C027 The War Machines

A maniacal, telepathic computer dispatches clunky Dalek-wannabees to enslave mankind. Why? Because shut up, that's why. * * * The 1st Doctor and Dodo (aka you-know-what) materialise in modern-day London of 1966, because apparently that's an option. Hartnell's Doctor must have just lied to Barbara and Ian during their entire run. Anyway, it's the height of the Swinging 60s; times are changing; people are groovy and enjoying themselves. Well, let's change that, shall we? In the Post Office Tower (now known as the BT Tower), a computer scientist has just constructed the world's first Artificial Intelligence, W.O.T.A.N., which stands for Will-Operating Thought Analogue, and is taken completely by surprise when it turns out that his creation has the ability to operate minds. Before this inevitable Skynet origin story kicks off, however, we're treated to a host of Doctor Who firsts, some mad and wonderful, others just plain inane. The Doctor is here referred to as 'Doctor Who'; we meet our two brand new companions – Polly the cracking typist and Ben the depressed sailor; and we get to witness yet another failed attempt to replace the Daleks. This podcast review is full of trivia, and considering the amount of stuff to pick apart in this at once glorious and bonkers serial, it's not strange that it overran a bit. Enjoy! * * * Check out WHOBACKWHEN.COM for more information, Doctor Who TV Serial and Audiobook reviews, ratings and ramblings, and loads more podcast episodes. WEB: WhoBackWhen.com FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/WhoBackWhen GOOGLE+: plus.google.com/+Whobackwhen SOUNDCLOUD: soundcloud.com/WhoBackWhen TWITTER: @whobackwhen @ponken & @nikulele & @mariuskane #WhoBackWhen Toodle-Pip!