Remembrance of the Daleks
Story 148, Episodes 668-671, Season 25 Episodes 1-4
Doctor: Seventh Doctor
Companions: Ace McShane
Doctor Who‘s drought of great stories finally ends with a taught, well-paced return to 1963 for one final showdown with the Daleks.
The Review
It’s hard to believe this is the same show that only two stories ago gave us the silliness of Delta and the Bannermen. After a season of just being a rather generic silly guy, the Seventh Doctor snaps into focus as a sharp manipulator who carries an air of bored superiority. Several plot points seem to be missing, the Daleks have followed the Doctor back to Coal Hill School in 1963, we scarcely remember why there are two factions, and suddenly the First Doctor had this Hand of Omega thing lying around? Still, it absolutely works due to the confidence of the script, directing, and acting. The Doctor is suddenly unknowable, not just an arrogant git like the Sixth Doctor, but he’s playing a game we barely understand and don’t quite approve of. Still, the Doctor isn’t sure himself, he tells a deli clerk about the ripples decision makes, and wonders at the end of the story if he did do good.
Ace immediately makes the best impression of a companion in years, no more being annoyed at the Doctor or terrified, Ace is bold and confident and it rules. She falls for an Agent Smith, who turns out to be fascist working with the Renegade Daleks. Setting side that she’s only 16, it’s cute until it’s heartbreaking. The simple discovery of a ‘no coloreds’ sign in Smith’s house is a dark moment. We have a tall not-Brigadier and two capable female physicists which is a delight, making a well-rounded (white) cast. Davros shows up late as the Dalek Emperor, but much more interesting is the brainwashed young girl at the heart of the Renegade faction. She has force lightning! Ultimately, the Doctor tricks the Daleks into destroying Skaro, which is a surprisingly dark. Although failed by the Daleks sometimes wobbling and bland sets, it’s a great adventure story and reminds me that, yes, the classic series can be good.
There are a few too many cheap references, and it feels like we’re missing some backstory, but Remembrance gives us a new mysterious Doctor and a young but capable companion with a smashing supporting cast. Will stories improve from here? Time will tell, it always does.
9.25/10 Seriously, the Dalek props look cool but are very unconvincing trundling along uneven roads.
Reviewing Doctor Who from Start to Finish 