Talk:The War Machines (TV story)

First return to contemporary Earth?!
The article mentioned that this was the first adventure taking place on contemporary Earth, which is not true--Planet of Giants was the first. So, I removed that line from the opening paragraph.

Later, the story notes say, "This is the first return to contemporary London for the Doctor." I don't remember Planet of Giants ever saying exactly where it takes place, but my guess would be outside of London. The Chase also featured a return to contemporary Earth, but in New York. So, technically this is probably true, but a bit misleading. I'm not sure whether this line should stay or go, so I left it. --75.36.135.55 15:04, 27 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Firstly there is nothing explicitly stating that Planet of the Giants takes place on Earth. The assumption is that it takes place on Earth. But as there are not enough explicit identifying features to make a concise descsion.
 * Secondly, the statement "first return to contemporary London for the Doctor" is because in The Chase Babs and Ian return to 'contemporary London', but also like the former in the New York scene there is nothing identifying to mark out a date for when it is set. --Tangerineduel 15:29, 27 December 2007 (UTC)


 * It's nearly 9 years later, but I'll jump in anyway. I'll skip over the bizarre idea that Planet of Giants (not Planet of the Giants) may not be on Earth


 * In The Chase, Ian spots a car tax disc dated December 1965, so he knows they are sometime in that year. He tells Barbara as much, who comments they are two years out (from 1963).  I'm not sure how specific with the actual month and day something needs to be, to be classed as "contemporary".  Also, Vikki and The Doctor, watching on the Time-Space Visualiser, confirm they have made it.


 * In any case, the Doctor himself returns to contemporary London at the end of The Massacre, although he does not venture outside the TARDIS.

165.225.80.69talk to me 11:23, August 9, 2016 (UTC)

Story Influences
This Doctor Who story had a number of "firsts".

Internal to Doctor Who, note how the Doctor works with Earth-bound authority figures to clear up a menace, foreshadowing the UNIT arc in years to come.

Contemporary influence may be seen in D.F. Jones' Colossus novels, the first published in 1966. Both stories with similar menaces are released about the same time, leaving the question, "Who influenced whom?"

Compare WOTAN to Skynet, the War Machines themselves to the T-1 terminators.

St John's Logo
Is it already noted somewhere that the TARDIS's St John's Ambulance logo disappears from its door between episodes 1 and 4? —BioniclesaurKing4t2 - "Hello, I'm the Doctor. Basically, . . . run." 01:03, September 1, 2013 (UTC)