Death to the Daleks (TV story): Difference between revisions
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story name= Death to the Daleks| | story name= Death to the Daleks| | ||
image= [[ | image= [[File: BellalAndTheCity.jpg |250px]]| | ||
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] | | series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br />[[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] | | ||
number= [[Season 11]] | | number= [[Season 11]] | | ||
story number= 72| | story number= 72| | ||
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'''''Death to the Daleks''''' was the third story of [[Season 11]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was notable for being the first time [[Sarah Jane Smith]] was on a [[planet]] other than [[Earth]], and the first time she encountered the [[Dalek]]s. | '''''Death to the Daleks''''' was the third story of [[Season 11]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was notable for being the first time [[Sarah Jane Smith]] was on a [[planet]] other than [[Earth]], and the first time she encountered the [[Dalek]]s. | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
An energy drain makes uneasy allies of the [[Third Doctor|Doctor]], [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], a Marine Space Corps expedition, and a squadron of [[Dalek]]s; all are trapped on the planet [[Exxilon]] with its hostile natives. The key to escape lies at the heart of a powerful and mysterious lost city, but only after a series of deadly traps. | An energy drain makes uneasy allies of the [[Third Doctor|Doctor]], [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], a Marine Space Corps expedition, and a squadron of [[Dalek]]s; all are trapped on the planet [[Exxilon]] with its hostile natives. The key to escape lies at the heart of a powerful and mysterious lost city, but only after a series of deadly traps. | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
===Part One=== | === Part One === | ||
The [[Third Doctor|Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] are en route to [[Florana]] for a vacation when the [[TARDIS]] suffers a series of power failures. An unknown force somewhere on the nearby planet [[Exxilon]] is causing the energy drain, and they barely manage to land on the arid planet in order to find the source. The Doctor and Sarah exit the TARDIS but Sarah goes back to change clothes. The Doctor, exploring the planet, is pursued and captured by the primitive, xenophobic natives. | The [[Third Doctor|Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] are en route to [[Florana]] for a vacation when the [[TARDIS]] suffers a series of power failures. An unknown force somewhere on the nearby planet [[Exxilon]] is causing the energy drain, and they barely manage to land on the arid planet in order to find the source. The Doctor and Sarah exit the TARDIS but Sarah goes back to change clothes. The Doctor, exploring the planet, is pursued and captured by the primitive, xenophobic natives. | ||
Sarah searches for the Doctor but, after finding the Doctor's oil lamp covered in blood, is chased by the natives. She escapes to an [[ Great City of the Exxilons|enormous city]], pulsing with energy, but is captured by the natives, called the [[Exxilon (species)|Exxilons]]. They consider her presence near their sacred city to be an abomination, and prepare her for sacrifice. | Sarah searches for the Doctor but, after finding the Doctor's oil lamp covered in blood, is chased by the natives. She escapes to an [[Great City of the Exxilons|enormous city]], pulsing with energy, but is captured by the natives, called the [[Exxilon (species)|Exxilons]]. They consider her presence near their sacred city to be an abomination, and prepare her for sacrifice. | ||
The Doctor, meanwhile, encounters a [[Marine Space Corps]] expedition whose ship has also crash landed due to the power drain. They are in search of the rare mineral [[Parrinium]], found only on Exxilon, which is desperately needed to cure a galactic plague. Another ship lands nearby. The Marines initially mistake it for a rescue vessel, but a squad of [[Dalek]]s emerge, guns at the ready. | The Doctor, meanwhile, encounters a [[Marine Space Corps]] expedition whose ship has also crash landed due to the power drain. They are in search of the rare mineral [[Parrinium]], found only on Exxilon, which is desperately needed to cure a galactic plague. Another ship lands nearby. The Marines initially mistake it for a rescue vessel, but a squad of [[Dalek]]s emerge, guns at the ready. | ||
===Part Two=== | === Part Two === | ||
[[ | [[File:ExxilonsDestroyDalek.jpg|left|thumb|A Dalek is destroyed by the Exxilons]]The energy drain, fortunately, has disabled the Daleks' weaponry. They also are seeking Parrinium, as their own worlds are falling victim to the plague (so they say). The Doctor, the Marines, and the Daleks form an uneasy alliance to find the source of the energy so they can escape. However, they are all captured by the Exxilons in a skirmish that ends with the death of Captain [[Richard Railton]] and a Dalek. The Doctor saves Sarah from sacrifice, but is recaptured and is himself sentenced to die. | ||
The Daleks, meanwhile, replace their electronic weaponry with mechanical projectile weapons and soon seize control of the Exxilons, forcing a deal with the high priest which subjugates them to mine the Parrinium. In return, members of the Space Corps are in charge of whipping out a renegade group of Exxilons. The deal also states that the Doctor and Sarah will return to the Exxilons dead or alive. | The Daleks, meanwhile, replace their electronic weaponry with mechanical projectile weapons and soon seize control of the Exxilons, forcing a deal with the high priest which subjugates them to mine the Parrinium. In return, members of the Space Corps are in charge of whipping out a renegade group of Exxilons. The deal also states that the Doctor and Sarah will return to the Exxilons dead or alive. | ||
===Part Three=== | === Part Three === | ||
The Doctor, underground after escaping with Sarah during the Daleks seizing of the Exxilons, escapes from an [[Root (Death of the Daleks)|enormous, metallic, snake-like creature]]. It emerges again and picks off a stray Dalek. Sarah and the Doctor are rescued by [[Bellal]], a friendly Exxilon, who explains that their civilisation had once been very technologically advanced. Thousands of years earlier they had built the enormous city, one of the seven hundred [[Wonders of the Universe]], which became sentient and drove them out. The Doctor realises that they must infiltrate the city to deactivate the energy drain. Before the Doctor leaves, he tells Sarah to make sure the Marines are ready for take off when the beacon is disabled because the Daleks will destroy their ship once they have full power again. | The Doctor, underground after escaping with Sarah during the Daleks seizing of the Exxilons, escapes from an [[Root (Death of the Daleks)|enormous, metallic, snake-like creature]]. It emerges again and picks off a stray Dalek. Sarah and the Doctor are rescued by [[Bellal]], a friendly Exxilon, who explains that their civilisation had once been very technologically advanced. Thousands of years earlier they had built the enormous city, one of the seven hundred [[Wonders of the Universe]], which became sentient and drove them out. The Doctor realises that they must infiltrate the city to deactivate the energy drain. Before the Doctor leaves, he tells Sarah to make sure the Marines are ready for take off when the beacon is disabled because the Daleks will destroy their ship once they have full power again. | ||
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The Doctor and Bellal enter the city and pass a series of tests with the Daleks in hot pursuit. If they fail to pass a test they will likely be killed -- many skeletons are in the city. | The Doctor and Bellal enter the city and pass a series of tests with the Daleks in hot pursuit. If they fail to pass a test they will likely be killed -- many skeletons are in the city. | ||
===Part Four=== | === Part Four === | ||
Successfully passing the tests before them, the Doctor and Bellal reach the centre of the city, where the Doctor interfaces with the city's 'brain,' causing the equivalent of a nervous breakdown. A Dalek bomb destroys the source of the energy drain, and the city begins to crumble. | Successfully passing the tests before them, the Doctor and Bellal reach the centre of the city, where the Doctor interfaces with the city's 'brain,' causing the equivalent of a nervous breakdown. A Dalek bomb destroys the source of the energy drain, and the city begins to crumble. | ||
The Daleks, having amassed enough Parrinium to hold the galaxy to ransom, leave in their spaceship and prepare a plague bomb to wipe out life on Exxilon. However, Galloway who had previously hid on board prior to launch, sacrifices his life to destroy the Dalek ship with a bomb. Sarah and [[Jill Tarrant]], the Marines' scientific advisor, had previously replaced the Daleks' Parrinium with bags of sand. The Marines await the arrival of a rescue ship to bring the much-needed plague cure to the afflicted planets. The Doctor bemoans the city's destruction, as it leaves the Universe with only six hundred ninety-nine Wonders. | The Daleks, having amassed enough Parrinium to hold the galaxy to ransom, leave in their spaceship and prepare a plague bomb to wipe out life on Exxilon. However, Galloway who had previously hid on board prior to launch, sacrifices his life to destroy the Dalek ship with a bomb. Sarah and [[Jill Tarrant]], the Marines' scientific advisor, had previously replaced the Daleks' Parrinium with bags of sand. The Marines await the arrival of a rescue ship to bring the much-needed plague cure to the afflicted planets. The Doctor bemoans the city's destruction, as it leaves the Universe with only six hundred ninety-nine Wonders. | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[Third Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Jon Pertwee]] | * [[Third Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Jon Pertwee]] | ||
*[[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]] | * [[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]] | ||
*[[Dan Galloway]] - [[Duncan Lamont]] | * [[Dan Galloway]] - [[Duncan Lamont]] | ||
*[[Richard Railton]] - [[John Abineri]] | * [[Richard Railton]] - [[John Abineri]] | ||
*Commander [[Stewart (Death to the Daleks)|Stewart]] - [[Neil Seiler]] | * Commander [[Stewart (Death to the Daleks)|Stewart]] - [[Neil Seiler]] | ||
*[[Peter Hamilton (Death to the Daleks)|Peter Hamilton]] - [[Julian Fox]] | * [[Peter Hamilton (Death to the Daleks)|Peter Hamilton]] - [[Julian Fox]] | ||
*[[Jill Tarrant]] - [[Joy Harrison]] | * [[Jill Tarrant]] - [[Joy Harrison]] | ||
*[[High Priest (Death to the Daleks)|High Priest]] - [[Mostyn Evans]] | * [[High Priest (Death to the Daleks)|High Priest]] - [[Mostyn Evans]] | ||
*[[Bellal]] - [[Arnold Yarrow]] | * [[Bellal]] - [[Arnold Yarrow]] | ||
*[[Gotal]] - [[Roy Heymann]] | * [[Gotal]] - [[Roy Heymann]] | ||
*[[Dalek]] Voices - [[Michael Wisher]] | * [[Dalek]] Voices - [[Michael Wisher]] | ||
*[[Dalek Operator]]s - [[John Scott Martin]], [[Murphy Grumbar]], [[Cy Town]] | * [[Dalek Operator]]s - [[John Scott Martin]], [[Murphy Grumbar]], [[Cy Town]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Richard Leyland]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Richard Leyland]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[L. Rowland Warne]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[L. Rowland Warne]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Colin Green]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Colin Green]] | ||
*[[Fight Arranger]] - [[Terry Walsh]] | * [[Fight Arranger]] - [[Terry Walsh]] | ||
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Bill Matthews]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Bill Matthews]] | ||
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Bob Rymer]] | * [[Film Editor]] - [[Bob Rymer]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Carey Blyton]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Carey Blyton]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Magdalen Gaffney]], [[Cynthia Goodwin]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Magdalen Gaffney]], [[Cynthia Goodwin]] | ||
*Masks - [[John Friedlander]] | * Masks - [[John Friedlander]] | ||
*Music - [[London Saxophone Quartet]] | * Music - [[London Saxophone Quartet]] | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Chris D'Oyly-John]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Chris D'Oyly-John]] | ||
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]] | ||
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Derek Slee]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Derek Slee]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Richard Chubb]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[Richard Chubb]] | ||
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]] | * [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]] | ||
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Jim Ward]] | * [[Visual Effects]] - [[Jim Ward]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
===[[:Category:Daleks|Daleks]]=== | === [[:Category:Daleks|Daleks]] === | ||
*The Daleks move through [[psychokinetic power]] (which presumably allows them to fire their weapons). | * The Daleks move through [[psychokinetic power]] (which presumably allows them to fire their weapons). | ||
*The Doctor describes the Daleks to Sarah as ''"only [[cyborg|half robots]]...Inside each of those shells is a living, bubbling lump of hate."'' | * The Doctor describes the Daleks to Sarah as ''"only [[cyborg|half robots]]...Inside each of those shells is a living, bubbling lump of hate."'' | ||
===[[:Category:Elements|Elements]]=== | === [[:Category:Elements|Elements]] === | ||
*[[Parrinium]] is a chemical that is rare on [[Earth]] but is as common as [[table salt]] on [[Exxilon]]. | * [[Parrinium]] is a chemical that is rare on [[Earth]] but is as common as [[table salt]] on [[Exxilon]]. | ||
:*It's also the cure for the space plague, which was caused by the Daleks' 'plague missiles'. | :* It's also the cure for the space plague, which was caused by the Daleks' 'plague missiles'. | ||
===[[:Category:Locations|Locations]]=== | === [[:Category:Locations|Locations]] === | ||
*When the Doctor sees the city he proclaims that it must be one of the Seven Hundred [[Wonders of the Universe]]. | * When the Doctor sees the city he proclaims that it must be one of the Seven Hundred [[Wonders of the Universe]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Medicine|Medicine]]=== | === [[:Category:Medicine|Medicine]] === | ||
*[[Sulphagen tablet]]s are pain killers. | * [[Sulphagen tablet]]s are pain killers. | ||
===[[:Category:Military|Military]]=== | === [[:Category:Military|Military]] === | ||
*The humans are part of the [[Marine Space Corps]]. | * The humans are part of the [[Marine Space Corps]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
*The Doctor believes the [[Exxilon]]s travelled to [[Earth]] and taught the [[Peru]]vian Incas how to build their temples. | * The Doctor believes the [[Exxilon]]s travelled to [[Earth]] and taught the [[Peru]]vian Incas how to build their temples. | ||
===[[:Category:Planets|Planets]]=== | === [[:Category:Planets|Planets]] === | ||
*The Doctor was intending to take Sarah to the planet [[Florana]] which has effervescent water. | * The Doctor was intending to take Sarah to the planet [[Florana]] which has effervescent water. | ||
===[[:Category:TARDIS|TARDISes]]=== | === [[:Category:TARDIS|TARDISes]] === | ||
*The [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] has emergency storage cells in case of power failure. Without power, its doors need to be hand cranked. | * The [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] has emergency storage cells in case of power failure. Without power, its doors need to be hand cranked. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
*This story had the working titles of; '''The Exilons''', '''The Exxilons''' | * This story had the working titles of; '''The Exilons''', '''The Exxilons''' | ||
*This story originally ''did not'' feature the Daleks, but they were included because of [[Barry Letts]]' and [[Terrance Dicks]]' desire to cash in on the Daleks' popularity. | * This story originally ''did not'' feature the Daleks, but they were included because of [[Barry Letts]]' and [[Terrance Dicks]]' desire to cash in on the Daleks' popularity. | ||
*This story marks the first time the Daleks' weapons do not function on screen. The Daleks are later seen to be able to modify their casings relatively quickly, replacing their energy weapons with slug-throwing [[firearm|rifles]]. | * This story marks the first time the Daleks' weapons do not function on screen. The Daleks are later seen to be able to modify their casings relatively quickly, replacing their energy weapons with slug-throwing [[firearm|rifles]]. | ||
*The Daleks target practice with miniature [[police box|Police Boxes]]. | * The Daleks target practice with miniature [[police box|Police Boxes]]. | ||
*Many of the Dalek casings utilised for this story dated from the 1960s (due to the unsatisfactory quality of the casings produced for [[DW]]: ''[[Planet of the Daleks]]''). | * Many of the Dalek casings utilised for this story dated from the 1960s (due to the unsatisfactory quality of the casings produced for [[DW]]: ''[[Planet of the Daleks]]''). | ||
*The cliffhanger to Part Three - the Doctor and Bellal walking towards a patterned area on the floor, only for the Doctor to say "Stop - don't move!" - was not originally going to be the cliffhanger. The original cliffhanger was going to be at the scene where the Doctor is trying to deduce the answer to the logic test concerning symbols, when two Daleks appear. Specifically, the cliffhanger would have hinged on the zoom towards the Dalek's gun. This was changed, however, for timing reasons. | * The cliffhanger to Part Three - the Doctor and Bellal walking towards a patterned area on the floor, only for the Doctor to say "Stop - don't move!" - was not originally going to be the cliffhanger. The original cliffhanger was going to be at the scene where the Doctor is trying to deduce the answer to the logic test concerning symbols, when two Daleks appear. Specifically, the cliffhanger would have hinged on the zoom towards the Dalek's gun. This was changed, however, for timing reasons. | ||
*Episode 1 was at one point wiped from the BBC archives, but a copy was later found to restore the serial; this is the latest known episode of ''Doctor Who'' to be, for a time at least, considered lost. | * Episode 1 was at one point wiped from the BBC archives, but a copy was later found to restore the serial; this is the latest known episode of ''Doctor Who'' to be, for a time at least, considered lost. | ||
*Clips from this story were used in part 5 of the 2001 documentary series [http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0280310/ "SF:UK"]. | * Clips from this story were used in part 5 of the 2001 documentary series [http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0280310/ "SF:UK"]. | ||
*The scene where the Doctor and Sarah Jane exit the TARDIS onto a wasteland and discover a petrified life form may be a homage to [[DW]]: [[The Daleks]], when the Doctor's group first landed on [[Skaro]] and encountered a petrified creature. | * The scene where the Doctor and Sarah Jane exit the TARDIS onto a wasteland and discover a petrified life form may be a homage to [[DW]]: [[The Daleks]], when the Doctor's group first landed on [[Skaro]] and encountered a petrified creature. | ||
*Michael Wisher, who supplies the Dalek voices in this story, would later go on to portray [[Davros]]. | * Michael Wisher, who supplies the Dalek voices in this story, would later go on to portray [[Davros]]. | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
*Part 1 - 8.1 million viewers | * Part 1 - 8.1 million viewers | ||
*Part 2 - 9.5 million viewers | * Part 2 - 9.5 million viewers | ||
*Part 3 - 10.5 million viewers | * Part 3 - 10.5 million viewers | ||
*Part 4 - 9.5 million viewers | * Part 4 - 9.5 million viewers | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*Hanson's Aggregates Sand Pit, Puddletown Road, Gallows Hill, Dorset | * Hanson's Aggregates Sand Pit, Puddletown Road, Gallows Hill, Dorset | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (Studio TC4), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | * [[BBC Television Centre]] (Studio TC4), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*Effervescent water - as described at the start of the first episode - would not give the illusion of additional buoyancy to a swimmer as the Doctor claims. For the bubbles to rise they would need to be less dense than water, and their presence would therefore reduce the overall density of the liquid. This would make Sarah Jane more likely to sink, not more likely to float. | * Effervescent water - as described at the start of the first episode - would not give the illusion of additional buoyancy to a swimmer as the Doctor claims. For the bubbles to rise they would need to be less dense than water, and their presence would therefore reduce the overall density of the liquid. This would make Sarah Jane more likely to sink, not more likely to float. | ||
*When the root beneath the city destroys the Dalek in the far shots it has white speech globes and when zoomed in it has orange. The other Dalek in the tunnels has the default white lights. | * When the root beneath the city destroys the Dalek in the far shots it has white speech globes and when zoomed in it has orange. The other Dalek in the tunnels has the default white lights. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
*In [[NA]]: ''[[The Left-Handed Hummingbird]]'' an Exxilon craft is seen. | * In [[NA]]: ''[[The Left-Handed Hummingbird]]'' an Exxilon craft is seen. | ||
*In [[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'' Sarah compares the puzzles on Mars to the Exxilon city, despite not actually entering the city herself. | * In [[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'' Sarah compares the puzzles on Mars to the Exxilon city, despite not actually entering the city herself. | ||
*This is Sarah Jane's first encounter with the Daleks. She would face them again in [[DW]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'' and, decades later, in [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'' / ''[[Journey's End]]''. | * This is Sarah Jane's first encounter with the Daleks. She would face them again in [[DW]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'' and, decades later, in [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'' / ''[[Journey's End]]''. | ||
*[[Doctor Who: The Dalek Handbook|''The Dalek Handbook'']] places this story during or near the period of [[Second Dalek War]]. | * [[Doctor Who: The Dalek Handbook|''The Dalek Handbook'']] places this story during or near the period of [[Second Dalek War]]. | ||
*In this story it is established that Daleks move by telekinesis, presumably a recent development. In previous stories they relied on electricity ([[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'', [[DW]]: ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'', [[DW]]: ''[[The Power of the Daleks]]''). That is how the Daleks can operate on Exillon. However, the fact that they cannot operate their energy weapons suggests that they are still reliant on external sources of energy. It is not known if this is still static electricity. The Daleks do adapt at times in their history to use other sources of energy, such as that from the Time Vortex [[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]], [[DW]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]] | * In this story it is established that Daleks move by telekinesis, presumably a recent development. In previous stories they relied on electricity ([[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'', [[DW]]: ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'', [[DW]]: ''[[The Power of the Daleks]]''). That is how the Daleks can operate on Exillon. However, the fact that they cannot operate their energy weapons suggests that they are still reliant on external sources of energy. It is not known if this is still static electricity. The Daleks do adapt at times in their history to use other sources of energy, such as that from the Time Vortex [[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]], [[DW]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]] | ||
*This would be the last Dalek television story not to feature [[Davros]] until [[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' in [[2005]]. | * This would be the last Dalek television story not to feature [[Davros]] until [[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' in [[2005]]. | ||
[[ | [[File:DSC01801.JPG|thumb|75px|right|1987 release (BBCV 4073)]] | ||
==[[Third Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]== | == [[Third Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] == | ||
*This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[Numb]]'' | * This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[Numb]]'' | ||
*this story takes place before [[DWY]]: ''[[The Hungry Bomb]]'' | * this story takes place before [[DWY]]: ''[[The Hungry Bomb]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===VHS Release=== | === VHS Release === | ||
Death to the Daleks was released on VHS in [[1987]] in the [[omnibus]] format. It was later released in 1995 in the episodic format for the UK,Australia and US | Death to the Daleks was released on VHS in [[1987]] in the [[omnibus]] format. It was later released in 1995 in the episodic format for the UK,Australia and US | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
File:Bbcvideo_deathtothedaleks.jpg| | File:Bbcvideo_deathtothedaleks.jpg| | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===DVD release=== | === DVD release === | ||
By [[April]] [[2011]], restoration work had been commissioned for this story.<ref>http://twitter.com/#!/classicdw/status/56331264785002496</ref> | By [[April]] [[2011]], restoration work had been commissioned for this story.<ref>http://twitter.com/#!/classicdw/status/56331264785002496</ref> | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Death To The Daleks novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Death to the Daleks (novelisation)]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Death to the Daleks (novelisation)]]'' | ||
*Novelised as ''[[Death to the Daleks (novelisation)|Death to the Daleks]]'' in [[1978]] by [[Terrance Dicks]]. | * Novelised as ''[[Death to the Daleks (novelisation)|Death to the Daleks]]'' in [[1978]] by [[Terrance Dicks]]. | ||
*The novelisation refers to the replacement Dalek weapons as [[firearm|"machine guns"]] (i.e., fully automatic slug-throwers), despite the on-screen weapons appearing to function as semi-automatics. | * The novelisation refers to the replacement Dalek weapons as [[firearm|"machine guns"]] (i.e., fully automatic slug-throwers), despite the on-screen weapons appearing to function as semi-automatics. | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|deathtodaleks/|Death to the Daleks}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|deathtodaleks/|Death to the Daleks}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_3x.htm|Death to the Daleks}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_3x.htm|Death to the Daleks}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/xxx.html|Death to the Daleks}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/xxx.html|Death to the Daleks}} | ||
*{{locguide|deathtothedaleks|Death to the Daleks}} | * {{locguide|deathtothedaleks|Death to the Daleks}} | ||
==Footnotes== | == Footnotes == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{Dalek stories}} | {{Dalek stories}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Third Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Third Doctor television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith television stories]] | [[Category:Sarah Jane Smith television stories]] | ||
Revision as of 22:30, 3 November 2011
- For the Big Finish Productions audio drama of this same name, see "Death to the Daleks!".
Death to the Daleks was the third story of Season 11 of Doctor Who. It was notable for being the first time Sarah Jane Smith was on a planet other than Earth, and the first time she encountered the Daleks.
Synopsis
An energy drain makes uneasy allies of the Doctor, Sarah, a Marine Space Corps expedition, and a squadron of Daleks; all are trapped on the planet Exxilon with its hostile natives. The key to escape lies at the heart of a powerful and mysterious lost city, but only after a series of deadly traps.
Plot
Part One
The Doctor and Sarah are en route to Florana for a vacation when the TARDIS suffers a series of power failures. An unknown force somewhere on the nearby planet Exxilon is causing the energy drain, and they barely manage to land on the arid planet in order to find the source. The Doctor and Sarah exit the TARDIS but Sarah goes back to change clothes. The Doctor, exploring the planet, is pursued and captured by the primitive, xenophobic natives.
Sarah searches for the Doctor but, after finding the Doctor's oil lamp covered in blood, is chased by the natives. She escapes to an enormous city, pulsing with energy, but is captured by the natives, called the Exxilons. They consider her presence near their sacred city to be an abomination, and prepare her for sacrifice.
The Doctor, meanwhile, encounters a Marine Space Corps expedition whose ship has also crash landed due to the power drain. They are in search of the rare mineral Parrinium, found only on Exxilon, which is desperately needed to cure a galactic plague. Another ship lands nearby. The Marines initially mistake it for a rescue vessel, but a squad of Daleks emerge, guns at the ready.
Part Two
The energy drain, fortunately, has disabled the Daleks' weaponry. They also are seeking Parrinium, as their own worlds are falling victim to the plague (so they say). The Doctor, the Marines, and the Daleks form an uneasy alliance to find the source of the energy so they can escape. However, they are all captured by the Exxilons in a skirmish that ends with the death of Captain Richard Railton and a Dalek. The Doctor saves Sarah from sacrifice, but is recaptured and is himself sentenced to die.
The Daleks, meanwhile, replace their electronic weaponry with mechanical projectile weapons and soon seize control of the Exxilons, forcing a deal with the high priest which subjugates them to mine the Parrinium. In return, members of the Space Corps are in charge of whipping out a renegade group of Exxilons. The deal also states that the Doctor and Sarah will return to the Exxilons dead or alive.
Part Three
The Doctor, underground after escaping with Sarah during the Daleks seizing of the Exxilons, escapes from an enormous, metallic, snake-like creature. It emerges again and picks off a stray Dalek. Sarah and the Doctor are rescued by Bellal, a friendly Exxilon, who explains that their civilisation had once been very technologically advanced. Thousands of years earlier they had built the enormous city, one of the seven hundred Wonders of the Universe, which became sentient and drove them out. The Doctor realises that they must infiltrate the city to deactivate the energy drain. Before the Doctor leaves, he tells Sarah to make sure the Marines are ready for take off when the beacon is disabled because the Daleks will destroy their ship once they have full power again.
On the surface, the deal is becoming uneasy. The Daleks are becoming aggravated that the Exxilons are not mining fast enough, much to the distaste of Marines' weapons officer Dan Galloway. After a root comes to the surface through a body of water and kills an Exxilon and a Dalek, the Daleks send two of their crew to find the city and destroy the beacon so their power will be restored.
The Doctor and Bellal enter the city and pass a series of tests with the Daleks in hot pursuit. If they fail to pass a test they will likely be killed -- many skeletons are in the city.
Part Four
Successfully passing the tests before them, the Doctor and Bellal reach the centre of the city, where the Doctor interfaces with the city's 'brain,' causing the equivalent of a nervous breakdown. A Dalek bomb destroys the source of the energy drain, and the city begins to crumble.
The Daleks, having amassed enough Parrinium to hold the galaxy to ransom, leave in their spaceship and prepare a plague bomb to wipe out life on Exxilon. However, Galloway who had previously hid on board prior to launch, sacrifices his life to destroy the Dalek ship with a bomb. Sarah and Jill Tarrant, the Marines' scientific advisor, had previously replaced the Daleks' Parrinium with bags of sand. The Marines await the arrival of a rescue ship to bring the much-needed plague cure to the afflicted planets. The Doctor bemoans the city's destruction, as it leaves the Universe with only six hundred ninety-nine Wonders.
Cast
- The Doctor - Jon Pertwee
- Sarah Jane Smith - Elisabeth Sladen
- Dan Galloway - Duncan Lamont
- Richard Railton - John Abineri
- Commander Stewart - Neil Seiler
- Peter Hamilton - Julian Fox
- Jill Tarrant - Joy Harrison
- High Priest - Mostyn Evans
- Bellal - Arnold Yarrow
- Gotal - Roy Heymann
- Dalek Voices - Michael Wisher
- Dalek Operators - John Scott Martin, Murphy Grumbar, Cy Town
Crew
- Assistant Floor Manager - Richard Leyland
- Costumes - L. Rowland Warne
- Designer - Colin Green
- Fight Arranger - Terry Walsh
- Film Cameraman - Bill Matthews
- Film Editor - Bob Rymer
- Incidental Music - Carey Blyton
- Make-Up - Magdalen Gaffney, Cynthia Goodwin
- Masks - John Friedlander
- Music - London Saxophone Quartet
- Producer - Barry Letts
- Production Assistant - Chris D'Oyly-John
- Script Editor - Terrance Dicks
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Studio Lighting - Derek Slee
- Studio Sound - Richard Chubb
- Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
- Visual Effects - Jim Ward
References
Daleks
- The Daleks move through psychokinetic power (which presumably allows them to fire their weapons).
- The Doctor describes the Daleks to Sarah as "only half robots...Inside each of those shells is a living, bubbling lump of hate."
Elements
- Parrinium is a chemical that is rare on Earth but is as common as table salt on Exxilon.
- It's also the cure for the space plague, which was caused by the Daleks' 'plague missiles'.
Locations
- When the Doctor sees the city he proclaims that it must be one of the Seven Hundred Wonders of the Universe.
Medicine
- Sulphagen tablets are pain killers.
Military
- The humans are part of the Marine Space Corps.
Species
- The Doctor believes the Exxilons travelled to Earth and taught the Peruvian Incas how to build their temples.
Planets
- The Doctor was intending to take Sarah to the planet Florana which has effervescent water.
TARDISes
- The TARDIS has emergency storage cells in case of power failure. Without power, its doors need to be hand cranked.
Story notes
- This story had the working titles of; The Exilons, The Exxilons
- This story originally did not feature the Daleks, but they were included because of Barry Letts' and Terrance Dicks' desire to cash in on the Daleks' popularity.
- This story marks the first time the Daleks' weapons do not function on screen. The Daleks are later seen to be able to modify their casings relatively quickly, replacing their energy weapons with slug-throwing rifles.
- The Daleks target practice with miniature Police Boxes.
- Many of the Dalek casings utilised for this story dated from the 1960s (due to the unsatisfactory quality of the casings produced for DW: Planet of the Daleks).
- The cliffhanger to Part Three - the Doctor and Bellal walking towards a patterned area on the floor, only for the Doctor to say "Stop - don't move!" - was not originally going to be the cliffhanger. The original cliffhanger was going to be at the scene where the Doctor is trying to deduce the answer to the logic test concerning symbols, when two Daleks appear. Specifically, the cliffhanger would have hinged on the zoom towards the Dalek's gun. This was changed, however, for timing reasons.
- Episode 1 was at one point wiped from the BBC archives, but a copy was later found to restore the serial; this is the latest known episode of Doctor Who to be, for a time at least, considered lost.
- Clips from this story were used in part 5 of the 2001 documentary series "SF:UK".
- The scene where the Doctor and Sarah Jane exit the TARDIS onto a wasteland and discover a petrified life form may be a homage to DW: The Daleks, when the Doctor's group first landed on Skaro and encountered a petrified creature.
- Michael Wisher, who supplies the Dalek voices in this story, would later go on to portray Davros.
Ratings
- Part 1 - 8.1 million viewers
- Part 2 - 9.5 million viewers
- Part 3 - 10.5 million viewers
- Part 4 - 9.5 million viewers
Myths
to be added
Filming locations
- Hanson's Aggregates Sand Pit, Puddletown Road, Gallows Hill, Dorset
- BBC Television Centre (Studio TC4), Shepherd's Bush, London
Production errors
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.
- Effervescent water - as described at the start of the first episode - would not give the illusion of additional buoyancy to a swimmer as the Doctor claims. For the bubbles to rise they would need to be less dense than water, and their presence would therefore reduce the overall density of the liquid. This would make Sarah Jane more likely to sink, not more likely to float.
- When the root beneath the city destroys the Dalek in the far shots it has white speech globes and when zoomed in it has orange. The other Dalek in the tunnels has the default white lights.
Continuity
- In NA: The Left-Handed Hummingbird an Exxilon craft is seen.
- In DW: Pyramids of Mars Sarah compares the puzzles on Mars to the Exxilon city, despite not actually entering the city herself.
- This is Sarah Jane's first encounter with the Daleks. She would face them again in DW: Genesis of the Daleks and, decades later, in DW: The Stolen Earth / Journey's End.
- The Dalek Handbook places this story during or near the period of Second Dalek War.
- In this story it is established that Daleks move by telekinesis, presumably a recent development. In previous stories they relied on electricity (DW: The Daleks, DW: The Dalek Invasion of Earth, DW: The Power of the Daleks). That is how the Daleks can operate on Exillon. However, the fact that they cannot operate their energy weapons suggests that they are still reliant on external sources of energy. It is not known if this is still static electricity. The Daleks do adapt at times in their history to use other sources of energy, such as that from the Time Vortex DW: Dalek, DW: Army of Ghosts
- This would be the last Dalek television story not to feature Davros until DW: Dalek in 2005.
Timeline
- This story takes place after ST: Numb
- this story takes place before DWY: The Hungry Bomb
Home video and audio releases
VHS Release
Death to the Daleks was released on VHS in 1987 in the omnibus format. It was later released in 1995 in the episodic format for the UK,Australia and US
- Bbcvideo deathtothedaleks.jpg
DVD release
By April 2011, restoration work had been commissioned for this story.[1]
Novelisation and its audiobook
- Main article: Death to the Daleks (novelisation)
- Novelised as Death to the Daleks in 1978 by Terrance Dicks.
- The novelisation refers to the replacement Dalek weapons as "machine guns" (i.e., fully automatic slug-throwers), despite the on-screen weapons appearing to function as semi-automatics.
External links
- Death to the Daleks at the BBC's official site
- Death to the Daleks at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- Death to the Daleks at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
- Death to the Daleks at The Locations Guide
Footnotes
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