Published in CT 281

The Mutant Phase

This is the 3rd Dalek Empire story Big Finish have released, thus completing the list of the Doctors needing to face the Daleks (I understand Paul McGann will face them in The Time of the Daleks, but is not a Dalek Empire story).

I particularly like this story for the way it shows the evolution of the Daleks. The Daleks from 2150 (The Dalek Invasion of Earth), the voices are more broken up when compared with modern-day Daleks. Coupled to listening to this story whilst semi-asleep meant I really could visualise the entire story- a first and greatly adds to the wonder that is Big Finish Dr Who. Must try this for the others...

The use of the temporal paradox is very complex, but a second hearing gets the message across, and makes for interesting listening. I like the use of the Time Corridor and how it takes a while for the Doctor to work out how to break free of it (thus linking the story to Ressurrection of the Daleks).

The use of the Mutant Phase is interesting too. The idea that there could be something the Daleks are afraid of is an intriguing one, and one that is nicely done here.The way they retain their arrogance whilst facing death is typical of the Daleks.

The one niggle I do have is that the voice of the Dalek Emperor has oh-so-slightly changed since The Genocide Machine, and this has taken the power out of it. A shame, but only a minor one.

Overall this is a complicated story, but very well-done and easy to visualise. I would like to rate it higher than the Apocalypse Element, but then the final Dalek Empire stories would be over 100%! As it is, this one rates amongst the elite at 95%, thus making the Dalek Empire series the highest series I have ever awarded. And who says I'm obssessed?!

by Peter Witney