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{{Infobox ClassicTV||
{{title dab away}}
story name=Destiny of the Daleks|
{{real world}}
image= [[Image:Daleks_capture_Romana.jpg|250px]] |
{{ImageLinkTV}}
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[TV stories|TV Stories]] |
{{Infobox Story SMW
number= [[Season 17]] |
|image = Davros is found.jpg
story number= 104|
|series =[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
doctor=[[Fourth Doctor]] |
|season number = Season 17 (Doctor Who 1963)|
companions= [[Romana II]] (first appearance)<br>[[K9 Mk2]]|
|season serial number = 1
enemy= [[Daleks|The Daleks]]<br>[[Davros]]<br>[[Movellan|The Movellans]]|
|story number = 104
year= [[Skaro]] |
|doctor = Fourth Doctor
writer= [[Terry Nation]]|
|companions = [[Romana II]]
director= [[Ken Grieve]]|
|featuring=[[K9 Mark II|K9]]
producer= [[Graham Williams]]|
|enemy = [[Daleks]], [[Davros]], [[Sharrel]]
broadcast date= [[1st September]] - [[22nd September]] [[1979]]|
|setting = [[Skaro]]; c. [[3000]], [[4500]], or [[4949]] AD{{note|[[PROSE]]: {{cs|Mission to the Unknown (novelisation)}} places the [[Movellan Wars]] a thousand years or more before [[4000]]. {{cs|The Dalek Handbook (reference book)}} and [[PROSE]]: ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (novelisation)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' places this story in [[4500]]. However, [[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Neverland (audio story)}} dates this the [[Dalek-Movellan War]] in [[4-X-Alpha-4]] to [[4949]].}}
format= 4 25-minute episodes|
|writer = Terry Nation
production code= [[List of production codes|5J]]|
|director = [[Ken Grieve]]
previous story = [[The Armageddon Factor]] |
|producer = [[Graham Williams]]
next story = [[City of Death]] }}
|novelisation = Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks (novelisation)
|epcount = 4
|broadcast date = 1 - 22 September 1979
|network = BBC1
|format = 4x25-minute episodes
|serial production code = [[List of production codes|5J]]
|prev = Season 17 Launch Trailer (TV story)
|next = City of Death (TV story)
|made prev = City of Death (TV story)
|made next = Nightmare of Eden (TV story)
|thwr = 9
|thwr2 = 28
}}
'''''Destiny of the Daleks''''' was the first serial of [[Season 17 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 17]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. It was the first story to feature [[Lalla Ward]] as [[Romana II|Romana]], although it was the third to be produced.


{{Quote|Do not move, You are our prisoner, Do not move!|A Dalek}}
It also featured the twelfth appearance of the [[Dalek]]s and the second appearance of [[Davros]], portrayed by [[David Gooderson]] for the only time, as [[Michael Wisher]] had a theatrical commitment in [[New Zealand]] and was unavailable. It was the final televised story to be written by [[Terry Nation]], who had contributed scripts since [[1963 (production)|1963]]. It was the first story produced under the auspices of [[script editor]] [[Douglas Adams]].


==Synopsis==
Notably, episode one saw [[K9 Mark II|K9]] being voiced by Dalek voice actor [[Roy Skelton]]. This was because K9 had contracted [[laryngitis]] and all that was needed of him was a croaking sound.
The Doctor and a newly-regenerated Romana arrive on Skaro and discover that the Daleks are using explosive charges and a group of humanoid slave workers to mine the planet in search of their creator, Davros. A stalemate has arisen in an interplanetary war that the Daleks are waging against the robotic Movellans, and their hope is that Davros will be able to give them the edge.


A force of Movellans has also arrived on Skaro, determined to thwart the Daleks' plan. Davros is found in the ruins of the old Kaled city and immediately revives, his life support systems having held him in suspended animation ever since his apparent death. He quickly deduces that the battle computers of the two warring races are locked in a logical stalemate and that he can break this by introducing an element of intuition.
== Synopsis ==
The Doctor and a newly [[regeneration|regenerated]] Romana arrive on [[Skaro]] to find that the Daleks are using explosive charges and a group of humanoid slave workers to mine the planet in search of their creator, [[Davros]]. A stalemate has arisen in an interplanetary war that the Daleks are waging against the robotic [[Movellan]]s, and their hope is that Davros will be able to give them the edge.


The Movellans, having reached the same conclusion, want the Doctor to do likewise for them. Davros attempts to destroy the Movellan ship using a suicide squad of Daleks loaded with bombs, but the Doctor returns to the Kaled city and tricks him into inadvertently detonating them before they reach their target.
A force of Movellans has also arrived on Skaro, determined to thwart the Daleks' plan. Davros is found in the ruins of the old [[Kaled]] city and immediately revives, his life support systems having held him in suspended animation since his apparent death. He quickly [[deduce]]s that the battle computers of the two warring races are locked in a logical stalemate and that he can break this by introducing an element of intuition.


The Movellans are deactivated and Davros is cryogenically frozen on board their ship until the freed slave workers can take him to Earth and ensure that he is put on trial for his crimes.
The Movellans, having reached the same conclusion, want the Doctor to do likewise for them. Davros attempts to destroy the Movellan ship using a [[suicide bomber|suicide squad]] of Daleks loaded with bombs, but the Doctor returns to the Kaled city and tricks him into inadvertently detonating them before they reach their target.


==Plot==
The Movellans are deactivated and Davros is [[cryogenic]]ally frozen on board their ship until the freed slave workers can take him to Earth and ensure that he is put on trial for his crimes.
===Episode 1===
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]], following the preceding events of ''[[The Armageddon Factor]]'', has installed a "Randomiser" onto the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]], to elude the Black Guardian, and is repairing [[K-9]]. After marvelling at K-9's impressive and complex "brain" (in fact a complicated electrical circuit), he notices that K-9 is, unusually for a robot, coughing. The Doctor establishes that K-9 has a form of laryngitis (which is, as the Doctor points out, pointless as a robot would have no use for such an affliction). He calls for [[Romana]], and is surprised when [[Astra of Atrios|Princess Astra]] from the preceding adventure emerges (in full regal regalia). However this is not Astra at all: this is Romana, and she has regenerated into a form she has modelled on the princess. The Doctor, however, is not impressed and tries to dissuade her from "going around wearing copies of bodies", but to no avail. He then urges Romana to try another body, to which she agrees and walks out of sight to do just that. When she returns she appears to be a dwarfish, purple-faced (or face-painted) female, who retains Romana's voice. Unhappy with the height, she is told by the Doctor to "lengthen it", and she leaves to try again. When she returns, she resembles a drag queen; and the Doctor (possibly slightly disturbed by this) gives a polite "No thank you, not today." Romana then tries an extremely tall, willowy and serious-looking female form, which the Doctor then dismisses as being too tall. He then advises her to wear something more sensible and stylish, and she returns in a costume resembling his own (by which he is delighted). He soon realises that she once again resembles Astra; but he gives up, realising that her mind is made up, and agrees to let her resemble Astra. The TARDIS then lands...


The TARDIS has landed on a seemingly very rocky planet which has breathable air and hospitable conditions; but has dangerously high levels of radioactivity. He gives her tablets to combat the radiation and a beeper-like device to inform her when she must take her pills. They exit the TARDIS and establish that this a rocky planet with seismic disturbances. They witness what appear to be ragged-looking natives burying one of their dead (although this deceased fellow is not all he appears: he is from the planet [[Kantra]], a tropical paradise; so he should not have been there in theory). They come across a spaceship which half-buries itself into the ground in a valley; and just as the Doctor and Romana are about to investigate, underground explosions force them back towards the ruins, and whilst exploring, a column falls upon the Doctor which is too heavy for Romana to lift alone. She agrees to reassemble the literally "brainless" K-9 and get him to assist in removing the debris. She sets off, but finds the TARDIS half-buried in rubble (and, unbeknownst to her, she is being followed). Realising that she cannot reach K-9, she starts to turn back.
== Plot ==
=== Episode one ===
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] has installed a "[[randomiser]]" on [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to elude the [[Black Guardian]]. While he is repairing [[K9 Mark II|K9]], the Doctor marvels at K9's impressive and complex electronic "brain". He notices that K9 is, unusually for a robot, coughing. He establishes that K9 has a form of [[laryngitis]] (which is, as the Doctor points out, pointless, as a robot would have no use for such an affliction). He calls for [[Romana II|Romana]], and is surprised when [[Astra of Atrios|Princess Astra]] from [[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|the preceding adventure]] emerges (in full regal regalia). However this is not Astra at all: it is Romana, and she has regenerated into a form which she has modelled on the princess. The Doctor is not impressed and tries to dissuade her from "going around wearing copies of bodies". He urges Romana to try another body. She agrees and walks out of sight to do just that. When she returns she is a dwarfish, purple-faced female, who retains Romana's voice. Unhappy with the height, she is told by the Doctor to "lengthen it", and she leaves to try again. When she returns, she resembles a drag queen; the Doctor (possibly slightly disturbed by this) gives a polite, "No thank you, not today." Romana then tries an extremely tall, willowy and serious-looking female form, which the Doctor dismisses as being too tall. He advises her to wear something more sensible and stylish, and she returns in an outfit resembling his own. He is delighted, until he realises that she again resembles Astra, only in different clothing. He gives up, realising that her mind is made up, and agrees to let her resemble Astra. The TARDIS then lands...


Meanwhile, the Doctor is quite happily reading a book ("Origins of the Universe" by Oolon Colluphid), and remarking that he needs to remind Romana to take her anti-radiation pills, a troupe of silver-haired humanoids appear and point their weapons at him. He seems to try to charm them, but it does not seem to be working.
[[File:FourAndR2Skaro.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor and Romana have no idea where they've landed]]
The TARDIS has landed on a very rocky planet which has breathable air and hospitable conditions, but has dangerously high levels of [[radiation|radioactivity]]. The Doctor gives Romana tablets to combat the radiation and a beeper-like device to inform her when she must take her pills. They exit the TARDIS and establish that this rocky planet has seismic disturbances. The Doctor has déjà vu upon inspecting the landscape. They witness what appear to be ragged-looking natives burying one of their dead. On closer inspection, they find that this deceased fellow is not what they thought: he is from the planet [[Kantra]], a tropical paradise. How he came to be on this rocky planet is a mystery. They see a spaceship land, and find that it has half-buried itself into the ground in a valley. Just as the Doctor and Romana are about to investigate, underground explosions force them towards the ruins. While they explore, a column falls upon the Doctor. It is too heavy for Romana to lift alone. She agrees to reassemble the literally "brainless" K9 and get him to assist in removing the debris. She sets off, but finds the TARDIS half-buried in rubble. Unbeknownst to her, she is being followed. Realising that she cannot reach K9, Romana turns back.


Romana returns to the ruin, to find that the Doctor has vanished. As she turns to leave, she finds the man who has been following her blocking her path. She backs away, only to fall down a rubble chute, and she loses consciousness. The man then prepares to climb down and help her, but before he can do so she recovers consciousness and hears a noise coming from one of the walls that resembles drilling. She backs away from the wall; when suddenly a pair of [[Daleks]] burst through the wall: "Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. You are our prisoner - do not move. You are our prisoner!"
Meanwhile, the Doctor is quite happily reading a book (''[[Origins of the Universe]]'' by Oolon Colluphid), and remarks that he needs to remind Romana to take her [[anti-radiation pill]]s. A troupe of silver-haired humanoids appear and point their weapons at him. He attempts to charm them, but it does not seem to work. Meanwhile, Romana returns to the ruin. The Doctor has vanished. As she turns to leave, she finds the man who has been following her blocking her path. She backs away, only to fall down a rubble chute, losing consciousness. The man prepares to climb down and help her.


===Episode 2===
The Doctor (unharmed) is with the [[Movellan]]s, as these silver-haired humanoids are called. He thanks them for helping him, and remarks at their strength. He asks their commander, Sharrel, what planet they are on, and is told that it is known as D-5-Gamma-Z-Alpha. The Doctor enquires to its name, and is astonished to hear that the answer is [[Skaro]].
The Daleks threaten to exterminate Romana if she does not comply with their instructions explicitly, and then command Romana to come with them. (The man, meanwhile, has seen the whole thing.)


Meanwhile, the Doctor is thanking the [[Movellans]] (as these silver-haired humanoids are called) for helping him, and he remarks at their strength. He then asks their commander Sharrel where he is, and Sharrel replies that the planet is known as D-5-Gamma-Z-Alpha. The Doctor then enquires to its name, he is astonished hear that it is Skaro, and that the Movellans are here to wage war against the Daleks.
Before the old man has climbed down after her, Romana recovers consciousness and hears a drilling noise coming from one of the walls. The wall seems to be moving. She backs away from the wall. Suddenly a pair of [[Dalek]]s burst through it: "Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. You are our prisoner – do not move. You are our prisoner!"


Romana, meanwhile, is being interrogated by the Daleks. After they learn that she is of no threat to them, the Daleks command Romana to work at one of their drilling sites.
=== Episode two ===
The Daleks threaten to exterminate Romana if she does not comply with their instructions explicitly, and then command Romana to come with them. The man, meanwhile, has seen the whole thing.


The Doctor and the Movellans meet with the man who has been following him and Romana; he identifies himself as Starship Engineer Tyssan, who was captured by the Daleks two years ago. He collapses after revealing that the Daleks have used him during a drilling operation for a search operation. He soon comes around, and says he does not know what the Daleks are looking for. He then tells the Doctor about what has happened to Romana, and they set out to rescue her.
[[File:Floor plan.jpg|left|thumb|The Doctor examines the floor plan of the [[Kaled Dome]].]]
The Movellans tell the Doctor that they are on Skaro to wage [[Dalek-Movellan War|war against the Daleks]]. Meanwhile, Romana is being interrogated by the Daleks. After determining that she is no threat to them, the Daleks command Romana to work at one of their drilling sites.


In the meantime Romana meets with some other workers, with whom she discusses the Daleks' hatred for humanoids, and she learns that she is getting weaker as a result of radiation sickness. She learns that the only way out is to die; when within minutes she seems to die. Her fellow workers remove her body.
The Doctor and the Movellans meet with the man who has been following Romana and him. He identifies himself as Starship Engineer [[Tyssan]], captured by the Daleks two years ago. He collapses after revealing that the Daleks have used him as slave labour for drilling as part of a search operation. He soon comes around, and says he does not know what the Daleks are looking for. He tells the Doctor about what has happened to Romana, and they set out to rescue her.


The Doctor, Tyssan and the Movellans Sharrel, Lan, and Agella are shocked to find Romana's grave. As the Doctor frantically tries to dig her out, she appears and explained that she feigned death to escape, and that at school she was taught how to stop her hearts. They then head into the Dalek headquarters. Lan is left on guard outside of the Control Center, and is shot by a Dalek who is out searching for them. The Doctor establishes that the Daleks are searching for something on a level that they have yet to access. He remembers an alternative route to this area, so he, Romana, and Agella make their way to this floor while Sharrel returns to his ship. They discover Davros, the creator and of the Daleks (who was seemingly exterminated at the end of [[Genesis of the Daleks]]). Something gives way up above, and part of the ceiling collapses onto Agella. Whilst the party is distracted by this, Davros starts to stir: his fingers move, his central, artificial eye lights up - and Davros lives...
In the meantime Romana meets with other workers, with whom she discusses the Daleks' hatred for humanoids. She learns that she is getting weaker as a result of radiation sickness, and is told that the only way out of captivity is to die. Within minutes, she collapses and seems to die. Her fellow workers remove her body.


===Episode 3===
The Doctor, Tyssan and the Movellans [[Sharrel]], [[Lan (Destiny of the Daleks)|Lan]], and [[Agella]] are shocked to find Romana's grave. As the Doctor frantically tries to dig her out, Romana appears and explains that she feigned death in order to escape. At school, she had been taught how to [[Respiratory bypass system|suspend her breathing]] and stop her hearts. They head to the Dalek headquarters. Lan is left on guard outside of the Control Centre, and is blasted down by a Dalek which is out searching for them. When the Doctor, Tyssan and the Movellans find Lan's body, Sharrel refuses to let the Doctor examine Lan – saying it is against the Movellans' code of honour to allow aliens to see the bodies of their dead.
"The Resurrection has come, as I always knew it would" says the awakened Davros. The Doctor finds Davros and takes him into a blocked-off room in the old Dalek city. He lets Romana and Tyssan escape out of the window, and they return to the Movellan ship. The two geniuses talk about the Daleks' "accomplishments": whilst the Doctor comments on the countless lives the Daleks have ruined, Davros replies that this is only the beginning - the Daleks have only just begun their conquest of the cosmos. The Daleks find them both, and proceed to exterminate their prisoners until the Doctor complies. The Doctor then threatens to kill Davros with a makeshift explosive he has just concocted. He then orders the Daleks to free all their prisoners, and to let him escape. The Daleks say that these conditions are unacceptable and illogical (and therefore, to a Dalek, impossible); and that the exterminations would continue. However Davros makes them see that the Doctor's logic is "impaired by irrational sentiment". The Daleks then comply, and the Doctor attaches the explosive to Davros' chair, and tells him that it will detonate when he uses his sonic screwdriver. He then escapes. Davros frantically orders the Daleks to remove the explosive; which they do (although the Doctor detonates and the explosion seems to take a Dalek with it). Davros then vows to make the Daleks invincible, and the supreme power of the universe. (However, we notice that Agella is not dead; and that she will return and report all she has just heard to her fellow Movellans.)


Romana reaches the Movellan spaceship; but learns that the Movellans are not as altruistic as they appear; and Agella uses her weapon on her, which knocks her out. The Movellans than test out their nova device: a weapon which changes air molecules so that a planet's atmosphere becomes flammable and can be set alight - killing all lifeforms.
The Doctor establishes that the Daleks are searching for something on a level that they have yet to access. He remembers an alternative route to this area, so he, Romana, and Agella make their way to this floor while Sharrel returns to his ship. They discover [[Davros]], the creator of the Daleks, who had seemingly been exterminated when the Doctor last saw him. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'') Something gives way up above, and part of the ceiling collapses on Agella. While the party is distracted by this, Davros starts to stir: his fingers move, his central artificial eye lights up – and Davros awakens...


The Doctor meets up with Tyssan and they both find a Movellan scout. The Doctor deactivates her by removing the power pack/controlling circuit on her belt and reveals that the Movellans are, in fact, robots. He finds that the unconscious Romana has been attached to the nova device (sealed inside an airtight container). He sends Tyssan away and tries to open the container, as the timer is ticking down...
=== Episode three ===
[[File:Bargaining.jpg|thumb|The Doctor bargains with Davros.]]
"The resurrection has come, as I always knew it would", says the awakened Davros. The Doctor finds Davros and takes him into a blocked-off room in the old Dalek city. He lets Romana and Tyssan escape out the window, and they return to the Movellan ship. The two geniuses talk about the Daleks' "accomplishments"; whilst the Doctor comments on the countless lives the Daleks have ruined, Davros replies that this is only the beginning – the Daleks have only just begun their conquest of the cosmos. The Daleks find them and proceed to exterminate their prisoners until the Doctor complies. The Doctor threatens to kill Davros with a makeshift explosive he has just concocted. He orders the Daleks to free all their prisoners, and to let him escape. The Daleks say that these conditions are unacceptable and illogical - and therefore, to a Dalek, impossible. The exterminations will continue. Davros makes them see that the Doctor's logic is "impaired by irrational sentiment". The Daleks now comply. The Doctor attaches the explosive to Davros' chair, and tells him that it will detonate when he uses his [[sonic screwdriver]]. He escapes. Davros frantically orders the Daleks to remove the explosive, which they do. The Doctor detonates the explosive remotely, and the explosion seems to take a Dalek with it. Davros vows to make the Daleks invincible, and the supreme power of the universe. Unbeknownst to them, Agella is not dead. She returns and reports all she has just heard to her fellow Movellans.


===Episode 4===
Romana reaches the Movellan spaceship, but learns that the Movellans are not as altruistic as they appear. Agella uses her weapon on her and knocks her out. The Movellans test out their [[nova device]], a weapon which changes air molecules so a planet's atmosphere becomes flammable and can be set alight – killing all lifeforms.
Just as the timer approaches zero, the Doctor is knocked out by one of the Movellans' weapons. However, the nova device was revealed to be a "dud" - a decoy used to lure the Doctor.


The Doctor learns that the Daleks and Movellans have been in a stalemate for over two centuries, and that both sides' battle computers have been calculating the best strategy and precise moment at which to attack - so far not a single shot has been fired. The Daleks want Davros to help them gain an advantage. The Movellans want the Doctor to do the same for them, which the Doctor refuses to do. Davros, on the other hand, is all too eager to give the Daleks the upper hand; and he orders them to make a suicide bombing attack on the Movellan craft upon realising that the Doctor might do the same thing for the Movellans. The Doctor leads an attack by the slaves on the Movellans, which ends with them all being deactivated.
The Doctor meets up with Tyssan and they find a Movellan scout. The Doctor deactivates her by removing the power pack/controlling circuit on her belt and reveals that the Movellans are, in fact, robots. He finds that the unconscious Romana has been attached to the nova device, sealed inside an airtight container. He sends Tyssan away and tries to open the container, as the timer is ticking down...


While the prisoners take control of the Movellan ship, the Doctor makes his way to the city to confront Davros. The Doctor informs Davros that the Movellans have been disabled; unfortunately Davros does not believe him and intends to destroy the Movellan ship anyway. As the Daleks approach the ship, the Doctor goes to detonate the bombs prematurely, only to discover too late that Davros didn't send all the Daleks on the suicide run when one ambushes him and holds him at gunpoint.
=== Episode four ===
[[Image: Destiny_title.jpg|thumb|The Doctor and Romana escape the Movellan ship.]]
As the timer approaches zero, the Doctor is knocked out by one of the Movellans' weapons. However, the nova device was revealed to be a "dud" – a decoy used to lure the Doctor.
The slaves are no match for the Daleks, who begin exterminating them. Seeing the events, the Doctor throws his hat on the Dalek's eye-stalk, blinding it. As the Dalek fires around blindly (nearly killing Davros in the process) the Doctor attaches an explosive to it and blows it up, then activates the bomb detonator and destroys the attacking Dalek squad. He then takes Davros into the custody of the former slave workers. Davros shall be placed in cryogenic suspension and taken to Earth to stand trial for his crimes. The Doctor and Romana leave; remarking on the fact that whoever makes mistakes often wins (as the Doctor knows only too well).


==Cast==
[[File:SuicideMission.jpg|thumb|left|Bomb-laden Daleks on the move.]]
*[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]]
The Doctor learns that the Daleks and Movellans have been in a stalemate for over two centuries, and that both sides' [[battle computer]]s have been calculating the best strategy and precise moment at which to attack – so far not a single shot has been fired. The Daleks want Davros to help them gain an advantage and pledge their loyalty to him. The Movellans want the Doctor to do the same for them, which the Doctor refuses to do. Davros, on the other hand, is eager to give the Daleks the upper hand; he orders them to make a suicide bombing attack on the Movellan craft on realising that the Doctor might do the same thing for the Movellans. The Doctor leads an attack by the slaves on the Movellans, which ends with them all being deactivated.
*[[Romana II]] - [[Lalla Ward]]
*[[Tyssan]] - [[Tim Barlow]]
*[[Davros]] - [[David Gooderson]]
*[[Agella]] - [[Suzanne Danielle]]
*Commander [[Sharrel]] - [[Peter Straker]]
*[[Lan]] - [[Tony Osoba]]
*[[Dalek]] Operators - [[Cy Town]], [[Mike Mungarvan]]
*Dalek Voice - [[Roy Skelton]]
*[[Jall]] - [[Penny Casdagli]]
*[[Veldan]] - [[David Yip]]
*Movellan Guard - [[Cassandra (actress)|Cassandra]]


==Crew==
While the prisoners take control of the Movellan ship, the Doctor makes his way to the city to confront Davros. He tells Davros that the Movellans have been disabled; unfortunately Davros does not believe him and intends to destroy the Movellan ship anyway. As the Daleks approach the ship, the Doctor goes to detonate the bombs prematurely, only to discover too late that Davros didn't send all the Daleks on the suicide run when one ambushes him and holds him at gunpoint.
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[David Tilley]], [[Anthony Root]]
*[[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]]
*[[Designer]] - [[Ken Ledsham]]
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Philip Law]], [[Kevin Rowley]], [[Fred Hamilton]]
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Dick Allen]]
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Cecile Hay-Arthur]]
*[[Producer]] - [[Graham Williams]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Henry Foster]]
*[[Production Unit Manager]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Douglas Adams]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[John Dixon]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Clive Gifford]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
*[[Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Logan]]


==Quotes==
Meanwhile, Tyssan instructucts the former slaves to go out to defend the ship, however the former slaves are no match for the Daleks, who begin exterminating them as they approach the ship;.
*'''The 4th Doctor''' If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing after us?


==References==
[[File: Destiny_title.jpg|thumb|The Doctor and Romana escape the Movellan ship.]]
*[[Skaro]] is known as 'D5 Gamma Z Alpha' to the [[Movellan]]s.
Whilst chatting with Davros the Doctor throws his hat on the Dalek's eye-stalk, blinding it. As the Dalek fires around blindly (nearly killing Davros in the process), the Doctor attaches an explosive to it and blows it up, then activates the bomb detonator and destroys the attacking Dalek squad. He takes Davros into the custody of the former slave workers. Davros shall be placed in [[Suspended animation|Cryogenic]] suspension and taken to Earth to stand trial for his crimes. The Doctor and Romana surreptitiously leave the Movellan ship before take-off and return to the TARDIS where, after having cleared the fallen rocks away, they remark on the fact that whoever makes mistakes often wins (as the Doctor knows only too well). They enter the TARDIS and dematerialise, only to rematerialise a few seconds later after the Doctor presses the wrong switch. After Romana points out this mistake, the TARDIS dematerialises again — successfully this time.
*The Doctor tells Davros that [[Arcturus]] won the [[Galactic Olympic Games]] with [[Betelgeuse]] coming second.
*The Doctor reads ''[[Origins of the Universe]]'' by [[Oolon Caluphid]].
*The Dalek and [[Movellan Fleet]]s are locked in stalemate.


==Story Notes==
== Cast ==
*The Skaro sound effects from ''[[The Daleks]]'' is reused here.
* [[Fourth Doctor|Doctor Who]] - [[Tom Baker]]
*Tim Barlow, who plays Tyssan, was deaf.
* [[Romana II|Romana]] - [[Lalla Ward]]
*This is Terry Nation's final script for Doctor Who.
* [[Tyssan]] - [[Tim Barlow]]
*Romana wears a pink and white outfit similar to the Doctor's.
* [[Sharrel|Commander Sharrel]] - [[Peter Straker]]
*The Davros mask was [[Michael Wisher]]'s, from Genesis of the Daleks, and was only repaired to fit David Gooderson as there wasn't money in the budget to construct a new mask for Gooderson.
* [[Davros]] - [[David Gooderson]]
*The addition of [[Douglas Adams]] is evident here with Hitch Hikers references and Adams' own brand of humour.
* [[Agella]] - [[Suzanne Danielle]]
* [[Lan (Destiny of the Daleks)|Lan]] - [[Tony Osoba]]
* [[Movellan guard|Movellan Guard]] - [[Cassandra (actor)|Cassandra]]
* [[Jall]] - [[Penny Casdagli]]
* [[Veldan]] - [[David Yip]]
* [[Dalek Operator]]s - [[Cy Town]], [[Mike Mungarvan]]
* [[Dalek]] Voice - [[Roy Skelton]]


===Ratings===
=== Uncredited cast ===
*Episode 1 - 13.0 million viewers
* Voice of [[K9 Mark II|K9]] - [[Roy Skelton]]
*Episode 2 - 12.7 million viewers
* Dalek Operators - [[Tony Starr]], [[Toby Byrne]] ([[DWM 283]])
*Episode 3 - 13.8 million viewers
* Dalek Voices - [[David Gooderson]] (DWM 283)
*Episode 4 - 14.4 million viewers
* Slave - [[Ron Tarr]] (DWM 283)
* Alternative [[Romana]] (1) - [[Yvonne Gallagher]] (DWM 283)
* Alternative Romana (2) - [[Lee Richards]] (DWM 283)
* Alternative Romana (3) - [[Maggy Armitage]] (DWM 283)


===Myths===
== Crew ==
*K-9 does not appear because a replacement for John Leeson (who voiced K-9) had not yet been cast.
* [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[David Tilley]], [[Anthony Root]]
(David Brierley had already been given the role over three months before the serial was made. The actual reason for K-9's absence was because the prop was unsuitable for the large amount of location filming)
* [[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]]
* [[Director's assistant|Director's Assistant]] - [[Roz Berrystone]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Ken Ledsham]]
* [[Electronic effects|Electronic Effects]] - [[Dave Jervis]]
* [[Film Cameraman|Film Cameramen]] - [[Phil Law]], [[Kevin Rowley]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Dick Allen]]
* [[Film sound|Film Recordist]] - [[Graham Bedwell]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
* [[Make-Up]] - [[Cecile Hay-Arthur]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Graham Williams]]
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[Henry Foster]]
* [[Production Unit Manager]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Douglas Adams]]
* [[Senior cameraman|Senior Cameraman]] - [[Alec Wheal]]
* [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
* [[Steadicam operator|Steadicam]] - [[Fred Hamilton]]
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[John Dixon (technician)|John Dixon]]
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Clive Gifford]]
* [[Technical manager|Technical Manager]] - [[John Dean]]
* [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
* [[Videotape editor|Video-tape Editor]] - [[Alan Goddard]]
* [[Vision Mixer]] - [[Nigel Finnis]]
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Logan]]


===Filming Locations===
== Worldbuilding ==
*Winspit Quarry, West Matravers, [[Dorset]].
=== Books ===
*Binnegar Heath, Wareham, [[Dorset]].
* The Doctor reads ''[[Origins of the Universe]]'' by [[Oolon Colluphid]] and says, "He got it wrong on the first line! Why didn't he ask someone who saw it happen?" Colluphid is a character from [[Douglas Adams]]' ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''.
* The Doctor references the guidebook ''[[Jane's Spacecraft of the Universe]]'' when Romana recognises the origin of the ship of the Movellans.


===Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors===
=== Cultural references to real world ===
*Several times, the Daleks jump in order to move. When Davros leads the Daleks, telling them to tell him of all their victories and defeats, the top of one Dalek jumps up before it starts to move. When the Daleks, strapped with bombs, begin to leave, the first Dalek jumps forward.
* The Doctor and Romana play [[rock paper scissors]] to demonstrate the cause of the stalemate of the robotic war.
* According to the Doctor, Davros misquotes [[Napoleon]].
* The Doctor defines his strategy of holding Davros hostage as a [[Mexico|Mexican]] standoff.
* The Doctor says Romana has "all the makings of a first-class [[navvy]]".


*The Daleks state that ''"Self sacrifice is illogical; therefore, impossible."'' Then why do they strap bombs to themselves ready to blow themselves up? <i>(Because Davros orders them to.)</i>
=== Daleks ===
* The Doctor teases the [[Dalek]]s' inability to climb: "If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing after us?"
* [[Davros]] learns of the Daleks' recent battles and defeats through information provided on a [[computer sphere]].
* Davros is vexed when hearing about a [[Supreme Dalek]].


*As Commander Sharrel reads the information of Davros off his computer screen, he states that Davros' species is ''mutant humanoid'' when the screen reads ''humanoid mutant''.
=== Medicine ===
* The Doctor and Romana take [[anti-radiation pill]]s to sustain the contaminated environment of Skaro.
* The Doctor experiences a [[deja vu]] when landing on Skaro.


*The Doctor sees a tomb stone marked Romana - how did the slaves find her name out? (she never told them)''Perhaps she told them offscreen.''
=== Planets ===
* [[Skaro]] is known as 'D5 Gamma Z Alpha' to the [[Movellan]]s.
* Skaro is still [[radiation|radioactive]]. The Daleks have abandoned it.
* A [[Dal Garrant|dead slave]] was a [[pilot]] in the 3rd [[Galactic Fleet]] of [[Kantra]]. According to Romana, the planet is a tropical paradise.
* The planet [[Magla]] is actually an 8,000-mile-wide [[amoeba]] that's grown a crusty shell.
* An unnamed human slave is from the planet [[Sirian]].
* Romana guesses the ship of the Movellans comes from the [[star system]] [[4-X-Alpha-4]].
* [[Arcturus (planet)|Arcturus]] won the [[Galactic Olympic Games]], with [[Betelgeuse V|Betelgeuse]] coming a close second.
* The economy on [[Algol]] is in a terrible state due to irreversible [[inflation]].


*In Episode Four, a Dalek moves up a small slope, when it does this, a hand can just slightly be seen at the edge of the screen pushing it up the slope.
=== Spaceships ===
* The [[Dalek Fleet|Dalek]] and [[Movellan Fleet]]s are locked in stalemate.
* Tyssan was an engineer working for the [[deep space fleet]] out of the planet Earth.
* The Daleks have a [[prison ship]] orbiting around Skaro.


*Romana's regeneration in the beginning is inconsistent with the depiction of regeneration as a traumatic event with strict limitations. She was seen trying out various new appearances as if trying on new clothes. The Doctor has never had this kind of control over his regenerations and a statement in Castrovalva indicates that with regeneration "You never know what you're going to get".
=== Species ===
''Some Time Lords may have the ability, maybe inherited, to have more control of their regeneration. The statement in Castrovalva may have been a retcon or the Doctor talking about his own regeneration. Or, the scene could have simply been a comedic one; many shows have scenes in which a character tries on a variety of clothing one after another, and Romana's regeneration might have been a take on that.''
* Romana regenerates into something that looks similar to a [[Crespallion (species)|Crespallion]] or to [[Dorium Maldovar]] or [[Dahh-Ren]]'s species.
* When they bump into the human slaves of the Daleks, the Doctor and Romana wonder if the planet is ruled by [[zombie]]s.


*When the human slaves are being exterminated in order to make the Doctor surrender, when the woman slave is exterminated, it takes several seconds for her to act this, then she throws herself on the floor, in an atrocious sense of acting.
=== Technology ===
* The Daleks are using high impact [[phason drill]]s to dig the planet.
* The Daleks use a [[Dalek lie detector|lie detector]] during the interrogatory of Romana.
* Davros is imprisoned in a [[cryogenic]] freezer.


==Continuity==
==== Robotics ====
* K9 suffers from a form of [[laryngitis]].


*Skaro first appeared in [[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]''.
=== Time Lords ===
*Davros first appeared (and was thought exterminated) in ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]''.
* According to Romana, Time Lords are trained to be able to stop [[Binary cardiovascular system|their hearts]] at will. This allows her to feign death.
*In ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'', the last Dalek story, Davros tells his creatures the following...
* The Doctor mentions his [[cybernetics]] tutor at the Academy.
"The action you take today is the beginning of a journey that will take the Daleks to their '''''destiny''''' of universal and absolute supremacy!"
* Romana tastes a [[mineral]] with her [[tongue]] to guess its composition.
*Davros next appears in ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' (where he's still frozen as a consequence of this story).
*With ''Resurrection of the Daleks'' as the next Dalek story, Davros says in this story...
"The '''''Resurrection''''' has come, as I always knew it would."
*[[EDA]]: ''[[War of the Daleks]]'' retcons just about everything in this story.
*Romana's regeneration scene is explained in [[Gallifrey (audio series)|Gallifrey]]: ''[[Lies]]''.


==DVD, Video and Other Releases==
=== Weapons ===
*Destiny of the Daleks was released on DVD in [[November]] [[2007]].
* The Movellans meant to destroy Skaro with a [[nova device]], able to burn its atmosphere.
* The Daleks sent to destroy the Movellan spacecraft are charged with explosives for more than half a [[megaton]].


*It has also been released as part of the Davros box set with [[Genesis of the Daleks]], [[Resurrection of the Daleks]], [[Revelation of the Daleks]] and [[Remembrance of the Daleks]].
=== Influences ===
* [[Graham Williams]] and [[Douglas Adams]] suggested that [[Terry Nation]] draw upon a short story apparently written by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov Isaac Asimov] about two armies, each reliant upon a battle computer which was logically unable to outwit its counterpart.


==Target Novelisations==
== Story notes ==
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks]]'' by [[Terrance Dicks]] and published in [[1979]].
* The episode was announced as part of [[Homemade Dalek (TV story)|a metafictional skit]] which aired on ''[[Blue Peter (series)|Blue Peter]]'' two months prior. In the course of the segment, two different presenters gave the title as ''The Destiny of Doctor Who and the Daleks'' and ''The Destiny of the Daleks'', respectively. No further plot points beyond the presence of the Daleks were revealed, but the [[Grey Dalek (Homemade Dalek)|Grey Dalek]]'s dialogue included name-drops of both [[Skaro]] and [[Davros]].
* The [[Dalek City]] sound effects from [[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'' are reused here (but see Myths, below).
* In episode one where Romana changes her bodies, one of her costumes is [[Zilda]]'s from [[TV]]: ''[[The Robots of Death (TV story)|The Robots of Death]]''.
* [[Tim Barlow]], who plays [[Tyssan]], was partially deaf, but could lip-read and ran a school for deaf actors.
* This is [[Terry Nation]]'s final script credit on ''Doctor Who''. However, [[Director (crew)|director]] [[Ken Grieve]] claimed that the script was in fact "98% written by" [[script editor]] [[Douglas Adams]]. ([[BBC DVD]]: ''Destiny of the Daleks''). These remarks seem consistent with comments by Adams quoted in ''Don't Panic'' by [[Neil Gaiman]] (published within the lives of both Adams and Nation). Adams states therein that he had discovered that other writers on ''Doctor Who'' considered it the role of the script editor to get the scripts into the correct broadcast order.
* Romana wears a pink and white outfit stylistically similar to the Doctor's, complete with scarf.
* The Davros mask was [[Michael Wisher]]'s from [[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', and was only repaired to fit [[David Gooderson]] as there wasn't money in the budget to construct a new mask for Gooderson. Because the mask was too small to fit properly, Davros's mouth is noticeably stiff whenever he talks.
* The addition of [[Douglas Adams]] is evident here with references to ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' and Adams' own brand of humour.
* A [[steadicam]] — a rig used to obtain smooth, stable shots from a handheld camera — is used for the first time in this story.
* The three alternative physical forms of Romana seen in part one were played by [[Yvonne Gallagher]], [[Lee Richards]] and [[Maggy Armitage]] respectively, who remained uncredited both on-screen and in ''Radio Times''.
* Although K9 has no dialogue in this story due to suffering from laryngitis, he is heard to croak at the start of episode one. The croak was provided by [[Roy Skelton]].
* This story has (arguably) a Dalek joke, one of the few attempts in the series to add an element of humour to the Daleks. The Doctor climbs up a shaft, and from the top, taunts a pursuing Dalek, "If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing after us?" The Dalek fires at the Doctor in frustration. Other attempts at humour occur in [[TV]]: ''[[The Chase (TV story)|The Chase]]'' and [[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]''. Incidentally, it is later established on screen in [[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'' that Daleks can in fact elevate to surmount obstacles of height (a fact initially revealed in the original ''Daleks'' comic strip of the 1960s). In the Ninth Doctor episode [[TV]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' the (in)ability to navigate stairs is again made into a joke and shown to be false, they ''can'' hover up stairs.
* The pink costume worn by Romana was worn again by Lalla Ward in the infamous "[[Prime Computer advertisement|Dr. Who Meets His Match]]" TV commercials for Prime Computers of Australia, which ended with the Doctor proposing marriage to her.
* This is currently the only story since 1973's ''[[The Green Death (TV story)|The Green Death]]'' where each individual segment is labelled as an "Episode" rather than a "Part", the latter having been utilised since ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]''.
* Cassandra (Movellan Guard) is credited for episode four, but actually appears in episode three.
* The effects of the Daleks' weapons hitting their targets are changed from previous stories: rather than the whole screen turning negative, only the basic area around the victim becomes so.
* Parts of the Dalek slaves' costumes were recycled from previous aliens — for example, one wears the costume (but not the mask) of a [[Draconian]], another the trousers from an SV robot, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Robots of Death (TV story)|The Robots of Death]]'') another has the head of a humanoid-form [[Axon]], and another is wearing a blue [[Morestran]] spacesuit.
* This is the least-scored story in all of [[Dudley Simpson]]'s time as incidental music composer. No episode has more than 90 seconds of music; episode four has none at all.
* Much of the story originally took place at night, but the budget would not permit this kind of location filming, and so it had to be rewritten for daytime.
* In the original script, K-9 was trapped in the TARDIS due to a rockfall, while the Daleks searched for Davros because he can supply information about special circuitry which will help them break the deadlock.
* Of the four Dalek casings used in this story, one was reused from ''[[Planet of the Daleks (TV story)|Planet of the Daleks]]'' and the other three were left over from the 1960s.
* [[Terry Nation]] was unhappy with [[Douglas Adams]]'s rewrites, particularly the scene where the Doctor taunts the Dalek by suggesting it climb after him, as he believed that pointing out the Daleks' apparent design flaws made them less menacing, and threatened their popularity with the viewing public. This turned out to be his final contribution to the series.
* The Daleks executing prisoners to get the Doctor to surrender is similar to a scene in the ''[[Blake's 7 (series)|Blake's 7]]'' episode ''[[w:c:blakes7:Space Fall (episode)|Space Fall]]'', which was also written by [[Terry Nation]].
* According to [[David Gooderson]], [[Tom Baker]] would never allow people to think the series was a joke and would reprimand actors he felt were out of order.
* Winspit Quarry in [[Dorset]] was used for the planet Skaro, also used were the quarry's small stone cottage and two larger brick buildings, (which all stood side by side and were just empty derelict shells, with their roofs missing). [[BBC|The BBC]] added to the flooring of the two larger buildings a large number of silver-coloured cylinders and pipes, sticking out of the rubble; the cylinders transformed these two derelict shells into the external ruins of the long abandoned Dalek city and the disused Kaled bunkers.
* The serial was one of the first British productions to make use of a Steadicam; due to the high cost of such a set-up, nearly all the props and sets were reused, including the Davros mask.
* It was [[Lalla Ward]]'s idea for Romana to wear a costume similar to the Doctor's, because she thought that her ego was great enough for her to believe that she was on par with him.
* Tyssan was initially named Valtan.
* The Movellans were first called the Petrans, and were conceived as being exclusively female.
* Romana's regeneration was written by [[Douglas Adams]]. The scene was a parody of the costume montage in ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]''.
* [[Ken Grieve]] developed a number of concerns about the production, and convinced [[Douglas Adams]] to accompany him to [[Paris]], where [[Graham Williams]] was involved in location filming for ''[[City of Death (TV story)|City of Death]]''. Despite Williams' misgivings about Adams' absence from the production office, the trip turned into a continental pubcrawl which also encompassed a stop in West [[Germany]], before the two men returned to [[London]] the following day.
* The Dalek casings were in poor condition as a result of spending four years in storage. The budget would permit some refurbishment, but could not extend to new construction. One Dalek was made up of elements left over from the [[1960s]], one was composed of “goon” components created for ''[[Planet of the Daleks (TV story)|Planet of the Daleks]]'', and one was a mixture of both. A fourth Dalek was assembled from the top section of a “goon” Dalek and an unusually symmetric skirt section which had been built in [[1978]] for display at exhibitions. These diminished ranks were bolstered by six immobile, vacuum-formed Daleks which were intended only for long shots and scenes in which a Dalek needed to be destroyed on screen.
* The Daleks' destruction of the Doctor's barrier had to be refilmed when smoke from the explosion was sucked into the fan built into Davros' chair. A visiting fan named [[Kevin Davies]] was accused of changing the setting on the fan; years later, Davies would direct various ''Doctor Who'' projects beginning with ''[[More than 30 Years in the TARDIS|More than Thirty Years in the TARDIS]]''.
* The Davros mask was in such disrepair that, after cast and crew had gone home one evening, it was discarded by a cleaner who mistook it for rubbish. Fortunately, the mask was soon recovered.
* The short story ''[[The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe (short story)|The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe]]'' would later controversially posit that the Romana in this serial was [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] masquerading as her and that she was actually trapped in the [[TARDIS wardrobe]] room for the duration of this serial.
* According to [[Tony Osoba]], because of all white costumes the actors playing the Movellans were wearing the performers were not allowed toilet breaks so that the costumes would not be soiled or damaged.
* The look of the Movellans was modelled after ancient Egyptians.


==See Also==
=== Ratings ===
*''[[The Daleks]]''
* Episode one - 13.0 million viewers
*''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]''
* Episode two - 12.7 million viewers
*''[[Remembrance of the Daleks]]''
* Episode three - 13.8 million viewers
*''[[Battle for the Movellan ship]]''
* Episode four - 14.4 million viewers


==External Links==
=== Myths ===
* [http://www.gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=5j Outpost Gallifrey '''Destiny of the Daleks''' page]
* K9 does not appear because a replacement for [[John Leeson]] (who voiced K9) had not yet been cast. ''[[David Brierley]] had already been given the role over three months before the serial was made (specifically, for ''[[The Creature from the Pit (TV story)|The Creature from the Pit]]'', which was the actual first story filmed for Season 17). The actual reason for K9's absence was because the prop was unsuitable for the large amount of location filming. In addition, [[David Bailey]]'s "Fact of Fiction" article in [[DWM 389|''Doctor Who Magazine'' #389]] states that [[Terry Nation]] had refused to include K9 in his storyline, as he felt that for the Daleks not to be able to destroy K9 would make them seem weak''.
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_5j.htm The Doctor Who Reference Guide detailed synopsis of '''Destiny of the Daleks''']
* [[Mary Tamm]] either refused to film the regeneration scene from [[Romana I]] to [[Romana II]], or was unable to do so because she was pregnant. ''According to comments made by Tamm in the 2007 Key to Time DVD set, she was willing and available to film the scene, but was not invited.''
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/destinydaleks/ BBC '''Destiny of the Daleks''' page]
* Romana used up several of her allotted regenerations frivolously by trying on the different forms. ''This has never been supported by other stories or media. ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'' revealed that Time Lords have the ability to regrow severed limbs within fifteen hours of regeneration, suggesting a similar ability to change form might have been possible soon after her regeneration.''
* [http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/5j.html A Brief History of Time (Travel) Guide to '''Destiny of the Daleks''']
* The DVD release claims that the original Dalek city corridor sound effect (''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'') is reused in this story; the effect used is the atmosphere of the planet Mira (''[[The Daleks' Master Plan (TV story)|The Daleks' Master Plan]]''), itself reused as the atmosphere of the underground base of ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]''.


{{season 17}}
=== Filming locations ===
{{Dalek stories}}
* [[Winspit Quarry]], Worth Matravers, [[Dorset]]
{{Davros stories}} 
* Binnegar Heath, Wareham, [[Dorset]]
{{TV stub}}
* KJP Trading, 250 Western Avenue, Acton
* [[BBC Television Centre]] (TC3 & TC1), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]


[[Category:Fourth Doctor episodes]]
=== Production errors ===
[[Category:Romana episodes]]
{{discontinuity}}
[[Category:Dalek episodes]]
* In the underground scenes, set lights can be seen, most notably in episodes one and two in the shaft Romana falls down.
[[Category:Davros episodes]]
* Because the Dalek props had severely deteriorated in storage as the result of poor practices, they are rife with cracks, dents (particularly in their [[gunstick]]s, where the outer rails are conspicuously caving in), and misplaced sections. The clear tape used to repair some of the damage is clearly visible from the light it ends up reflecting.
[[Category:Stories set on Skaro]]
* When the Daleks burst through the wall at the end of episode one, one of the Daleks initially has a piece of debris from the wall draped over its [[Dalek eyestalk|eyestalk]] and [[suction cup]]. However, in the next shot of said Dalek, the debris has vanished without explanation.
[[Category:1979 television stories]]
* In episode four, a Dalek moves up a small slope. When it does this, a hand can just slightly be seen at the edge of the screen pushing it up the slope.
* When the slaves storm the Movellan ship, the one wearing a Draconian-style outfit is killed, yet he is later seen alive and well.
* Close-up shots of the Movellan ship burying its lower section are poorly scaled, giving the impression of giant grains of sand.
* After the Doctor escapes from Davros in episode three, in an overdubbed line of dialogue Davros orders that the slaves be exterminated, yet this never transpires. The DVD production notes acknowledge that this line of dialogue appears to serve no purpose.
* In episode four, there is a scene where you can clearly see though a Dalek's midsection.
* When Davros tries to escape near the end of the serial (while at the same time describing his proposed improvements to the Daleks), it is clear from David Gooderson's gyrations that the actor is simply pushing a modified swivel chair to move about.
** In the same scene, Davros hits the side of the door on his way out, causing it to visibly shudder.
** Still in this scene, after the camera can see Davros again, a Dalek's top section comes off its body.
* [[David Gooderson]]'s uncredited voice acting for certain additional Daleks noticeably stands out from that provided by [[Roy Skelton]].
* Cassandra (Movellan Guard) is credited on-screen and in ''Radio Times'' for episode four, but actually appears in episode three.
* During the interrogation scene in episode two, it is apparent that the lower part of one of the Daleks' casings has been placed on back-to-front, as the slanted portion appears on the Daleks' rear end rather than its front.
 
== Continuity ==
* Davros' method of survival through [[suspended animation]] was previously introduced in [[PROSE]]: {{Cs|Davros: Genius or Madman? (feature)}}.
* [[Dalek]] [[deep space cruiser]]s previously appeared throughout the 1970s [[Dalek annual]]s, first seen in [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Terror Task Force (short story)}}.
* The Doctor uses his [[hat]] to obscure a Dalek's [[eyepiece]], a tactic previously used in [[COMIC]]: ''[[The Trodos Ambush (comic story)|The Trodos Ambush]]''.
* The Doctor revisits [[Skaro]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'', ''[[The Evil of the Daleks (TV story)|The Evil of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* Davros was thought exterminated when the Doctor previously met him. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[War of the Daleks (novel)|War of the Daleks]]'' retcons almost everything in this story, such as revealing that it took place not on Skaro, but on a [[terraform]]ed [[Antalin]]. The retcon is made through the [[Dalek Prime]]. It is possible that the Dalek Prime was lying, as his alleged scheme seems very implausible.
* The Doctor recognises the form of Princess [[Astra of Atrios|Astra]], whose appearance Romana has decided to emulate in her new incarnation. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'')
* There have been several attempts to explain Romana's regeneration sequence in this story.
** Unknown to the Doctor, Romana suffers damage due to exposure to the [[Key to Time]]. Just as she is about to regenerate, a humanoid manifestation of [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]], jealous of Romana, traps her in a force field. It proceeds to pretend to be Romana, changing into different forms until finally becoming a double of [[Astra of Atrios|Princess Astra]]. This manifestation is the one who appears in this serial. Realising the error of its ways after that adventure, it releases Romana, but not before making the female Time Lord assume the image of Astra. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe (short story)|The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe]]'')
** Romana forced her own regeneration to prevent an ancient Gallifreyan evil called [[Pandora]] from gaining power over her. ''(This explanation may or may not be consistent with the previous one.)'' ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lies (audio story)|Lies]]'')
** The creators of the Key to Time re-disguised its final segment as Romana, which is why she changed and why she chose Astra's form. ''(It is possible that the previous explanation was arranged by the Key's makers to facilitate this one.)'' ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Chaos Pool (audio story)|The Chaos Pool]]'')
* During her first incarnation, Romana previously encountered the Daleks in the [[Proxima System]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Dalek Contract (audio story)|The Dalek Contract]]'' / ''[[The Final Phase (audio story)|The Final Phase]]'') After leaving the TARDIS and returning to [[Gallifrey]], she was held prisoner by the Daleks for two decades before escaping with the help of the [[Sixth Doctor]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Apocalypse Element (audio story)|The Apocalypse Element]]'') Later still, the Daleks invaded the Gallifrey of an [[Gallifrey (Forever)|alternative timeline]] while Romana was serving as its [[Lord President|Supreme Leader]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Arbitration (audio story)|Arbitration]]'', ''[[Extermination (audio story)|Extermination]]'')
* [[The Matrix]] contained information about the Daleks and Movellans being engaged in [[4-X-Alpha-4]] in [[4949]] ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Neverland (audio story)|Neverland]]'') although the conflict was implied to occur approximately 1000 years before the [[41st century]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Mission to the Unknown (novelisation)|Mission to the Unknown]]'')
* The [[Twelfth Doctor]], [[Bill Potts]] and [[Nardole]] arrived in the middle of a battle during the Dalek-Movellan War. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
* After participating in the invasion of [[Kantra]], a Dalek vessel containing the [[Emperor's Personal Guard]] crash-landed on the [[Grade 3 planet]] [[Strellin]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Order of the Daleks (audio story)|Order of the Daleks]]'')
* The Movellans defeated the Daleks in a battle in [[Traxana]]'s sector of space during the Dalek-Movellan War. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Alien Heart (audio story)|Alien Heart]]'')
* The Doctor and Davros both reference [[Napoléon Bonaparte]]. They would both later meet him during the Doctor's [[Sixth Doctor|sixth incarnation]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Curse of Davros (audio story)|The Curse of Davros]]'')
 
== Home video and audio releases ==
=== DVD releases ===
This story was first released on DVD in the [[UK]] on [[26 November (releases)|26 November]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]] as a single release and as part of ''[[The Complete Davros Collection]]'' box set. The one disc set includes a [http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite.htm restored version] of the story, as well as the following special features:
* Commentary by [[Lalla Ward]] ([[Romana II|Romana]]), [[David Gooderson]] ([[Davros]]) and director [[Ken Grieve]].
* ''[[Terror Nation (documentary)|Terror Nation]]'' - A documentary about the writer [[Terry Nation]], creator of the [[Dalek]] characters. Features interviews with [[Barry Letts]], [[Philip Hinchcliffe]], director [[Richard Martin]] and [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* ''[[Directing Who]]'' - Director Ken Grieve recalls his time on this story
* CGI Effects - The option to watch the story with seventeen of the original video effects sequences replaced by CGI versions
* Trailers and Continuity - BBC1 trails and continuity announcements from the story's transmission, including [[Season 17 Launch Trailer (TV story)|the specially shot trailer heralding the return of the Daleks]]
* [[Prime Computer advertisement|Prime Computer Adverts]] - Australian TV adverts for [[Prime Computer]]s, starring [[Tom Baker]] and Lalla Ward
* Production Subtitles
* Photo Gallery
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings
* Coming Soon - ''[[Beneath the Surface]]''
* [[Easter Egg]]: VT countdown for all four episodes. To access this hidden feature, press left at Audio Options on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''[[Doctor Who]]'' logo.
 
==== Notes ====
* Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
* The release of this DVD earned a mention in the July 2008 issue of [http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com "Sky at Night" magazine]. In that issue, writer Sean Blair reviews the book [http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/34423/space-recognition-guide-peter-bond-9780007232963 "Jane's Space Recognition Guide"] and jokingly suggests that its publication may have been prompted by the Doctor's mention of a ''Jane's Spacecraft Guide'' in this story.
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Bbcdvd-destinyofthedaleks.jpg|UK DVD 2007 Cover
 
File:Destiny of the Daleks DVD Australian cover.jpg|Australian DVD Cover
File:Destiny of the Daleks DVD US cover.jpg|US DVD Cover
</gallery>
 
=== Video releases ===
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="187">
File:Destiny of the Daleks VHS UK cover.jpg|VHS UK cover
File:Destiny of the Daleks VHS Australian cover.png|VHS Australian cover
File:Destiny of the Daleks VHS US cover.jpg|VHS US cover
Bbc dw destiny of the daleks reissue video.jpg|VHS AUS cover in the Davros Box Set
</gallery>
 
=== Audio releases ===
* The story was released as a soundtrack CD by BBC Audio in November 2012 with linking narration by [[Lalla Ward]].
* The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the Lalla Ward narration, on [[13 April (releases)|13 April]] [[2019 (releases)|2019]] to coincide with Record Store Day.
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
Destiny_of_the_Daleks_CD_Soundtrack.jpg|CD release
Destiny_of_the_Daleks_Vinyl.jpg|Vinyl Record release
</gallery>
 
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
 
== External links ==
* {{bbcepguideclassic|destinydaleks/|Destiny of the Daleks}}
* {{radiotimes|/2011-02-06/destiny-of-the-daleks}}
{{dwcast}}
{{dwrefguide|who_5j.htm|Destiny of the Daleks}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/5j.html|Destiny of the Daleks}}
* {{locguide|destinyofthedaleks|Destiny of the Daleks}}
 
{{DWTV}}
{{Regeneration stories}}
{{Post-regeneration stories}}
{{Davros stories}}
{{Dalek stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[es:Destiny of the Daleks]]
[[fr:Destiny of the Daleks]]
[[ru:Судьба далеков]]
 
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
[[Category:Dalek television stories]]
[[Category:Davros television stories]]
[[Category:Television stories set on Skaro]]
[[Category:K9 television stories]]
[[Category:Regeneration television stories]]
[[Category:Season 17 stories]]
[[Category:Four part serials]]
[[Category:Stories set in 4500]]
[[Category:Movellan stories]]
[[Category:Post-regeneration stories]]

Latest revision as of 19:28, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Destiny of the Daleks was the first serial of season 17 of Doctor Who. It was the first story to feature Lalla Ward as Romana, although it was the third to be produced.

It also featured the twelfth appearance of the Daleks and the second appearance of Davros, portrayed by David Gooderson for the only time, as Michael Wisher had a theatrical commitment in New Zealand and was unavailable. It was the final televised story to be written by Terry Nation, who had contributed scripts since 1963. It was the first story produced under the auspices of script editor Douglas Adams.

Notably, episode one saw K9 being voiced by Dalek voice actor Roy Skelton. This was because K9 had contracted laryngitis and all that was needed of him was a croaking sound.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and a newly regenerated Romana arrive on Skaro to find that the Daleks are using explosive charges and a group of humanoid slave workers to mine the planet in search of their creator, Davros. A stalemate has arisen in an interplanetary war that the Daleks are waging against the robotic Movellans, and their hope is that Davros will be able to give them the edge.

A force of Movellans has also arrived on Skaro, determined to thwart the Daleks' plan. Davros is found in the ruins of the old Kaled city and immediately revives, his life support systems having held him in suspended animation since his apparent death. He quickly deduces that the battle computers of the two warring races are locked in a logical stalemate and that he can break this by introducing an element of intuition.

The Movellans, having reached the same conclusion, want the Doctor to do likewise for them. Davros attempts to destroy the Movellan ship using a suicide squad of Daleks loaded with bombs, but the Doctor returns to the Kaled city and tricks him into inadvertently detonating them before they reach their target.

The Movellans are deactivated and Davros is cryogenically frozen on board their ship until the freed slave workers can take him to Earth and ensure that he is put on trial for his crimes.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Episode one[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor has installed a "randomiser" on the TARDIS to elude the Black Guardian. While he is repairing K9, the Doctor marvels at K9's impressive and complex electronic "brain". He notices that K9 is, unusually for a robot, coughing. He establishes that K9 has a form of laryngitis (which is, as the Doctor points out, pointless, as a robot would have no use for such an affliction). He calls for Romana, and is surprised when Princess Astra from the preceding adventure emerges (in full regal regalia). However this is not Astra at all: it is Romana, and she has regenerated into a form which she has modelled on the princess. The Doctor is not impressed and tries to dissuade her from "going around wearing copies of bodies". He urges Romana to try another body. She agrees and walks out of sight to do just that. When she returns she is a dwarfish, purple-faced female, who retains Romana's voice. Unhappy with the height, she is told by the Doctor to "lengthen it", and she leaves to try again. When she returns, she resembles a drag queen; the Doctor (possibly slightly disturbed by this) gives a polite, "No thank you, not today." Romana then tries an extremely tall, willowy and serious-looking female form, which the Doctor dismisses as being too tall. He advises her to wear something more sensible and stylish, and she returns in an outfit resembling his own. He is delighted, until he realises that she again resembles Astra, only in different clothing. He gives up, realising that her mind is made up, and agrees to let her resemble Astra. The TARDIS then lands...

The Doctor and Romana have no idea where they've landed

The TARDIS has landed on a very rocky planet which has breathable air and hospitable conditions, but has dangerously high levels of radioactivity. The Doctor gives Romana tablets to combat the radiation and a beeper-like device to inform her when she must take her pills. They exit the TARDIS and establish that this rocky planet has seismic disturbances. The Doctor has déjà vu upon inspecting the landscape. They witness what appear to be ragged-looking natives burying one of their dead. On closer inspection, they find that this deceased fellow is not what they thought: he is from the planet Kantra, a tropical paradise. How he came to be on this rocky planet is a mystery. They see a spaceship land, and find that it has half-buried itself into the ground in a valley. Just as the Doctor and Romana are about to investigate, underground explosions force them towards the ruins. While they explore, a column falls upon the Doctor. It is too heavy for Romana to lift alone. She agrees to reassemble the literally "brainless" K9 and get him to assist in removing the debris. She sets off, but finds the TARDIS half-buried in rubble. Unbeknownst to her, she is being followed. Realising that she cannot reach K9, Romana turns back.

Meanwhile, the Doctor is quite happily reading a book (Origins of the Universe by Oolon Colluphid), and remarks that he needs to remind Romana to take her anti-radiation pills. A troupe of silver-haired humanoids appear and point their weapons at him. He attempts to charm them, but it does not seem to work. Meanwhile, Romana returns to the ruin. The Doctor has vanished. As she turns to leave, she finds the man who has been following her blocking her path. She backs away, only to fall down a rubble chute, losing consciousness. The man prepares to climb down and help her.

The Doctor (unharmed) is with the Movellans, as these silver-haired humanoids are called. He thanks them for helping him, and remarks at their strength. He asks their commander, Sharrel, what planet they are on, and is told that it is known as D-5-Gamma-Z-Alpha. The Doctor enquires to its name, and is astonished to hear that the answer is Skaro.

Before the old man has climbed down after her, Romana recovers consciousness and hears a drilling noise coming from one of the walls. The wall seems to be moving. She backs away from the wall. Suddenly a pair of Daleks burst through it: "Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. You are our prisoner – do not move. You are our prisoner!"

Episode two[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Daleks threaten to exterminate Romana if she does not comply with their instructions explicitly, and then command Romana to come with them. The man, meanwhile, has seen the whole thing.

The Doctor examines the floor plan of the Kaled Dome.

The Movellans tell the Doctor that they are on Skaro to wage war against the Daleks. Meanwhile, Romana is being interrogated by the Daleks. After determining that she is no threat to them, the Daleks command Romana to work at one of their drilling sites.

The Doctor and the Movellans meet with the man who has been following Romana and him. He identifies himself as Starship Engineer Tyssan, captured by the Daleks two years ago. He collapses after revealing that the Daleks have used him as slave labour for drilling as part of a search operation. He soon comes around, and says he does not know what the Daleks are looking for. He tells the Doctor about what has happened to Romana, and they set out to rescue her.

In the meantime Romana meets with other workers, with whom she discusses the Daleks' hatred for humanoids. She learns that she is getting weaker as a result of radiation sickness, and is told that the only way out of captivity is to die. Within minutes, she collapses and seems to die. Her fellow workers remove her body.

The Doctor, Tyssan and the Movellans Sharrel, Lan, and Agella are shocked to find Romana's grave. As the Doctor frantically tries to dig her out, Romana appears and explains that she feigned death in order to escape. At school, she had been taught how to suspend her breathing and stop her hearts. They head to the Dalek headquarters. Lan is left on guard outside of the Control Centre, and is blasted down by a Dalek which is out searching for them. When the Doctor, Tyssan and the Movellans find Lan's body, Sharrel refuses to let the Doctor examine Lan – saying it is against the Movellans' code of honour to allow aliens to see the bodies of their dead.

The Doctor establishes that the Daleks are searching for something on a level that they have yet to access. He remembers an alternative route to this area, so he, Romana, and Agella make their way to this floor while Sharrel returns to his ship. They discover Davros, the creator of the Daleks, who had seemingly been exterminated when the Doctor last saw him. (TV: Genesis of the Daleks) Something gives way up above, and part of the ceiling collapses on Agella. While the party is distracted by this, Davros starts to stir: his fingers move, his central artificial eye lights up – and Davros awakens...

Episode three[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor bargains with Davros.

"The resurrection has come, as I always knew it would", says the awakened Davros. The Doctor finds Davros and takes him into a blocked-off room in the old Dalek city. He lets Romana and Tyssan escape out the window, and they return to the Movellan ship. The two geniuses talk about the Daleks' "accomplishments"; whilst the Doctor comments on the countless lives the Daleks have ruined, Davros replies that this is only the beginning – the Daleks have only just begun their conquest of the cosmos. The Daleks find them and proceed to exterminate their prisoners until the Doctor complies. The Doctor threatens to kill Davros with a makeshift explosive he has just concocted. He orders the Daleks to free all their prisoners, and to let him escape. The Daleks say that these conditions are unacceptable and illogical - and therefore, to a Dalek, impossible. The exterminations will continue. Davros makes them see that the Doctor's logic is "impaired by irrational sentiment". The Daleks now comply. The Doctor attaches the explosive to Davros' chair, and tells him that it will detonate when he uses his sonic screwdriver. He escapes. Davros frantically orders the Daleks to remove the explosive, which they do. The Doctor detonates the explosive remotely, and the explosion seems to take a Dalek with it. Davros vows to make the Daleks invincible, and the supreme power of the universe. Unbeknownst to them, Agella is not dead. She returns and reports all she has just heard to her fellow Movellans.

Romana reaches the Movellan spaceship, but learns that the Movellans are not as altruistic as they appear. Agella uses her weapon on her and knocks her out. The Movellans test out their nova device, a weapon which changes air molecules so a planet's atmosphere becomes flammable and can be set alight – killing all lifeforms.

The Doctor meets up with Tyssan and they find a Movellan scout. The Doctor deactivates her by removing the power pack/controlling circuit on her belt and reveals that the Movellans are, in fact, robots. He finds that the unconscious Romana has been attached to the nova device, sealed inside an airtight container. He sends Tyssan away and tries to open the container, as the timer is ticking down...

Episode four[[edit] | [edit source]]

As the timer approaches zero, the Doctor is knocked out by one of the Movellans' weapons. However, the nova device was revealed to be a "dud" – a decoy used to lure the Doctor.

Bomb-laden Daleks on the move.

The Doctor learns that the Daleks and Movellans have been in a stalemate for over two centuries, and that both sides' battle computers have been calculating the best strategy and precise moment at which to attack – so far not a single shot has been fired. The Daleks want Davros to help them gain an advantage and pledge their loyalty to him. The Movellans want the Doctor to do the same for them, which the Doctor refuses to do. Davros, on the other hand, is eager to give the Daleks the upper hand; he orders them to make a suicide bombing attack on the Movellan craft on realising that the Doctor might do the same thing for the Movellans. The Doctor leads an attack by the slaves on the Movellans, which ends with them all being deactivated.

While the prisoners take control of the Movellan ship, the Doctor makes his way to the city to confront Davros. He tells Davros that the Movellans have been disabled; unfortunately Davros does not believe him and intends to destroy the Movellan ship anyway. As the Daleks approach the ship, the Doctor goes to detonate the bombs prematurely, only to discover too late that Davros didn't send all the Daleks on the suicide run when one ambushes him and holds him at gunpoint.

Meanwhile, Tyssan instructucts the former slaves to go out to defend the ship, however the former slaves are no match for the Daleks, who begin exterminating them as they approach the ship;.

The Doctor and Romana escape the Movellan ship.

Whilst chatting with Davros the Doctor throws his hat on the Dalek's eye-stalk, blinding it. As the Dalek fires around blindly (nearly killing Davros in the process), the Doctor attaches an explosive to it and blows it up, then activates the bomb detonator and destroys the attacking Dalek squad. He takes Davros into the custody of the former slave workers. Davros shall be placed in Cryogenic suspension and taken to Earth to stand trial for his crimes. The Doctor and Romana surreptitiously leave the Movellan ship before take-off and return to the TARDIS where, after having cleared the fallen rocks away, they remark on the fact that whoever makes mistakes often wins (as the Doctor knows only too well). They enter the TARDIS and dematerialise, only to rematerialise a few seconds later after the Doctor presses the wrong switch. After Romana points out this mistake, the TARDIS dematerialises again — successfully this time.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Books[[edit] | [edit source]]

Cultural references to real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor and Romana play rock paper scissors to demonstrate the cause of the stalemate of the robotic war.
  • According to the Doctor, Davros misquotes Napoleon.
  • The Doctor defines his strategy of holding Davros hostage as a Mexican standoff.
  • The Doctor says Romana has "all the makings of a first-class navvy".

Daleks[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor teases the Daleks' inability to climb: "If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing after us?"
  • Davros learns of the Daleks' recent battles and defeats through information provided on a computer sphere.
  • Davros is vexed when hearing about a Supreme Dalek.

Medicine[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor and Romana take anti-radiation pills to sustain the contaminated environment of Skaro.
  • The Doctor experiences a deja vu when landing on Skaro.

Planets[[edit] | [edit source]]

Spaceships[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Romana regenerates into something that looks similar to a Crespallion or to Dorium Maldovar or Dahh-Ren's species.
  • When they bump into the human slaves of the Daleks, the Doctor and Romana wonder if the planet is ruled by zombies.

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Daleks are using high impact phason drills to dig the planet.
  • The Daleks use a lie detector during the interrogatory of Romana.
  • Davros is imprisoned in a cryogenic freezer.

Robotics[[edit] | [edit source]]

Time Lords[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • According to Romana, Time Lords are trained to be able to stop their hearts at will. This allows her to feign death.
  • The Doctor mentions his cybernetics tutor at the Academy.
  • Romana tastes a mineral with her tongue to guess its composition.

Weapons[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Movellans meant to destroy Skaro with a nova device, able to burn its atmosphere.
  • The Daleks sent to destroy the Movellan spacecraft are charged with explosives for more than half a megaton.

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The episode was announced as part of a metafictional skit which aired on Blue Peter two months prior. In the course of the segment, two different presenters gave the title as The Destiny of Doctor Who and the Daleks and The Destiny of the Daleks, respectively. No further plot points beyond the presence of the Daleks were revealed, but the Grey Dalek's dialogue included name-drops of both Skaro and Davros.
  • The Dalek City sound effects from TV: The Daleks are reused here (but see Myths, below).
  • In episode one where Romana changes her bodies, one of her costumes is Zilda's from TV: The Robots of Death.
  • Tim Barlow, who plays Tyssan, was partially deaf, but could lip-read and ran a school for deaf actors.
  • This is Terry Nation's final script credit on Doctor Who. However, director Ken Grieve claimed that the script was in fact "98% written by" script editor Douglas Adams. (BBC DVD: Destiny of the Daleks). These remarks seem consistent with comments by Adams quoted in Don't Panic by Neil Gaiman (published within the lives of both Adams and Nation). Adams states therein that he had discovered that other writers on Doctor Who considered it the role of the script editor to get the scripts into the correct broadcast order.
  • Romana wears a pink and white outfit stylistically similar to the Doctor's, complete with scarf.
  • The Davros mask was Michael Wisher's from TV: Genesis of the Daleks, and was only repaired to fit David Gooderson as there wasn't money in the budget to construct a new mask for Gooderson. Because the mask was too small to fit properly, Davros's mouth is noticeably stiff whenever he talks.
  • The addition of Douglas Adams is evident here with references to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Adams' own brand of humour.
  • A steadicam — a rig used to obtain smooth, stable shots from a handheld camera — is used for the first time in this story.
  • The three alternative physical forms of Romana seen in part one were played by Yvonne Gallagher, Lee Richards and Maggy Armitage respectively, who remained uncredited both on-screen and in Radio Times.
  • Although K9 has no dialogue in this story due to suffering from laryngitis, he is heard to croak at the start of episode one. The croak was provided by Roy Skelton.
  • This story has (arguably) a Dalek joke, one of the few attempts in the series to add an element of humour to the Daleks. The Doctor climbs up a shaft, and from the top, taunts a pursuing Dalek, "If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing after us?" The Dalek fires at the Doctor in frustration. Other attempts at humour occur in TV: The Chase and TV: Doomsday. Incidentally, it is later established on screen in TV: Remembrance of the Daleks that Daleks can in fact elevate to surmount obstacles of height (a fact initially revealed in the original Daleks comic strip of the 1960s). In the Ninth Doctor episode TV: Dalek the (in)ability to navigate stairs is again made into a joke and shown to be false, they can hover up stairs.
  • The pink costume worn by Romana was worn again by Lalla Ward in the infamous "Dr. Who Meets His Match" TV commercials for Prime Computers of Australia, which ended with the Doctor proposing marriage to her.
  • This is currently the only story since 1973's The Green Death where each individual segment is labelled as an "Episode" rather than a "Part", the latter having been utilised since The Time Warrior.
  • Cassandra (Movellan Guard) is credited for episode four, but actually appears in episode three.
  • The effects of the Daleks' weapons hitting their targets are changed from previous stories: rather than the whole screen turning negative, only the basic area around the victim becomes so.
  • Parts of the Dalek slaves' costumes were recycled from previous aliens — for example, one wears the costume (but not the mask) of a Draconian, another the trousers from an SV robot, (TV: The Robots of Death) another has the head of a humanoid-form Axon, and another is wearing a blue Morestran spacesuit.
  • This is the least-scored story in all of Dudley Simpson's time as incidental music composer. No episode has more than 90 seconds of music; episode four has none at all.
  • Much of the story originally took place at night, but the budget would not permit this kind of location filming, and so it had to be rewritten for daytime.
  • In the original script, K-9 was trapped in the TARDIS due to a rockfall, while the Daleks searched for Davros because he can supply information about special circuitry which will help them break the deadlock.
  • Of the four Dalek casings used in this story, one was reused from Planet of the Daleks and the other three were left over from the 1960s.
  • Terry Nation was unhappy with Douglas Adams's rewrites, particularly the scene where the Doctor taunts the Dalek by suggesting it climb after him, as he believed that pointing out the Daleks' apparent design flaws made them less menacing, and threatened their popularity with the viewing public. This turned out to be his final contribution to the series.
  • The Daleks executing prisoners to get the Doctor to surrender is similar to a scene in the Blake's 7 episode Space Fall, which was also written by Terry Nation.
  • According to David Gooderson, Tom Baker would never allow people to think the series was a joke and would reprimand actors he felt were out of order.
  • Winspit Quarry in Dorset was used for the planet Skaro, also used were the quarry's small stone cottage and two larger brick buildings, (which all stood side by side and were just empty derelict shells, with their roofs missing). The BBC added to the flooring of the two larger buildings a large number of silver-coloured cylinders and pipes, sticking out of the rubble; the cylinders transformed these two derelict shells into the external ruins of the long abandoned Dalek city and the disused Kaled bunkers.
  • The serial was one of the first British productions to make use of a Steadicam; due to the high cost of such a set-up, nearly all the props and sets were reused, including the Davros mask.
  • It was Lalla Ward's idea for Romana to wear a costume similar to the Doctor's, because she thought that her ego was great enough for her to believe that she was on par with him.
  • Tyssan was initially named Valtan.
  • The Movellans were first called the Petrans, and were conceived as being exclusively female.
  • Romana's regeneration was written by Douglas Adams. The scene was a parody of the costume montage in Robot.
  • Ken Grieve developed a number of concerns about the production, and convinced Douglas Adams to accompany him to Paris, where Graham Williams was involved in location filming for City of Death. Despite Williams' misgivings about Adams' absence from the production office, the trip turned into a continental pubcrawl which also encompassed a stop in West Germany, before the two men returned to London the following day.
  • The Dalek casings were in poor condition as a result of spending four years in storage. The budget would permit some refurbishment, but could not extend to new construction. One Dalek was made up of elements left over from the 1960s, one was composed of “goon” components created for Planet of the Daleks, and one was a mixture of both. A fourth Dalek was assembled from the top section of a “goon” Dalek and an unusually symmetric skirt section which had been built in 1978 for display at exhibitions. These diminished ranks were bolstered by six immobile, vacuum-formed Daleks which were intended only for long shots and scenes in which a Dalek needed to be destroyed on screen.
  • The Daleks' destruction of the Doctor's barrier had to be refilmed when smoke from the explosion was sucked into the fan built into Davros' chair. A visiting fan named Kevin Davies was accused of changing the setting on the fan; years later, Davies would direct various Doctor Who projects beginning with More than Thirty Years in the TARDIS.
  • The Davros mask was in such disrepair that, after cast and crew had gone home one evening, it was discarded by a cleaner who mistook it for rubbish. Fortunately, the mask was soon recovered.
  • The short story The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe would later controversially posit that the Romana in this serial was the TARDIS masquerading as her and that she was actually trapped in the TARDIS wardrobe room for the duration of this serial.
  • According to Tony Osoba, because of all white costumes the actors playing the Movellans were wearing the performers were not allowed toilet breaks so that the costumes would not be soiled or damaged.
  • The look of the Movellans was modelled after ancient Egyptians.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Episode one - 13.0 million viewers
  • Episode two - 12.7 million viewers
  • Episode three - 13.8 million viewers
  • Episode four - 14.4 million viewers

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • K9 does not appear because a replacement for John Leeson (who voiced K9) had not yet been cast. David Brierley had already been given the role over three months before the serial was made (specifically, for The Creature from the Pit, which was the actual first story filmed for Season 17). The actual reason for K9's absence was because the prop was unsuitable for the large amount of location filming. In addition, David Bailey's "Fact of Fiction" article in Doctor Who Magazine #389 states that Terry Nation had refused to include K9 in his storyline, as he felt that for the Daleks not to be able to destroy K9 would make them seem weak.
  • Mary Tamm either refused to film the regeneration scene from Romana I to Romana II, or was unable to do so because she was pregnant. According to comments made by Tamm in the 2007 Key to Time DVD set, she was willing and available to film the scene, but was not invited.
  • Romana used up several of her allotted regenerations frivolously by trying on the different forms. This has never been supported by other stories or media. The Christmas Invasion revealed that Time Lords have the ability to regrow severed limbs within fifteen hours of regeneration, suggesting a similar ability to change form might have been possible soon after her regeneration.
  • The DVD release claims that the original Dalek city corridor sound effect (The Daleks) is reused in this story; the effect used is the atmosphere of the planet Mira (The Daleks' Master Plan), itself reused as the atmosphere of the underground base of The Sea Devils.

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • In the underground scenes, set lights can be seen, most notably in episodes one and two in the shaft Romana falls down.
  • Because the Dalek props had severely deteriorated in storage as the result of poor practices, they are rife with cracks, dents (particularly in their gunsticks, where the outer rails are conspicuously caving in), and misplaced sections. The clear tape used to repair some of the damage is clearly visible from the light it ends up reflecting.
  • When the Daleks burst through the wall at the end of episode one, one of the Daleks initially has a piece of debris from the wall draped over its eyestalk and suction cup. However, in the next shot of said Dalek, the debris has vanished without explanation.
  • In episode four, a Dalek moves up a small slope. When it does this, a hand can just slightly be seen at the edge of the screen pushing it up the slope.
  • When the slaves storm the Movellan ship, the one wearing a Draconian-style outfit is killed, yet he is later seen alive and well.
  • Close-up shots of the Movellan ship burying its lower section are poorly scaled, giving the impression of giant grains of sand.
  • After the Doctor escapes from Davros in episode three, in an overdubbed line of dialogue Davros orders that the slaves be exterminated, yet this never transpires. The DVD production notes acknowledge that this line of dialogue appears to serve no purpose.
  • In episode four, there is a scene where you can clearly see though a Dalek's midsection.
  • When Davros tries to escape near the end of the serial (while at the same time describing his proposed improvements to the Daleks), it is clear from David Gooderson's gyrations that the actor is simply pushing a modified swivel chair to move about.
    • In the same scene, Davros hits the side of the door on his way out, causing it to visibly shudder.
    • Still in this scene, after the camera can see Davros again, a Dalek's top section comes off its body.
  • David Gooderson's uncredited voice acting for certain additional Daleks noticeably stands out from that provided by Roy Skelton.
  • Cassandra (Movellan Guard) is credited on-screen and in Radio Times for episode four, but actually appears in episode three.
  • During the interrogation scene in episode two, it is apparent that the lower part of one of the Daleks' casings has been placed on back-to-front, as the slanted portion appears on the Daleks' rear end rather than its front.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video and audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was first released on DVD in the UK on 26 November 2007 as a single release and as part of The Complete Davros Collection box set. The one disc set includes a restored version of the story, as well as the following special features:

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • UK DVD 2007 Cover

    UK DVD 2007 Cover

  • Australian DVD Cover

    Australian DVD Cover

  • US DVD Cover

    US DVD Cover

Video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • VHS UK cover

    VHS UK cover

  • VHS Australian cover

    VHS Australian cover

  • VHS US cover

    VHS US cover

  • VHS AUS cover in the Davros Box Set

    VHS AUS cover in the Davros Box Set

Audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The story was released as a soundtrack CD by BBC Audio in November 2012 with linking narration by Lalla Ward.
  • The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the Lalla Ward narration, on 13 April 2019 to coincide with Record Store Day.
  • CD release

    CD release

  • Vinyl Record release

    Vinyl Record release

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ PROSE: Mission to the Unknown [+]Loading...["Mission to the Unknown (novelisation)"] places the Movellan Wars a thousand years or more before 4000. The Dalek Handbook [+]Loading...["The Dalek Handbook (reference book)"] and PROSE: Resurrection of the Daleks places this story in 4500. However, AUDIO: Neverland [+]Loading...["Neverland (audio story)"] dates this the Dalek-Movellan War in 4-X-Alpha-4 to 4949.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

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