Cast : The Doctor : Patrick Troughton
Jamie : Frazer Hines
Victoria Waterfield :Deborah Watling
Edward Wagerfield : John Bailey
Theodore Maxtible : Marius Goring
Ruth Maxtible : Brigit Forsyth
Perry : Geoffrey Colville
Kennedy : Griffith Davies
Bob Hall : Alec Roess
Toby : Windsor Davies
Kemel : Sonny Caldinez
Arthur Terrall : Gary Watson
Mollie : Jo Rowbottom
Written By : David Whitaker
Produced By : Innes Lloyd
First UK Broadcast : 20 May – 1 July 1967.
Length : 7 x 25 minute episodes.
Plot : An antiques collector, called Edward Waterfield – steals the Doctor’s Tardis to force the Doctor to work for his employers; the Daleks – to test; a new emotional upgrade to the Daleks.
Whats good : The natural continuation of the Dalek story. The experiments into human emotion. The Dalek Emporer. The human Daleks. The Dalek civil war.
Whats bad : Long adventure. The Maxtible character. Playful Daleks, maybe?
Review With Spoilers : The Evil Of The Daleks is the ninth episode of season 4 and features – the second ‘Troughton’ Dalek reprise – and the joining of new companion; Victoria.
Following the events in The Faceless Ones, the Doctor is looking for the Tardis; which has been stolen from Gatwick Airport; by Victorian time-travelling antiques collector – Edward Waterfield.
Waterfield, now in the enforced employ of the Daleks (who have kidnapped his daughter Victoria for leverage), want the Doctor to work on a Dalek experiment. To test, if the Daleks could benefit from the introduction of human emotions. The Doctor agrees, reluctantly to help the Daleks test this.
The Daleks, then set up a field-experiment – to use Jamie as a test-subject. To measure his human response, to how he reacts; when given a dangerous mission of rescuing (the captured) Victoria.
The Evil Of The Daleks, forms the next logical step in the Dalek story; with the Daleks researching whether they could benefit from human emotions; to improve their condition. Following their previous failed invasion attempts – in The Dalek Invasion Of Earth and The Dalek’s Masterplan.
Indeed, there is some reason to believe – that a Dalek that can think – “outside of the box” (emotionally-speaking); might be a greater asset – to the legions of Skaro.
However, the end result of this, humourously – is the Doctor’s experiments – turning his test Daleks into uncommandable, unpredictable – and playful young children. Who spin around for fun and chase each other, whilst playing ‘tag’.
It is a contritely silly and humourous moment, in The Evil Of The Daleks; watching these Daleks do ‘the conga’ – around the room, for fun. However, there is still something creepy, about a Dalek – calling someone “friend”.
This brings the Daleks around to understanding – that the “Human Factor” (as it is known), is not going to benefit the Daleks – and in turn, leads them to decide to contaminate Earth with “The Dalek Factor”; which will turn all humans – into mindless automatons.
“It’s very simple. Somewhere in the Dalek race there are three Daleks with the human factor. Gradually, they will come to question. They will persuade other Daleks to question. You will have a rebellion on your planet!” The Doctor
“Silence. Without knowing, you have shown the Daleks what their own strength is. The human factor is useless.” The Emporer
We also get a trip, back to Skaro. To witness the Emporer Dalek – a memorably giant sedentary tower of a Dalek; attached to pipes and wires; with a booming voice. It is something we haven’t seen before in Who (at this point), as to who is ultimately – in charge – of the Daleks.
The Doctor even blurs the line between good and evil; by agreeing to help the Daleks. This sets up some nice moments, with bemused companion Jamie; who confronts the Doctor – as to his intentions; which turn out – to be playing for time.
The Evil Of The Daleks, also marks the introduction of new companion; Victoria Waterfield. Jamie rescues Victoria from the Daleks, as part of a staged experiment – to look at the resourcefulness of the human condition.
At 7 episodes, The Evil Of The Daleks is long – and in some cases drawn out, more than it needs. However, it holds many interesting ideas and moments and feels right for a progression of the Dalek story.
Including, the Doctor and Jamie trying to track-down the missing Tardis. Jamie’s rescuing of Victoria. The result of introducing the “human factor” – into Daleks and the trip to Skaro; to meet the imposing Emporer Dalek – and the final war between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Daleks.
The final battle, between Daleks – is utterly brutal. As the Daleks decimate themselves, their city – and their Emporer; in a civil war.
The Evil Of The Daleks, was intended to be the Daleks final appearance – in the series and this is even confirmed by the Doctor; who afterwards, comments on their demise – as if it is final.
This was due to a copyright dispute with creator Terry Nation. The intention was to write the Daleks out of Doctor Who for good and for them to be featured in a loosely tied-in spin-off show, called The Destroyers; that never got made.
The Evil Of The Daleks, is (unfortunately) mostly missing from the Beeb archive; which is a shame for such an epic Dalek adventure, it is much in the vein of The Daleks’ Masterplan.
It gives many memorable – and cult moments. Not least, with the introduction of a Dalek Emporer (over the usual black domed Dalek leader) – and the final (brutal) civil-war. It also revels in some fun moments. With the humanised Daleks, questioning their Dalek master’s orders – and playing games; for fun.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
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