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Doctor Who: Into the Dalek

Doctor: 'No, you don't understand. You can't put me in there.'

Since Doctor Who's return in 2005, the second-episode slot has become something of a poisoned chalice for writers. For every 'The Fires of Pompeii' there's been a plethora of lesser monstrosities, ready to stink the place up and put an end to our new-season enthusiasm. How did 'Into the Dalek' fare? Was it another 'Dinosaurs on a Spaceship' or did it hit the heady heights of 'Day of the Moon'?

For me, it probably fell somewhere between. In terms of Dalek stories, it was no 'Genesis of the Daleks,' but neither was it a 'Victory of the Daleks' (AKA 'Dear Lord, What an Absolute Stinker'). The problem with Dalek episodes is that they always have that faint whiff of the familiar about them. At least tonight's episode tried to do something different—it went inside a Dalek, gave us unprecedented access to its inner workings (which looked suspiciously like the interior of my loft), and attempted to answer the question: is there such a thing as a good Dalek? The answer, it seems, is no... and also yes (with caveats.)

By design, Daleks are unable to experience positive emotions. Even with Rusty's brain chemistry affected by leaking radiation, his cortex vault was still able to eradicate all rogue happy thoughts. With those memories now restored (by Clara pressing some conveniently placed large red buttons), and Rusty able to conceptualise both beauty and divinity again, what will this mean for the Daleks? Will Rusty try to bring them down from within? If so, with Rusty's own path to expanded consciousness seemingly too complex to replicate on a larger scale, what does the crazy pepperpot have in mind?

This seems to be a season of self-examination for the Doctor. Is he a good man? Clara seems to think that he tries, but it was his failures which saved them tonight. His hatred is what fuelled Rusty's characteristically loud and vulgar Dalek rampage. The Doctor practically pleaded with Rusty to see something beyond unbridled animosity, but all Rusty's newly expanded consciousness was able to see was a superior Dalek. Presumably, this is what the Doctor fears. That despite his achievements, his methods both reveal and condemn him.

Sadly, the supporting cast were rather bland, which resulted in a couple of the emotional beats falling flat. Whether that was because of the quality of the actors, the quality of the script (in places), or both, I'm not altogether sure. A lot of the deaths tonight had no emotional resonance, and Gretchen's was only memorable, not because of her sacrifice, but because she ended up in heaven with Missy. What's actually going on in heaven, I've no idea, but it has cakes and tea, so, whatever is it, I'm all for it.

As for Capaldi, he's settling in just fine. He was faultless tonight. It's amazing how much gravitas Capaldi brings to what could so easily be bright and breezy dialogue. There's something about his delivery which sets him apart. Even when he's joking it's hard to tell: hence him having to explain his 'bolt hole' joke. And I'm loving what they're doing with his character and Clara. Whereas Clara and Eleven had a close, often flirtatious relationship, the vibe between Clara and Twelve feels more like a partnership. Clara gives as good as she gets, and Jenna's getting some great dialogue to riff off this season. I don't know whether having a new Doctor has inspired the writers, but the show's so damned quotable at the moment.

At first, I thought Clara's reaction to Danny Pink seemed a little overly enthusiastic, but then I remembered her locking lips with Eleven back in 'The Snowmen'. I really like Danny. Yes, the single tear was a little cliché, but his social ineptitude made for some adorable exchanges with Clara. I like that he comes with acres of baggage, but why the discrepancy between his public persona and his true character? I want to believe that the civilian he killed will turn out to be somebody we don't know, but this is Doctor Who, so I won't be pinning my hopes on it. If this is Clara's last season, I really hope the two of them end up together. And not trapped at Impossible Girl Bay in some crappy alternate dimension, or stuck in the past with Hitler—let's just have a normal happy ending, okay? OKAY?

Other Thoughts:

—The Doctor's sonic screwdriver really does fix everything.

—Not the most original premise (with inspiration and tips of the hat to Fantastic Voyage, Inner Space, 'The Invisible Enemy', and Honey I Shrunk the Kids), but nicely done, and cleverly enshrouded in a unique Dalek wrap.

—It pains me to say it, but next week's episode looks less than fantastic. I truly hope Gatiss pulls it out of the bag, but his patchy form is worrying.

—Dalek stories are without doubt better when they focus on just one Dalek.

—Will the consequences of Rusty returning to the fleet have repercussions for later in the season, or are they simply setup for a possible future episode?

—Even though I really enjoyed this episode, when Rusty and his pals started screaming 'exterminate!', I felt the sudden need to smash something.

Quotes:

Blue: 'It was smaller on the outside?'
Doctor: 'Yeah, it's a bit more exciting when you go the other way.'

Doctor: 'Clara. Be my pal and tell me... am I a good man?'

Doctor: 'This is Clara, not my assistant, she's... some other word.'
Clara: 'I'm his carer.'
Doctor: 'Yeah, my carer. She cares so I don't have to.'

Doctor: 'Don't be lasagne.'

Blue: 'How close do we have to get?'
Doctor: 'Well, you know, we're never going to insert a thermometer from up here.'

Blue: 'I thought you were saving him!'
Doctor: 'He was dead already. I was saving us.'

Blue: 'Is Ross here?'
Doctor: 'Yeah, top layer if you want to say a few words.'

Doctor: 'Are you all right back there? It's a bit narrow, isn't it?'
Clara: 'Any remarks about my hips will not be appreciated.'
Doctor: 'Oh, your hips are fine. You're built like a man.'
Clara: 'Thanks.'

Doctor: 'An anticlimax once in a while is good for my hearts.'

Doctor: 'Clara Oswald, do I really not pay you?'
Clara: 'You couldn't afford me.'

Doctor: 'You need to go up there, find that moment, and reawaken it.'
Clara: 'Me?'
Doctor: 'Yes, you. Good idea.'
---
Also posted at The Time Meddler.

10 comments:

  1. Speaking as someone who usually finds Dalek stories a bit of a drag, I thought this was bloody good. The age of Capaldi is turning out nicely.

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  2. I pretty much agree with everything you said. Especially the Daleks. Just make them say it once and start killing otherwise it descends into farce. (Think back to the terrible Daleks v Cybermen battle in Doomsday). Capaldi was great and i'm interested in what they're doing with him. Although it'll probably take me a few episodes to properly warm to him.

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  3. Loving Capaldi.

    This one felt like a bit of a re-hash of season one's "Dalek", thematically speaking. Is the Doctor really a good man? Would the Doctor make a good Dalek? Same questions, really.

    I did enjoy it more than most Dalek episodes. I agree with you, Paul, in that they work better when they're focusing on just one Dalek.

    I've really enjoyed Clara these two episodes, so yay! I do think the writing is better for her... or maybe it's just that they're not focusing so much on the flirting side the dialogue feels better to me? Any case, I like the camaraderie she has going with the Doctor now.

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  4. I'm not sure about Capaldi yet. He's so different from the other modern Doctors that he's a bit hard to adjust too. I do feel they are writing for Clara a bit better. Last season I just never liked her as much as I wanted too, so that's a bonus.

    Daleks seem like such an idiotic villain, a big trash can with a plunger for an arm. They can be so silly too with the chanting of "Exterminate". But on occasion they can be creepy and menacing. I totally agree that they are better in smaller doses. Perhaps the producer/writers of the series have a fondness for them that is based more on nostalgia than on anything else though, because the Dalek episodes seem to be often overdone and almost painful to sit through. This one wasn't bad though.

    I really hope I warm to Capaldi, I think he's a terrific actor but I'm not sure I like him as the Doctor. Than again, I didn't like Matt Smith very much at first either.

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  5. Better than the last one. In fact, I pretty much loved everything about it. Capaldi's Doctor is starting to distinguish himself from the other Doctors, and I'm quite enjoying the ride. Clara was excellent too, certainly better than she ever was with Matt.

    And the stuffed Dalek I got for my last birthday is now named Rusty. Go figure.

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  6. This doctor is obviously much harder, less sympathetic than previous and Capaldi can pull it off. I always find it hard to adapt to a new doctor but I'm liking where they are going with this one. I think there has to be at least on Dalek episode a season and this one wasn't so bad so I'm grateful. I agree Paul next week doesn't look promising but I am crossing my fingers.

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  7. Given that I'm at the point of cringing at the very hint of a Dalek, this one was okay. I do wish they'd give the Daleks a LONG rest though.

    I like Capaldi as the Doctor, although his constant cracks on the looks and age of his beautiful young costar are a little bit ludicrous (which I suppose is the intended effect). I was getting a bit sick of the Doctors mashing on their female travelling companions, so it will be a refreshing change if Capaldi actually refrains from it. We'll see.

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  8. Wow. I am so sick of Daleks. It's amazing how a show can be so bad yet so good sometimes. Anyway, despite that, this episode was one of the better Dalek episodes. The only Dalek episode I remember liking was the one in Season 1, with Nine. Now I have another Dalek episode that doesn't make me want to toss my laptop into a garbage can.

    I really like Clara because she's spunky, hilarious and is often cracking innuendos. She could keep up with Eleven's eccentric behavior, so she worked. With Twelve, though, I'm really seeing it as two distinct personalities communicating. I always felt like Eleven and Clara had a great chemistry, but whenever they spoke to each other it felt like a quip off, like two peas of the same pod. Twelve and Clara have a smashing on screen chemistry as well, only it's hilarious when Twelve cracks jokes at Clara's expense and such because the previous doctors were just so happy-go-lucky, boyish and optimistic that sometimes, it could get too much. "Brilliant, Clara! Lovely, Clara!" That's how it was with Eleven. With Twelve it's more like, "You're shaped like a man."

    Reminds me of Ten and Donna and their sass-offs. Good ol' days. Okay honestly, I don't know how long it will take me to warm up to Capaldi, he's obviously a strong actor and everything -- but Math Smith, as people term is, is my doctor. Getting over him has been difficult, it truly has but I am going to try. I'm feeling positive, considering I pointed out something positive about the new Doc/Companion relationship, I just don't know if I can get used to a relatively mature, straight-forward and often blatant Doctor after Ten and Eleven's runs.

    On a completely unrelated note. WHAT on earth is up with the lady from "Heaven"? She offers cakes and tea. She's obviously evil.

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  9. When this series returned I gave up at about this point. And watching on catch up I still cannot face any more. It is partly the script and the interminable music but also I see Capaldi as being somehow dead behind the eyes and thinking, how did I get here.

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  10. Danny Pink never works for me, although he's not so bad here yet. I think it's the actor's voice more than anything else.

    This one had some intriguing ideas, and Capaldi really works well here. Clara is a mixed bag for me as always once we got past the Name of the Doctor, but Jenna always does a great job with whatever they throw at her.

    I do like the Daleks as they bring back memories of 40ish year ago and first encountering the show, but they do have more bad stories than good, although some of the best of any era are Dalek stories (Genesis of the Daleks and Dalek being 2 exemplary examples). This one is more middle of the road, but indeed is much better than the stinkers like Victory or Destiny.

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