Story: The Daleks' Master Plan
Written By: Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner
Length: 12 Episodes
Year: 1965-1966
The Daleks' Master Plan is an epic 12-part serial, which was the longest story until the Trial of a Time Lord 20 years later. The story involves the Daleks plan to conquer the solar system, and the Doctor and his companions long journey to stop them.
They travel throughout space and time with different companions throughout (the story starts with Steven and Katarina, who joined the previous episode and dies in episode 4 here. They are briefly joined by Bret Vyo - played by Nicholas Courtney before he became the Brig - and Sarah Kingdom, who both die during this story.) People often count Sarah Kingdom and Katarina as companions, but not Bret Vyon, who traveled with the Doctor for about the same amount of time before kicking the bucket.
I found this story to be quite engaging and entertaining, if not padded. Now my interest didn't waiver often, which is impressive considering that of the 12 episodes, only 3 still exist in their entirety. There is padding, and it has moments of repetitiveness, but for a story that wasn't meant to be rerun or released on video (no stories were ever intended that way in the 60s or 70s) it is pretty impressive how complicated and intricate the tale is.
In its simplest forms, it is a beefed up, less comedic, more action oriented and dramatic version The Chase, only the characters are better developed, the jokes that do appear don't fall flat, and the Daleks are actually scary again, returned to their former glory.
The episode "The Feast of Steven", which actually aired on Christmas is sort of out of place here, as it is sort of a side trip and lighthearted affair (it is Christmas after all), and it doesn't add anything to the plot. It also is noteworthy for featuring the only breaking of the fourth wall in Doctor Who, in which William Hartnell wishes the viewers a Happy Christmas. It is even more notable that while all of the episodes are highly unlikely to ever be returned or found, this is the one episode that was never offered to overseas stations, and the likelyhood of it being found is much smaller.
Overall I think the Daleks' Master Plan wold be regarded as one of the best Hartnell stories, as he is in top form here, despite being rather absent minded for most of Season 3, as age was beginning to take its toll....but this story he is fantastic. The fact that only slightly muffled audio and snapshots for 9 episodes and I still enjoyed it thoroughly is a testiment to how good it must have been. I would love it if Cosgrove Hall someday tackled this epic story and brought it back to life through animation.
NEXT TIME: Religious War in Paris
Written By: Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner
Length: 12 Episodes
Year: 1965-1966
The Daleks' Master Plan is an epic 12-part serial, which was the longest story until the Trial of a Time Lord 20 years later. The story involves the Daleks plan to conquer the solar system, and the Doctor and his companions long journey to stop them.
They travel throughout space and time with different companions throughout (the story starts with Steven and Katarina, who joined the previous episode and dies in episode 4 here. They are briefly joined by Bret Vyo - played by Nicholas Courtney before he became the Brig - and Sarah Kingdom, who both die during this story.) People often count Sarah Kingdom and Katarina as companions, but not Bret Vyon, who traveled with the Doctor for about the same amount of time before kicking the bucket.
In its simplest forms, it is a beefed up, less comedic, more action oriented and dramatic version The Chase, only the characters are better developed, the jokes that do appear don't fall flat, and the Daleks are actually scary again, returned to their former glory.
The episode "The Feast of Steven", which actually aired on Christmas is sort of out of place here, as it is sort of a side trip and lighthearted affair (it is Christmas after all), and it doesn't add anything to the plot. It also is noteworthy for featuring the only breaking of the fourth wall in Doctor Who, in which William Hartnell wishes the viewers a Happy Christmas. It is even more notable that while all of the episodes are highly unlikely to ever be returned or found, this is the one episode that was never offered to overseas stations, and the likelyhood of it being found is much smaller.
Overall I think the Daleks' Master Plan wold be regarded as one of the best Hartnell stories, as he is in top form here, despite being rather absent minded for most of Season 3, as age was beginning to take its toll....but this story he is fantastic. The fact that only slightly muffled audio and snapshots for 9 episodes and I still enjoyed it thoroughly is a testiment to how good it must have been. I would love it if Cosgrove Hall someday tackled this epic story and brought it back to life through animation.
NEXT TIME: Religious War in Paris
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