Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 3 - Remembrance of the Daleks

 3. Remembrance of the Daleks

Every great decision creates ripples... 

1987 was not a great time to be a Doctor Who fan. Even the fans were against the show! The lighthearted antics of Season 24 had been derided by a small but very vocal minority of fandom but I really liked it. Unfortunately it made me a target for bullies at school, but so had been rubbish at football!

The following year was the 25th anniversary year, Michael Grade had popped off to Channel 4, so it felt like the series was reasonably safe. And news soon reached the public announcing that the first story of the season would be called Remembrance of the Daleks, which sounded like a traditional title and more how fans would expect or want the show to be like. 

Remembrance has become a big favourite in our house with my three sons, especially the special weapons Dalek. I do wish for my middle son's sake, Character Options would rerelease their version as it's his favourite. After four stories living in Davros' shadow, here they're centre stage again and with two factions, there's twice the trouble and the plot goes back to their xenophobic roots. The Renegade Daleks steaming up with actual fascists is a clever twist. Plus, the gold and white design of the Imperial faction, slightly tweaked from Revelation, looks magnificent on the London streets. 

I have to say, while I'm more than happy to let them watch Remembrance, it won't be until they're all a bit older before they watch Resurrection and Revelation. The reason being is how they were made. Resurrection was made during the trend for video nasties. Even children's and family films such as Return to Oz, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the Goonies, although rated PG have a high horror and shock content. Resurrection feels as though it was made to compete with that trend. Remembrance, however, was made to compete with older Doctor Who. 

There's an interview with script editor Andrew Cartmel who said that one fan wrote to him suggesting that he watch some old stories such as the Seeds of Doom and the Talons of Weng Chiang, to get a better flavour as to what Doctor Who should be like, at least in the eyes of this particular fan! It's not a bad suggestion, and Cartmel said he was blown away by Robert Holmes' writing and gave him a real grasp of what the character of the Doctor was capable of. *

Newcomer Ben Aaronovitch crafted a tale that was rich in continuity yet was still accessible to he general audience. The setting of Coal Hill School works well without having to know that's where the show started back in 1963. There's a wonderful exposition scene in part three that could have been clunky but it works, helped by the fact that even though this is their first official story together, Sylvester and Sophie have great onscreen chemistry. 

They're helped by a glittering cast of actors such as Simon Williams, Pamela Salem and George Sewell. Again in contrast to Resurrection, the characters are well defined and interact without constantly sniping at each other in fluent Sawardese. Rachel and Allison might take the mickey out of Gilmore behind his back, but there's a respect there as well.  No wonder Big Finish seized the opportunity to establish a spin off featuring them. The excellent novelisation hints at a romance between Rachel and the Group Captain.(Perhaps she gave him the nickname "Chunky"?) They interact like real people, talk like real people (no directing bile at anyone!)

It's also quite refreshing to have a Dalek story that isn't a bloodbath. There's only one onscreen extermination which is a superb effects shot performed by Tip Tipping. Meanwhile some soldiers and Ratcliffe's men are shot off screen. In fact it's Jasmine Breaks as the creepy schoolgirl who kills off more characters on screen. 

And then there are the cliffhangers. Part One sticks two fingers up at every tabloid journalist and third rate comedian who've made jokes about the lack of the Daleks mobility. Part Two is a traditional companion in peril scenario, but done exceptionally well (Director Andrew Morgan did great work on both his stories!) Part Three has a full size blooming spaceship dropping down into the playground! Seriously this was too good a show to waste stuck against Coronation Street! 

Back on 1988, for four weeks in October, it was almost respectable to be a Doctor Who fan and I remember positive comments about how good people thought it was. However, the week after part four we had the Happiness Patrol and well, that's another story... 

And while my boys are screeching round the house and garden shouting "Renegade Daleks, retreat!" I'm more than happy to watch Remembrance. A reminder that regardless of what people thought, Doctor Who could still be the best thing on TV. 

Next Time : To lose is to win, and he who wins shall lose! 

*https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv40/andrewcartmel.html