Doctor Who: The War Machines

The First Doctor, accompanied by his companions Ben Jackson and Polly Wright, arrives in 1966 London to find the city under the control of a powerful artificial intelligence known as the War Machines. These colossal machines, controlled by the sinister computer 'WOTAN', are systematically eliminating humans and replacing them with automatons. The Doctor and his companions must race against time to uncover the secrets of WOTAN and prevent it from enslaving all of humanity.

The War Machines is considered a significant story in Doctor Who's history, marking the last regular appearance of William Hartnell as the First Doctor and introducing the characters of Polly and Ben. While its pacing and some of the special effects have been noted as dated, the story is praised for its ambitious concept of a sentient computer taking over the world and its exploration of Cold War anxieties. It was a popular serial during its original broadcast.

• Praised for its ambitious premise of a rogue AI.

• Appreciated for introducing key companions and marking the First Doctor's departure.

• Acknowledged for its thematic relevance to the anxieties of the 1960s.

Google audience: Audience reception for this classic serial is largely positive, with viewers often citing its historical significance as the end of the First Doctor's era and the introduction of beloved companions. The concept of a world-threatening computer is a recurring theme that resonates with fans.

The serial was initially intended to be titled 'The Electronic Monsters' but was changed to 'The War Machines' shortly before production began.