Planet of the Giants seems like a standard murder story, the only two things that distinguish it from other programmes is the premise that our heroes are miniaturised and are unable to interact with the fill-size people. Secondly, the pesticide in the story will eventually destroy all life.

The giant sets that are miniaturised heroes wander around in are quite good, especially the match box. I also like the giant fly, which is quite realistic. The main plot of the pesticide is a bit slow moving and dull. There's no real drama in the thing. Perhaps the fact that this was originally four episodes edited down to three bears witness to this?

The Dalek Invasion of Earth has never been a favourite of mine, being too slow moving. (I prefer the film). None of the performances are memorable. It also seems really stupid that Susan would stay behind and marry a human being (which seems to have started a trend of marrying off companions).

The only parts I like of this story are: the shot of the Dalek coming out of the Thames. The sign that says that it's illegal to dump bodies in the river. And the surreal image of the Daleks in front of famous landmarks.

The Rescue is a neat little two parter, which showcases the acting talents of the regular cast, and also demonstrates how well David Whittaker could write for the series. (With the exception of Vicki being such a stupid character).

The scene where Barbara kills Vicki's pet sand beast is quite good. I like the way that Barbara is genuinely sorry after killing the creature. Showing what happens when people jump to conclusions based on appearances. Call me thick, but I didn't realise that Koquillion was Bennett until it was revealed to the viewer. So, that part of the story was okay. Ian and the Doctor's underground adventure was a bit laughable, especially when they're about to be pushed into the pit.

I have one question to ask of this story: Were Didonians at the end real or imaginary? l thought they were all dead?

The Romans is funny. Another Dennis Spooner script, this time he does, what has been described as a Carry On film. The way that the Doctor and Vicki have their adventures and Ian and Barbara have theirs and both parties end up in Rome always missing each other is well done. I like the way that they don't believe each other over what happened.

I like the way that the Doctor bluffs his way of playing the lute, by saying that only clever people can hear the music, when he doesn't actually play a note. I also like the court poisoner, who takes pride in their job and will do it for anybody. Spooner seems to put characters like this in all of his stories, like the Jailer in Reign of Terror.

The Web Planet tries desperately to be new and innovative by having no humanoid supporting characters, but sadly the budget wasn't up to meeting that challenge. Some of the actors playing the Menoptera are convincingly alien, particularly with their hand movements, while they talk. The Optera and the Zarbi are embarrassing.

I thought that the slow pace was down to the direction, but I was wrong, the novelisation is just as boring. So the blame lies squarely at the feet of writer Bill Strutton.

I like the scenes of Hartnell trying to communicate with the Zarbi and later talking to the Animus through 'the hairdryer'. He seems convincing as the Doctor in these scenes.

The thing that annoys me the most about this is the vaseline on the camera lens.

What can I say about The Crusade? I've read the novelisation, I've seen the surviving episode. Not much happens in the episode that's left, so I'll comment on the novel.

l like the way that our characters get involved in real historical events. I also like the way that there are no good guys and no bad guys in the story. The way that both the Saracens and the Christians are both in the wrong. This is the best kind of story telling in my opinion as it makes the audience think, rather than knowing when to boo when the villain comes on. I also like the way that Ian and Barbara are starting to feel a romantic relationship, which seems to make them more realistic.

I like the idea of the time travellers arriving in their own future and finding themselves on display in The Space Museum. The way that they try to avoid things like, Ian losing a button on his jacket, which his future self was missing. If he doesn't lose his button they won't get captured and be put on display. And other interesting ideas about time travel in there. Sadly the story does seem to drag around the last couple of episodes. However the scene when the Doctor is interrogated is funny when he shows them a seal when they ask him where he came from.

The Chase is just an attempt by Terry Nation to re-make Keys of Marinus as a Dalek story. Although this seems like a homage in a way to the Flash Gordon film serials of the thirties. The plot involving time travelling Daleks chasing the Doctor had to turn up some time in the programme. But I thought it was a bad idea. The main problem seems to be with the whole production. I think that the different locations must have stretched the budget, unlike using the same sets for six episodes, which would have been cheaper to produce.

The Time Meddler is one of my favourite stories, it also restored my interest in the series after the programme ended in 1989. History is one of my favourite interests and so a story which was about history being changed was a great concept. Also, Hartnell and Peter Butterworth (as the Time Meddler, if you didn't know) are very likeable in their roles.

The story was also a landmark of sorts, showing us another member of the Doctor's race. We learn that the Doctor isn't the only one with a TARDIS, and that his is quite an old model.

I like the way that Steven is sceptical about the TARDIS being a time machine. Also the bit when the Doctor suggests to him the Viking helmet they find is "a space helmet for cows", again another example of Dennis Spooners genius for comedy.

The only slight letdown of the story are the embarrassingly accented Vikings, but they don't detract from my enjoyment of a (dare I say it?) classic story.