An intriguing day today, as a trip has been proposed that is very exciting to me, and now I have to make it happen.
Episode 1 – The Nightmare Begins
There’s a tense opening to this story, which is unsurprising given the ominous title. We are back on Kembel with some more of the Earth agents, and we find out that Steven’s injury is worse than expected.
Then there’s a sudden change to a scene showing a very domesticated space station. It’s a great set, with gorgeous sleek lines. In a change for stories set in the future, we get a definite date for the story, as we watch two employees arguing about what to watch. It’s a very familiar type of scene, with a science fiction twist. This politician is very confident and a great speaker. But it rings rather false I wonder if that is because I know who he is, or it’s in Kevin Stoney’s performance.
It’s quite strange hearing Nick Courtney’s very familiar tones in such unfamiliar surroundings. It was very brave to have a prologue separated by the Trojan epic, and they refer back to Marc Corey, expecting viewers to remember the events from a few weeks ago.
What a fantastic reveal of the Dalek. It doesn’t even need to say anything. It just exterminates. Brilliant stuff.
Hartnell seems to have a lot of fun talking to himself. He has done a lot of exploring, and can certainly fend for himself very well, even against the much younger Bret Vyon. It would be fun to have one of those immobilizing chairs! It seems that the problem at hand is keeping him very occupied, and so he is not missing Vicki at the moment, and has not even mentioned her, in fact, which surprises me. This is an extremely dynamic Doctor we are presented with, and he is independent as well.
The space city set is great, and full of wonderful spaceship designs. This is continuing the taut thriller that we started 5 episodes ago, and it is also adding the elements to political intrigue and deception. It seems that I was right to mistrust Mavic Chen. He is the Dalek’s new ally.
Episode 2 – Day of Armageddon
At last we get to meet all those wonderful aliens from “Mission to the Unknown”, along with new creatures. Zephon is a wonderful and spooky creation. There are some great arguments being presented here relating to why each has joined the Dalek alliance. Each is attempting to gain an advantage over the other. I expect fireworks and distrust down the road.
The Daleks with flame throwers look spectacular. I don’t know if they have ever looked better, or more menacing than they are in this story, and especially in this episode. That includes the CGI armies we have seen in the modern series. These just look so right, and completely in their element, both in the jungle and their gleaming city.
This is a massive continuity-fest! The Doctor is referencing “The Dalek Invasion of Earth”. To think that fans believe this is just a modern phenomenon! They are so wrong! There are more aliens are arriving now. I am just loving this. Bret Vyon now understands the depth of the conspiracy and the threat, and so does the viewer. This story is moving fast and it’s gripping stuff.
The reveal of the Dalek plan is great as the aliens and the viewer starts to find everything out, along with the hidden Doctor. The tension increases for me, as I wonder if he will be discovered. There is such a contrast between Mavic Chen and the Daleks. He speaks with eloquence and takes his time. He is a true politician.
Normally the alarm sounding would be a bad thing, but it enables the Doctor to put a spanner in the works by taking the Taranium. I suspect we are going to get another chase now, but I suspect this one will be a lot more serious in nature.
Episode 3 – Devil’s Planet
The cracks in the alliance have started already. Mavic Chen is already forced to defend himself, and the council suffers its first casualty. That didn’t take long, but honestly what did they expect, allying themselves with the Daleks?
The Dalek randomizer device is rather frightening. This chase will be very different that before. This time the Doctor is on a spaceship rather than the TARDIS, and the Daleks appear to control it. There was never this danger before.
I don’t like the look of these convicts. This is a rough looking planet that fits the description that Vyon gives before they land. In just a simple scene we get a good idea of what these characters are like, who is the leader, and how they react. Terry Nation is at the height of his powers here.
It’s quite subtle, but the change in production team is starting to be felt. The Doctor is still very recognizable, but he has become far more confident and dynamic. He is absolutely the hero of this show, and he is the one in charge who knows what to do and will save the day. I don’t remember him being like this before.
Episode 4 – The Traitors
Katarina’s death is truly shocking. I didn’t feel like we really got to meet her properly, and she may not have worked out as a long-time companion, but that doesn’t make it any less of a surprise. Steven is extremely upset by it, and the Doctor seems extremely shaken. It’s quite a contrast from the confident character I had observed previously. I wonder if this is the first person that he has lost. He pledges to always remember her, and that is tinged with great sadness. Sadness that affects the character to this day.
It’s quite difficult to distinguish between Dalek voices and that of representative Trantis when they are debating. Until, of course, the Dalek voices reach their wonderful level of hysteria!
Mavic Chen’s assistant Karlton is very sinister, and obsequious. His look is great, exactly what a henchman needs, especially one who wishes to be the power behind the throne. I always get curious about Kevin Stoney and his makeup. It’s casting at its worst, really. But Stoney is so very very good, I have to forgive it. I love the paranoia and counterplots that he has mixed up in his head, that really make him completely insane with the desire of power! I cannot imagine anyone better.
Hooray! It’s Jean Marsh! Sara Kingdom has one iconic look. She looks fantastic.
Bret Vyon’s death is the second shock of this episode. We had grown accustomed to his presence, and expected him to be around for the whole story. But now he’s gone, and Steven and the Doctor are the only ones left to stand against the Daleks
Episode 5 – Counter Plot
This story just gets better and better. Every episode ramps up the tension, and keeps it moving forward. We get to explore yet another planet –Mira, and it doesn’t seem particularly inviting, and we later discover that it is full of that Terry Nation standby; invisible monsters! (Always great for the budger!)
Mavic Chen has very pointy fingernails. He is worried now. Interestingly, there is rather an interesting reaction. He expects an invasion. Is there are argument that he became part of the alliance to save Earth, rather than just for his own power? His assistant Karlton quashes this notion somewhat, and has his own interesting ideas. It seems that he may be the real brains behind the whole operation. He is a lot more savvy than Chen, but he doesn’t have the older man’s charm, or oratory skill. So he may be content to be the power behind the throne.
I am very amused that the Daleks consider white mice as being possible hostile!
It’s very smart of Nation to insert the added twist of Bret Vyon being Kingdom’s brother. It adds a whole new layer to the way that the drama plays out, and to the amoral nature of Mavic Chen; playing with people’s lives for his own pleasure and to his own ends. And it helps convince Sara that she should start to trust the Doctor and Steven
The Doctor has his confidence back, after the traumatic events of the previous episode. He knows of Mira. He knows of the dangers on the planet. But he also knows what to do. This still feels rather new for Hartnell’s Doctor, but it is undeniable Doctor-ish!
I love the wonderful mad eyes that Stoney gives Mavic Chen towards the end of this episode. He really is completely drunk on power! What a great villain he is.
Episode 6 – Coronas of the Sun
The opening of this episode showcases the Doctor at his bludding best! It reminds me rather of the closing moments of Bad Wolf. He shows the Daleks absolutely no fear at all. He may not have a plan, but he acts as though he does, and they have no idea how to react to that.
Steven has become the defender of the Doctor, and is now showing great faith in his abilities. It’s quite a change from his earlier stance of suspicion, and doubt. What happens to him later in the episode, being trapped and immobilised, forces him to put his words into actions, and shows how far he has come since meeting and starting his travels with the Doctor. The Doctor puts a lot of faith in this young man, and in return he trusts him implicitly.
The escape from Mira sequence is thrilling, even in just pictures, and audio. Douglas Camfield knows exactly how to pace an episode and rachets up the tension brilliantly. I am loving this story so far. It’s a true classic in every sense of the word.
Mavic Chen knows exactly how to stand up to the Daleks. He even manages to get them to show some emotion. There is definite irritation in the voice of the Dalek supreme as it tries to defend the efforts of its fellows in trying and failing to recover the Taranium. I am really enjoying the scenes featuring Chen and these killing machines.
It’s amazing what the Doctor is able to get away with, just by showing the Daleks no fear. They are desperate for this Taranium! It makes for a great mcguffin, as we know that they have a the fake one now, and it’s only a matter of time before they find this out and come after the TARDIS crew once more!
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