 days

EPISODE COUNT: 256

Day 67

2011-08-04T09:01:00.000+01:00

The middle stages of the War Games is where I am at. Its most likely the penultimate day for the Second Doctor.

EPISODE COUNT: 251

Day 66

2011-08-03T23:43:00.000+01:00

Well its time for The War Games and the final story of the Troughton era. It's a sad moment but this early part of the story is quite enjoyable. Have decided to watch the story over a couple of days.

EPISODE COUNT: 248

Day 65

2011-08-02T20:29:00.000+01:00

Doing a little jig after I finish The Space Pirates. It does mean tht I'm just one story away from the end of the second stage of my marathon.

EPISODE COUNT: 246

Day 64

2011-08-01T20:26:00.000+01:00

The middle stages of the Space Pirates for me today. I really find this story a struggle and thats why I cant listen to it in one go.

EPISODE COUNT: 244

Day 63

2011-07-31T23:06:00.000+01:00

The penultimate story of Patrick Troughton's era. Unfortunatley the story isnt the greatest so its not going to be easy to listen to these six episodes.

EPISODE COUNT: 242

Day 62

2011-07-30T00:20:00.000+01:00

Well I've moved onto the DVD's and at least the qualities good. It's a good story that doesnt suffer from six episode syndrome. It's hard to believe that I'm two stories (16 episodes) away from the end of the Troughton era as well as the end of the Monochrome era (apart from The Mind of Evil).

EPISODE COUNT: 240

Day 61

2011-07-29T00:16:00.000+01:00

TThe second half of the Krotons and I've resorted to Blink Box or something similar. To be honest its a fairly poor script and some lifeless characters but apart from that its ok. Better than The Dominators.

EPISODE COUNT: 234

Day 60

2011-07-28T23:40:00.000+01:00

Well today has been a bit difficult because I've moved onto The Krotons (no its not difficult for that reason) but because I've got a VHS copy and by mid-episode two the quality of the video was so poor that it was unwatchable (picture attached). So I decided to buy the video copy on iTunes though due to it being a big filei

So i've only watched 1 episode tonight which I'm fairly disappointed with but will make amends tomorrow.

EPISODE COUNT: 231

Day 59

2011-07-27T21:10:00.000+01:00

Well, seeing as I have a day off I decide to watch all of The Invasion. It's a cracking story though the character trait of Jamie where all he does is sleep and eat is shown again in this story. I just wish that episodes one and four existed but the animation that replaces is well done.

EPISODE COUNT: 220

Day 58

2011-07-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

Today is The Mind Robber and its a story that I have never been keen on and whilst its gone up in my estimation due to this marathon its still not the best story of the Troughton era. Tomorrow The Invasion

EPISODE COUNT: 222

Day 57

2011-07-25T22:06:00.000+01:00

I'm now on season 6 and onto DVD's. The Dominators is the first story of the season and its not very good. It's a bad sign when I want the villains to win. I say villains but there not much better and as for the quarks, the less said the better. Got through all five episodes tonight which increases my average episode rate. For those that care its 3.9 per day. The highest was 5.5 which was achieved on May 31st and the lowest was 3.7 which was achieved on July 21st. The sixth season doesnt get any better with The Krotons tomorrow.

Episode Count: 217

Day 56

2011-07-24T23:29:00.000+01:00

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I have finally done with the dark era of Doctor Who (the cd era). I thought about starting Season 6 today but decided to start that section tomorrow. Finished the last two episodes of The Wheel in Space. Glad to have moved on.

EPISODE COUNT: 212

Day 55

2011-07-23T19:24:00.000+01:00

Got through another three episodes of The Wheel in Space. I was planning on finishing up today but due to other things I havent done this and will listen to episodes five and six tomorrow. The introduction of Zoe is the moment when the Troughton era is at its strongest in terms of people in the TARDIS. But at least by tomorrow I will be in DVD era (except for Space Pirates).

EPISODE COUNT: 210

Day 54

2011-07-22T19:23:00.000+01:00

I have got the end of the Victoria Waterfield era on the show and started with the Zoe. I finished Web of Fear and ploughed straight into Fury from the Deep. Man these six episodes can be a bit of a drag especially on cd. I cant wait to get to the end of Wheel in Space cause its near the end of the dark era and by that I mean the CD era.

Episode Count: 207

Day 53

2011-07-21T23:29:00.000+01:00

Still working my way through the Web of Fear. Another episode of Torchwood to make the day a bit different. Posted a video on YouTube updating everyone. With the stage of WOF it sees the beginning of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge Stewart's 21 year involvement of the programme.

Episode Count: 198

Day 52

2011-07-20T23:45:00.000+01:00

I was going to listen to the entire Web of Fear in one go but I've decided against it. Only went through two in the end but its very atmospheric and very much like the beginning of The Abominable Snowmen. Two Yeti stories in the space of a week. It easy to see why they are popular but they dont look the scariest monsters ever.

EPISODE COUNT: 196

Day 51

2011-07-19T21:29:00.000+01:00

I have finshed The Enemy of the World. Its an interesting story in that it sees Troughton having to play two roles. Well for most of it he only plays Salamander but its still an interesting story. Tomorrow, the return of the Yeti.

EPISODE COUNT: 194

Day 50

2011-07-18T22:59:00.000+01:00

It's the first big milestone since I started my journey on May 30. The 50th day is the start of a weeks holiday from work and its the chance I get to race through a lot of stories. I noticed something whilst looking through my Doctor Who book that I'm nearly at the end of the tunnel. Once I get to The Wheel in Space (three stories after The Enemy of the World). I will have just one more CD to listen to before I never have to bother with them ever again.

EPISODE COUNT: 190

Day 49

2011-07-17T21:22:00.001+01:00

On the 49th Day, I continue with The Ice Warriors. Its not a bad story but does suffer from having parts two and three missing. It also reminds me of how their potential has been wasted in future TV adventures. In this and The Seeds of Death they are meanacing creatures but in future stories (such as Curse of Peladon) they are misunderstood nice creatures.

Episode Count: 188

Day 48

2011-07-16T23:19:00.000+01:00

I move onto The Ice Warriors or at least the first half. It's got weird music and the first episode exists on video yet the next two exist only on CD. I was trying to find it on iTunes but its not there. There is a CD version but its not downloadable but then I found that I had the VHS version in a special boxset with the four episodes that exist and the second and third on CD. That will have to do.

Episode Count: 185

Day 47

2011-07-15T23:13:00.000+01:00

Just a solitary episode listened to today. I think this story didnt end as well as I thought it would. This might be down to the fact I have listened to it over three days and one episode in the last two days. Well at least it wont be long before the Yeti return. Probably next Friday.

EPISODE COUNT:182

Day 46

2011-07-14T23:29:00.000+01:00

Only one episode listened to today due to Torchwood being on. The Abominable Snowmen is definetly a better story than I previously thought though I must admit the latter half of the story does go slightly downhill but all in all a good story. I have posted an instant reaction about the first episodehere.

EPISODE COUNT: 181
LEFT TO WATCH: 596

Day 45

2011-07-13T23:32:00.000+01:00

I'm still on The Abominable Snowmen but its a lot better than I thought previously. It's very atmospheric and it would be better had it existed on video. Will get this one finished by tomorrow. Just have to finish of the fourth series of Gallifrey.

EPISODE COUNT
WATCHED: 180
LEFT TO WATCH: 597

Day 44

2011-07-12T23:43:00.002+01:00

After that rest from CD's its back to the old audio adventure with The Abominable Snowmena and whilst listening to the first three episodes I am surprised at how good it is. I am definetly seeing these stories in a different light and would recommend all Doctor Who fans to attempt this.

EPISODE COUNT
WATCHED: 178
LEFT: 599

Day 43

2011-07-11T23:34:00.000+01:00

Horayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Finally a DVD to watch. I'd forgotten what it was like to watch a Doctor Who story on a shiny DVD. Oh wait, its back to CD's tomorrow with the Abominable Snowmen. The Tomb story is still one of my favourites and even though its slightly lost a bit a shine since I first saw it in the mid-90's but its still a good story.

EPISODE COUNT: 175
LEFT TO WATCH: 602

Day 42

2011-07-10T23:30:00.000+01:00

Finally finished The Evil of the Daleks. It's a good story and that niggling feeling that I had about it being unstable have well and truly gone and I look forward to The Tomb of the Cybermen.

EPISODES COUNT: 171
LEFT TO WATCH: 606

Day 41

2011-07-09T19:45:00.000+01:00

It's the middle part of Evil of the Daleks and its where it starts getting interesting. I will finish TEOTD tomorrow.

EPISODE COUNT: 169
LEFT TO WATCH: 608

Day 40

2011-07-08T23:20:00.000+01:00

Two more episodes were done today and I am now half way through the Evil of the Daleks. Will have it finished by tomorrow ready to start series 5 on Sunday. All feelings and thoughts I had about whether this could be a Hartnell adventure have gone. It now feels like Patrick Troughton's show.

EPISODES COUNT: 166
LEFT TO WATCH: 611

Day 39

2011-07-07T23:06:00.001+01:00

The final story of season four is here with the first half of The Evil of the Daleks. It's an good story and its a shame that its only partly on DVD. I cant wait until The Tomb of the Cybermen because I will finally be able to watch a DVD (yipeeeeeeee).

By the way, I have posted a Youtube video view it here.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 164
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 613

Day 38

2011-07-06T23:32:00.000+01:00

Today is the latter half of The Faceless Ones and to be honest its not as bad as I first remember. It's still not the best way for a companion or companions to exit. Ben and Polly deserve better. It's the final story of Series Four starting tomorrow with the introduction of Victoria Waterfield.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 162
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 615

Day 37

2011-07-05T23:33:00.000+01:00

I have thankfully finished The Macra Terror and it wasnt a particuarly enjoyable experience. Thankfully the Faceless Ones has arrived and its the first half that I will be enjoying today. It's a good start to the story as its mainly straightforward but if memory serves me correctly it gets less straightforward as the story progresses.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 159
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 618

Day 36

2011-07-04T22:11:00.000+01:00

Ok so my YouTube video didnt quite work today cause I was too tired to do anything but I still managed to finish listening to The Macra Terror. It's still not a great story but I think that is more due to the fact its on audio and not visual. This is the penultimate adventure for Ben and Polly which is a shame because it would have been nice to SEE more of them as opposed to hearing them.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 156
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 621

Day 35

2011-07-03T18:15:00.000+01:00

Got the final episode of The Moonbase done with and its at this point that the second Doctor starts to find its feet. I decided that as I had been a bit lax with my episode count in the last couple of days, I ploughed straight into The Macra Terror which after the first two episodes is not a brilliant story.

Hopefully I will be able to post video blogs on YouTube from tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 154
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 623

Day 34

2011-07-02T13:35:00.000+01:00

Slightly dissapointed as I only got 1 episode done today. Its been a long day at work and whilst at my friends house we ere watching this horror thing which didnt get done until quite late so episode 3 of The Moonbase is as far as I got.

EPISODES WATCHED: 151
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 626

Day 33

2011-07-01T21:31:00.000+01:00

The second half of this story is a vast improvement on the first half. I quite liked how OTT Zaroff went in the cliffhanger to Episode 3 but on the reprise of Episode 4 it had been toned down. By the end of this story I had found Jamie and the Doctor to be slighty more like they would go on to be. I finished listening to this story at work and instantly started on with The Moonbase. Now this is a story that I like and think that its when the Second Doctor really finds his feet.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 150
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 627

Day 32

2011-06-30T22:17:00.000+01:00

The Underwater Menace is the next story which is one that I have always thought was six episodes but it turns out that its only four. Well on that bombshell I started to play the first two episodes and to be honest the Troughton era hasnt really got going. Jamie is still trying to find his feet but we all know how it turns out.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 146
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 631

Day 31

2011-06-29T20:02:00.000+01:00

I have finally finished The Highlanders which I have to say that i dont really like it. I just find that apart from introducing Jamie, it doesnt really offer very much. I decided that I would listen to the final two episodes in the car so that I could get on with the next adventure which I will leave until tomorrow.

It still feels strange not having William Hartnell around. Its just 10 weeks ago that he was bumbling his lines and showing us what a great Doctor he is. I do feel slightly different towards Troughton and it must be how fans feel when they saw Hartnell change into Troughton back in 1966. I honestly didnt think that I would feel like this when I started my marathon.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 144
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 633

Day 30

2011-06-28T22:05:00.000+01:00

Well as I am listening to a Big Finish play I am only listening to the first two parts of The Highlanders today. It's not that bad a story but the full review will come soon. It does have Frazer Hines in it after all.

EPISOES WATCHED SO FAR: 142
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 635

Day 29

2011-06-27T23:49:00.002+01:00

Today is when I finished the first Patrick Troughton story. It's a bit of an odd story as I dont think it needed to be six episodes long. Four would have been a whole lot better. I do like the moment where Lesterson realises that the Daleks arent the servents he thought they were. Despite this being a day off for me I decided to restrict the number of episodes to watch so that I dont burn out which is what I was feeling was happening.

Tomorrow will be the first time since I started this Marathon where I can do a review at the same time. The Highlanders is the debut story of Fraser Hines who on a side note appeared in an episode of Duty Free (a show on UK Channel ITV3).

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 140
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 637

Day 28

2011-06-26T22:54:00.000+01:00

Well thats the first chapter of my marathon over. Its a really sad moment as when watching The Tenth Planet I was just wishing he wouldnt regenerate. I know its sad but over the last 28 days I have grown to really appreciate the First Doctor.

I was going to leave listening to Power of the Daleks until Day 29 but after The Tenth Planet I decided to plough straight into Troughton's first story. We have well and truly entered CD country because 13 of the next 14 stories dont exist on video. When listening to Episode 1, I couldnt help think that seven days before this episode aired, Billy Hartnell was doing his thing. It feels like there should be some mourning but there's no time sadly. Onwards and upwards.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 136
EPISODES LEF TO WATCH: 641

Day 27

2011-06-25T23:15:00.000+01:00

With another day at work and a large number of Big Finish audios to listen to. I stick The Smugglers on whilst I'm driving home from work. It's a curious story as it's the first proper adventure for Ben and Polly yet the story itself isnt the greatest.

Will be approaching the latter half of this story and the end of the Hartnell era tomorrow. I feel very sad as I have grown to appreciate the first doctor a bit more.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 128
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 649

Day 26

2011-06-24T23:00:00.003+01:00

"It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for!"

Well its not exactly the end buts its getting there. Listening to the last two episodes of The Savages its sad how that Peter Purves' last story wasnt better. I did like how the one character mimicked the Doctor. Then due to the fact that there was litterally nothing on (not even Andy Murray on Wimbledon cant get me interested), I ploughed on with The War Machines.

The War Machines is an ok story as it introduces Ben and Polly but most importantly marks the departure of Dodo. A character which didnt really work. Tomorrow sees the end of the first part of my Doctor Who Marathon. The end of the William Hartnell era.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 126
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 651

Day 25

2011-06-23T23:42:00.000+01:00

Well I didnt get through as many episodes today as I was at work (and listening to Big Finish's Animal). Just two episodes of Peter Purves' final story. It's always difficult to enjoy stories that dont exist at all in a visual form. It's equally difficult to really get excited about The Savages as its quite dull.

With the other two to get through there's not much left of the Hartnell era to go. Shame that the last season is Hartnell's weakest but thats because of the quality of the stories. Ho hum.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 120
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 657

Day 24

2011-06-22T22:56:00.000+01:00

I started today with The Massacre or to give it the full title 'The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve. Thankfully Dodo doesnt appear until episode four. When watching the special features of the Gunfighters DVD about Season 3 they were talking about how the Doctor contemplates going back home but I had never paid much attention to it until today and its a sad moment. Odd story to put on TV after so much death and destruction in DMP.

Back to DVD with The Ark (first time since Day 18). Its not very good and doesnt help with the Beatle hairstyle. Once I get past that one its time for The Celestial Toymaker which is thankfully on CD as its not a story I rate highly. I have to say though that its in this story that I reaslise how irritaing Dodo is and how good Steven is. Very much on par with Ian Chesterton. He has held several stories together recently.

I have decided to squeeze in one more story and thats the mighty Gunfighters. It's just been released on DVD so its the oppertunity to watch it with the information text that is new. In reality I watch two before The Apprentice starts on BBC1 and then watch the other two after the Your Fired show finishes on BBC2.

I've just come to the fact that after The Gunfighters, there are only four Hartnell stories left until he changes in Troughton. That's come round fast.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 118
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 659

Day 23

2011-06-21T23:37:00.001+01:00

Well its the final day for Daleks Master Plan and also another milestone has been reached because Episode 10 marks the 100th episode of Doctor Who. I feel mildly proud of myself (arogant I know!) because in just over three weeks I have got through 100 episodes.

It's odd to me how they stories have a different feel to them now I am watching them in context. Now that I have finished DMP the story has a stronger feel and makes me wish someone would animate the missing episodes.

Now I am just four episodes away from Dodo! Fear!!

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 102
EPISODES LEFT WO WATCH: 675

Day 22

2011-06-20T22:21:00.000+01:00

Well it's Day 2 of The Daleks Master Plan, I've decided that I'm going to get The Feast of Steven episode out of the way. For those not aware of it. The Feast of Steven is the first Doctor Who episode to air on Christmas Day and features the scene where William Hartnell breaks the fourth wall and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. Sigh!!

Should hopefully get the last of DMP done tomorrow. Two downsides to this, 1 it means one of the best stories of the series is over with and secondly, Dodo! The female Adric!!!

EPISODES WATCHED: 97
EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 680

Day 21

2011-06-19T22:29:00.002+01:00

Season 3 is finally underway!

This is where the epic that is Dalek Master Plan starts to get closer with the Doctor-less Mission to the Unknown. I then move onto The Myth Makers which is a lot better than I remember and the ending where Steven gets injured is carried on into the DMP. It makes Mission to the Unknown tie in better than I ever thought was possible.

Being 12 parts, I am only listening to three episodes and should have this finished by Wednesday.

EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 93
LEFT TO WATCH: 684

Day 20

2011-06-18T16:04:00.001+01:00

Only get one episode of Galaxy 4 watched because I'm seeing Peter Kay and my car journey isnt long enough to get more episodes watched and so because I didnt get back from the NEC until 11 I only got one episode listened to. Will definetly try and move on a bit more tomorrow.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 84
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 692

Day 19

2011-06-17T16:01:00.001+01:00

Season 3 begins with another iTunes/CD offering. This story sees a bunch of women against a bunch of 'chumlies' which whilst at times is entertaining doesnt get the series off to a great start.

Having watched these stories in order I'm able to appreciate these stories better and it feels a little too far removed from say anything from the previous year.

Only got two episodes done today. But its hard to get excitied about a story like this. Will try and get the rest done tomorrow.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 83
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 694

Day 18

2011-06-16T15:56:00.000+01:00

The moment has come and its the final three episodes for Ian and Barbara. There final scene is very sad an its superbly played by everyone. This is the biggest change for the show since it began and it feels like the beginning of the end. We have a slightly disjointed way of introducing a companion with Peter Purves appearing twice in four episodes.

I then decide to get past this by watching the final story of season two. The Time Meddler introduces the Meddling Monk and someone from the Doctor's past that we've never met before. It's a nice little story that doesnt tick all the boxes for cause I'm not a fan of historical stories.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 81
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 696

Day 17

2011-06-15T15:55:00.000+01:00

Ian and Barbara's final story is a sad moment for me and its one that comes with another Dalek story. The first three episodes is something that is highly enjoyable and whilst its not the best or original Dalek story ever its still a good one.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 74
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 703

Day 16

2011-06-14T15:52:00.000+01:00

I've now watched the Space Museum and its only this half of the story that doesnt quite work. The reasons why the story isnt so popular shows up in this part because neither side are particularly nice or likeable. The final scene in Episode 4 makes me want to watch the next story but I decide against it.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 71
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 706

Day 15

2011-06-13T15:49:00.000+01:00

Week Three and its the final two episodes of the Crusade. By the point I get to this stage of the story I find that I'm not really focusing on whats going on. I then move onto The Space Museum which is a story not really liked by many and I'm amongst them though there is something about it that makes it watchable.

NUMBER OF EPISODE WATCHED 69
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 708

Day 14

2011-06-12T15:46:00.000+01:00

Two Weeks in and I finally get through The Romans. After watching that story I start on The Web Planet which I just dont understand no matter how many times I watch it. I come to the conclusion that if I can get through these six episodes of terribleness then I can make it through anything. After getting through this I start with The Crusade which is available on the Lost in Time DVD boxset. It's not a particuarly good story but i cant do much about it.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 65
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 712

Day 13

2011-06-11T15:43:00.000+01:00

For the first time since starting this marathon, I only watch 1 episode. It's the worst number of episodes that I have watched and its because its my friends birthday meal and I've gone out and its late before I get to listen to an episode (bought the itunes version a couple of years ago). The story is moving well but I feel like the marathon might not work.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 56
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 721

Day 12

2011-06-10T15:39:00.000+01:00

The Romans is a story which I'm not totally keen on. I only watch 2 episodes due to a long day at work but its another example of how slow the Hartnell stories seem to move and thats a compliment. I think that these two episodes are quite good but its not good enough to make me delay sleeping so I stop at Ep2.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 55
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 722

Day 11

2011-06-09T15:36:00.004+01:00

Susan's gone. Cant say I'm really that sad. The final scene however was deeply moving and its the first change since I started this marathon. It feels like quite a significant shift in the dynamic of the show. I decide to stick on The Rescue (cause its only 2 episodes long) and its weird how the show feels so different without Susan and with Vicki. The story itself is a good one but the most noticeable moment is when the Doctor pretends there is smoke when its clearly not there.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 53
NUMBER OF EPISODES LEFT TO WATCH: 724

Day 10

2011-06-08T15:31:00.005+01:00

I watch the final half of the Reign of Terror and there is a problem. As Episodes 3 & 4 dont exist on tape, it means returning to the cd however I really dont have it on cd and its only available in a box set of all the lost episodes which I have. So I use YouTube for Episodes 4 & 5 and enjoy the rather amusing animation. The final episode is rather odd and doesnt quite work.

Day 10 and I have watched the entire first season and on the whole its been a good one. The characters have come a long way since the first story but sadly whilst Ian and Barbara and the Doctor have developed (at varying rates) Susan has had only one story where she has been more than a silly schoolgirl.

I move onto season two straight away with the three part story 'Planet of Giants' before moving onto the first four episodes of The Dalek Invasion of Earth. Susan's departure has been well built up in The Dalek Invasion of Earth.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED TODAY: 10
NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED SO FAR: 49
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENTLY 777): 728

Day 9

2011-06-07T15:26:00.002+01:00

The final story of the first season sees my journey on VHS continue. It's a nice story that sees how the joke about the Doctor unable to pilot the TARDIS properly really begins.

Well and truly getting in the groove of this marathon.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 39
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENTLY 777): 738

Day 8

2011-06-06T15:22:00.000+01:00

Now into Week 2, I embark on the second half of The Sensorites which I still enjoy. It's taken a while but Susan has started to become a stronger character than we have seen since the debut episode. Her defiance at her Grandfather is quite refreshing but the story does loose a bit when Jacqueline Hill disappears for two episodes (like Hartnell did The Keys of Marinus and Carole Ann Ford did in The Aztecs).

I watched this story on good old VHS which is becoming an increasingly odd thing what with DVD's and Blu-Rays.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 36
NUMBER OF EPISODES REAMINING (CURRENTLY 777): 741

Day 7

2011-06-05T15:16:00.001+01:00

The second half of The Keys of Marinus is where we get the court sequence which I just wish had been cut down because of the Doctor trying to convince the court Ian is innocent compared with the usual proving Ian is guilty. Odd judicial system. Once the story is over I am slightly relieved.

I then move onto The Aztecs which is a story I loved from the first time that I ever saw it. I think it still stands up pretty well and is a return to form on all fronts. I quickly blitz my way through this and move onto The Sensorites which is another story that I really like. I watch the first two episodes and this is another story that is in two parts. The first part is Episode 1 which is very creepy and very sinister whereas the second part is the rest of the story where it goes in a different direction.

Three stories in one day and at this rate even with new episodes airing later this year I should still be done within 12 months.

EPISODES WATCHED TODAY: 9
NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCH: 32
NUMBER OF EPISODES REAMAINING: 745

Day 6

2011-06-04T15:12:00.000+01:00

The Keys of Marinus is next and I find that this is a flawed story. It's good to be back on DVD but sadly this isnt a return to form. The story is severly padded and could easily have formed a four part story. The snow/ice cave sequence is particuarly drawn out.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 23
NUMBER OF EPISODES REAMINING: 754

Day 5

2011-06-03T15:08:00.001+01:00

Day 5 and I finally get through Marco Polo and its not as hard going as I previously thought. It's not a classic by any means and I havent been totally converted but its not as bad as I remember. It's definetly the weakest story so far but its nice to watch these stories in order because there feels like a consistancy that you just dont get when you watch stories out of order. Susan's mistique from Episode 1 of An Unearthly Child is starting to become a distinct memory.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 20
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENTLY 777): 757

Day 4

2011-06-02T15:03:00.004+01:00

Day 4 and its the first story that doesnt exist on video. I know I have it on CD but for the life of me I couldnt find it so I have to fork out £6 to buy it on iTunes and then would you just know it, I find it whilst looking for something else.

I cant listen to as many episodes as I would want because its my birthday and I have to go out for a meal and dont get back until late.

I watch the first two episodes of this story and find it a bit tough going. However I knew that I would get to a stage where there are stories that I dont like very much but I know that I have to perserve.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 15
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENT 777): 762

Day 3

2011-06-01T14:56:00.000+01:00

The third day is one of my favourite Doctor Who stories which isnt widley liked but stuff them. I think its a fine character piece. We get more character development in these two episodes than we get for the rest of the season. There is no monster but just four characters and two sets. It's this story where they become friends and what I love is that speech that William Hartnell gives before realising what the problem.

Three Days in an I'm starting to think that my target of 2 episodes a day is a little soft.

NUMBER OF EPISODES: 13
NUMBER OF EPISODES REAMINING (CURRENT 777): 762

Day 2

2011-05-31T14:48:00.000+01:00

The second day sees the very first Dalek story and its a rather good one. Not the best but still a good one. There is still a certain amount of distrust especially between the Doctor and Ian. The Daleks themselves are at their most evil, partly because we have seen their 400 defeats at the hands of the Doctor. Susan is starting to lose some of her mystique that we saw in Episode 1 of An Unearthly Child.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 11
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENT TOTAL - 777): 766

Day 1

2011-05-30T14:41:00.001+01:00

Right so my first day sees with An Unearthly Child. I've watched this story countless times and its still odd to see the Doctor being so cruel to Ian and Barbara. The cliffhanger to episode one is still a brilliant one. The first time I saw it I loved it. The story is split into two parts really. The first part is the first episode which sets everything up and then there is the second part which is parts two to four which is the caveman stuff which isnt as interesting.

NUMBER OF EPISODES WATCHED: 4
NUMBER OF EPISODES REMAINING (CURRENT TOTAL 777): 773