Adventure sixteen in this year-long journey brings us to The Chase, a six-part serial that aired in May and June 1965. Written by Terry Nation, The Chase brings back the Daleks for another adventure, this time pursuing the TARDIS crew across time and space in their first ever time machine. This story is a chaotic blend of action, humor, and experimentation, offering a whirlwind tour of bizarre locations and introducing new characters—including a companion departure and arrival.
Rewatching The Chase today, I find it both charmingly ambitious and wildly uneven. It feels less like a cohesive story and more like a series of loosely connected vignettes. Still, there’s an undeniable energy to its fast-paced narrative, and its willingness to embrace silliness gives it a distinctive charm, even if it doesn’t always land.
The Story: A Pursuit Across Time and Space
The Daleks have built their own time machine, and they’re on a relentless mission to exterminate the Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki. The chase takes the crew to a variety of locations, each more surreal than the last:
- The Aridius Desert: The TARDIS lands on a barren planet plagued by hostile sea creatures.
- The Empire State Building: A comic interlude introduces an excitable tourist named Morton Dill, played for laughs.
- The Mary Celeste: The Daleks terrify the ship’s crew, leading to the abandonment of the famed ghost ship.
- A Haunted House: The TARDIS crew encounters Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and other horrors, only to discover they’re in an amusement park attraction.
- Mechanus: The final confrontation occurs on this jungle planet, home to the robotic Mechanoids and a new human ally, Steven Taylor.
This frenetic structure makes The Chase feel like a cosmic road trip, with the Daleks hot on the TARDIS crew’s heels. While the variety of settings keeps things lively, the tone shifts wildly, veering from horror to comedy to action in rapid succession.
The Daleks: Both Menacing and Silly
The Daleks in The Chase are an odd mix of threatening and ridiculous. On one hand, their pursuit of the TARDIS crew showcases their single-minded ruthlessness. The idea of Daleks in a time machine is inherently terrifying, and their relentless nature drives much of the tension in the story.
On the other hand, this serial leans heavily into comedic elements, which often undermine their menace. Scenes of Daleks bumbling around the Mary Celeste or bickering among themselves are amusing, but they risk diluting the Daleks’ status as fearsome villains. For me, this tonal inconsistency is both a strength and a weakness of The Chase. It makes the story unpredictable, but it also makes it hard to take the Daleks seriously as a threat.
The TARDIS Crew: A Bittersweet Goodbye
The TARDIS crew is once again the glue that holds the story together:
- The Doctor is at his most playful and eccentric, particularly in the haunted house sequence, where he delights in the absurdity of their situation. William Hartnell’s comedic timing is a highlight, though he also brings gravitas to the story’s more emotional moments.
- Ian and Barbara, the original companions, play pivotal roles throughout the adventure, their resourcefulness and bravery shining as always. Their decision to leave the TARDIS at the end of the story is a heart-wrenching moment, marking the end of an era for Doctor Who.
- Vicki continues to grow as a character, her youthful energy and curiosity adding levity to the crew’s dynamic. Maureen O’Brien’s performance is delightful, particularly in her interactions with the Doctor.
- Steven Taylor, introduced in the final episodes as a stranded astronaut on Mechanus, brings a rugged, adventurous energy to the story. His chemistry with the crew is immediately apparent, setting the stage for his role as the Doctor’s new companion.
The Departure of Ian and Barbara
Ian and Barbara’s departure is one of the most emotional moments of The Chase. After all their adventures, they find themselves on Earth in the right time period, thanks to the Dalek time machine. Their decision to leave the TARDIS and resume normal lives feels earned, but it’s bittersweet.
Their farewell to the Doctor is touching, with William Hartnell delivering a rare display of vulnerability. His line, “I shall miss them. Yes, I shall miss them very much,” is delivered with quiet poignancy, emphasizing the depth of his bond with his first companions.
Ian and Barbara’s departure also marks a turning point for the series. Their journey from skeptical schoolteachers to seasoned adventurers mirrors the audience’s own introduction to the show’s world. Their absence leaves a palpable void, but it also demonstrates the show’s ability to evolve and move forward.
The Arrival of Steven Taylor
Steven’s introduction as a new companion offers a glimpse of the show’s future. Played by Peter Purves, Steven is a brash, resourceful astronaut who brings a new energy to the TARDIS crew. While his character isn’t fully developed in The Chase, his survival on Mechanus and eventual stowing away aboard the TARDIS set the stage for his adventures to come.
Steven’s addition reinforces Doctor Who’s willingness to embrace change, ensuring the show remains fresh and dynamic.
Themes of Change and Absurdity
The Chase is a story about movement and transformation, both literal and metaphorical. The TARDIS crew’s journey across time and space mirrors the larger shifts happening within the series itself. Ian and Barbara’s departure and Steven’s arrival signal a changing of the guard, reflecting Doctor Who’s evolving narrative style and character dynamics.
At the same time, the story revels in absurdity. The haunted house sequence, the Daleks’ slapstick moments, and the bizarre twists all contribute to a tone that’s unlike anything else in the Hartnell era. While this humor sometimes undercuts the stakes, it also showcases the show’s playful side, reminding me of its capacity for reinvention.
Production and Design
The production design of The Chase is wildly inconsistent, reflecting the serial’s ambition and limitations. The desert of Aridius is atmospheric, but the sea creature costumes are awkwardly unconvincing. The Mary Celeste and Empire State Building sequences are fun but feel more like novelty skits than integral parts of the story.
The Mechanoids are an intriguing addition, with their bulky, spherical designs and mechanical voices. While their mobility is limited, their visual distinctiveness makes them memorable. The jungle setting of Mechanus, though clearly a studio set, is one of the more immersive environments in the story.
Rewatching in 2024: A Personal Perspective
Revisiting The Chase today, I find myself torn between admiration for its creativity and frustration at its uneven execution. It’s a serial that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which can be refreshing, but the scattershot tone sometimes makes it hard to engage with the stakes.
The departure of Ian and Barbara hit me harder than I expected. Their journey has been the emotional heart of Doctor Who since the very beginning, and their absence is keenly felt. Watching them leave is bittersweet, but it’s also a reminder of the show’s resilience and its ability to grow beyond its original cast.
Legacy and Influence
The Chase is a divisive entry in Doctor Who history. Its humor and episodic structure make it stand out, but they also make it feel less cohesive than other Dalek stories. However, its willingness to experiment with tone and format demonstrates the show’s versatility and ambition.
Ian and Barbara’s departure is a defining moment, setting the template for future companion exits. Meanwhile, the introduction of Steven Taylor points toward the show’s future, as it continues to evolve and adapt.
Final Thoughts
Rewatching The Chase has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Its mix of absurdity, adventure, and poignancy captures both the strengths and weaknesses of early Doctor Who. While it may not be the most polished or consistent serial, it’s undeniably memorable, and its impact on the series’ trajectory cannot be overstated.
This story is a testament to Doctor Who’s ability to embrace change and embrace the unexpected, making it a fascinating chapter in the show’s long history.
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