Dalek

Almost half way into the new series of Doctor Who and the writers have thrown us, to my mind, two stories that will stand out as classics. "Dalek" joins "The Unquiet Dead" as being an episode that not only feels like Doctor Who but which has real suspense and fear, and which brings something new to the programme. Really, this was not only high quality television (so rare these days) but Doctor Who at it's best.

The first thing I noticed, vague similarities to "The Space Museum" excepted, was the reference to "Bad Wolf" again as the helicopter landed. Surely another piece of the jigsaw that is the story arc. I now assume that we'll have to wait until the very last episode of the series to put that jigsaw together.

Of course we'd all seen the bronze Dalek in the newspapers and trailers, and it looks faithful enough to the originals to be acceptable to "old" fans like myself. But what of the promise that we would "cry for the poor Dalek"? Surely this would require some revision of accepted history?

Well no, because the Dalek takes on some of Rose's DNA by tricking her into touching it so we ended up with a genetically modified Dalek that had a range of emotions not seen before and quite appropriate to its situation. Indeed we got something of a role reversal with the Doctor ranting and shouting at the creature, who replied chillingly "You'd make a good Dalek". That was a masterful piece of dialogue and quite true. It makes the viewer and the Doctor think about the situation.

Also important with regard to the story arc, we now know that the mysterious "time war" involved the Time Lords and the Daleks, both ending up destroyed. Clearly the Doctor blames the Daleks for the destruction of his race and world and actually seems to go mad, red mist descending as he looks for the nastiest weapon with which to obliterate his foe.

But what of the poor Dalek? It begins by going on a killing spree, as it hasn't metamorphosised yet or gained feelings. The idea of even a lone Dalek on an isolated base running (hovering!) around picking off the inhabitants ought to frighten today's kids. Then it begins to get feelings, is persuaded by Rose in particular and the Doctor that there may be more to life than taking orders and destroying things. Opening up its casing, it desires only to feel the sunshine before it dies.

Here is my only problem, though the Dalek creature looks much like the innards of the 'old' daleks of days gone by, I don't recall seeing an eye. It's there for us to empathise with the Dalek but I didn't like it. However that is one small quibble in a story otherwise consisting of excellent visuals, dialogue and perfect suspenseful timing.

It was just a little thrilling to see a Cyberman's helmet, reminding us that this really is following on from the previous television Doctors. I was also pleased to notce several references to the past, but these would not in any way have detracted from a new viewer enjoying.

I do wonder how many children are watching this series. I work in a school and the kids don't ever talk about Doctor Who...the staff do! However, when a Dalek made a guest appearance in my local shopping centre late last year it scared the crap out of little children so clearly the nasty pepperpots still do the business. I wonder what those children made of seeing the metal killing machine on their television screens yesterday evening?