Ep 1. Terror of the Autons: Part 1

The episode "Terror of the Autons: Part 1" marks the beginning of the eighth season of the classic series Doctor Who. The story starts with the Doctor, played by Jon Pertwee, having just regenerated into his third incarnation. He is still getting used to his new body and is being held captive by the Time Lords, who have exiled him to Earth for breaking their laws of interference.

Meanwhile, on Earth, strange occurrences are happening as a group of Autons arrive and begin to wreak havoc. The Autons are plastic humanoid creatures who are controlled by an alien intelligence. They have been sent to Earth to prepare for an invasion and are using their plastic powers to create deadly weapons such as daffodils that shoot poisonous gas and plastic chairs that emit deadly radiation.

The Doctor manages to escape from captivity and meets up with his old friend Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning. Together, they begin to investigate the strange occurrences and soon discover that they are connected to the Master, the Doctor's arch-nemesis. The Master, played by Roger Delgado, is a Time Lord who has also been exiled to Earth and is working with the Autons to bring about the invasion.

The Doctor and Jo are joined in their fight against the Autons by UNIT, a military organization that the Doctor worked with in his previous regenerations. UNIT is headed by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, played by Nicholas Courtney, who is initially skeptical of the Doctor's claims about the alien invasion.

As the Autons continue to cause chaos, the Doctor and his allies race against time to stop the Master and prevent the invasion. Along the way, they face danger and perilous situations, and the Doctor's life is put in jeopardy multiple times.

"Terror of the Autons: Part 1" sets the stage for an exciting and action-packed season. It introduces new characters, such as Jo Grant, and the concept of the Autons. It also brings back familiar faces, such as the Brigadier and the Doctor's arch-nemesis, the Master.

Throughout the episode, the writing is engaging and the pacing is fast-paced. The action scenes are thrilling and the set designs are impressive, especially for a show that was made in the 1970s. The acting is top-notch, with Jon Pertwee delivering a strong performance as the newly regenerated Doctor and Roger Delgado creating a memorable villain as the Master.

Overall, "Terror of the Autons: Part 1" is a great start to the eighth season of Doctor Who. It sets up a compelling storyline and introduces new and exciting elements to the show. It is a must-watch for fans of the classic series and those who want to experience the early adventures of the iconic Time Lord.