You have to go back half a century to trace the beginnings of science fiction television. The newly formed independent television network in Great Britain, a television network set up to be run on commercial advertising outside of the license fee, ran a series called “Pathfinders In Space”.

This series began at the very start of the decade which was to see mankind land on the moon at its end, the 1960s. You couldn't have had a better time to take advantage of a generation excited and enthralled by the exploration of space. “Pathfinders In Space” itself featured a trip to the moon, a trip made by one family during which they encountered aliens.

Aliens make fantastic enemies. Especially on television. You can make them every bit as gruesome, as evil, and as ugly looking as you like. There is no need to worry about offending any living examples. Aliens can do the most extraordinary things, they can be given powers which far exceed those of any genuine living creature, and, with imagination, whole series of programs can be built around one original ingenious idea.

“Pathfinders In Space” itself only enjoyed a very short run, but the brain behind it, Canadian Sydney Newman, went on to create a legend. That legend has gone on to become the longest running science fiction series in the history of television, Doctor Who.

Doctor Who aired for the very first time on November 23^rd 1963. No one at the time could have had the slightest inkling of the impact that the fledgling TV series would have on the world, nor the amazing longevity that it would enjoy. The original commission was for a mere thirteen episodes, and apparently none of the highly experienced broadcasting veterans expected it to even run for a second series.

They had probably underestimated to some degree the burgeoning interest in science fiction, and the amazing degree to which the public's imagination was captured by the race for outer space.

 

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