Monday 2 January 2023

BOOK OF LISTS: TOP FIVE DALEK STORIES - NUMBER ONE

As usual, my End-of-Year Countdown spills over a bit into the New Year.

"More blogging, Rob." I always remind myself throughout December, "And less drinking of spiked eggnog!"     

Someday, I'll get my priorities straight! 



If you've followed this blog loyally (and, amazingly enough, some of you have!), it won't be hard to work out what my favorite Dalek Story is. My second favorite Doctor Who Story ever features the Daleks. So it stands to reason that this would, more-than-likely, be my all-time Fave Dalek Adventure. 

And, sure enough, it is.

Here comes the tricky part, though: I've already written a pretty solid Review of this tale when I was compiling my Top Ten Favorite Doctor Who Stories way back when I started this Blog in the 1940s (here it is: https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-of-lists-top-ten-who-stories-2.html). I've looked over what I've composed and will do my best to write about new things that I haven't already covered in the previous entry. Basically, I'll examine it more as a Dalek Story than just a great story, in general. 


DAVROS-LIGHT (BUT NOT REALLY)

Probably one of the most interesting twists we get in Remembrance of the Daleks is its treatment of Davros. We know he's in the story, somewhere. We notice his White-and-Gold Daleks, so he's got to be around. But, for most of the story, we don't really see him. 

Since the mid-70s, the Kaled Mad Scientist has been an important component of any Dalek Tale. As I said in a previous entry, I don't think Davros takes away from the Daleks when he's with them. Rather, he does the exact opposite: He enhances them. He handles all the more complicated speeches and, in so doing, allows us a deeper look into their mentality. While a Dalek might rant: "We are the Superior Race!". Davros will take the time to explain why. 

But to finally get a story, again, where we really are just seeing a lot of Daleks with no real sign of Davros gives Remembrance a very interesting tone. It suddenly feels "pre-Genesis of the Daleks". And that has a very nice vibe to it. Nothing against Davros, of course. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest villains the show has ever crafted. That is one Popular Fan Opinion that I won't contradict (I know it's rare!). But it is really nice to get three solid episodes of what feels like just Daleks. Given that there's meant to be a sort of commemorative quality to this particular story, it really does give us a sense of something more traditional going on in the plot. We're getting the old Daleks back for just a little bit. 

Of course, we do discover that Davros was in the story way more than we realized. Which was a great piece of misdirection that produces one of the best plot twists in the story. We're all convinced that he's wearing some weird hat and staring at a map in Ratcliffe's garage the whole time. But that doesn't turn out to be him at all. And, when it is revealed that he was the Emperor Dalek, we do have to pick our jaws up off the floor. That really was a fun little trick that Ben Aaronovitch played on us. 


THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

While discussing the whole "we thought Davros was the Battle Computer" plot twist, there is another quality to that moment that I wish to highlight. I love how the Battle Computer is actually a reference to a problem the Daleks were having way back in Destiny of the Daleks. Their over-reliance on logic had thrown them into a horrible stalemate with the Movellans and strapping a child into a computer system was their way to solve the problem. It was a nice demonstration of how adaptive the Daleks are. They are brilliant-but-ruthless problem-solvers. 

It also shows off the benefits of having a true fan writing the story. Aaronovitch has been following the exploits of the Daleks closely over the last few years and is eager to build upon the narrative. He shows an eye for painstaking detail throughout the four episodes. Making subtle but non-intrusive continuity references all over the place. 

But he, most specifically, goes to great lengths to make sure he's keeping canon about the Daleks straight. He's been watching the conflict that's been brewing between the Daleks and their creator. He understands that he's got to display its ultimate fruition, here. He delivers an excellent pay-off to all the tension that's been building since Resurrection. In some ways, I think only a fan could have written a story like this. 

I'm not only impressed with how well Aaronovitch has kept pace with the most current aspects of the Dalek Saga that's been developing. But his general knowledge of the Skarosian Menaces also shines through. Look at how well-constructed the info-dump the Doctor gives Ace in Part One is. It's concise and makes sure that the more casual viewer has a clear idea of their origins story. It was especially important to re-establish the organic content of a Dalek since Destiny insinuated heavily that the Daleks were now just robots. Other writers since that story had emphasised this too, but it needed to keep getting pushed so that the whole nature of the civil war between the two factions made proper sense. 

And, of course, we love it when the Doctor makes a Dalek Disruptor and notes: "I rigged something like it once on Spiridon."  It really shows off just how well the author knows his Dalek Lore!   


THE ACTION

This is something I do speak about in the other Review but it deserves being mentioned, again. There really are some great action sequences in this story. Many still look good to this day and are more entertaining to watch than some of the fight scenes we've gotten in New Who (where the production team were working with a real budget!). 

The most famous of these sequences takes place during Part Two, of course. When Ace starts taking out Daleks in Coal Hill School with a super-powered bat, it is impossible not to fall in love with her. She already seemed like a fairly fun character in Dragonfire, but now she is massively cool. It's hard not to punch the air just a little bit as she proclaims: "Who you calling small?!" and then takes out the Dalek's eyestalk (and a few other chunks along with it!). 

It's also quite fun when she unleashes a bazooka on an Imperial Dalek. A much briefer sequence but we still love it when she says: "I aimed for the eyepiece!". Ace kicking Dalek Ass really is a crucial element of this adventure. The image of a rebellious teen conquering heavily-armed fascists stirs the heart in some incredible ways. 

But this isn't the only action in Remembrance. We do get some good fights between the human military and the Daleks. And, of course, we also get some nice fights between Daleks and Daleks. Things get especially awesome when they, at last, roll out the Special Weapons Dalek. 

Was there ever a cooler design than the Special Weapons Dalek? I think not!  I still remember my first impression of it. It took a while for Remembrance to actually get broadcast in the part of Canada I was living in during the late 80s. But I was getting issues of Doctor Who Magazine quite punctually. So I saw a picture of it in there, first. Even a mere photo made me think: "This thing looks friggin' great!"

It's been nice to see the Special Weapons Dalek make some cameos in New Who. But, really, most of its glory stems from actually seeing it fire. Watching it bust through the defences of the Renegade Daleks with little or no problem really re-enforced how potent of a weapon this thing is. It's a simple idea, really: Stick a canon on top of a Dalek. I'm amazed it took so long for someone to think it up. But I'm glad that a writer finally did.


FAN SERVICE, IN GENERAL

Aaronovitch has references to Planet of the Daleks and Dalek Invasion of Earth woven into the dialogue. He creates battle sequences between Ace and the Daleks that are so iconic that we see them again, 30 years later, in Power of the Doctor. He even comes up with a new type of Dalek that becomes an absolute Fan Favorite. Remembrance of the Daleks is, without a doubt, a story for the hardcores! If you know your Who, then this story practically sings to you. 

But he does one more thing for the Daleks that is more important than anything. After decades of British stand-up comics using this as easy material, he finally dispels the myth. That's right....

He actually shows us a Dalek climbing stairs!!!!!

At long last, the dumb joke can be laid to rest. The Conquerors of the Universe are not vanquished by any building that isn't handicap-accessible, after all. 

New Who was so smart to address the issue immediately in Dalek so that the ridicule wouldn't begin again. Cause you know there are British stand-up comics out there who are desperate for material! 

It is just ever-so-slightly "meta" as we see the look on the Doctor's face when he witnesses the Dalek coming up behind him as he tries to exit the basement. The look of pure horror says so much!

But there is an even more important point that needs to be addressed as we discuss all this beautiful fan service. And that is the fact that we still get a really great story being told as we enjoy the flexing of fan muscles prominently on display. This is more important than anything. You can show me an endless array of Daleks going up and down stairwells and that won't amount to a hill of beans if we haven't been given a solid plot to go along with it. 

I think of Rogue One when it came out a few years ago. For some reason, it manages to do so much fan service that a lot of folks seem to actually enjoy it. Whereas I find it to be a poorly-structured narrative with a couple of gaping plot holes. I even remember that famous sequence that so many fans foam at the mouth over where Darth Vader kills a bunch of rebels that are trapped in a hallway with him. I watch a scene like that and all I can think is: "How is he so amazing at fighting here but then has the weakest lightsaber duel in all the Trilogies with Obi-Wan less than a day later?!" Most Star Wars geeks, however, ignore this fact and just fall in love with all the pandering. 

I am so glad that Remembrance refused to do that. This is a story that celebrates the show but, more specifically, pays tribute to the Daleks. And they do deserve the honor they receive. I don't think Doctor Who would be alive, today, if it weren't for the Daleks. 

But what's most important about the respect being paid to them is that a casual viewer will get just as much enjoyment out of this story as someone who is into the show far more than they should be! People that don't know their Who as well don't look at it and have to say things like: "That's cute that we see the two guys that picked a fight with Luke in A New Hope. But, now, they have to leave a doomed city in the next few minutes and, somehow, make their way to the outer edge of the Galaxy in less than a day!

Thanks, Ben Aaronovitch for remembering that there is more to an adventure than just throwing crap in that will bring a smile to the long-time fans. 


TELLING OFF DAVROS 

My two previous entries before this one both involved stories with Davros. In them, I spend a bit of time going over how important it is that the Doctor and the Skarosian Mad Scientist have some sort of big confrontation. I marvel at how long that verbal sparring match in Magician's Apprentice/Witch's Familiar is and all the interesting directions it goes in. In Revelation of the Daleks I go on about how good Sixie is at just telling him where to go. 

Clearly, a good scene where the Doctor and Davros square off with each other for a bit means a lot to me. I would even say it's an essential ingredient in any story that involves this villain. Fortunately, we always seem to get that moment. Four does a beautiful job, for instance, of just taking the piss out of Davros in Destiny of the Daleks. And we really do find ourselves wondering if Five will actually shoot him in cold blood during Resurrection of the Daleks  It's even quite enjoyable to watch the two of them catch up after the Time Wars during Stolen Earth/Journey's End. 

The confrontation between Seven and Davros in Remembrance of the Daleks is probably the most economical one we've seen, so far. It really only runs for a handful of very short minutes. What makes it so impressive is that I feel it packs the exact same punch as any other Doctor/Davros Clash but does it in considerably less time. 

The Davros Reveal, obviously, helps a lot. This is one of the best "He Was Hiding Under Our Noses The Whole Time" Moments that the show has ever had. Right up there with "Spy .... Master" from Spyfall  (a great Master Story - this is how much I like it: https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2021/11/book-of-lists-top-five-master-stories_7.html). We did not expect to see Davros under the Emperor Dalek's dome head so that already has us in a bit of a state of awe before they even start to really tell each other off. Although Davros' comment about comparing the Doctor's appearance to his intelligence as the dome slides back is a great opening salvo. 

Another thing that really enhances the brief discussion is the way the Doctor is totally playing Davros like a fiddle. He hurls a few really nice stinging insults at him to build up his anger and then suddenly pivots as the Kaled threatens to use the stellar manipulator against him. As Seven suddenly almost whimpers "Davros, I beg you. Don't use the Hand!", we totally know he's up to something. And we love it. The Doctor is laying the slickest con on a madman armed with a super weapon. And it's absolutely lovely to watch as the manipulation causes things to go exactly the way he wanted them to.The consequences of the trick the Time Lord plays are so huge that it also brings a real sense of grandeur to the whole occasion. Watching Davros' lust for power cause the destruction of his own solar system is pretty mind-blowing! 

There is also just the fact that this is absolutely the best dialogue that's ever  been written for one of these confrontations. Every line is just so good and so well-delivered (particularly impressive that these character are not in the same room together as they say any of them - but we still see an intense hatred burning off of them), that we don't really even notice how short the duration was. Every sentence is absolutely perfect. So there's no need to drag things out. 

Finally, of course, there's that bit of comedy thrown in. While we got some of the best most awful puns in the last two entries, they still can't beat: "Unlimited rice pudding!!!" Literally, one of my favorite lines of dialogue in the entire history of the show.**


CONCLUSION

So, there we go. Another entry where I go on endlessly about the greatness of Remembrance of the Daleks and try to find new things to say about it. Fortunately, it has so many good qualities to it that it's not all that hard of a task.  As a mere Dalek Story, it is simply fantastic. It references their Lore without digging in so deep that it works to the story's detriment. It continues to build on the "soap opera" that's been developing between Davros and his creations over the last few stories. And it also just accomplishes some really cool stuff involving Daleks. Like Ace's baseball bat fight or the Special Weapons Dalek. It ticks off all the right boxes so that we can fall in love with those nasty mutants encased in poly-carbite armor one more time. We're happy to see them back.  Dalek stories can be tricky things. They sometimes feel like cheap ratings grabs. There have been genuine occasions where they have been featured a little more often than they needed to be and have worn out their welcome a bit. Remembrance, however, makes us genuinely happy that they've returned. 

On top of that, of course, is just the fact that this a remarkably well put-together story. Like Revelation of the Daleks, I feel this is something that is just so much more than a mere handful of television episodes. It's a work of art. It achieves this in a different way from its predecessor, too. Revelation stands out because of its unique tone and style. Remembrance is just such a gripping spectacle that it engages anyone that comes across it. No matter how uninterested a person might be in science fiction, if they start watching this adventure, they will stay with it til the end. 

The Doctor monologuing the Black Dalek to death is also one of the coolest things ever!! 



The Rest of the Countdown....

Five:

https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-of-lists-top-five-dalek-stories.html

Four-A: 

https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-of-lists-top-five-dalek-stories_11.html

Four-B: 

https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-of-lists-top-five-favorite-dalek.html

Three 

https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-of-lists-top-five-dalek-stories_24.html

Two: 

https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-of-lists-top-five-dalek-stories_27.html










** Funny Story Regarding Rob Tymec's Career as a Playwright and the Ridiculous Lengths He Will Go To in Order to Put a Silly Reference Into a Script

I wrote a play a few years ago that took place in a hospital. It was a bit of a comedy where I was playing a somewhat colorful character who had become bed-ridden for a bit. I was complaining about hospital food and how much they overuse rice pudding in the desserts. 

"They serve a lot of rice pudding?" a character in the scene asks me. 

"They have unlimited rice pudding!" I reply.

During, at least, one performance, there was a hardcore Who fan in the audience that picked up on the reference and asked me about it after the curtain call. I wanted to marry her on the spot, of course. Sadly, she was in a serious relationship, already! 

I still hope she will break up with him and come out to another show....    












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