Doctor Who and the Daleks

"The mysterious Doctor and his grandaughter Susan are joined by unwilling adventurers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright in an epic struggle for survival on an alien planet.

In a vast metal city they discover the survivors of a terrible nuclear war - the Daleks. Held captive in the deepest levels of the city, can the Doctor and his new companions stop the Daleks' plan to totally exterminate their mortal enemies, the peace-loving Thals? More importantly, even if they can escape from the Daleks, will Ian and Barbara ever see their home planet Earth again?"

This was the book that started it all. Originally published in November 1964 (around the tine Doctor Who's second series was starting, and just before the Daleks made their second appearance in The Dalek Invasion of Earth), not only was it the first novelisation published (along with Doctor Who and the Crusaders - also by David Whittaker - and Doctor Who and the Zarbi - aka The Web Planet) but was also the first book published when Target Books began publishing Doctor Who book in 1973 (an association that would continue for twenty years). I have to admit I only recently read it but in another first, not in print form but as an ebook.

In his introduction to this volume, Neil Gaiman points out just how important the novelisations were. And while what happened on the page was sometimes wildly different from what happened on screen (and in this case) back in the days before home video and DVD the novels were the only way you could enjoy the Doctor's adventures again and again.

And for the story itself? It's essentially a faithful retelling of the first Dalek story with a few differences, some minor (the glass Dalek  for example - Davros about then years early?) and some major (with An Unearthly Child not being published until the early eighties, Whittaker comes up with a new introductory scene for main characters). Also Whittaker uses the first person narrative so the whole story is told from Ian's perspective which means a lot of events from the TV series are left out. While it's a little dry in parts Doctor Who and the Daleks, like the TV episodes that inspired it, is one of the most important books ever published beginning a series that lasts to this day.

Asylum of the Daleks

"Save us... save the Daleks!"

I'll try and keep the spoilers out of this, but be warned...

First impression: wow! Daleks! Daleks everywhere! Even original series machines. And the Special Weapons Dalek from Remembrance! And they have a parliament? And a prime minister no less!

Cracker of an opening episode.The regulars are great as ever. It's sad it's going to be Amy and Rory's last series but the future looks assured as Jenna-Louise Coleman makes a great first impression (in what was an amazingly well kept secret). Nicholas Briggs pulls out all the stops with the Dalek voices (and who'd have thought we'd ever hear a Dalek cry). A great script as you'd expect from Steven Moffat and  Nick Hurran's direction was amazing with the scenes with Rory wandering through the asylum very well stage and really scary too.

My only complaint - where was the dedication to Caroline John and Mary Tamm?

Death to the Daleks

Unlike Nicholas Briggs, I can't share his enthusiasm for this story. It's not a bad one, but not good either. Mediorce maybe? The scene in episode 3 where the city root attacks the Daleks is pretty good. And the incidental music is unique to say the least. But otherwise it's bland.

The DVD extras on the other hand have something special. The first time the series has taken a look at the Dalek movies of the sixties. Some footage of the filming was recently found and is included on the disc along with interviews with some of the cast and crew. The best bit is when actor Jason Flemyng, son of directer Gordon Flemygn, says he can't wait for his kids to be old enough to watch the movies so he can talk to them about their grandfather (Gordon having passed away in 1995). Which shows how Doctor Who can bridge generations. I they like it.

Day of the Daleks

"Who knows? I may have helped to exterminate you."

Day of the Daleks isn't a bad story. The biggest problem with it is the Daleks themselves. After being in hibernation for about over five years you expect it to be a triumphant return (and in colour no less!). But what we get is three rather tatty Dalek props. And as for the voices the less said the better. The special edition does go someway to address this, but it does sound strange having Nick Briggs voice on 1970s Daleks. But aside from that it's one of the better Pertwee stories.

The Space Museum & The Chase

Back in 2003, in honour of the programme's 40th anniversary, the ABC began screening every episode of Doctor Who from the beginning (or what they could show considering that a number of the early episodes are missing from the BBC's archives); an admirable task that took just over three years to complete. Shortly after they began this odyssey, the following was overhead in the children's section of the library I was working in at the time.

Kid A: I watched Doctor Who last night. Dad warned me not to expect Star Wars type special effects. But, you know, it wasn't bad!

Kid B: Yeah, it was really good wasn't it!

And this would be been around the time the original Dalek story was being screened. Had they been watching The Space Museum however, I fear they may have formed a different opinion.

Sadly, The Space Museum is not the greatest example of early Doctor Who. It starts off promisingly enough with the TARDIS crew arriving on the planet Xeros before they're actually arrived by jumping a time-track (whatever that is. Probably the earliest example of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff) and the Doctor and company having to figure out what's going on. But at the end of episode 1, time catches up with them and they arrive. And that's when things start to go downhill.

The major problem with this story is that, while the Morok's may have been subjugating the Xerons' for years, no one cares and nothing really happens. Okay, a revolution happens, but that just seems to be incidental. The regular cast put in good performances, but that's it. Ahhh... but what's this gliding into view at the end of episode 4? A very familiar shape. Yes, the Daleks are back! And this time they mean business!

And so we move onto (or cut to) The Chase which involves (perhaps not surprisingly) a chase. Having been defeated twice by the Doctor (in The Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth) the Daleks are out for revenge, pursuing the TARDIS through all eternity. And so begins what the Discontinuity Guide call "One of the most bizarre Doctor Who stories, six episodes of unconnected set pieces with only the barest remnant of a plot." But who cares - it's got the Daleks in it!

Actually The Chase is notable for two other things. The first being the one and only appearance of the Mechanoids. As the latest attempt to find the next big thing after the Daleks, the Mechanoids come close to succeeding. However, the fact that they were a little too big for the studios Doctor Who was recorded in at the time effectively killed off any chance of a rematch between them and the Daleks. Just watch the video below to see them in the battle scene from the end of episode 6.

 

The other thing The Chase is notable for is the final appearance of original companions Ian and Barbara. In them, William Russell and Jacqueline Hill created a template for how companions in Doctor Who should be: brave, resourceful and above all real people.  The viewer can't help but as moved by their departure as the Doctor was (buy all reports William Hartnell wasn't too happy in real life either).

So a mixed bag with this release. The extras on The Space Museum are pretty light on (maybe everyone was too embarrassed to talk about it?) but there's more on The Chase. Daleks Conquer and Destroy is the best, analysing their enduring appeal.