Revelation of the Daleks

This is my most beloved offering of Colin’s era, just beating vengeance of Varos.

Davros is plotting something vile under a guise. Now named the great healer and helping people but in place as morbid as a place of slumber for the dead (a icy Morgue if I recall correctly) it’s undoubtedly a scheme!
This is a rare case in the eighties were all characters shine! And even if the Dj is wacky , what the hell !
This is the eeriest most gross dalek take. Not the best dalek story but definitely the most horrifying.
We will be them... or failing that , food!

It's not Caves of Androzani - not even Resurrection of the Daleks.

The latter feels odd to type, it certainly works better on paper. The Doctor and Peri, landing on an alien world devoted to the art of cryogenic suspension... an art being abused by Davros - creating Daleks (and quorn!) out of humans - all on screen in gory detail. Davros manipulates interstellar corporate grab-grinders, who in turn manipulate a double-act of space knight and sci-fi squire, but Davros is also willing to manipulate the emotions of lowly staff for sick pleasure.

Most of the latter takes place towards the last half of episode two, in isolation a stellar piece of Who. There's Dalek civil-war; Davros' hand being blown off with his fingers on the floor; model explosions and a real sense of continuity being made. This is constructive and purposeful use of canon, unlike Timelash a fortnight earlier.

The issue is with execution. Despite Harper's best efforts, his second outing fails to compete with Caves (hardly a fair critique, I know). There's some shots which elevate what could otherwise be terribly dull: namely Davros' lair scenes and the opening shots inside the embalming chamber. However, with 'space Ikea base of the week' studio sets, there's just too little to work with.

Spots of visual flair are unfortunately underused. The glass Dalek is gorgeous and gory - skin crawling and an absolute coup! It's used sparingly in episode 1 and even more sparingly in episode 2, rather than taking absolute centre stage. Likewise, Davros' use of humans to generate protein concentrate is a superb little slice of body horror - where's the production line? The obligatory scenes of characters (preferably Peri!) eating the cadavers? What could've been gems sacrificed for some bland characters.

I say bland.. there's infuriating too. As glass Daleks are being pushed off screen, we're bombarded with the awful DJ character. Harper tries to make lightening strike twice with the DJ staring into the lens and Saward tries to make lightening strike twice with some post-modern observation. Neither succeeds.

Jobel on the otherhand does to a degree, but his subplot of utter sleaze being manipulated by Davros is ruined by Tasambeker's awful portrayal. On paper this subplot is simply amazing, introduction elements of raw emotion often bereft from Classic Who. The execution, not the idea, just falls flat.

The effects too often fall flat. Dalek explosions seem a bit wet; sets seem a bit tacky excluding Davros' lair. The voices of the Daleks are huge step down back to the calibre of Destiny, following the success of Resurrection.

Excellent isolated ideas aside, Davros' plan of ensnaring the Doctor seems to be pointless and the central dynamics of the serial are initiated by Davros and Kara. The Doctor's active role in the serial is literally meaningless until he arrives in episode 2, and even then neither he or Peri are particularly proactive. The resolution, the arrival of the Renegade Daleks, has nothing to do with the Doctor whatsoever. Again, plenty of amazing ideas and beats, but being slung onto a story that's a tad pants, and executed in a slapdash fashion.

This is a worthy episode from the 6th Doctor's era. The Doctor and Peri work well together, the supporting cast do an excellent job and there are several well written character creations. Sets and special effects are pretty good. Davros' experiments are of a laudable horror movie quality.

It does however have a torture scene with unpleasant threats - not quite family viewing territory.

Revelation was, as its writer explained, the Apocalypse following the Genesis and the Resurrection, of aforesaid Daleks.

In many ways since it was the last uninterrupted Doctor Who of the classic series, it was unintentionally bittersweet but a fantastic way to "end it" before the interpolations, trial, achronic companions and descent into camp, zero budget and guest stars over plot.

It's suitably violent, but without being a video nasty, it has some truly standout performances and the acting ensemble includes top drawer talent.

It also evokes a very creepy atmosphere, as befits something partially inspired by The Loved Ones.

Well worth watching and rewatching, particularly with the CGI enhanced effects.

Ah for what could have been without the persecution by that troll Michael Grade...