Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 40 - Planet of the Daleks

 40: Planet of the Daleks

Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened

Funny how the last story to be shown on BBC1 before the TV Movie was this one, as a treat for the 30th anniversary. It was my introduction to the story, being the generation of fans who saw the Pertwee era completely out of sequence. My initial impression was I slightly disappointed, but that might be down to the fact it had rumoured The Seeds of Doom would be repeated. 

But it made sense to repeat this: the Daleks versus Jon Pertwee, who in the eyes of the public was the current Doctor thanks to the Paradise of Death on Radio 5 and had had two other stories repeated over the last two years (The Sea Devils and the Daemons, and I'd gone off Pertwee's Doctor after seeing his character being a complete arse in the latter!) 

I'm also the generation that had read from older fans that the Pertwee Dalek stories weren't brilliant, Planet, in particular, was a rehash of past Dalek stories and plot points. The old received fan wisdom. Goodness knows what the TV audiences in 1993 made of this twenty year old drama with it's studio jungle, the year Jurassic Park was released. Dated yes, maybe even a bit creaky but it's quintessential Doctor Who. A timeless adventure of good versus evil with a Doctor who was an out and out hero. 

Watching his era out of sequence meant I struggled with Pertwee's character sometimes. Here he's avuncular to Jo, although they're separated for the first half of the story and kind and supportive to the Thals. The scene in episode two where he and Codal are locked in the cell waiting to be interrogated by the Daleks. It's the ultimate in Pertwee's moments of charm. I'm not always convinced by these moments, but this is

a nice quotable homily that is fifty years later, quoted to kids to help them cope with things they're struggling with. I know that, because I'm one of the one's quoting it... 

And then there's Jo. Katy Manning always gives a great performance, even when the character isn't there on the page. Here she's brave and resourceful, practically carrying the first episode while the Doctor is unconscious. She's the epitome of being scared but doing what she has to anyway. Later in the story she's given a love interest in the form of Latep, but it's no surprise she turns him down. It sows the seed of Jo growing and leaving the coup as indeed she does in the next adventure. 

After Day of the Daleks, lessons had been learnt with regards to the titular tinpots. Visual effects designer Clifford Culley was detailed to bulk up the Dalek army with extra versions, after the lacklustre battle in the previous story with only three Daleks. The voices also were improved with Michael Wisher giving them a far more staccato electronic delivery to give them a bit more power. Not to mention the bling Supreme who casually exterminates his subordinate for failure. 

The guest cast fulfil their roles with ease; Bernard Horsfall, a stalwart of Doctor Who thanks to director David Maloney's casting of him for the third time (and he'll cast him again in a few years for the Deadly Assassin) It's true they're stock Terry Nation stereotypes; Terrance Dicks famously asked Nation in his script notes, what did Rebec have as a character apart from "the t*ts?" But they work within the confines of the story. Tim Preece is particularly good as Codal, his character clearly growing in confidence throughout the adventure thanks to the Doctor's influence. 

So, I am grateful the BBC repeated this, maybe they'll repeat it again to celebrate the 60th? Because for a 50 year old story, it's messages are timeless. War shouldn't be glorified, and courage is doing what you have to do, regardless of how scared you are. The acting style may be a little theatrical for modern day tastes but they're still good performances! Some people may only see tinsel in the jungle, but I can see the gold. 

Next Time : Don't blink...