The Firemaker
- Episode aired Dec 14, 1963
- TV-PG
- 24m
Kal accuses Za of Old Mother's murder but the Doctor exposes him as the real killer.However, Za then insists the travellers be held prisoner until they show him how to make fire.Kal accuses Za of Old Mother's murder but the Doctor exposes him as the real killer.However, Za then insists the travellers be held prisoner until they show him how to make fire.Kal accuses Za of Old Mother's murder but the Doctor exposes him as the real killer.However, Za then insists the travellers be held prisoner until they show him how to make fire.
Photos
- Directors
- Waris Hussein
- Douglas Camfield(film inserts) (uncredited)
- Writers
- Anthony Coburn
- David Whitaker
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the original script, the cavemen make peace with the time travellers after Ian shows them how to make fire.
- Quotes
Dr. Who: Yes, it's matching up.
Susan Foreman: We're beginning to land.
Dr. Who: Oh, how I wish.
Ian Chesterton: Have you taken us back to our own time?
Dr. Who: You know I can't do that. Please be reasonable.
Ian Chesterton: What?
Barbara Wright: Please, you must take us back. You must.
Dr. Who: You see, this isn't operating correctly. Or rather, the code is still a secret. When you put the right data, precise information to a second of the beginning of a journey, then we can fix a destination, but I had no data at my disposal.
Barbara Wright: Are you saying that you don't know how to work this thing?
Dr. Who: Well, of course I can't. I'm not a miracle worker.
Susan Foreman: You can't blame Grandfather. We left the other place too quickly, that's all.
Ian Chesterton: Just a minute, did you try and take us back to our own time?
Dr. Who: Well, I got you away from that other time, didn't I?
Ian Chesterton: That isn't what I asked you.
Dr. Who: It's the only way I can answer you, young man. Now.
[switches on moniter]
Dr. Who: Now we shall see.
[the moniter displays images from planet Skaro]
Dr. Who: It could be anywhere. Dear, dear, dear, dear. It's no help to us at all. Well, I suggest before we go outside and explore, let us clean ourselves up.
Susan Foreman: Yes.
Dr. Who: Now, what does the radiation read, Susan?
Susan Foreman: It's reading normal, Grandfather.
[after she turns away, the radiation dial switches across to read 'Danger']
- ConnectionsFeatured in Arena: A Night in with the Girls: Part 1 (1997)
I recently decided to watch a few of the original Dr Who episodes and to be honest it was mainly motivated by how weak the most recent season was – I was curious to see how the show was from the start just to compare it to where it currently was. In this regard it is of course chalk and cheese in terms of technology and resources but also in the detail of the focus, the tone and the characters. Although the Doctor is the main character I was surprised by how he was very much the plot device rather than the whole deal; once he moves the action, he is no longer the main character really. In this regard we follow the group evenly while also having time with the characters of the time/world that we have entered. As an approach I liked it because it felt like a permanent place rather than yet another temporary time zone for the Doctor to do his thing in then move along.
This is helped by the multi-episode story arch and the actual sense of danger. The 2 hour story is pretty solid and does include actual danger; while sometimes the conclusions are a bit too easy, there is a genuine sense of the characters not knowing what will happen and being in trouble – not to moan about the new series but this is a nice change from everything being a bit of fun and games that can be solved by the Doctor within 5 minutes as long as the BBC Orchestra play dramatic music loud enough. This isn't to say it is perfect though, because it isn't and has dated. The acting from the cavemen is an odd mix of "grunt and be Neolithic" and "BBC acting workshop", so they are basic characters but yet have good vocabulary and their training shows. This isn't a massive deal but it feels odd. In the main four the acting is better. Hartnell doesn't have much to do but I liked his aloof start and will be interested to see where he goes. His "granddaughter" is a nice presence – Ford is a bit "children's TV" here perhaps but I liked her and again comparing to the new series the lack of constant flirting was refreshing. The two that bring us into this story are probably the strongest; Hill may be a bit obvious in her hysteria but she does it pretty well, but Russell is a good lead and is convincing in his anger etc – when the episode needs a tougher edge it is normally him that brings it.
Direction wise it is pretty good. Sets and costumes have dated but I was surprised by the iconic music and Tardis and other detail being in place from the start. The "freeze-frame" at start and end doesn't always work particularly well and can be a little corny but it is still a nice idea. I'm hoping the rough edges are knocked off as the four characters settle in but the approach of longer stories, focus shared with the characters of the week and not just on the mains and the idea that real danger exists shows potential even from these first few episodes.
- bob the moo
- Jun 30, 2013
Details
- Runtime24 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1