The Autons Unveiled: Doctor Who's Mysterious & Deadly Enemies
Unveiling the enigmatic Autons: from their origins in the classic Doctor Who to their resurgence in the modern series A captivating exploration of these timeless adversaries in under 350 characters
Several of the recurring adversaries that Doctor Who encounters have risen to the top tier of science fiction aliens. Even those who are not fans of the long-standing British series can easily identify a Dalek. While other antagonists hold significant importance in the series, they make fewer appearances. Take the Autons, for example, who made appearances in the debut of two different Doctors, with decades passing in between.
The 2005 revival of Doctor Who went through various stages of public reception. Many fans who cherished the original series were put off by the first season. However, when the 10th Doctor, David Tennant, took over, he attracted hordes of new fans who quickly became the show's predominant fanbase. At this point, the franchise has reached a new level of widespread dislike. It's difficult to reminisce about the early days of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper on the show.
What are the Autons?
The Autons, which resemble mannequins, are plastic machines. The early versions lack speech, have awkward movements, and are easily noticeable. Consequently, they are unable to blend in when invading. However, later models become increasingly discreet. Concealed within their wrists is a secret weapon capable of stunning or killing targets. Although not classified as robots due to the absence of internal electronics or mechanical mechanisms, the Autons serve as envoys for a dominant extraterrestrial hive mind. Known by various names among different species throughout the galaxy, they are referred to as Autons on Earth because they originate from Auto Plastics, a company responsible for their creation. The Nestene Consciousness, the hive mind behind their formation, possesses an intriguing history within the franchise.
The Nestene Consciousness, one of the oldest extraterrestrial races in the universe, predates the advent of the Time Lords and their rationality in the timeline. This chaotic era, known as the "dark times," presented unfathomable challenges for survival. The Nestene, however, surpassed any expectations of horror that one could conjure. Initially, they manifested as a telepathic cephalopod, believed to be the offspring of Shub-Niggurath, H. P. Lovecraft's Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young. A progeny of the Old God fused itself with an entire planet, giving birth to the Nestene Consciousness. Most of the Nestene were subsequently trapped and annihilated by Rassilon of the Time Lords, resulting in a drastic reduction of their power. Nevertheless, the Nestene Consciousness remained a perpetual threat, continuously invading planets across the vast expanse of space.
The Autons in the original Doctor Who
The Autons made their first appearance in a 1970 episode titled "Spearhead from Space," which marked the series' transition to color. This episode also introduced the Third Doctor, portrayed by Jon Pertwee. The Autons are presented as seemingly harmless mannequins that come alive and launch attacks. The Nestene Consciousness takes refuge in a toy factory, with a plan to create exact replicas of powerful politicians and government figures in order to seize control of the world. However, the Doctor's TARDIS is disabled by the Time Lords, leaving him stranded on Earth. He teams up with his new companion, Dr. Liz Shaw, and his old ally, UNIT Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Together, they discover the central hub of the Nestene Consciousness and successfully deactivate it using an electroshock device. Reluctantly, the Doctor joins UNIT. The Autons return the following year as a malevolent force in the episode "Terror of the Autons," which also introduces the character of the Master. Interestingly, although they were intended to reappear in a 1986 episode, they were ultimately excluded, resulting in a 34-year hiatus for the Autons.
The Autons in the new Doctor Who
Doctor Who's highly anticipated return brought back the Nestene Consciousness and the Autons as its main adversaries. In the episode "Rose," we are introduced to the protagonist, Rose Tyler, a young employee at a department store who is attacked by the seemingly harmless mannequins. The Doctor takes swift action by destroying her workplace and later seeks her assistance by visiting her home. Rose's boyfriend is replaced by an Auton, but the Doctor intervenes and saves her from harm. Eventually, they both get kidnapped and taken to meet the Nestene Consciousness once again. In a brilliant move, Rose manages to drop a vial of anti-plastic solution into London's water supply, effectively dismantling the Nestene Consciousness and deactivating the Autons. The Doctor then escorts Rose back home and successfully convinces her to embark on a new journey as his companion.
The Autons serve as a fascinating example of a basic concept that evolves into something incredibly complex. Their initial appearance portrayed the Nestene Consciousness as a tentacled monster situated within a toy factory, using mannequins as its means to attack innocent Londoners. This undoubtedly originated from the idea of bringing to life the seemingly lifeless mannequins found in clothing store windows. Over the course of several decades, the Nestene Consciousness transformed into an unholy offspring of one of Lovecraft's ancient deities, embodying all the terrifying cosmic horror associated with it. Doctor Who takes pleasure in conjuring up whimsical ideas and gradually morphing them into unimaginable nightmares. Although the Autons may appear simple on the surface, they are an integral part of a vast conspiracy that stretches across the galaxy, threatening the very fabric of existence itself.
