"Victory of the Daleks"

[lizbee]

I would just like to say that I really, really enjoyed this.  Mostly because, it being a Gatiss episode, I'd adjusted my expectations downward, so as not to end up horribly disappointed when Amy was suddenly useless and reconciling with abusive parents became a great idea.  None of these things happened, but we did get Bill Paterson The Robot and Daleks wearing clothes, so that's okay.

I mean, yes, there was some terribly tedious nationalism, but I suppose it's appropriate to the era and all.  It was nice to have a Dalek episode with a small, contained plot that made sense.  I mean, as plans go, the Daleks' Operation: Get Character Reference From The Doctor Via WWII is a bit convoluted, but, y'know, they're Daleks.  They once tried to hollow out the Earth and steal the planet's core.  They aren't programmed for plans.

Also, Daleks are particularly scary when they're in situations where they don't belong.  Like wandering around an underground cabinet war room, offering to make tea.  (How do they make tea with plungers?)  On a space ship?  Less scary. 

Hey, you know what's not scary?  The new Daleks.  I don't want to be one of those fans who sees something new and instantly hates it, but I was sort of unmoved.  The deeper voice doesn't send shivery chills down my spine, and they look a wee bit clunky.  They're like the Dalek versions of Walkmans.  And they seem to have floppy disk drives.  I don't know, maybe I'll get used to them.

Anyway, this was a bit rubbish, but it was rubbish in a good way.  Like "Destiny of the Daleks" (SHUT UP, IT IS AWESOME) rather than "Resurrection".  It didn't leave me hating humanity and wanting to die, which is always a good sign.  And there were nice character moments, even in stupid bits.  Like, no, of course you can't stop an android from exploding by making it remember its artificially-implanted feelings.  But it was Emotionally Significant, in that the Doctor tries to make Bracewell remember the painful bits, whereas Amy makes him remember love.  Because the Doctor is old and weary, and Amy is young and optimistic, and stuff.  It made me think of John Smith in "Human Nature"/"Family of Blood", so maybe Bracewell is like the Doctor's robot shadow.

Also, Bracewell wasn't just an android, he was an android with a positronic brain.  I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, GATISS.

Also, I just love Karen Gillan.  Even when she's not speaking, she's brilliant -- all excited at meeting Churchill, then saddened and appalled by the Blitz, and so, so unhappy when Bracewell is reliving the death of his parents.  And while Rose once taught a Dalek how to love, Amy is the first companion to actually flirt with one.  "Love a squaddie," indeed.

IN SHORT:  it was very silly, but it made sense according to the established rules of the universe, and there were no cases of massive fail.  The weakest of the season so far, but I'm sure the Chibnall two-parter will be worse.  And Amy doesn't remember Daleks, which is Significant.  And the cracks in the universe are still there.  They're not very subtle, but after the Torchwood routine in season two, I can live with that. 

(Also, now that DW has had two actors from Law and Order: UK guest-starring, it's only a matter of time until we get Harriet Walter, Jamie Bamber, Ben Daniels and Bradley Walsh.  Wait, Bradley Walsh was in SJA.  So that's three down, three to go.  HARRIET WALTER FOR ROMANA.)

Comments

[akashasheiress]

DESTINY OF THE DALEKS IS AWESOME!!!

Was it very Churchill-worshippy? Because I kind of h8 Churchill and the adulation gives me indigestion. Also, I hear it was kind of Power of the Daleks rip-off (I liked that story, so I don't mind, really)?

[biichan]

Bracewell/Data OTP?