21x4. Resurrection of the Daleks
Writer: Eric Saward
Director: Matthew Robinson
Script Editor: Eric Saward
Producer: John Nathan-Turner
Synopsis: A time corridor draws the TARDIS
back to present-day Britain, where a Dalek incursion leads to the
discovery of a plan to attack Gallifrey while reviving Davros from
stasis on a prison ship following their defeat in the war with the
Movellans.
Review: "Resurrection of the Daleks" could be thought of
as a sort of companion piece to "Warriors of the Deep," and like its
predecessor, it raises some compelling and disturbing questions while
failing at the more basic task of solid storytelling. Just as when he
ended up using lethal force against the Silurians and Sea Devils, the
Doctor is here forced to confront the issue of the violence and death
that frequently surrounds him. At one point, he considers murdering
Davros, and though he eventually decides against it, he does end up
using the Movellan virus to wipe out the Daleks present on Earth. The
brutal nature of the situation is reinforced not only by the fact that
almost all the guest characters are dead by the end, but through the
contrasting reactions of his companions. Turlough, arguably the least
morally grounded companion ever to join the Doctor, adapts quickly to
the chaotic situation on the prison ship as his ruthless side shows
through. The more humanistic and empathetic Tegan, on the other hand,
finally decides she can't stay with the Doctor any longer because she
simply can't tolerate the violence, leaving the Doctor to conclude that
perhaps he needs to "mend his ways."
Worthwhile themes
notwithstanding, however, the script is really kind of a mess. For
example, the Daleks have gone to an enormous amount of trouble to
rescue and revive Davros, only to turn against him at the end because
they've decided he's too unpredictable and now needs to be killed as
well, not to mention that they're also planning to invade Gallifrey,
all while still trying to recover from having lost the war with the
Movellans. I suppose you could argue that the script means to paint
them as mercurial megalomaniacs, but that also serves to undercut their
credibility as a threat. And while Mercer and Stien are drawn well
enough to hold the audience's interest, too many of the guest
characters seem to be there just to run around, fire guns, and
eventually get killed. I'll credit Eric Saward for at least trying to
make a point about all the violence, but it only barely comes across
amidst all the mayhem, sound, and fury.
Rating: **1/2 (out of four)
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