In fear of contradicting myself, one of the problems with two-part stories is that after a week has elapsed, and the first half has been seen three times, when the second half arrives one already feels over-familiar with all the characters! Visually, there is often very little new on offer and so there is a feeling of having seen it all before. They used to get around this particular problem in the Eighties’ four-part stories by introducing a new set in episode three! Anyway, this was the feeling I had with “Evolution of the Daleks”. Like “The Satan Pit”, last year, it didn’t quite live up to the promise of episode one. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. I think “Daleks in Manhattan” and “Evolution of the Daleks” is easily the best Dalek story of the three Russell T Davies seasons, to date, and would place it after “The Impossible Planet” and “The Satan Pit” as my second favourite David Tennant “Doctor Who” story.
One of the problems I had with “Evolution of the Daleks” was Dalek Hybrid Sec. Whereas Solomon’s Luther King speech of unification seemed determinedly strong, even though I anticipated the Dalek’s one word response and subsequent action, Sec came across as weak when extolling the virtues of his similar argument, fighting a losing battle to convert all three of his minions. Had Sec become the new Davros, the story could have reduced the Daleks, once again, to no more than the henchmen they became post “Genesis of the Daleks”. It was also disappointing that he didn’t have more of a ring-modulated voice in keeping with the mutants from Skaro. But the way his underlings turned against him was beautifully handled. Conspiring down in the sewers of Manhattan, watching each of the two Daleks, one after the other, cautiously swivelling their domes to make sure they were alone, and couldn’t be overheard turning against their master, was a real delight!
Another problem I had with “Evolution of the Daleks” was that the resolution was just a bit too similar to last year’s “The Idiot’s Lantern” with the Doctor climbing a mast to prevent the transmission of a signal that would bring about the end of the world! It was remarkable how he survived the lightening strike, even more remarkable that Martha found the dropped Sonic Screwdriver and even stopped to pick it up in preference to getting to the Doctor as quickly as possible! Here was the perfect opportunity to get rid of the bloody thing although why would they when it’s one of the most sought after of children’s toys! Pleased as punch that Tallulah survived to the end but why kill the black lead half way through just as they did Don Warrington’s wise President last year? Russell has made vocal a positive approach to the casting of black actors so it would be nice to see one actually survive to the end of a story. Frank’s friendship with Martha wasn’t truly resolved either. There were a lot of quick cutaways at the end, making the closing scenes feel rushed, which suggested this story had maybe enough material to warrant a three-parter.
The Daleks themselves are beautifully engineered creations. They look like precision instruments and move accordingly. Witness one entering a lift and effortlessly turning to face forward. It is done with such grace, and indeed like watching a ballet, that one can believe Terry Nation’s story that they were inspired by the gliding movement of Georgian State Dancers. Daleks of the classic series, it has to be admitted, on occasion do look a little battered in comparison, to say the least! It was a shame, though, that the sole survivor of the Cult of Skaro, Dalek Khan, made his escape in exactly the same manner as Dalek Sec in last year’s season finale, “Doomsday”. It might’ve added an extra little twist to the tale if this lone last Dalek had turned out to be the one Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor confronted in the museum in Utah, in “Dalek”, and would also have served to break away from the linearity of Doctor/Dalek confrontations. The meeting would be in Khan’s future but the Doctor’s past! It’s always the case that the last time the Doctor met the Daleks just happens to be the last time the Daleks met the Doctor which is a little unimaginative for a time-travelling hero!!!
6 comments:
"Russell has made vocal a positive approach to the casting of black actors so it would be nice to see one actually survive to the end of a story"
except for ... ummm ... Martha?
Thanks for a thought-provoking post, as per usual
- with you all the way on the precision of those Daleks....
When I saw the Darleks appear on the stage I thought for a moment my dream of a Darlek chorus line was about to come true!
I enjoyed the episode though found Sek's eventually insipidness hard to accept. I think I would have turned on him myself! And the ending was too happy - too mawkish: I think it would have been far more poignant to have Lazlo breathe his last... and then pop off to the bacon factory in the sky. I mean those people are near starvation in Hooverville... how long is he going to last before he ends up in some po'cracker's butty?
Well, interesting that you didn't find Part One as strong as Part Two, Tim! As you know with me, it was the other way round! I felt Part Two brought a lot of issues to the fore, had far more depth to it than Part One and as a whole was great stuff.
I actually found the whole Sec thing interesting - the fact that he started to be increasingly influenced by the human gene was a bit of a foregone conclusion really - in the same way as the Dalek in "Dalek" was infected with Rose's human DNA and subsequently effected by that! It actually put me in mind of that story. Yes Sec was "weak" from the point of view of Daleks, who see all emotion as a barrier to achieving power and domination, but wasn't that the whole point? By merging with Mr Diagoras, Sec had bitten off more than he could chew and for me, part of the drama of the episode came from seeing the results of this. Even the Dr was shocked by Sec's comments and the outcome!
I agree with your comments about the way the Daleks turned on Sec and I too noticed that scene in the sewer where the two Dales conspire! The way one turned to check there was no-one else there was actually very amusing and made them almost human! But like any other race I guess they just want to protect themselves at the end of the day!
I agree too that the Dr on the transmitter bit was very similar to "Idiot's Lantern" and the fact that he survived such a deadly and relentless electrical assault was hard to stomach.
I wasn't that surprised that Dalek Khan escaped and the Dr's disgust/frustration at this was palatable. Tell next time, then! But personally I think the pepperpots should be put to rest for a while!!
And yes, the ending was a bit too jolly considering all the bloodshed and slaughter that had gone before and was rather jarring as a result. The Dr, Martha and co seemed to snap back into happy mode rather too quickly.
Overall though, a very thought-provoking, well-paced and action-packed episode. I loved it!
Many thanks for the compliments, Doppelgänger, and glad you enjoy reading the reviews. I was taking Martha as a given and referring to supporting black actors. In many films, you can virtually guarantee the black guy is the one who will be killed by the end of the first reel!
The ending was perhaps a little too cosy, Steve. I’m not sure a girl like Tallulah would’ve stayed with Laszlo. They do tend to go for lookers! But, I’m generalising. She certainly displayed more depth of character than one is conditioned to presume of someone working as a showgirl.
The problem with Sec, Simon, like the beast in “The Satan Pit”, was that he was virtually impotent from the word go, right down to being clasped in chains, although, admittedly, he did have a little more to say for himself! I was put in mind of “Dalek”, too, hence my suggestion that Khan should be the lone Dalek of that story. I felt the Daleks themselves, in the new series, have come full circle and should be laid to rest for a while as it is suggested, with the Doctor’s closing two words of the story, they will be. But… rest assured… they always survive…
I totally agree with you about Sec. He did come accross as week. I am just glad the other Daleks turned on him rather than see the light. My favourite part was the two Daleks conspiring together in the tunnel. It was such a comic momment.
I can safely say you liked that much more than I did :)
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