Remembrance of the Daleks
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| 152 – Remembrance of the Daleks | |
|---|---|
| Doctor Who serial | |
 An age old weakness is dispelled by this Imperial Dalek. |
|
| Cast | |
| Doctor | Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor) |
| Companion | Sophie Aldred (Ace) |
| Guest stars | |
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| Production | |
| Writer | Ben Aaronovitch |
| Director | Andrew Morgan John Nathan-Turner (uncredited) |
| Script editor | Andrew Cartmel |
| Producer | John Nathan-Turner |
| Executive producer(s) | None |
| Production code | 7H |
| Series | Season 25 |
| Length | 4 episodes, 25 mins each |
| Originally broadcast | October 5–October 26, 1988 |
| Chronology | |
| ← Preceded by | Followed by → |
| Dragonfire | The Happiness Patrol |
Remembrance of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from October 5 to October 26, 1988. The serial opened the 25th anniversary year of the series, and revisited the locations of the very first Doctor Who episode, "An Unearthly Child", specifically the Coal Hill School and the junkyard at 76 Totter's Lane.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
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[edit] Synopsis
The Doctor and Ace arrive in Shoreditch, late 1963, and become quickly ingratiated with Professor Jenson and Sergeant Mike Smith who are tracing 'the primary source' of magnetic fluctuations outside Coal Hill School. They are quickly summoned to 'the secondary source' at Totters Lane Junkyard where Group Captain Gilmore and his men have been attacked by an unidentified assailant. The aggressor is quickly identified as a grey Dalek which is promptly destroyed by the Doctor using Ace's Nitro-9 explosive.
Meanwhile, Gilmore's troops, charged with returning the grey Dalek remains, are attacked by agents of Mr. Ratcliffe, whose fascist Association operates from a Builders Warehouse. His agents recover the remains which Ratcliffe presents to a Dalek Battle computer secreted in his office whom he assures that the Doctor will be followed.
The Doctor, troubled by the presence of the 'wrong Dalek', travels with Ace back to Coal Hill School, and with the permission of the Headmaster begin searching the school. The Doctor reveals to Ace that the Daleks have followed him through time to this point hoping to secure the Hand of Omega. In the basement of the school the Doctor and Ace discover a transmat device which the Doctor disables, causing a white and gold Dalek operator charges on the sabotagers. While Ace is incapacitated by the controlled Headmaster, the Doctor is locked in the cellar to face the rising Dalek chanting his extermination. Ace overpowers the Headmaster and frees the Doctor, and they make use of anti tank rockets forwarded by Group Captain Gilmore to deal with the Dalek.
Very concerned about the presence of two Dalek factions, the Doctor decides to 'bury the past' and leaves Ace in the care of Smith. The Omega Device is awaiting burial in a local Undertakers. The Doctor leads the floating casket to a freshly dug grave. As the blind Vicar presiding over the ceremony announces 'it is over' the Doctor corrects him with 'it's only just beginning.' The unusual burial is watched by Mike Smith.
The Doctor, Smith, Jensen, and her assistant Allison travel to Gilmore's base where the presence of a large Dalek mothership is detected in geostationary orbit. The Mothership quickly dispatches an Imperial Dalek assault squad to the transmat repaired by the Headmaster. The Doctor vetoes a proposal of military action, warning of massive reprisals from the Imperial Faction. He assembles a jamming device to interfere with the Dalek control systems.
A bored Ace realises that she has left her stereo back at the school. She returns there to discover it crawling with Imperial Daleks. With some assistance from a baseball bat imbued with power from the Omega Device she proves more than a match for a surprised Dalek scout. However during her escape she is cornered by three Daleks.
Alerted to Ace's visit to the School, the Doctor arrives just in time to save Ace using his Dalek Jammer. Deciding to buy himself more time he then destroys the transmat. The Daleks on the Mothership detect this and decide to wait for the Omega Device to reveal itself. Informed of the location of the buried casket and the Battle Computer's promise of great shared power, Ratcliffe and his association begin digging for the Device. He is unsettled by the presence of a silent school girl who has been observing most of the proceedings. The disturbed Device is detected by the Imperial Daleks and the summoned Dalek Emperor tasks a shuttle to recover it from the Grey Renegade Daleks who have rejected his authority.
The Doctor sends Gilmore and his men to establish a defensive position at the school. He reveals to Ace that two sets of Daleks are vying for control of the Omega Device which was used to give the Gallifreyans mastery of time. Ratcliffe presents the Device to the Battle Computer which is revealed to contain the little girl. A Dalek Supreme flanked by Grey Daleks kills Ratcliffe's men and takes him hostage. They quickly prepare to flee with the Device using a time controller (visually represented by a plasma lamp).
Not wanting this faction to escape with the Device, the Doctor disables the controller and is chased back to the school by a squad of Daleks. The Doctor asssures his entourage that the approaching Imperial shuttle will not land at the school as it is so far away from the Renegade base. The group take cover as the shuttle lands in the playground. The Doctor notes with concern that he might have miscalculated.
The Imperial Daleks leave the ship to face the Renegade faction. Using a Special Weapons Dalek to neutralise some opposition, they advance towards the Renegade base. Realising that Smith is Ratcliffe's agent, Gilmore detains him. The Doctor decides to use the transmat remains in the cellar as a communications link with the Mothership.
Smith escapes to the Renegade base to find Ratcliffe a prisoner. The repaired time controller powers up to enable the Renegades' escape but the base is attacked by the Imperials, who overwhelm the few remaining opponents. Ratcliffe and Mike flee with the Time Controller and the Supreme Dalek orders the controlled girl to recover it. Using Dalek powers she kills Ratcliffe and pursues Smith. The victorious Imperials return to the shuttle with the Device. The Doctor orders Ace to shadow Smith.
The Imperial Emperor is informed that the Omega Device is in his possession. Soon after the face of the Doctor appears on the bridge screen and he demands the surrender of the Device. The Emperor is revealed to be Davros who announces his plans for his Daleks to overthrow the Time Lords. Angered by the Doctor's insults, Davros decides to unleash the device on Skaro's sun. Rather than the desired effect, the device creates a supernova, obliterating the Daleks' home. The device smashes back into the Mothership just after Davros' escape pod tumbles out of view. The Doctor announces that the device is travelling back to Gallifrey.
Ace is captured by Smith, who is still holding the Time Controller. The girl tracks him down and kills him before turning her attention to Ace. The Doctor seeks out the Supreme Dalek. Convinced of its absolute defeat it kills itself, breaking the link with the controlled girl.
At Smith's funeral Ace wonders if what they did was good. 'Time will tell,' replies the Doctor. 'It always does.'
[edit] Continuity
A meta-reference to the show happens in one scene, the first and so far only explicit one in the show's history. A television screen shows a BBC Television caption of the period with a continuity announcer saying "This is BBC television, the time is quarter past five and Saturday viewing continues with an adventure in the new science fiction series Doc—", but is cut off by a scene change before completing the title.
From this, it can be inferred that this story takes place at some point in 1963 after November 23rd (the date the programme was first broadcast). However, some point to the fact that there is still daylight at a quarter past five as a suggestion of another placement. This, of course, could be put down simply to miscontinuity. Another piece of evidence cited to suggest the episode does not take place around November 23rd is the apparent lack of references to the events of November 22, 1963 and its immediate aftermath.
Nevertheless, the serial appears to take place at some point soon after "An Unearthly Child", the first episode of the very first Doctor Who serial. We see the Coal Hill School again and the book on the French Revolution that Susan was reading. A scene also takes place in I.M. Foreman's scrap yard, although it does not resemble the location as seen in "An Unearthly Child" or Attack of the Cybermen.
Further distinguishing the location, the name on the scrap yard sign is misspelled I.M. Forman. Originally, the sign painter mistakenly painted "L.M. Forman". However, while the "L" was easily changed into an "I", the rest could not be altered in time for the recording of the story.[1] This was later addressed in-story in the BBC-licensed Doctor Who novel The Algebra of Ice, as a race of creatures taking the form of mathematical equations causing a number of minor, self-correcting temporal disruptions in the vicinity of the Doctor, including the spelling of Foreman/Forman.[2][3]
The Doctor says that Ace's tape deck being destroyed is a good thing - "the whole microchip revolution would take place now, 20 years too early." The accuracy of this statement depends on how long it would take to reverse-engineer the chips, and how the revolution is defined; this serial takes place in or shortly after 1963, while the first microprocessors were arguably developed between 1968 and 1974.
Davros points out the Doctor has "changed again" and his change in appearances is constant. This is in reference to the fact that in this serial and the previous three serials to feature Davros, there has been a different Doctor.
[edit] Daleks
- Episode 1 is commonly considered the first time a Dalek is shown on screen to hover independently above ground. However, the Daleks' ability to defy gravity was first implied as far back as The Chase (1965), a Dalek was seen hovering in the 1973 adventure Planet of the Daleks and both Davros and the Daleks were seen to hover in Revelation of the Daleks (1985). However, this is the first episode that explicitly shows that using that ability means that stairs are no longer a major impediment to the species.
- Several elements in the plot are structured so as to surprise viewers familiar with previous Dalek serials. The story initially leads the informed viewer to identify the figure speaking to Ratcliffe and commanding the renegade faction as Davros, and to identify the imperial faction with the Daleks who captured Davros at the end of Revelation of the Daleks, with the stated intention of taking him to Skaro for trial. However, the figure is revealed to be a kidnapped schoolgirl, and the imperial faction are commanded by Davros.
- The Skaro Daleks of Revelation become the Renegade Daleks in this story, and the story does not explain how Davros went from being their prisoner to being the Emperor of a rival Dalek faction. The Doctor Who Magazine comic strip story Emperor of the Daleks (DWM #197-#202) attempts to fill in this gap, with Davros conquering Skaro. The Big Finish Productions audio adventure The Juggernauts presents an alternate version of Davros's activities in the period between Revelation and Remembrance.
- The Eighth Doctor Adventures novel, War of the Daleks by John Peel, claimed that Skaro had not been destroyed after all. The later Big Finish Productions audio play Terror Firma contradicted this and also gave an alternate account of what Davros did after the events of this story. As with all non-televised stories, including the comic strip, the canonicity of these stories are unclear. Furthermore, Dalek Caan mentions in "Daleks in Manhattan" (2007) that Skaro was destroyed in "a great war", leaving more doubt as to the actual moment of its destruction (Russell T Davies referred in Doctor Who Confidential to the events of Genesis of the Daleks as the first strike of the Time War, so Caan might be referring to the events of Remembrance in this context).
- Davros's threats to destroy Gallifrey and the Time Lords are referenced in the Doctor Who Annual 2006, where it is claimed that "one of the Dalek Puppet Emperors openly declared his hostility".
- The Doctor tells Ace that the Daleks conquered the Earth in the 22nd century, referring The Dalek Invasion of Earth. He also tells Ace about the war between the Kaleds and the Thals, and how the mutation of the Kaleds was accelerated by Davros.
[edit] The Doctor
- The Doctor describes himself to Davros as "President Elect of the High Council of Time Lords". While the Doctor did become President in The Deadly Assassin, assumed the role in The Invasion of Time and was appointed once again as President in The Five Doctors, by the time of his sixth incarnation's trial in The Trial of a Time Lord he had been removed from office due to his absence, making this statement most likely a bluff on the Doctor's part.
- In a scene deleted from the original broadcast, the Doctor also tells Davros that he is "far more than just another Time Lord".[1] This, along with the Doctor's hints that he was present at the creation of the Hand of Omega, was part of the so-called Cartmel Masterplan by script editor Andrew Cartmel to restore some of the mystery to the Doctor's origins. More hints would surface over the next two seasons (for example, in Silver Nemesis), but as the programme ceased production in 1989, the intended revelations never came to pass (see Other (Doctor Who)). The Seventh Doctor, from this point on, also grew darker and more manipulative.
- When asked to sign a document, the Doctor clearly does so with a question mark.
[edit] Production
[edit] Preproduction
- Working titles for this story included Nemesis of the Doctor.[1]
- In one scene, Dr Rachel Jensen makes mention of a "Bernard" from the "British Rocket Group". This is a reference to Bernard Quatermass and his British Experimental Rocket Group, of the Nigel Kneale-penned Quatermass science-fiction television serials. The Rocket Group is again mentioned in "The Christmas Invasion".
[edit] Casting
- To protect the secret of Davros' presence in the story, Terry Molloy was credited in part three under an anagram, "Roy Tromelly".
- William Thomas, who appears in the story as Martin the undertaker, appears again in the series in the 2005 episode "Boom Town", making him the first actor to appear in both the classic and new series of Doctor Who. He later goes on to play Geraint Cooper, the father of Gwen Cooper, in the 2008 Torchwood episode "Something Borrowed". He is the first actor to appear in all three shows.
- Tip Tipping, a stuntman in this serial, also plays the corporal knocked out by Mike in Part Four.
- Joseph Marcell, who appears as John, is better known for playing Geoffrey Butler on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- The episode also features guest appearances by Pamela Salem and Michael Sheard. See also Celebrity appearances in Doctor Who.
- Mark McGann, the brother of Eighth Doctor actor Paul McGann, was originally considered for the role of Mike Smith.
[edit] Production
- For the final battle sequence between the Renegade and Imperial Daleks, the BBC Effects Department's pyrotechnics were so loud and the explosions so realistic that the London Fire Brigade was dispatched to the scene by local residents who feared that an IRA bomb had gone off. Sylvester McCoy, in Episode 6 of the documentary series Doctor Who Confidential, told the story of how after the first explosions, a number of car alarms in the neighborhood went off, and how surprised the emergency services drivers were when they arrived to see three Daleks coming at them from out of the smoke.
- Production on the serial went over-budget by £13,000, and as a result Andrew Morgan was barred from directing for the programme again.[4]
[edit] Post-production
- The first episode begins with a short pre-titles teaser (other examples being Castrovalva, The Five Doctors and Time and the Rani). The pre-titles teaser would become a regular part of the show's format in the 2000s revival, starting in the second episode of 2005, "The End of the World".
- When Ace first goes into the cafe, "Return to Sender" by Elvis Presley is heard on the radio. "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and "A Taste of Honey" by The Beatles are heard in later scenes, although for rights reasons these were replaced for the original DVD release, with the former replaced by the Billy J. Kramer version of the same song. The DVD contained in the later-released Davros Boxset was able to use the original songs thanks to changes in UK licensing laws.
[edit] Broadcast and reception
This story was the first time the programme was transmitted — albeit only in the London broadcast region — with NICAM stereo sound.[5]
[edit] Commercial releases
- This story was released in a two VHS tape set with The Chase in September of 1993. It was re-released in 2001 as part of The Davros Collection which was a limited-edition box set, exclusive to UK retailer WH Smith.
- This story was released on DVD in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2001, remastered by the Doctor Who Restoration Team. Special features included were outtakes, a photo gallery and a commentary with Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred. One scene included among the deleted scenes on the DVD release is the extended version of a scene in the café where the Doctor muses on the consequences of choices on history to John (played by Joseph Marcell). The original Region 2 DVD release has some video effects missing from episode 1 and the start of episode 2. This was an unforeseen consequence of the Restoration Team using earlier edits of these episodes, made before certain effects were added. The problem was corrected with subsequent DVD releases, including Region 1. A remastered version of Remembrance of the Daleks was released on Region 2 in November 2007, as part of The Complete Davros Collection. It will include the effects that were mistakenly left out and songs by The Beatles that weren't clearable for the original release but subsequently fall under a blanket music licensing agreement for the U.K. Two new extra features will cover different aspects of the story. Back to School will tell the making of the story while Remembrances will talk about the relationship to other stories in the shows history that are referenced. There is also a newly remastered stereo and 5.1 surround sound mix, but there is an error on this omitting "Yes Sir" said by Sergeant Mike Smith in response to Group Captain Gilmore's order. This happens about 9 minutes and 34 seconds into episode 1.
[edit] In print
- A novelisation of this serial, written by Ben Aaronovitch, was published by Target Books in June 1990. This was the first Daleks serial to be novelised since Destiny of the Daleks in 1979. The book also has a noticeably higher word count than most previous novelisations. Aaronovitch's novelisation contains a reference to Kadiatu Lethbridge-Stewart, the granddaughter of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Kadiatu's own great-granddaughter and namesake was a recurring character in the Virgin New Adventures, including Aaronovitch's own Transit and The Also People. The novelisation of this story is widely considered to be one of the best of the entire series.[6][7]
- The novelisation also states that the troops seen in this story were from a unit known as the "Intrusion Counter-Measures Group". UNIT Exposed, the 1991 Doctor Who Magazine Winter Special, suggested that the ICMG was a forerunner of UNIT. This was picked up on and expanded in the spin-off novel Who Killed Kennedy by David Bishop, which provides a fictional history of UNIT from an investigative journalist's perspective. Who Killed Kennedy also stated that Dr Rachel Jensen was drafted from the British Rocket Group.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Sullivan, Shannon Patrick. Remembrance Of The Daleks. A Brief History of Time (Travel). Retrieved on 2007-01-16.
- ^ Rose, Lloyd (2004). The Algebra of Ice. London: BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-48621-X.
- ^ Dixon, Cameron. The Algebra of Ice. The Doctor Who Reference Guide. Dominique Boies. Retrieved on 2007-01-16.
- ^ Pixley, Andrew (2005-04-13 - cover date). "Remembrance of the Daleks - Archive Extra". Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition - The Complete Seventh Doctor (Special Edition #10): p. 47.
- ^ Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Remembrance of the Daleks - Details. BBC Doctor Who website. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-01-16.Ă
- ^ Remembrance of the Daleks reviews Outpost Gallifrey. Retrieved 01/05/07
- ^ Remembrance of the Daleks novelisation Doctor Who Ratings Guide. Retrieved 01/05/07
[edit] External links
- Remembrance of the Daleks at bbc.co.uk
- Remembrance of the Daleks at Doctor Who: A Brief History Of Time (Travel)
- Remembrance of the Daleks at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- Remembrance of the Daleks at Outpost Gallifrey
- Script to Screen: Remembrance of the Daleks, by Jon Preddle (Time Space Visualiser issue 39, May 1994)
[edit] Reviews
- Remembrance of the Daleks reviews at Outpost Gallifrey
- Remembrance of the Daleks reviews at The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
[edit] Target novelisation
- Remembrance of the Daleks (novelisation) reviews at Outpost Gallifrey
- Remembrance of the Daleks (novelisation) reviews at The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
- On Target — Remembrance of the Daleks
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