TARDIS Crew;
• First Doctor
• Susan
• Ian
• Barbara
Notable Characters;
• The Daleks- Inhabitants of the city and main enemies
• The Thals- Inhabitants of the forest and mountains
• Alydon- Second in command of the Thals
• Temmosus- Original leader of the Thals
• Dyoni- Innocent and scientifically intriguing Thal
• Gannatus- A Thal who a companion became affectionate to
Detailed Plot;
The Dead Planet
The opening part of this lengthy seven-part serial was excellently done. As the episode title suggested, the setting was well and truly dead. After cleaning up and recovering from the happenings of An Unearthly Child, the TARDIS crew exit into a mysterious jungle. They hadn't noticed the radiation meter entering danger zone as seen in the cliffhanger leading into this serial. There were trees, but they looked white, burned, covered in ash. They seemed the subject of intense heat. But the crew noticed something very intriguing, with a visible breeze, none of the tree branches were moving, not even swaying.
After more thorough interrogation of these mysterious trees, it was concluded that the trees were made of stone. The Doctor claimed the jungle itself was petrified. After determining that the trees were made of the stone, the Doctor became much more curious. The forest couldn't of been subject to intense heat, the stone wasn't cracked in any way. He wanted to further explore this lifeless jungle.
Ian and Barbara weren't so eager, they already seemed to've worked out that the Doctor has a knack of getting himself into trouble. Susan came across a flower, just like the trees it was made from stone. She thought it was beautiful and Ian showed his admiration before cracking in Susan's hands abruptly after a screaming Barbara was heard. She saw a horrifying creature, but upon closer examination the creature was harmless. It was made from metal, and according to the Doctor, it always had been. But with the jungle, it was dead. This confirmed to the Doctor that the TARDIS crew were not on Earth.
Barbara was scared and just wanted to go home to her own time. Ian felt her sorrow and comforted her. He seemed confident that somehow they would get back to 1963, despite the fact that it seemed the Doctor couldn't control where he took his ship.
The Doctor was still curious and determined that the forest was the subject of something deadly. It was showered in something with the intention to wipe out all living things. And thus far it seemed that it was successful. Susan noticed the forest edge, and as they reached it they could see down below a tremendous city. There were magnificent buildings, but interestingly still no life signs. The Doctor quickly became determined to study the city down below, although Ian and Barbara weren't wanting to at all! The Doctor though did agree that it was too dark to venture down, so he would wait for first light. The four travellers returned to the TARDIS.
Susan, to her happiness, had found another flower that she admired. But in retrieving this flower she'd distanced herself from the rest of the crew and found herself alone. And she was touched by something. A small tap on the shoulder, she was petrified! She quickly ran towards the TARDIS and was soon inside. Safe.
Susan was annoyed that the Doctor and Ian seemed to not believe her, and her grandfather relied on Barbara to go and talk with her. He was showing concern for his granddaughter and also acknowledged that he had two new companions. He seemed to be liking the pair who pushed aboard his ship now.
After talking with Susan, who was demonstrating some great artistic skills in drawing the flower, Barbara believed Susan about her encounter. The Doctor was checking on some of the TARDIS computers and seemed in a world of his own as Ian was unsuccessful in getting answers from the Doctor as to what he was doing. He did though pick up on Ian's hunger and planned on getting some food. Barbara was now showing signs of a headache, the radiation effect it seemed, but Susan had prepared for her a medicine of sorts which would soon cure it.
The Doctor went to a machine, and it was a food processor! Ian and Barbara wanted some bacon and eggs and in quick fashion after entering a code a small bar dropped out and that was food. Ian and Barbara had a bite and were mightily impressed. Barbara now seemed to have lost her headache, the curing medicine worked with good speed!
Suddenly, knocking was heard from outside! The dead planet had life after all. The crew rushed to the scanner but there was no sign of anything. The Doctor, despite the danger, was still determined to go to the city. Susan though seemed to have convinced the Doctor that it was the wrong idea and that they should leave. The Doctor obliged and the materialisation was heard. They were leaving. But it failed. The materialisation came to a halt, seemingly due to some fiddling from the Doctor beneath the console, and the fluid link was now empty. Mercury was needed, but there was none on board the TARDIS. It seemed it was a plan of the Doctor's, they needed to go to the city. The Doctor was happy about this, and I loved him for it! It was sneaky brilliance.
First light was here and the crew departed the TARDIS. Just outside the ship there was something in the floor. It was a harmless metal box with glass files within. Susan placed them inside the TARDIS and would be examined once they returned from the city.
After a long venture, the crew arrived in the city. The Doctor was tired and Ian was now showing slight signs of a headache. They inadvertently were exposing themselves to dangerous levels of radiation. They were growing weaker.
The foursome noticed there were doors, and Ian and Barbara decided on briefly going their separate ways and examining. There looked to be a camera but I wasn't sure. The Doctor and Susan searched together. Barbara now was looking around and seemed to be getting anxious. She was scared and it seemed she couldn't find her way back. The others had returned but Barbara was stuck! Doors closed around her and she descended. It was an elevator of sorts. The rest of the TARDIS crew intended on finding her, but would they make it in time? Barbara exited the lift and was approached by something, she was petrified. A stalk was visible to the viewer. Something deadly was coming.
A wonderful cliffhanger to a really good introductory episode!
The Survivors
I really enjoyed the second part of this serial, arguably the most important in Doctor Who history with the introduction of the Daleks. After the great cliffhanger with something approaching Barbara, the episode begins with the rest of the TARDIS crew and they're calling for the missing Barbara. They enter the door she was searching. There's no sign of Barbara but they can hear a noise, some sort of ticking. They examine closer and come across some measuring equipment and a guide counter. The Doctor determined that the inhabitants of the city were very intelligent and were home to an advanced society.
After taking a closer look at the guide counter, the TARDIS crew now knew they had been roaming around openly in radiation. They had the sickness. Ian was confused as to how the buildings remained intact, the Doctor gathered the cause was a neutron bomb. All life was wiped out but the buildings remained intact. Another revelation from the first part was revealed as the Doctor revealed to Ian and Susan the truth about the fluid link. Ian disgustingly examined the vital component while the Doctor planned on leaving in search of a cure for the radiation. He wanted to go to another time for the helpful drugs. This annoyed Ian and he wasn't going anywhere without Barbara. Ian had the fluid link in hand and used it to his advantage. The TARDIS was useless without it.
The trio were about to continue their search for Barbara, but walked straight into an area of Daleks. The first scene with the historic villains was excellent, their appearance fantastic and immediately they show their evil intent. They immediately ordered that the trio move along, pretty much as their prisoners. Ian though didn't oblige and was worried for Barbara, he ran for it but before he could get anywhere close to escape the Daleks shot at him and his legs were paralysed. He couldn't walk. It was only temporary but it was an insight as to what the Daleks were capable of.
The time travelling trio were taken to a room and were reunited with Barbara, albeit that they were held captive. The TARDIS crew predicted they were miles underground, and in an interesting anology, Barbara questioned what, or if anything was, inside the Daleks casing. The thought was scintillating. However, that was the least of their worries as the Doctor was getting hit pretty bad by the radiation sickness. He wasn't in a good state at all and he needed anti-radiation drug treatment soon, as did the rest of the crew, or death would prevail.
The Daleks seemed mightily intrigued at the signs of radiation sickness portrayed by the TARDIS crew. The Doctor was summoned for questioning and the Daleks questioned the Thals, some mutated species whom exists through the radiation. They seemed to be the Dalek opposition in the deadly atomic war on this planet, no wonder it was dead. The Daleks thought the travellers were Thals, and because they knew there were survivors living through the radiation, they were intrigued by the illness. More information about the Daleks was revealed as they explained how they couldn't move outside the city.
The Doctor now recalled the metal box left outside the TARDIS, were they drugs? He now had hope of survival. The Daleks talked of the war history between the two races of the planet. The Doctor explained the drugs to the Daleks and they allowed them to be brought into the city as long as three travellers remained as an assurance of a return. All the lives of the travellers would depend on one of the foursome. No pressure then.
Ian was attempting to walk again but stumbled over- he wasn't quite healed. He needed more time. The Doctor returned to the area and told the crew of the situation and the war history. He was though very warm and increasingly ill. Naturally it was thought that Ian would go alone to the TARDIS to fetch the drugs but that wouldn't be possible as Susan explained about the TARDIS lock and how it was a defence mechanism. There were 21 keyholes and just one was correct. Any other and the lock would melt inside. Susan must go with him.
The Daleks entered and demanded that one of the crew left immediately for the drugs. Ian wasn't ready to walk and both the Doctor and Barbara were suffering badly from the radiation sickness. Susan had to go alone. She was understandably afraid. She left for the TARDIS.
The Daleks were heard communicating amongst one another and despite letting Susan leave for the drugs, they didn't intend on letting the TARDIS crew use them. They'd simply let them die and duplicate the drugs for their own purpose. This brilliantly showed the evil and complete lack of remorse the Daleks had for others.
Ian revealed how the Doctor predicted that without any drug treatment the travellers would struggle to survive more than 48 hours. The Daleks knew this and planned on just leaving them to die. It was quite sad how it was the loveable Doctor who'd got the crew into this life-threatening mess. But if he hadn't of, his first encounter with the Daleks would have been delayed.
Susan had now reached the jungle, but this just added to her fear as the breeze was more aggressive. The Doctor was on the edge and now Ian was struggling more and more. They were desperate for Susan to bring them the drugs. After running through a terrifying forest the young girl finally found the TARDIS. She entered and got the drugs while quickly remembering the words of Ian telling her to go straight there and straight back, not to stop for anything. Susan now realised she had to go back, would she get back in time? A good cliffhanger that has set up the next part very nicely!
The Escape
Another magnificent part in this serial and so far The Daleks is turning out to be something very special, and it's only the second ever serial! After the nicely done set up for this part at the cliffhanger of the last, I had high hopes for this part, and it didn't disappoint.
It begins with Susan leaving the TARDIS, drugs in hand and she's ready to head back to the Dalek city. But waiting for her outside is a man, instantly Susan is scared. He reveals he tried to make contact with her previously, he was the man who touched her shoulder in The Dead Planet, but he was friendly. He was a Thal. It was he who had left the drugs outside the TARDIS for the travellers. He was concerned that they hadn't taken them and even more surprised that the Daleks still existed. The Thals didn't know of the Dalek survival. This Thal though questioned what use the Daleks would have for the drugs and was wary that they'd use them for themselves.
The Thal revealed his name. Alydon. He gave Susan an extra supply of drugs to hide on her entry to the city in case the Daleks would take the visible supply for their own purpose. Alydon also gave Susan his cloak for warmth. The Thals were certainly much friendlier than the Daleks! Alydon now wondered what the Daleks would be like.
Back in the city and it seemed as though the Daleks wanted the Thals brought into it. Did they want to wipe out their foes for good, or were they genuinely interested in gaining an ally? The latter seemed the least likely. In the cell room and Susan had managed to get the drugs in, despite the Daleks having taken the extra supply before giving them back. The Daleks had a use for their prisoners. The drugs were working and the suffering trio were slowly returning to normal. The Doctor woke up and he was drowsy and temporarily suffering from amnesia. It was revealed by Susan that the Thals are on the brink of starvation, they needed food and possibly the help of the Daleks.
A camera was seen above in the cell and the Daleks were watching and hearing everything that was happening inside. It was confirmed that the Daleks wanted to use the TARDIS crew as bait to lead the Thals into the city. The Daleks planned on giving them a false sense of security, an evil plan.
Susan was summoned by a Dalek who claimed she was to be used to help them help the Thals. Back in the jungle near the TARDIS, Alydon was joined by more Thals. They revealed how they were once warriors, and the Daleks philosophers, but the roles seemed to be in reverse now. It was questioned whether the Thals could learn anything from the Daleks, after a history of war would their relationship soon turn to education? I somehow doubted it. A female Thal, Dyoni, seemed to admire Alydon.
Susan was writing a letter for the Thals, dictated by the Daleks of course. They claimed to want their help, and offered food in return, but it was all a trap to lure them in. Susan noticed how the Daleks were hearing everything inside the cell and once she returned to the cell an intervention was staged. The TARDIS crew acted out a great scene which resulted in the camera seemingly accidently being damaged, but the Daleks didn't think it was an accident at all.
With the camera destroyed, the next plan for the time travellers was to free themselves. The Doctor showed his brilliance in working out vital information about the Daleks. The metal floor was essential to them, it was electricity and it somehow powered them. The Doctor believed that the Daleks had exploited static electricity! A wonderful concept. Ian had a plan that would put the Daleks out of action. Insulation.
In the jungle, seemingly the Thals part of the planet, it sermed the leader of the Thals was Temmosus. He had the look and acted like the leader, although I wasn't entirely sure there was one. Sadly for the Thals, with no food on its way, the Daleks held the key to their future. But for them they thought it was a bright one as they found the letter from the Daleks, signed by Susan. They believed every word and were excited at the prospect of an alliance. Could the planet's two species work together?
In the cell and the TARDIS crew were ready for something. A Dalek entered and they examined everything about the machine. It was established they couldn't hide due to the long eye stalk. Barbara though had a plan. She wanted to make mud, and took the dirt from Susan's shoes and mixed it with the water.
Later on and the Dalek returned, but Ian quickly ensured the door would be jammed. As the Dalek investigated the disturbance, Barbara covered the eye stalk in mud. The Doctor and Ian had a struggle with the Dalek and, using the cloak of Alydon, insulated the Dalek and it was put out of action. The Dalek was useless. All its power was down.
The Doctor and Ian opened up the top of the Dalek and were shocked as to what was inside. There was a creature, and judging by the reaction of the pair, it was horribly mutated. Using the Thal cloak, the creature was covered and taken out of the machine. Leaving it nice and empty for Ian to jump inside! A companion became a Dalek! Inside he described how there were many controls and his Dalek voice was pretty good and funny. He planned on a fake questioning in attempt to escape.
Back in the cell though, and the creature beneath the cloak started to stir, part of it was seen. It wasn't dead! A great cliffhanger! What would the inside of a Dalek look like? I hoped to find out.
The Ambush
Despite the cliffhanger of The Escape being magnificent, there was nothing to immediately resolve and the fourth part begins with Ian, still inside the Dalek, but he's learned how to operate the machine. In a huge risk, they decided on a cover story which was a fake questioning. Susan though had a plan of her own. She tried to escape before being stuck between two Daleks, she gave a wink though. She knew what she was doing- it was all a plan. She was put inside a lift along with the Doctor and Barbara, and Ian inside the Dalek was their guard of sorts. Their plan, up until now, had worked. Once inside the lift and doors closed, the trio tried to help Ian out of the Dalek. But he couldn't get out, something was jamming the shell and the forcing from the outside was only worsening the attempt. The Doctor disconnected the door lock so it could not be opened. This quickly sparked alert and an emergency alarm rang throughout the city. The Daleks though were cutting through the door with a roaring flame. With the floor magnetised, the Dalek Ian was inside was stuck in its position. He needed to get out. With the door being cut through more and more, the Daleks would soon be through.
Ian told the other three travellers to leave in the lift that the room was intended for while he would remain and attempt to escape the Dalek in the area next to the lift. Barbara and Susan weren't happy but the Doctor quickly got them to agree. The trio left in the lift and would send it back down immediately in the hope of Ian's escape. They arrived at the top but the Daleks were almost through, it was a thrilling few minutes. Would Ian escape in time and intact?
The door was cut through and the Daleks stormed the room shooting the Dalek. It was obliterated, but it was empty. Ian had managed to escape! He arrived at the top and greeted his three companions. They were extremely happy to see him, even the Doctor, who had grown fond of his two stowaway companions. The TARDIS crew could see the outside of the city through a window. They saw the Thals entering the city in response of the letter, they were walking into an ambush. They tried warning from above but the city seemed soundproof.
The Daleks were angered and ordered that should they see the TARDIS crew, that they be immediately exterminated! The lift was returning to the floor and a Dalek entered it, intending on killing the travellers. At the top level, the TARDIS crew found a door but it was magnetised and stuck locked. The Doctor and Ian gained a grip and were trying to force it open, but they noticed the lift was returning. The Doctor managed to get the door open, but Ian, Barbara and Susan had another agenda. They noticed a large rock like sculpture, moved it together, and pushed it down the shaft destroying the lift and Dalek together. The TARDIS crew had escaped.
The Thals had reached the edge of the city now and it seemed Temmosus completely believed the Daleks and their offer, but Alydon was still questioning their long time enemy's incentive. Temmosus planned on speaking to the Daleks unarmed as a sign of no intentions for war.
Food was left for the Thals as promised, but close by the Daleks were ready in hiding. The TARDIS crew now wanted to escape to another time and leave the affairs of this planet to themselves. However, after the Thals had saved their lives with the drugs, they wanted to give something back in return. They were going to warn the Thals of the looming ambush, but they couldn't risk their own party. So Ian stayed in the city while the Doctor, Susan and Barbara returned to the TARDIS.
The Thals had caught sight of the food supply, but the Daleks were ready to pounce. The Thals were wary and looked cautious. Ian was seen close by, he had sight of Temmosus who began to talk about his aim for peace. The Daleks slowly came out of hiding and Ian quickly shouted in warning, but Temmosus was exterminated. Point blank death. Ian fleed, as did most of the Thals, while Alydon was seen hiding in safety. The ambush had occurred.
Back in the jungle and other Thals were waiting with the Doctor, Susan and Barbara for an answer. Some time had passed and the Doctor was deep in conversation with Dyoni. The planet was named. Skaro. A name that would soon be filled with fear and horror. The Doctor was extremely fascinated by the records on show of the planet and had in front of him over half a million years of records thanks to the Thals. He was happy and impressed. A Thal injured in the ambush was stretchered into the jungle. It was now determined that Alydon would replace the dead Temmosus as leader.
The Thals wanted to know why the Daleks had planned the ambush, and innocently and unprovoked killed their leader. Ian found a horrifying explanation and it was the only one that fit. A dislike for the unlike. Anything different from Dalek was wrong. They would kill anything that wasn't them. They wanted to be superior.
The Thals revealed how they had no intentions of war or even fighting back. If the Daleks could escape the city, the Thals claimed they would simply run away. Ian though tried to convince them that they needed to challenge their long time enemies. The TARDIS crew were confused by the actions of the Thals, they didn't seem afraid nor did they seem cowards. So why wouldn't they do anything? The Doctor showed his companions the records, and how the Thals were once the warrior race on Skaro. Ian thought he would have to remind them of their history. But it was clear the Daleks would remain as the warriors, the killers.
However, the TARDIS crew intended on leaving now and didn't want their lives risked in the middle of a conflict and the beginnings of what could be a new war. The Doctor asked Ian for the fluid link that was pivotal to the TARDIS being able to materialise, but he didn't have it. The Daleks did. They'd taken it when the crew were taken prisoner. It was in the city! They'd have to go back. An absolutely wonderful cliffhanger! This serial has been sublime so far!
The Expedition
The fifth part was excellent and after the knowledge gained at the cliffhanger of The Ambush, we knew that the TARDIS crew would have to return to the city for the fluid link if they wanted to leave Skaro. It begins with the Daleks and they had completed the duplication of the anti-radiation drugs the Thals had given Susan and which they'd taken from her. They were also seeing pictures from the forest and they had it confirmed that the TARDIS crew were in constant contact with the Thals. The Daleks knew it was possible the two groups could unite and provide a stronger attack so they were wary and certainly ready for an attack.
Back in the jungle and the travellers simply couldn't convince the Thals to help them in an attack, despite the fact they knew that sometime soon the Daleks would find a way out of the city and into the jungle. Ian was reluctant though to ask the Thals to risk their lives simply for the task of retrieving the fluid link. He wanted it mean more for them, to find something that, to them, was worth fighting for. By now, the Doctor had realised that his little trick had terribly rebounded on him. Although he did show how he prized the faith Susan had him, that was something great to see. The banter between the Doctor and Ian over the pronunciation of the latter's surname was wonderful.
The Doctor was certain that if they could get the Thals on their side that mind would prevail over force, especially with him leading. Ian though was still in a dilemma about asking the Thals to join them, but he had a plan. He was testing them. It was obvious that the Thals had principles that they stuck too, but Ian tried testing them. He picked up the large casing of which the Thal history and records was contained in, would they fight for it if he offered it in exchange to the Daleks? It seemed not. Ian continued to mess with Alydon, and now questioned whether they would fight for a Thal hostage. Dyoni. Alydon stopped Ian and punched him! Ian's test had worked, he'd found what the Thals would fight for. There would be no Thal hostage.
Back in the city and a Dalek was seen going delirious! It was part of section three, a section that had been given the drugs. It was effecting them badly. The Daleks discovered that they were conditioned to radiation. Those that had been tested with the drug were dying. And the drug was now spreading into section two. The Daleks learned something vital about themselves- they needed radiation like you and I need oxygen. So their path was clear. They needed to increase radiation levels, so they would drop another neutron bomb! A thrilling prospect!
Alydon, now the Thal leader, knew the decision on whether they'd help the TARDIS crew relied on him. There was talk of a swamp, filled with lakes at the back of the city. Those lakes were contaminated with terrifying mutations of creatures. It was the perfect natural defence for the Daleks.
Alydon was thinking and knowing that if the Thals refused to give their help that the TARDIS crew would enter the city alone, he knew they would help them. He wanted the Thals to step up and face death now. They couldn't stand and watch the TARDIS crew walk to their death. Now, a plan was to be devised.
A map of the area was presented and the TARDIS crew were interested about the route through the swamps to the back of the city. The Thals explained how no guards would be on patrol there due to the mutated creatures being a safe defence. Despite the danger, the back route was the best possible chance of entry into the city without the prospect of another Dalek ambush. The TARDIS crew and the Thals split into two parties. The Daleks could see via the laser-scope that the division had occurred and they seemed confused.
A visual of the swampy lake area was presented to the viewer and it didn't look safe at all. Two Thals arrived first, and talked of the deaths of three others who previously were dragged beneath the lake as they fled. They couldn't let the others know about this incident. Ian soon caught them up and knew they'd have to be careful. Barbara soon followed. The Doctor and Susan had gone with Alydon and Dyoni in the safer route to the front of the city, where they would provide distraction. A deadline of two and a half days had been agreed.
The party cautiously walked through the swampy area and some small creatures were present but easily thwarted. As the group found a dry area to sleep, Ian saw a horribly mutated octopus like creature rise from the lake. He fled from getting water and now someone had to be on constant guard. Ian and Barbara, the least accustomed to the conditions, were left to sleep.
After waking, they noticed some pipes in the mountains. The Daleks gained their water from the nearby lakes. A quicker route into the city maybe? It was possible. Elyon, one of the Thals, was filling the water bags before a horrific whirlpool was instantly formed and sounds of creatures were heard. It looked as though he had been dragged in, nowhere was safe. Another good cliffhanger and this serial is certainly proving to be terrific so far!
The Ordeal
The sixth part of The Daleks, so far an absolutely wonderful serial, brilliantly continued the theme of sublimity. After a horrifying cliffhanger in The Expedition, this episode begins with the confirmation that Elyon had indeed gone beneath the lake. The whirlpool had swallowed him up and he was dead. But what was done was done and Ian, Barbara and the Thals had to move on in search of entry into the city.
For the first time since splitting up, the other party of the Doctor, Susan, Alydon and Dyoni (as well as a few other Thals) were seen. They were planning on putting the Dalek laser-scopes out of action to prevent them from seeing pictures of within the forest. They were hoping to gain the element of surprise.
Inside the city and the Daleks had a plan of their own. It was determined though that it would take 23 days for a new neutron bomb to be constructed, but that was too long for their plans. The neutron bomb plan was abandoned and now the Daleks needed to find another way of spreading radiation on Skaro.
Barbara and Ganatus were inside a cave searching for a possible route to the city. It seemed a dead end but they could both hear the sound of trickling water and they soon came across a small passageway, accessible by crawling. Ganatus went through and was stopped by a drop of an estimated 30ft. He went down, held safe by rope tied behind him and the other end wedged between a rock. But suddenly, Ganatus fell! The rope had come loose. The rope fell with him and he was trapped at the bottom of the drop, however that wasn't so bad. He found a series of tunnels, possible routes, that needed to be searched. It was their best chance of getting to the city, so the others would follow him down. This time being more alert to safety measures.
The Daleks noticed that their instruments were being attacked. The Doctor's plan seemed to be working. Some of the Thals were reflecting light providing a distraction for the four main members of the party to get to the city. It was working.
Back in the cave and all members had safely dropped below and now they were carefully venturing through. Antodus though was frightened, scared. He wanted to retreat and leave the cave. He didn't think it was safe, he was scared at the thought of them getting trapped inside and dying. But as part of the cave suddenly collapsed, there was no way back. No alternative. They had to strive forward. There simply wasn't another option!
The Daleks, with their instruments damaged, had a new plan of tracking activity outside the city. They'd track the vibrations. They too were trying to gain the element of surprise! Meanwhile, the Doctor and Susan were in part of the city and came across what seemed to be an electricity supply. It was a single cable so the Doctor knew it was static, but of course, he was going to fiddle a little. He was planning on cutting the wire and wiping out the power supply. He was using the TARDIS key as a short circuit, and then smashed part of the controls! He'd done a bit more than fiddled! But he and Susan would soon pay the price, they'd waited too long, Dalekd swarmed the area and caught the time travelling pair.
Back in the cave and the party were still tracking on in search of an escape. They came across a stumbling block, a gap between the path and a ledge. They had no other option but to jump. On the other side there was little space for a landing so care and accuracy was certainly a must! Ian went first and had the rope tightly secure around his waist. He jumped, and was successful. Ganatus was next and he'd made it. He found his way around to another path while Ian would stay and help the others over. Ganatus seemed to find a tunnel and those who jumped would follow him in.
Inside the city, the Dalek and Susan were seemingly subjugated to questioning. But information about the Daleks was what was learned. Their only interest in the Thals was no alliance, no cooperation, just the extermination of the race. And they planned on making it happen tomorrow, with the flooding of their nuclear reactor! Radiation would fill the air. Danger loomed, the Doctor's hopes relied on the Thals and Ian & Barbara.
Barbara had now made her way across the ledge and she was through to Ganatus. Just left to jump was Antodus. He was petrified! He didn't need this mass pressure and with Ian talking him through he jumped across and reached the ledge but suddenly fell backwards and down the drop! The rope, tied around Ian, was holding him up but Ian was being pulled down, and his grip was loosening. He was bound to fall!
A magnificent cliffhanger and I'm really looking forward to seeing the seventh and final part of a spectacular serial!
The Rescue
The Rescue was an absolutely fantastic finale to what has been an outstanding serial in The Daleks. After the wonderful cliffhanger in The Ordeal, this part begins with Ian continuing in struggling to hold on to the ledge. Antodus can't get a hold on the rocks below to take the wait from the rope. Thankfully Ganatus had arrived back and was holding Ian up. Down below, Antodus took a very bold measure and cut the rope above him and he dropped to the ground deep below. A huge sacrifice in taking his life to save Ian. Ian now was safe.
Inside the city and the Doctor and Susan were seen and they were cuffed against a wall. They were helpless. The Daleks were continuing in their plans and now they intended on all oxygen emissions on Skaro being stopped. A deadly plan that would prevent any life other than Dalek. Meanwhile, inside the cave just ahead of where the party had all jumped to, there seemed no way through. After Antodus' death, Kristas now wanted to give up. But there was hope, they noticed that light was entering the cave from somewhere. Ian followed the beams and came across a hole. They could see the inside of the city! They'd made it. They now needed to stop the Dalek plan and rescue the Doctor and Barbara.
The Thals who were part of the party that contained the Doctor and Susan were seen in the jungle and they decided that it was time to revert back to their roots. It was time to fight. Inside the city and the Doctor was using the TARDIS as a lifeline. He told the Daleks to examine the fluid link, and was using his time machine as a bargain. The Daleks were intrigued but said they'd simply wait for the radiation spill to examine the ship.
An alert rang and the Thals were entering the city, as were Ian, Barbara and co. The rescue was on. Ian was seen from Dalek Control smashing a camera and this caused the Daleks to be on immediate alert. They were close to finalisation, their operation was reaching the last stage and a countdown had commenced.
In the endless and repetitive city corridors, Alydon ran into the other party and now they all knew that the Doctor and Susan had been captured. Their plan was set and they wanted to head to control and destroy it. A Thal had closed in on the Control room but was immediately exterminated on sight! Other Thals though were nearing.
Ian and Alydon had reached the outside of the Control Room. They could see the Doctor and Susan and skilfully and quietly freed them while Barbara and some Thals lured a Dalek out towards the corridors and trapped it. This led to an epic struggle inside and a Thal was exterminated!
But it came at a good price (if death can somehow be justified as good) as a Dalek was pushed smack bang into the middle of their own controls. And it destroyed them. The Dalek power was gone and the harnessing of static electricity had stopped. The Daleks were useless and just shells now. A fantastic way to defeat wonderful enemies! One last Dalek pleaded to the Doctor to save them but it was in vain. The Daleks were defeated and the Thals were now the victors. The TARDIS crew had a prize of their own as they'd retrieved the fluid link and the TARDIS would now be operational. Journeys in time and space would continue!
The Thals now had Skaro to themselves and no longer would suffer from starvation as they had the Dalek system of food production using artificial sunlight. All Dalek resources could be used for the Thals advantage now. As the party exited the city a lovely visual spanned out of the wreckage and carnage. The Daleks stood still, dead and powerless.
Inside the forest and Thals were basking in their glory. They had machinery from the city and now they had plenty of time to rebuild a World. Skaro was theirs. And they had loads of time on their hands. The Doctor envied them and claimed he was a pioneer back on his own planet, an interesting claim. However the Doctor couldn't stay now, although said he may visit the Thals grandchildren in the future, something I'd look forward to seeing!
It was time for the goodbyes and the TARDIS crew were extremely thankful for all the Thals had done and showed immense gratitude. There was (and had been) a spark between Barbara and Ganatus and her goodbye to him was a kiss. She entered the TARDIS and it materialised. At the console and the travellers were eating before a malfunction struck, the crew were thrown to the ground! A great lead in to the next serial!
My analysis;
Well, this is an easy one to analyse! There wasn't really anything I thought that was bad about this serial. It was only the second ever serial and Terry Nation pulled out something magical with the introduction of the Daleks. Enemies that would become deadly in the future and they were introduced magnificently, as cold blooded machine killers. Selfish. They wanted it that they were all that was in existence. Having the TARDIS crew arrive at the aftermath of a nuclear war between the Daleks and the Thals was genius and everything just worked wonderfully. The pacing was perfect over the seven parts and each had an excellent cliffhanger! The Thals were a fantastic species and the likes of Alydon and Dyoni were excellent. The danger caused by the Doctor's curiousness was just something that would become so typical of the man we love and admire. Overall, it was just outstanding.
Rating; 10/10 with absolute ease.
