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The Daleks Format Reviewed: DVD Review So much has been written and commented on about this story and the launch of Terry Nations creation, the Daleks, that to a certain degree I feel I can add little to this debate. Suffice it to say that this story created a legacy that is still being felt in television today, and with the recent return to the screen of the Daleks in the new TV series, the legacy has some time yet to run. After the opening story, An Uneartly Child, the Tardis crew are taken to Skaro where they first encounter the Daleks. Ian and Barbera are naturally very wary of the Doctor especially, and Susan to a certain degree, as their belief system has been shattered by their entry into the Tardis whilst encountering aliens. Like An Uneartly Child, the regular cast put in strong performances, particularly William Russell who really is ahead of his time in his portrayal of Ian Chesterton. This story is a good, strong introduction to one of the most enduring TV monsters of all time. The concept and back story of the Daleks is well thought out, and Nation has managed to create a very menacing force. For the time it was made, the story moves along at a decent enough pace, and doesn't linger on one facet for too long. There are actually many plot threads included and have been skillfully integrated to form a cohesive story on more than one level, even dealing with issues such as genocide and racism in round about ways. The guest cast, excluding the Daleks, are largely strong, although I wasn't fully convinced by Ganatus and Antodus. They just don't seem to be fully convincing in their roles to me. Them apart though, the pacifist society is well portrayed by the actors involved. The best scene for me in this was the realisation that the Thals had to fight for their own survival. This is well thought out and acted, and really is a morality tale about there being two sides to every coin. For example, I am not an aggressive person, but given these circumstances I would fight to the death. Pacifism is a wonderful ideal, but can only be followed entirely if everyone also follows suit. Aggression will always breed conflict. Anyway, onto the Daleks themselves. This story sets in motion what was to become one of the best franchise and merchandising opportunity that TV has ever produced. If the BBC had worked the merchandising like George Lucas did with Star Wars, the BBC would be self funding near enough. That aside, it's very hard to be critical of or praise the performances of the dalek actors, both the voice actors and the operators. With no big gaffes either in voice or operation, the Daleks simply are, rather than being good or bad, but they do set many precendents that will be followed thoughout their subsequent appearances in the series. Overall, The Daleks is one story that is rightly overved reverentially by Doctor Who fans, as not only did it introduce the legacy of the Daleks to a TV audience, it effectively saved the show from a potentially very short run. Decades later we can look back on the story with high regard and watch the start of the best monsters in TV history. Rating:  |