The War Machines wraps up what I consider to be the best series/season of the First Doctor era. Unlike the previous two series/seasons, all of the stories are of relatively high quality.
It would also prove to be a series of change as well. Verity Lambert, the first producer of Doctor Who, would leave midway through the series/season, and would be replaced by Innes Lloyd. The slot of female companion would also change several times as the program struggled to replace Vicki, who departed early in the series/season. Steven Taylor, the male companion, would also leave near the end of the series/season as well. With his departure, the decision was made to start afresh with the two new companions, Polly and Ben.
Here's how I'd rank the stories from series/season three:
1. The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve
2. The Gunfighters
3. The Myth Makers
4. The War Machines
5. Galaxy 4
6. The Savages
7. The Daleks' Master Plan
8. The Celestial Toymaker
9. The Ark
10. Mission to the Unknown
The top four stories are absolute standouts, and some of the best from the First Doctor era. The biggest issue with the stories from series/season three is that many of the episodes are missing. Only three stories are available in their entirety on DVD: The Ark, The Gunfighters and The War Machines. If you're not interested in listening to the audio soundtracks/watching the reconstructions/reading the Target novelizations, then one is pretty much limited to these three stories, along with the few scattered episodes available on the Lost in Time DVD.
My recommendations, assuming one is willing to experience the missing stories via the audios/reconstructions/novelizations, is to start with The Myth Makers, followed by The Massacre, The Gunfighters and ending with The War Machines. Galaxy 4 and The Savages are also well worth one's time.
The Daleks' Master Plan (along with its prequel, Mission to the Unknown) dominates this series/season, but I hesitate to recommend it. If you simply wish to sample this particular series/season, then I'd probably take a pass on The Daleks' Master Plan. However, if you're a fan of the Daleks and/or curious as to what an epic thirteen episode Doctor Who saga would be like, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the results.
In the end, you just simply can't go too far wrong with any of the stories from this particular series/season. Even the weaker entries like The Ark and The Celestial Toymaker have their charms. It's simply well worth taking the time and effort to experience this series/season.
Up next, the fourth series/season begins with The Smugglers.
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