Destiny of the Daleks

It would be easier to list what I like about Destiny of the Daleks than what I don't. I like the ridiculous opening, Romana's regeneration fashion show. I like her pink version of the Doctor's outfit. I like the central plot point of two robot armies at a logical stalemate, even if it doesn't really work in this case (when have Daleks ever been accused of being logical?). I like the gag of Douglas Adams inserting Oolon Colluphid into the show via the Doctor's copy of his book on the origin of the universe. I'm afraid that's about it, though.

It's good for a mindless Dalek story. It's bad if you want a great Dalek story; if you do watch Genesis of the Daleks.

What a real shame that this stinker was to be Terry Nation's last script for Who. Hot (well, given the years before...) off Genesis, Destiny represents one of the greatest steps backwards in Doctor Who history.

A superb conceptual checklist of logical impasses manifesting in intergalatic stalemate; subterranean unearthing of Davros and adversaries fit for the Daleks are all hampered by a lack lustre script with no clear focus. Plodding along we're introduced to the monumentally dull Movellans, who despite billing, are easily overpowered by a ragtag bunch of emaciated dalek slave workers.

But this is small fry in the inconsistency landmine. Canonically, Romana's regeneration is a bizarre choice, but through script rummaging ("try" used by the Doctor) and wishy thinking - it's no issue. Likewise is the 'other race of robots' issue. The script occassionally forgetting whether daleks are mutants, robots or something between (often DURING episodes!) is too, passable.

The big issue isn't canonical inconsistency, but thematic and tonal inconsistency. Davros is wheeled about to zany jingles; Daleks bark orders repeatedly and pathetically reiterate their punishments before counting down from five, a-la substitute high school teacher. Romana post-regeneration screams for simply falling off a ledge, far worse than anything handed to Mary in the Key to Time, in episode four however, Romana tackles Movellans with gusto! Her morbid illusion to escape the Dalek mines is so poorly handled as to be devoid of dramatic weight or explanation, as to make me believe up to episode four that she had been made into a Dalek robot duplicate off screen. The greatest bodge being the Doctor laughingly chuck a Dalek mutant into the dirt - 'has he the right' my backside!

Daleks look cheap, to an extent where the effects hamper the episode. Davros' prosthetics aren't updated for a change in actor and throughout the Doctor ridicules these inept Daleks. The Chase had an excuse - after 16 years, Destiny doesn't. With a toss of the Doctors' hat, a-la Hand of Fear this regrettable regress is over and finished. Since Davros' timeline is vital for future episodes, I'd recommend just reading the Target novelisation and youtubing some admittedly stellar Dalek explosions.

Destiny of the Daleks is a mix of good and bad. I actually like the more modern cinematography which gives the show a bit more of a vibrant feel. Tom Baker is great as the Doctor, and this story features Davros back to his evil ways though he's not quite as interesting as in Genesis of the Daleks, and I did love the cliffhanger for Episode 1.

On the downside, the Romana regeneration was silly and the statement about the Daleks being robots was a tad confusing. Still, I enjoyed it and it was worth viewing.