| DEATH TO THE DALEKS by Terry Nation |
| Story 72 Synopsis: The TARDIS lands on Exxilon, where it loses all power. Desperately, the Doctor and Sarah Jane realise they must go out, and get help. They get split up, with the Doctor meeting some humans on a mission to obtain sources of a mineral, parrinium, which is vital to cure a space plague. Sarah Jane is captured by the native Exxilons, after taking a close look at the City, a vast structure, quite unlike anything else. A spaceship lands near the human camp. It's the Daleks, but they are affected by the mysterious power losses which have also grounded the humans. So, they unite to confront the Exxilons. The Daleks gain the upper hand, and force the Exxilons to mine the parrinium, which the Daleks also claim to need. The Doctor saves Sarah Jane from being sacrificed, then escapes into a set of caves. There, they meet dissident Exxilons, who explain that having built the City, the Exxilons became split between those who worshipped it, and those who would wish to destroy it. Sarah Jane sets off to help the humans, whilst the Doctor and Bellal, one of the dissidents, go to investigate the City. There, the Doctor finds a series of logic puzzles, which he solves, which allow access further and furtehr inside the City. The Daleks are in hot pursuit. The City is a living organism, powered by a beacon, which is draining power from everything that arrives on Exxilon. The Daleks supervise a human assault team to blow up the beacon. That done, the City starts to die. The Daleks prepare to leave, having taken the parrinium. They caused the space plague, and will ensure no-one can land on Exxilon to get any more. But the humans have switched supplies, so that the Daleks only took sand. Also, one of the humans, Galloway, sneaks on board the Dalekship, and blows it up, himself included. |
| Review:- Hello, it's that man Nation again. Many criticise Terry Nation for his simplicity. Then again, sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This is the best-selling BBC Doctor Who video of all time (or it was, the last time anyone cared to present a list of proof). What's so good about it? Well, it's uncomplicated. The Daleks are evil all the way through, and don't keep up the pretence of helpfulness very long. Plus, the plague is their fault all along. Hey! If they had inspired the Exxilons to build the City too, then they'd be guilty of just about everything that happens. Still. The story tackles religion and science, and finds both lacking. Which is a good trick, because third-way is better than the main two is an idea that is ahead of its time. The Exxilons are pretty undramatic, except for Bellal. In fact, all the disparate groups are quite uninvolving. However, the Doctor is the central figure, spends all the time trying to help, and does so. Sarah Jane shows that companions need not be dim, even in the face of their situations. I like this story. I've just not got a lot to say about it, that's all. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video and read the book. |