365 Days of Doctor Who: Rewatching The Daleks’ Master Plan (Episodes 7–12) - Warped Factor - Words in the Key of Geek.

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365 Days of Doctor Who: Rewatching The Daleks’ Master Plan (Episodes 7–12)

The second half of The Daleks’ Master Plan takes Doctor Who to new heights of drama, experimentation, and tragedy. Episodes 7 through 12—The Feast of Steven to Destruction of Time—see the Doctor and his companions battling the Daleks across time and space, culminating in one of the darkest conclusions of the Hartnell era.

For this rewatch, I listened to off-air audio recordings of episodes 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12, accompanied by Peter Purves’ evocative narration, and watched episode 10, Escape Switch, which survives and is included in the Lost in Time DVD set. The second half of this epic story shifts from thrilling escapades to an emotionally charged finale that lingers long after the credits roll.


The Story So Far: The Stakes Escalate

Picking up from the chaotic events of Coronas of the Sun, the Doctor, Steven, and Sara Kingdom continue their desperate quest to keep the taranium core out of the Daleks’ hands. They leap through time and space, encountering bizarre situations and making increasingly difficult choices.

From the comedic interlude of The Feast of Steven (episode 7) to the grim tragedy of Destruction of Time (episode 12), the story explores the emotional and physical toll of their resistance against the Daleks. As the Doctor grows more determined to stop the Time Destructor, the cost of their fight becomes devastatingly clear.


Episode Highlights

Episode 7 – The Feast of Steven

This Christmas Day episode is a tonal anomaly, offering a lighthearted interlude in an otherwise dark narrative. The TARDIS lands on 1960s Earth, where the Doctor and his companions find themselves in the middle of a police station before crashing a chaotic film set.

As a standalone piece, The Feast of Steven is charmingly absurd, with William Hartnell breaking the fourth wall to wish the audience a merry Christmas. However, its comedic tone feels jarring when viewed within the broader context of The Daleks’ Master Plan. For me, it serves as a reminder of the show’s willingness to experiment, even if the results don’t always align with the story’s overall tone.


Episode 10 – Escape Switch

This surviving episode offers a pivotal moment in the narrative. Mavic Chen, the Daleks’ treacherous ally, grows increasingly unstable, and the power dynamics between him and the Daleks begin to shift.

Seeing Kevin Stoney’s performance as Chen is a highlight—his descent into paranoia and delusion is captivating. The Daleks, as calculating as ever, play their cards carefully, ensuring that their ultimate plans remain intact.

The episode also brings the return of the taranium core to the Daleks, raising the stakes for the final act. Watching this episode emphasized the tension and intrigue that make The Daleks’ Master Plan so compelling.

And when Escape Switch premiered on Saturday January 15th 1966 it claimed the title of the 100th Doctor Who episode broadcast. Not bad for a little show that had only begun 2 years and 2 months earlier.


Sara Kingdom: A Hero’s Journey

Jean Marsh’s performance as Sara Kingdom is one of the standout elements of the second half of the story. Introduced as an enforcer for Mavic Chen, Sara’s arc takes her from a loyal servant of the Galactic Council to a staunch ally of the Doctor.

Her relationship with Steven grows stronger, creating a sense of camaraderie and trust that underscores their shared hardships. Sara’s ultimate fate in Destruction of Time is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in Doctor Who history. As she ages to death in the Time Destructor’s field, her sacrifice highlights the devastating cost of their battle against the Daleks.


The Doctor: Triumph and Tragedy

William Hartnell’s Doctor is at his most resolute in these episodes, carrying the weight of their mission while facing unimaginable losses. His confrontation with the Daleks in Destruction of Time is one of Hartnell’s most powerful moments, as he uses the Time Destructor against them, knowing the toll it will take.

The Doctor’s anguish at Sara’s death and his weary determination to carry on reflect the emotional depth of Hartnell’s performance. By the end of the story, the Doctor is visibly changed, his victories overshadowed by the sacrifices made along the way.


The Daleks: A Relentless Threat

The Daleks remain a constant and overwhelming force throughout the second half of the serial. Their manipulation of Mavic Chen and their single-minded pursuit of the Time Destructor solidify their status as the ultimate villains of Doctor Who.

Their betrayal of Chen in Escape Switch is a masterstroke of their cunning, reminding us that they view all allies as expendable. The final moments of Destruction of Time, where the Daleks are destroyed by their own weapon, feel both satisfying and bittersweet, as the cost of victory is painfully high.


Themes of Sacrifice and the Cost of War

The second half of The Daleks’ Master Plan is defined by its exploration of sacrifice. From Katarina’s earlier death to Sara Kingdom’s tragic end, the story confronts the audience with the emotional toll of resistance.

The Doctor’s actions, while heroic, come with a heavy price, forcing him to weigh the cost of his victories. The story’s bleak conclusion emphasizes the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition and the relentless pursuit of power.


Revisiting in 2024: A Personal Perspective

Relistening to these episodes, especially with Peter Purves’ excellent narration, brought the story to life in a way that felt immersive and deeply moving. The Feast of Steven provided a brief moment of levity, but it was Sara Kingdom’s tragic arc and the Doctor’s struggles that left the strongest impression.

Watching Escape Switch highlighted the quality of the performances and the production design, making me wish that more of this story had survived. The blending of audio and visuals allowed me to appreciate the scale and ambition of The Daleks’ Master Plan while mourning the loss of its missing episodes.


Legacy and Significance

The Daleks’ Master Plan is a landmark in Doctor Who history, pushing the boundaries of storytelling in ways that few serials had before. Its epic scope, high stakes, and willingness to embrace tragedy make it a defining moment of the Hartnell era.

The introduction of Sara Kingdom and her tragic fate foreshadow the series’ ability to tell emotionally resonant stories, while the Daleks’ scheming cements their status as the show’s most iconic villains.


Final Thoughts on Episodes 7–12

Rewatching the second half of The Daleks’ Master Plan has been an emotional journey. The mix of surviving visuals and narrated audio offered a poignant reminder of the story’s scale and ambition. From its experimental interlude to its devastating conclusion, this half of the serial encapsulates the highs and lows of Doctor Who.

The loss of Sara Kingdom, the Doctor’s hard-fought triumph, and the toll of their struggle linger long after the story ends. The Daleks’ Master Plan is more than a Dalek story—it’s a testament to the resilience of its characters and the emotional depth of Doctor Who.

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