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007 – The Sensorites
Doctor Who serial
Two of the Sensorites as they appear in the serial. Critics praised their design and characterisation.[1][2][3]
Cast
Others
  • Stephen Dartnell – John
  • Ilona Rodgers – Carol
  • Lorne Cossette – Maitland
  • John Bailey – Commander
  • Martyn Huntley – First Human
  • Giles Phibbs – Second Human
  • Ken Tyllsen – First Sensorite/First Scientist
  • Joe Greig – Second Sensorite/Second Scientist/Warrior
  • Peter Glaze – Third Sensorite/City Administrator
  • Arthur Newall – Fourth Sensorite
  • Eric Francis – First Elder
  • Bartlett Mullins – Second Elder
  • Anthony Rogers, Gerry Martin – Sensorites
Production
Directed by
Written byPeter R. Newman
Script editorDavid Whitaker
Produced byVerity Lambert
Music byNorman Kay
Production codeG
SeriesSeason 1
Running time6 episodes, 25 minutes each
First broadcast20 June 1964 (1964-06-20)
Last broadcast1 August 1964 (1964-08-01)
Chronology
← Preceded by
The Aztecs 		Followed by →
The Reign of Terror
List of episodes (1963–1989)

The Sensorites is the seventh serial of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Written by Peter R. Newman and directed by Mervyn Pinfield and Frank Cox, the serial was first broadcast on BBC1 in six weekly parts from 20 June to 1 August 1964. In the serial, the First Doctor (William Hartnell), his granddaughter Susan Foreman (Carole Ann Ford), and her teachers Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) visit a planet known as the Sense-Sphere to find the cure to a disease afflicting the alien race the Sensorites.

Newman's story for the serial was inspired by 1950s films set during World War II, exploring the notion of soldiers who continued to fight after the war. Pinfield was chosen to direct the first four episodes due to his directing style, while Cox directed the final two episodes. Designer Raymond Cusick avoided the use of right angles in his set designs, recalling Antoni Gaudí's work on the Sagrada Família. The serial premiered with 7.9 million viewers but failed to maintain these figures due to the holiday sports season. Retrospective response for the serial was generally positive, and it later received several print adaptations and home media releases.

Plot

[edit]

The TARDIS crew land on a spaceship, where they meet crew members Captain Maitland (Lorne Cossette) and Carol Richmond (Ilona Rodgers), who are on an exploration mission from Earth and are orbiting Sense-Sphere. However, its inhabitants, the Sensorites, refuse to let them leave orbit. The Sensorites visit and stop the travellers from leaving while sending them on a collision course, which the First Doctor (William Hartnell) diverts. The travellers then meet Carol's fiancé John, whose mind has been broken by the Sensorites. Susan Foreman's (Carole Ann Ford) telepathic mind is flooded with the many voices of the Sensorites who remain scared of the humans and are trying to communicate with her.

Meanwhile, the Doctor calculates that the Sensorites attacked the human craft because John (Stephen Dartnell), a mineralogist, had discovered a vast supply of molybdenum on Sense-Sphere. Susan reports that the Sensorites wish to make contact with travellers, asking the crew to board Sense-Sphere and reveal that a previous Earth expedition caused them great misery. The Doctor asks the Sensorites to return the TARDIS' lock in exchange for visiting the Sense-Sphere to speak with the leader; Ian Chesterton (William Russell), Susan, Carol, and John join him.

On their journey to Sense-Sphere, the party learns that the previous visitors from Earth exploited Sense-Sphere for its wealth; half of them stole the spacecraft, which exploded on take-off. The Sensorite Council is divided over the issue of inviting the party to Sense-Sphere: some members plot to kill them on arrival, but others believe that the humans can help with the disease that is currently killing many Sensorites. When their first plot is foiled by other Sensorites, they continue to plot in secret. John's mind is eventually unblocked. Ian contracts the disease that has blighted the Sensorites, and told that he will soon die; it is revealed that he was actually poisoned by drinking water from the aqueduct. The Doctor finds the aqueduct and creates a cure for Ian. The plotting Sensorites capture and then impersonate a Sensorite leader, the Second Elder (Bartlett Mullins).

Meanwhile, investigating the aqueduct, the Doctor finds strange noises and darkness. He sees and removes deadly nightshade, the cause of the poisoning, but while returning meets an unseen monster. Susan and Ian find him unconscious but unharmed. On recovering, he tells of his suspicion that some Sensorites are plotting to kill them. The plotting Sensorites kill the Second Elder and one of them replaces him in his position. John tells the others that he knows the lead plotter, but he is now too powerful, so the Doctor and Ian go down to the aqueduct to find the poisoners. Elsewhere, a mysterious assailant abducts Carol; Susan, John, and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) eventually find and release her. On discovering the tampered tools, they go into the aqueduct to rescue the Doctor and Ian. The leader discovers the plotters a little while later. Ian and the Doctor discover that the monsters were actually the survivors of the previous Earth mission, and they had been poisoning the Sensorites. Their deranged Commander (John Bailey) leads them to the surface, where they are arrested by the Sensorites. The Doctor and his party return to the city, pleading clemency for the poisoners. The leader of the Sensorites agrees and sends them back with Maitland, John, and Carol to Earth for treatment.

Production

[edit]

Writing and casting

[edit]

Peter R. Newman developed the concept for The Sensorites in January 1964 and was officially commissioned to write the serial on 25 February by script editor David Whitaker. Newman's story was inspired by 1950s films set during World War II, exploring the notion of soldiers who continued to fight after the war.[4] Mervyn Pinfield was chosen to direct the first four episodes, as it was felt that he could evoke great visual atmosphere despite a small budget, while Frank Cox directed the final two episodes.[5]

Designer Raymond Cusick was inspired by Antoni Gaudí's design of the Sagrada Família church (pictured in 1950) in Barcelona, which has no right angles.[6]

Stephen Dartnell, who had previously appeared in The Keys of Marinus, was chosen to portray John, while Ilona Rodgers played his fiancée Carol.[7] Canadian actor Lorne Cossette played Maitland, and John Bailey portrayed the Commander; Cox envisioned the Commander akin to Ben Gunn, a character from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, and cast Bailey after seeing him in the play Pygmalion in April 1962.[8] The other human survivors were played by Martyn Huntley and Giles Phibbs, friends from drama school who knew the director's secretary and were scheduled an interview.[9]

Design and filming

[edit]

Designer Raymond Cusick avoided the use of straight lines and right angles in his sets for the Sense Sphere, in deliberate contrast to the "alien" buildings of other stories.[10] He recalled the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, who designed the Sagrada Família without using right angles.[6] Cusick designed the spaceships sets to resemble the 1940s Dakota military aircraft.[11] The Sensorite masks, created by costume designer Daphne Dare and make-up artist Jill Summers, were designed for short actors; Dare designed them to look like wise old men. Mouth flaps were concealed beneath the creatures' beards to allow the actors to speak. The Sensorites' feet were created by stretching out pieces of circular card at the end of the costume, making it difficult for the actors to walk.[12] The hand tools used by the creatures were designed by Shawcraft Models.[13]

Model filming for The Sensorites took place in May 1964 at Ealing Studios.[14] Rehearsals for the first episode took place from 25 to 28 May,[14] and weekly recording for the serial began on 29 May at the BBC Television Centre in Studio 3.[11] To achieve the effect of the spaceship rolling on its axis, the camera was rocked erratically.[15] The third and sixth episodes were recorded at Lime Grove Studios in Studio D[16] and the fifth in Studio G,[17] while the fourth was recorded at the Television Centre in Studio 4. Jacqueline Hill was absent from the recording of the fourth and fifth episodes as she was on holiday.[6] A final insert shot of the spaceship was recorded at Lime Grove Studio D on 10 July 1964 by Henric Hirsch, director of the following episode.[18]

Reception

[edit]

Broadcast and ratings

[edit]
EpisodeTitleRun timeOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions)		Appreciation Index
1"Strangers in Space"24:4620 June 1964 (1964-06-20)7.959
2"The Unwilling Warriors"24:4427 June 1964 (1964-06-27)6.959
3"Hidden Danger"24:5311 July 1964 (1964-07-11)7.456
4"A Race Against Death"24:4918 July 1964 (1964-07-18)5.560
5"Kidnap"25:4725 July 1964 (1964-07-25)6.957
6"A Desperate Venture"24:291 August 1964 (1964-08-01)6.957

The first episode was broadcast on BBC1 on 20 June 1964 and was watched by 7.9 million viewers.[19] The second episode aired 25 minutes late on 27 June due to an overrun of the previous programme Summer Grandstand,[20] achieving 6.9 million viewers.[19] While the third episode was provisionally scheduled to run two hours late on 4 July, due to extended coverage of the Wimbledon tennis championships and Ashes Test match,[21] it was replaced by Juke Box Jury and postponed to the following week,[20] receiving 7.4 million viewers. The fourth and fifth episodes dropped to 5.5 and 6.9 million viewers, respectively,[19] but were nonetheless the highest-rated BBC show in the BBC North region for their respective weeks.[20] The final episode aired on 1 August to 6.9 million viewers. The Appreciation Index was an average of 58 for the six episodes, ranging from 56 to 60. Episodes 3–5 were erased by the BBC on 17 August 1967, while the remaining three were erased on 31 January 1969. BBC Enterprises retained negatives of the original 16 mm film with soundtracks made in 1967; these were returned to the BBC Archives in 1978.[19]

Critical response

[edit]

Retrospective reviews of the serial were positive. In The Discontinuity Guide (1995), Paul Cornell, Martin Day, and Keith Topping wrote that "it veers from sinister to unintentionally hilarious, with everyone fluffing their lines".[22] In The Television Companion (1998), David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker enjoyed the set-up of the first two episodes and the escalation of the threat, though noted that it contained a "classic piece of sixties sexism" in the traditional roles of Susan and Barbara; they praised the "bravura performance" of Dartnell, and felt that the characters of Maitland and Carol are "well defined".[23] In A Critical History of Doctor Who (1999), John Kenneth Muir considered the Sensorites justified in their hatred of humans, appreciating that they "are not merely evil because the story demands it of them".[1]

In 2008, Mark Braxton of Radio Times described the Sensorites as "a triumph of realisation, in their appearance ... and in their hierarchy, culture and customs" but felt they were developed to the detriment of the humans; Braxton praised the performance of Dartnell, Hartnell and Ford, noting the serial's importance to the relationship between the Doctor and Susan.[2] In 2012, IGN's Arnold T. Blumburg wrote that "the story builds some nice suspense in the first two episodes and features some great set design and lighting", and commended the "shades of gray" used for the Sensorites' design, instead of the black and white creatures such as the Daleks.[3] Nick Setchfield of SFX felt that the story was "ambitious" and the slow pace "actually works in episode one's favour", though the Sensorites' "chill-factor" was gone after the first episode.[24] DVD Talk's John Sinnott considered the story "well constructed" with impressive set design and an expanded role for Susan, but felt that there was "nothing special" about the serial.[25]

Commercial releases

[edit]

A novelisation of this serial, written by Nigel Robinson was published as a hardback in February 1987 by Target Books; the paperback was released in May 1987. An audiobook reading of the novelisation, narrated by William Russell, was published by AudioGO in May 2012. Music from the serial was included as part of Doctor Who: 30 Years at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in July 1993, Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 1: The Early Years 1963–1969 in May 2000, and The 50th Anniversary Collection in November 2014.[26]

Key Information

A restored version of the serial was released on VHS in November 2002 as part of The First Doctor Box Set, and separately on DVD in January 2012; the latter included several special features, including audio commentary and a documentary about Newman.[27] The original television soundtracks were released by BBC Audio in July 2008, with Russell providing linking narration and an interview; this was later packaged as part of The TV Episodes: Collection Six box set in September 2013, featuring original camera scripts.[26] Action figures of Sensorites were created by Fine Art Castins in 1985, Harlequin Miniatures in 1999–2000, and Eaglemoss in December 2015.[27]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Sensorites

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from Grokipedia
The Sensorites is a six-part serial of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, serving as the seventh story of its first season and originally broadcast on BBC Television from 20 June to 1 August 1964. Written by Peter R. Newman, the serial was directed by Mervyn Pinfield for the first four episodes and by Frank Cox for the final two, with Verity Lambert as producer. In the story, the (William Hartnell) and his companions—schoolteachers (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill), along with his granddaughter (Carole Ann Ford)—arrive via the aboard a spaceship trapped in orbit around the planet Sense-Sphere. The ship's crew, including Captain Maitland (Lorne Cossette), John (Stephen Dartnell), and Carol (), are under the mental control of the Sensorites, a timid, telepathic alien species sensitive to sound who guard the planet's valuable mineral deposits, known as . As the travellers become entangled in the Sensorites' efforts to prevent exploitation of their world, conflicts arise with the scheming City Administrator (), leading to themes of trust, tolerance, and interspecies negotiation, while falls victim to a mysterious illness afflicting the aliens. Filmed primarily at Ealing Film Studios in May 1964, with additional recording at between May and July 1964, The Sensorites marked the second appearance of a fully original alien race in following , emphasizing Susan's telepathic abilities and her close bond with the Doctor. The serial features supporting performances by actors portraying the Sensorites, including Ken Tyllsen, Joe Greig, , Arthur Newall, Eric Francis, and Bartlett Mullins, and is noted for innovative sequences such as a continuous camera take depicting the materializing inside the spaceship. It has influenced later narratives involving telepathic species, such as the .

Background

Development

The commissioning of The Sensorites formed part of the broader development of Doctor Who's first season, initiated in late 1963 under the oversight of BBC Head of Drama Sydney Newman and Head of Serials Donald Wilson, who convened meetings to outline a lineup alternating science fiction and historical stories for a family audience. This early serial planning aimed to balance adventurous narratives with educational elements, positioning The Sensorites as the penultimate story in the initial 52-week production block. Story editor David Whitaker commissioned writer Peter R. Newman in late February 1964 to develop the serial, following Newman's submission of a storyline in January of that year. Newman, who had transitioned from radio playwriting for Australian markets after service in the Royal Air Force, brought a background in dramatic storytelling influenced by his wartime experiences in , which informed themes of interspecies conflict and prejudice in the script. His interest in exploring alien societies aligned with the series' need for innovative elements beyond . The working title during development was Mind Control, later changed to The Sensorites to highlight the aliens' sensory and telepathic abilities central to the plot. Production prerequisites emphasized cost efficiency, with the serial designed for studio-bound filming using minimal sets and back-projection to fit the tight budget of the 1964 season, which constrained elaborate effects amid the alternating format with historical adventures like . This integration ensured a varied schedule while adhering to financial limits set by the BBC's early serials department.

Writing

Peter R. Newman's first draft for The Sensorites was submitted in early 1964, following the story's commission on 25 February of that year, and it prominently featured themes of colonialism through the human expedition's exploitative impact on the Sensorites' world, as well as sensory overload stemming from the aliens' telepathic sensitivities. Newman's script drew from his wartime experiences in Burma, infusing the narrative with undertones of conflict, racism, and moral atrocities akin to his earlier work Yesterday's Enemy. Subsequent revisions were undertaken collaboratively by Newman and BBC script editor David Whitaker to adapt the material into a six-episode format, ensuring a balanced pacing that allowed for character development and plot progression across the serial. These changes also aligned the story with the dynamics of the Doctor's companions, notably adjusting for the temporary absence of Barbara Wright in episodes four and five due to actress Jacqueline Hill's two-week break, which shifted focus to the Doctor, , and . The finalized script introduced distinctive narrative elements, such as the Sensorites' telepathic hats—devices used to shield their minds from overwhelming human thoughts—and the intrigue orchestrated by the power-hungry City Administrator, who manipulates events to undermine the Elder One's leadership. These innovations highlighted the aliens' vulnerability and the ethical complexities of interstellar encounters, setting The Sensorites apart in early storytelling.

Production

Casting

The regular cast for The Sensorites consisted of the established crew members from preceding serials: reprised his role as the Doctor, as , William Russell as , and as Barbara Wright. Key guest roles were assigned to actors portraying the human survivors and Sensorite leaders. Stephen Dartnell played John, the afflicted mineralogist; portrayed his wife Carol; and Lorne Cossette appeared as the ship's captain Maitland. The Sensorite hierarchy featured Bartlett Mullins as the Second Elder, Eric Francis as the First Elder, and as the scheming City Administrator (also known as the Third Sensorite). Additional Sensorites were performed by John Bailey as the Commander, with Anthony Rogers and Gerry Martin in supporting roles. Casting for the serial occurred during pre-production in early 1964, with emphasis placed on actors capable of delivering the Sensorites' distinctive, modulated high-pitched voices to convey their telepathic and alien nature. Peter Glaze's selection for the City Administrator highlighted the need for vocal versatility to distinguish the character's manipulative tone amid the masked performances. Minor adjustments arose due to actor availability; Jacqueline Hill was absent from episodes four and five owing to a pre-arranged break, necessitating script alterations that temporarily removed Barbara from the action and affected pacing by focusing more on the remaining companions. Sensorite extras, including those in crowd scenes on the Sense Sphere, received uncredited billing.

Design and Filming

The set design for The Sensorites was created by Raymond Cusick, who drew inspiration from the of , incorporating curved forms and avoiding right angles to evoke an alien environment on the Sense-Sphere interiors. This approach aimed to distinguish the Sensorite world from human settings, using practical construction techniques suited to the 1960s television budget. Cusick designed the spaceship interiors to resemble 1940s Dakota military aircraft, blending functional corridors with subtle futuristic elements to support the serial's narrative of isolation and intrusion. The Sensorite costumes featured large-headed masks crafted by costume designer Daphne Dare and make-up designer Sonia Markham, constructed from lightweight materials to allow movement while conveying the aliens' bulbous, sensitive physiology. These masks restricted actors' , complicating navigation during scenes and requiring careful blocking to maintain continuity. The robes and accessories emphasized a soft, non-threatening aesthetic, contrasting with the more militaristic human attire to highlight cultural differences. The limited visibility briefly influenced performances, as actors adapted to the constraints imposed by the casting choices for the Sensorite roles. Filming for The Sensorites spanned from early May to mid-July 1964, beginning with model shots and back-projection work on May 7 or 8 at Film Studios to depict the Sense-Sphere and spaceship exteriors. occurred across facilities in , including episode 1 on May 29 at Television Centre Studio 3, episode 2 on June 5 at the same studio, episode 3 on June 12 at Lime Grove Studio D, episode 4 on June 19 at Television Centre Studio 4, episode 5 on June 26 at Lime Grove Studio G, and episode 6 on July 3 at Lime Grove Studio D. A remount of one scene from episode 6 took place on July 10 at Lime Grove Studio D. Mervyn Pinfield directed the first four episodes, bringing a focus on atmospheric tension, while Frank Cox handled the final two, emphasizing resolution and action sequences. Special effects presented notable challenges, particularly in simulating the Sense-Sphere's hazy atmosphere through practical generation on the studio-built surface set, which created a disorienting to underscore the aliens' sensory world. techniques were employed to represent sensory distortion, using diffused and flickering sources to mimic the Sensorites' vulnerability to bright light, achieved via on-set practical lamps rather than extensive due to the era's technical limitations. These elements, combined with telepathic projection effects via simple overlays, contributed to the serial's eerie tone despite the rudimentary tools available.

Synopsis

Episode Summaries

Episode 1: Strangers in Space (20 June 1964, 25 minutes) The materialises inside an spaceship orbiting the planet Sense-Sphere in the 28th century. The Doctor, , Barbara Wright, and discover the human crew—Captain Maitland, Carol Richmond, and John—in a death-like , paralyzed by the mental influence of the Sensorites, a telepathic alien species enforcing a around their world to prevent exploitation of their resources. The Sensorites remove the TARDIS lock, trapping the travellers, and set the ship on a collision course with the planet, which the Doctor averts. Episode 2: The Unwilling Warriors (27 June 1964, 25 minutes) The Sensorites board the ship and paralyze Maitland and Carol. Susan uses her telepathic abilities to resist and overpower them, freeing the crew and revealing the planet's valuable mineral, . The Sensorites explain their fear of humans and propose negotiations, demanding the TARDIS crew visit the Sense-Sphere in exchange for the lock. is taken hostage to ensure compliance, while the Doctor agrees to help cure John's mind control. Episode 3: Hidden Danger (11 July 1964, 25 minutes) The crew, along with John, travels to the Sense-Sphere and lands in the Sensorite city. They meet the Elder, who welcomes them but explains the Sensorites' fear stems from a past human expedition that caused a plague among their people. drinks from the aqueduct and falls ill from the poisoned water containing atropine. The Doctor suspects rather than , and Susan's aids communication. They learn of John's prior landing on the planet, where two other humans died. Episode 4: A Race Against Death (18 July 1964, 25 minutes) The Doctor identifies the poison as atropine and prepares an , but the scheming City Administrator sabotages it and plots against the humans. Barbara cares for as he deteriorates. The Doctor ventures into the aqueducts to find a source of deadly nightshade for a new , confronting dangers there. The group confronts the Administrator, who has secretly killed the Second Elder and assumed his role. The humans on the ship are informed of the situation. Episode 5: Kidnap (25 July 1964, 25 minutes) John recovers from his mind control and warns of the Administrator's treachery, noting inconsistencies in his uniform. The Administrator, using a to block telepathic detection, kidnaps Carol and forces her to write a fake note to mislead the group. The Doctor and enter the aqueducts with a faulty provided by the Administrator, facing attacks. Barbara and John rescue Carol from the disintegrator room, exposing the plot. The Elder reinstates control, revealing divisions in Sensorite society over human contact. Susan's abilities help outmaneuver the conspirators. Episode 6: A Desperate Venture (1 August 1964, 25 minutes) In the aqueducts, the Doctor and discover two surviving humans from the earlier expedition who have been poisoning the water to wage war on the Sensorites. Barbara and John rescue them using telepathy-guided Sensorite warriors, who capture the poisoners. The Administrator's final scheme with the fake note is thwarted, and his treachery is fully exposed, leading to his banishment. The Doctor provides the antidote for the poison, curing and the Sensorites. The humans and Sensorites negotiate a peaceful agreement, allowing controlled access to in exchange for technological aid. The crew departs as the Sensorites lift the on the ship.

Themes and Motifs

The serial The Sensorites serves as an for , portraying the Sensorites as an indigenous-like species victimized by human greed for the planet's deposits. Humans from the 28th century arrive seeking to exploit the resource, leading to conflict and the Sensorites' defensive measures, including mental control over the intruders to protect their world. This narrative critiques imperial expansion and resource extraction, resolving with the humans agreeing to depart and respect Sensorite sovereignty, emphasizing anti-colonial themes of . Central motifs revolve around sensory , underscoring vulnerability and control through , drugs, and protective headgear. The Sensorites' innate telepathic abilities allow them to influence human minds, inducing or obedience, but they are themselves hypersensitive to , requiring hats to shield their eyes and symbolizing their fragile exposure to external threats. Drugs administered by the Sensorites exacerbate human disorientation, mirroring the power imbalances in interspecies encounters, while Susan's emerging telepathic rapport with the Sensorites highlights as a counter to domination. These elements collectively explore how shapes conflict and resolution. Character arcs deepen these motifs, particularly through growth via empathy and physical heroism contrasting the Doctor's initial detachment. , initially timid, taps into her latent telepathic powers to negotiate and heal the Sensorites, marking her maturation from passive companion to active mediator. Ian demonstrates resolve by physically confronting the Sensorites in dim light to exploit their weakness, embodying human ingenuity and bravery. The Doctor evolves from opportunistic self-interest—such as demanding the key—to compassionate advocacy, urging mutual understanding between species. Environmental undertones emerge as a cautionary element, with incursions polluting the Sense-Sphere's through attempts at resource extraction, causing widespread Sensorite illness and ecological imbalance. The planet's once-vibrant, phosphorescent is tainted, predating explicit eco-themes in later stories and warning of industrialization's destructive impact on alien ecosystems.

Broadcast and Releases

Original Broadcast and Ratings

The Sensorites serial premiered on BBC Television (later designated as BBC1) on 20 June 1964, with the first episode, "Strangers in Space", airing at 5:15 pm. Subsequent episodes were broadcast on consecutive Saturdays, though with minor scheduling adjustments due to sports programming overruns: the second episode, "The Unwilling Warriors", aired on 27 June at 5:40 pm, and the third, "Hidden Danger", was postponed from 4 July to 11 July at 5:15 pm. The remaining episodes—"A Race Against Death" on 18 July, "Kidnap" on 25 July, and "A Desperate Venture" on 1 August—followed at the standard 5:15 pm slot, completing the six-week run without further major preemptions. This placed the serial immediately after "The Keys of Marinus", which concluded on 16 May 1964, and before "The Reign of Terror", which began on 8 August. Viewership for the premiere episode reached 7.9 million, marking a solid audience for the early evening slot. Across the serial, figures fluctuated, with the highest at 7.9 million for the first episode, 7.4 million for the third episode and the lowest at 5.5 million for the fourth, yielding an overall average of approximately 6.9 million viewers per episode. These numbers reflected steady interest in the programme during its first season, though they were slightly below the peaks achieved by earlier serials like "". Audience appreciation, measured by the contemporaneous Reaction Index (a precursor to modern ratings metrics), averaged 58 out of 100 for the serial. Scores ranged from 56 for the third episode to peaks of 59 for the first two and 60 for the fourth, indicating generally positive but not exceptional reception among viewers who provided feedback. Filming had wrapped up on 10 July 1964 with additional insert shots, allowing for a tight turnaround to the ongoing broadcasts.

Commercial Releases

The Sensorites serial has been adapted into a novelisation by Nigel Robinson, published by as part of the Library series (number 118). The hardcover edition was released in February 1987 with a cover price of £7.50 and 143 pages, illustrated by Nick Spender. A edition followed on 16 1987, priced at £1.95 and also spanning 143 pages with the same cover art. Home video releases began with a edition in November 2002, included in the BBC's The First Doctor Box Set alongside and The Gunfighters. This version featured episodes 1, 2, 4, and 5 in their original form, with fan reconstructions using and off-air audio for the then-missing episodes 3 and 6. A standalone DVD release arrived on 23 2012 in the UK (and 14 2012 in ), presenting the full serial with restored visuals, the same telesnap reconstructions for episodes 3 and 6, and special features including audio commentary and a documentary titled Looking for Peter. The original television soundtrack was commercially released on in 2008 by Audio (ISBN 978-1-4056-7784-4), remastered across two discs with linking narration provided by William Russell, who portrayed in the serial. A vinyl edition followed in 2022 from Demon Records, pressed as a limited three-disc set on Sense-Sphere marble-coloured 140g vinyl, retaining Russell's narration and including an embossed art print. Merchandise includes action figures produced by Character Options in 2021 as part of their classic series line, featuring a collector set with the (William Hartnell likeness) and Sensorite figures, including accessories like the Sensorite . Earlier Sensorite figures appeared in 1985 from Fine Art Castings and in 1999–2000 from Harlequin Miniatures, but the 2021 set marked a return to mass-market production tied to the serial's availability.

Reception and Legacy

Initial Response

The Radio Times preview for The Sensorites described the serial as "a new adventure on a strange planet," emphasizing the Doctor's encounter with telepathic aliens known as the Sensorites, whose unusual, otherworldly design was presented as a key attraction for younger audiences eager for imaginative escapades. Press coverage in the Belfast Newsletter shortly after the premiere lauded the "Success of 'Dr. Who'," reflecting positive early buzz around the serial's blend of and extraterrestrial conflict. The serial's ratings, averaging approximately 7 million viewers per episode, supported this role in stabilizing the show's early trajectory.

Critical Analysis

Critics have praised the production design of The Sensorites, particularly the sets created by Ray Cusick for the Sense Sphere, which aimed to convey an alien environment through innovative use of available studio space despite budgetary constraints. The performances of the actors portraying the Sensorites, including Peter Glaze as the City Administrator (also known as the Third Sensorite), have been noted for their efforts to differentiate characters beneath restrictive masks, adding nuance to the alien society. However, critiques have pointed to sexist portrayals, with female characters like Susan Foreman and Barbara Wright often relegated to passive roles, such as Susan's limited use of telepathy to facilitate communication while the male characters drive conflict resolution. Academic analyses have interpreted The Sensorites as engaging with anti-colonial themes, depicting the Sensorites' resistance to human intruders as a for the devastating effects of and postcolonial exploitation of resources like . John Muir, in his comprehensive study, praised the Sensorites' justified hatred of humans, appreciating their nuanced portrayal, not merely as evil for narrative convenience. Fan discussions in fanzines such as Celestial Toyroom, beginning in the , have frequently critiqued the serial's pacing, attributing draggy middle episodes to its extended six-part structure, which dilutes tension after a strong opening. In 2020s scholarship and commentary, The Sensorites is reevaluated for its role in introducing early aliens, with the Sensorites' bulbous heads, oversized feet, and telepathic society marking a step toward diverse alien representations that challenge norms in science fiction. This perspective underscores the serial's progressive elements in diversity, portraying a complex alien culture rather than simplistic monsters, though limited by production values.

Cultural Impact

The Sensorites have reappeared in expanded Doctor Who media, notably in the 2022 Big Finish audio drama from the Susan's War series, where and return to the Sense-Sphere amid the Time War, seeking the Sensorites as allies for Gallifrey and exploring their historical knowledge of the species. This story builds on the original serial's portrayal of the Sensorites as a telepathic, isolationist society wary of human expansionism. While specific comic appearances are limited, the Sensorites have been referenced in broader comic lore, contributing to the franchise's ongoing exploration of alien cultures in print form. The serial's themes of interstellar exploitation and human greed for resources—particularly the Sensorites' fear of humans mining their planet's —find echoes in later Doctor Who narratives, such as the 1972 story , which depicts Overlords colonizing the planet Solos and oppressing its native, mutagenic inhabitants in a critique of and . This recurring motif of planetary resource extraction and cultural clash underscores The Sensorites' influence on the show's examination of across its history. In wider pop culture, The Sensorites has been cited in analyses of 1960s British sci-fi television for its innovative depiction of benevolent yet vulnerable aliens, marking an early shift from monstrous threats to nuanced extraterrestrial societies in the genre. The Sensorites' design, with their bulbous heads, large dark eyes, and telepathic abilities, has impacted alien aesthetics in British media, inspiring later creations like the Ood in the 2006 revival series, who share similar psychic traits and themes of subjugation. Within Doctor Who fandom, The Sensorites plays a role in discussions of the show's formative years, often highlighted as a pioneering example of alien world-building despite its pacing issues, with its complete survival aiding reconstructions and analyses compared to lost serials. The 2012 DVD release, featuring restored footage, audio commentary, and production insights, has renewed appreciation among viewers, emphasizing its historical significance in the Hartnell era and encouraging reevaluation of its diplomatic themes.

References

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  25. https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Peter_Glaze
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  30. https://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/youre-not-dealing-with-human-beings-here-the-sensorites
  31. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/06/doctor-who-the-sensorites-dvd-review
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