Planet of the Daleks (7/4/73 – 12/5/73)
Although not a popular story amongst most fans, in part because of Terry Nation’s recycled plot elements from previous stories (most significantly The Daleks); this is a personal favourite, and when viewing this story as 10yr old in 1973; we fledgling Who fans new nothing of Nation’s previous work, so we simply took Planet of the Daleks at face value.
As with Day of the Daleks before it, these pre-Davros stories focus on the Daleks as a space power in their own right. Their ongoing mission being to spread the Dalek empire throughout the galaxy by conquering, subjugating and ultimately extermination of all inferior species. In order to appreciate the scope of the Daleks’ plan here; it’s necessary to take back step to Frontier In Space. Although a space-opera in itself; it also serves as a prelude to the events of Planet of the Daleks.
The Daleks and The Master are behind a plan to sow a galactic war between the space powers. At the climax of the story, there is a confused scramble in which the Doctor is winged by one of the Ogron laser weapons. The story carries over into Planet of the Daleks, where the Doctor’s condition initially seems very grave; and Jo leaves the Tardis seeking help on the planet Spiridon.
Personally I find episode one hugely atmospheric, and for me, the character of Jo Grant has really started to come into her own throughout her final season. There’s definitely a sense of her having gradually grown up, even before her exit story; The Green Death. Katy Manning has never been my favourite DW actress, but Jo’s concern for the Doctor is very well conveyed throughout this episode. Similarly, Pertwee performs very well in episode two, and the subsequent episodes 3 and 4, starting from when the Doctor watches the apparent murder of Jo Grant at the hands of the Daleks. As ever, such a personally tragic outcome for the Doctor is played with subtlety, yet is no less impactful for it.
The nature of war, and the ‘human’ psychology involved in personal sacrifice is also nicely touched on in the Doctor’s discussions with both Taron and Codal. It’s clear that the memory and consequences of WWII, still only 30 years in the past, looms large in Nation’s themes. Again, such scenes are played with a subtle, understated dignity by all concerned. And personally, I’ve never understood some fan’s problem with the so-called ‘moralising’ in the Doctor’s final speech to Taron in episode six. It seems perfectly pitched to me. They don’t make a big deal about; again, the order of the day is subtlety. A quality largely absent from Dr Who for many a long year…..
As the plot weaves its way through the 6 episodes, I do understand the fan complaints about this story. Although I enjoy it; I do acknowledge that it could easily have been trimmed down into a 5 or even 4 parter. But for me, childhood nostalgia is a big part of it. Throughout the 6 episodes, there’s considerably more Dalek action than it’s Season 9 predecessor. This was the story that really gelled the Daleks as something special for me as a boy. This story has a definite comic strip feel to it, which perfectly resonated with the strips and annuals I avidly consumed at that age. It’s simply not possible for me not to enjoy this story, despite what any post-VHS/DVD release fan received wisdom tells me. The Daleks are great in this, and they are the major players. The voices are excellent, thanks to the dynamic combination of Michael Wisher and Roy Skelton; and taken as a whole; the entire over-arching plot, from Frontier to Planet is great piece of ‘space opera’.
The icing on the cake as a fledgling Dalek fan, was the appearance of the Dalek Supreme. I can still remember the sense of awe and a certain amount of trepidation at just how the ruthless nature of the Daleks comes across with extermination of the section leader, over his failed mission. A scene I still love today. 😀
Planet of the Daleks may not be a stone cold classic, but there’s more than enough in it for me to give this story a solid 8/10. People often talk about ‘comfort’ stories; well this is one of mine. 🙂
A footnote on 1973.
The Daleks appeared once again in comic strip form in TV Action in a strip called The Threat from Beneath; the first part of which was published on the same day as the broadcast of episode 1 of Planet of the Daleks; April 7th, 1973.
And and important event for my generation of fans, was the start of the Target Book range. The first three were reprints of previously published ’60s stories which had not been on the bookshelves for around 5 years or so. On May 16th 1973, they were published again in their new form. I bought all three, separately with my pocket money.
It’s not hard to guess what the first one was. 😉
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