The Evil of the Daleks stands as one of the most ambitious and emotionally resonant stories in Doctor Who’s history. Originally broadcast in May and June 1967, it serves as the final story of the show’s fourth season and the 36th adventure in the series. This seven-part serial is a pivotal entry, introducing the character of Victoria Waterfield and delving deeply into the Daleks’ relentless pursuit of power through a chilling experiment to uncover the essence of “humanity.”
Revisiting The Evil of the Daleks through its 2021 animated release—featuring reconstructions of the six missing episodes alongside the sole surviving second episode—offers a stunning realization of the story’s grand vision and profound emotional beats.
The Story: A Dalek Experiment Across Time
The Doctor and Jamie, still reeling from their recent adventures, are lured into a trap at an antique shop in 1966 London. The TARDIS has been stolen, and their pursuit leads them to Victorian England, where they meet Theodore Maxtible, a scientist obsessed with alchemy, and Edward Waterfield, a grieving father whose daughter, Victoria, is held hostage by the Daleks.
The Daleks force the Doctor to participate in a harrowing experiment to isolate and harness the “Human Factor,” believing it will help them conquer their greatest weakness. As the experiment unfolds, the Doctor secretly turns the tables, introducing the concept of individuality into the Dalek ranks, sparking a rebellion. The battle culminates on Skaro, with devastating consequences for the Daleks and profound changes for the Doctor and Jamie.
Patrick Troughton: Depth and Gravitas
Patrick Troughton delivers one of his most commanding performances as the Doctor in The Evil of the Daleks. His playful, improvisational style gives way to moments of gravitas and determination as he confronts the moral complexities of the Daleks’ experiment.
The Doctor’s manipulation of events—both to undermine the Daleks and to protect Victoria—is a testament to Troughton’s ability to balance the character’s lighthearted eccentricity with deep moral conviction. The scene where the Doctor mourns the cost of his actions is a standout moment, highlighting the emotional weight of his choices.
Jamie McCrimmon: Loyalty and Growth
Frazer Hines’ Jamie takes center stage in this story, showcasing his loyalty and bravery. Jamie’s fierce determination to rescue Victoria, despite knowing little about her, underscores his integrity and courage. His confrontation with the Doctor over the morality of using Victoria as bait for the Daleks is one of the story’s most powerful exchanges, cementing their dynamic as one of mutual respect and occasional conflict.
Jamie’s bond with Victoria is established early, setting the foundation for their friendship and his protective nature in the adventures to come.
Victoria Waterfield: A Tragic Introduction
Deborah Watling makes her debut as Victoria Waterfield, whose life is upended by the Daleks’ machinations. Victoria’s resilience in the face of tragedy and her growing trust in the Doctor and Jamie make her an immediately engaging character.
The death of her father, Edward Waterfield, adds a tragic weight to her decision to join the TARDIS crew. Her journey from Victorian gentility to interstellar adventurer promises to bring a fresh dynamic to the series.
The Daleks: A Complex Threat
The Daleks are at their most cunning and manipulative in The Evil of the Daleks. Their plan to extract and weaponize the Human Factor reveals a chilling desire to adapt and evolve, making them more dangerous than ever.
The introduction of individuality into the Dalek ranks is a groundbreaking moment, leading to a rebellion that foreshadows their vulnerability to internal conflict. The battle on Skaro is one of the most dramatic sequences in Dalek history, marking what was originally intended to be their final appearance.
Themes of Humanity and Individuality
At its core, The Evil of the Daleks explores the nature of humanity, individuality, and the consequences of tampering with these fundamental aspects of life. The Doctor’s use of the Human Factor as a weapon against the Daleks highlights the power of empathy, creativity, and free will, contrasting sharply with the Daleks’ rigid conformity.
The story also examines sacrifice, loss, and the resilience needed to confront overwhelming odds, as seen in the journeys of Edward Waterfield and Victoria.
The Animation: A Stunning Reconstruction
The 2021 animated release of The Evil of the Daleks is a visual triumph. The richly detailed animation captures the grandeur of Victorian England, the eerie atmosphere of the Dalek base on Skaro, and the intensity of the final battle. The transition between the live-action second episode and the animated reconstructions is seamless, maintaining the story’s pacing and emotional weight.
The Daleks are rendered with precision, their movements and expressions enhancing their menace. The animation also allows for dynamic staging of scenes that might have been limited by the original production’s resources, adding a cinematic quality to the narrative.
Final Thoughts on The Evil of the Daleks
Revisiting The Evil of the Daleks was a deeply rewarding experience, offering a narrative rich in suspense, emotion, and thematic depth. Patrick Troughton’s Doctor, Frazer Hines’ Jamie, and Deborah Watling’s Victoria form a compelling trio, promising exciting new dynamics in the TARDIS. The Daleks’ complex plan and ultimate downfall provide a fitting capstone to Season 4, cementing this story as one of Doctor Who’s greatest achievements.
A Look Back at Season 4
The fourth season of Doctor Who is a masterclass in reinvention. It introduced Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, proving that the series could thrive on change. Stories like The Power of the Daleks, The Moonbase, and The Macra Terror expanded the show’s scope, blending bold science fiction with deeply human narratives.
The season also marked a transition from the historical adventures of earlier years to a more consistent focus on futuristic and extraterrestrial settings, broadening the series’ appeal and solidifying its identity as a science fiction powerhouse. I think, even with all the missing episodes, it's been my favourite complete season so far.
As The Evil of the Daleks closes this chapter, the promise of further exploration, new dangers, and evolving relationships beckons. The arrival of Victoria, alongside Jamie’s growing confidence, sets the stage for the Second Doctor’s continuing journey, brimming with potential and excitement.
Next Adventure
The next adventure I’ll be revisiting is The Tomb of the Cybermen, where the Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria face one of the most iconic and chilling stories in Doctor Who history.
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