Doctor Who as we now know it began here. The Doctor (William Hartnell) is not only friendly with the Establishment for the first time on film, but The War Machines also marks a return to the "present" for the first time since Ian and Barbara entered the TARDIS doors in Doctor Who's premiere episode three years earlier. All of the cast, both regular and guest, are on top form here and the story moves along at a rapid pace. The only real negatives to be said about this four part story are the rather unusual way in which Dodo (Jackie Lane) is written out of her role as companion and the inexplicable reason behind the "villain" constantly calling the Doctor, "Doctor Who". The extras included are good and varied, but the lack of a retrospective "making of" documentary is truly missed.