Remembrance of the Daleks

“Humans have such a propensity for self-deception matched only by it's ingenuity when trying to destroy itself.” - The Doctor.

Remembrance is another oddly apt title as it would be the last to feature the Daleks until 2005 (spoofs and spin-offs not withstanding), and even still upon their return wouldn't feature Ivory colouring until 2010 so looking back on this is a solemn occasion.

“I have a dream”

The episode begins in 1963, a momentous year, and also the birth of Doctor Who. His seventh such incarnation takes centre stage with his protégé Ace and some decidedly anachronistic ancestor to the ipod. In Coal Hill High some spooky shit is going down and the first thing to catch the Doc's eye is a van with a coat hanger on the roof.

“Daleks are such boring conversationalists”

This episode is beautiful in it's groundings as something basic and urban. It's not badly constructed corridors or wonky spacescapes but a school and a Café in Inner London. What lends to the feel of this episode is for the first time a proper go at a redesign has been achieved with the Daleks. place of plungers are golden cups with slats for working machinery, a more functional eye-piece (though it doesn't stop a bad-ass baseball bat) and finer little details like sharper angles and new head lamps. The 60's props meanwhile have all been painted grey and are a faction of 'renegade' Daleks who have somehow gotten the lower hand since their last story. To the outside this all ends up looking a little like war of the BBC props - old vs. new, with an explosive conclusion.

“See? Every action has it's consequences...”

This tale also makes good use of the Doctor's character, and sets about redefining his mystery and authority. In this episode there is a particularly touching exchange between the Doctor and a man tending to the Café whilst the owner is away. During this they discuss what would have happened to history if the sugar trade had never started, using this 'what if?' scenario to try and come to a decision on what his next move against the pepper pots from hell should be. Sadly a little bit got cut off this scene when it comes for the Doc to pay for his tea, he accidentally pays with a coin from the future, looking back through the window with mystery.

“Is a massive deception, yes”

This story also makes a good effort at handling the military, as we whovians know by now all the military ever do when they get involved is add to the body count, so the Doctor duly gets them out of the way by telling them they needed to focus on Coal Hill rather than where the real fighting was going on, much to Ace's admiration when she realises what he's doing.

“Unlimited Rice Pudding!”

And just when you thought you'd gotten away from Davros for the first time since the Third Doctor, sorry, can't happen. This time He's decided to cut his head off and stick it in a Dalek with a huge head. Though we are lead to assume Davros is the battle computer until the more startling truth unveils itself. Still no idea how Davros grew his body back though, but Davies decided he'd sooner not try and explain and instead skipped an episode.