Dalek!

CalliArcale · Apr 29, 2005

A friend of mine just sent me a copy of the teaser you Brits have been lucky enough to see for tomorrow's Doctor Who episode: "Dalek". All I can say is "Wow." Mike Tucker, the lead special effects guy for the new series, said in an interview that they took all of the perceived weaknesses of the Daleks (you're safe if you're behind it, you can shoot out the eye, they're wheeled and consequently have difficulty with any environment not wheelchair accessible) and either neutralized them or turned them into assets. The new Dalek looks very much like the old ones, but it is a lot harder to beat. There's a long clip in the teaser where the Dalek is caught in a crossfire between two groups of what look like SWAT officers. They're heavily armed and are firing on it with automatic rifles. It isn't bothered in the slightest, and picks them off at leisure. It's quite chilling. Oooh, I can't wait to see this! I am very jealous of anybody living in Britain right now. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

SpaceKiwi · Apr 29, 2005

I saw the picture you posted of the gold Dalek a while back, and it did look very similar to the old Daleks (as I remember them) to me. I wonder if they are prevented by the owner of the Daleks (isn't it Terry Nation?) from altering the appearance too much? Even though the Daleks have had this revered position in Dr Who-lore, I never thought they were especially exciting per-se. The Cybermen were always a much more 'scary' proposition in my mind, and I have previously discussed those nasty Silurians. Anyone else care to offer their opinion as to which were/are the best Dr Who adversaries? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

CalliArcale · May 2, 2005

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />I saw the picture you posted of the gold Dalek a while back, and it did look very similar to the old Daleks (as I remember them) to me. I wonder if they are prevented by the owner of the Daleks (isn't it Terry Nation?) from altering the appearance too much? <hr /></blockquote> I have no idea what the details of the agreement are, but it's actually the *estate* of Terry Nation that owns the Daleks. He passed away a few years ago, but was always very possessive about his creation. In fact, this episode marks the first time a Dalek episode (not counting "The Curse of Fatal Death" and fan productions) was written by somebody other than Terry Nation himself. That was the main impediment to using them, I understand; he had it written down that only he could write Dalek stories, and since he's dead, that's not possible. <blockquote>In reply to:<hr />Even though the Daleks have had this revered position in Dr Who-lore, I never thought they were especially exciting per-se. The Cybermen were always a much more 'scary' proposition in my mind, and I have previously discussed those nasty Silurians. <hr /></blockquote> Oh, I love the Cybermen. They are my favorite Doctor Who monster. The Borg are just a cheap knock-off of the Cybermen, with none of their depth. It sounds as if the Daleks have gotten a bit more interesting, however. The reviews are out for "Dalek", and they seem to indicate that the Daleks are now more frightening and also more sympathetic than ever before. An unusual combination.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 3, 2005

it's actually the *estate* of Terry Nation that owns the Daleks. He passed away a few years ago, but was always very possessive about his creation. I had no idea Terry Nation had passed away, that's very sad, he was one of the true greats of British sci-fi. What you say about him and his beloved Daleks is basically how I remember it too. I seem to recall reading that the show's producers always wanted to feature Dalek stories much more than Nation would allow them to. I guess in many ways that probably helped to cement the Dalek's vaunted place in the history of Dr Who. The legend grew out of their scarcity of appearances! It sounds as if the Daleks have gotten a bit more interesting, however. The reviews are out for "Dalek", and they seem to indicate that the Daleks are now more frightening and also more sympathetic than ever before. Yes, that does seem an unusual combination. As you say, with Nation now gone and his iron grip over the character released, it will be very interesting to see where new writing can take the Daleks. I have to admit, with all your great 'Who reports, I am quite looking forward to seeing the new series of the good Doctor! May it roll around quickly for all of us not living in the UK. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

luciusverus · May 3, 2005

Well......... At least I won't have to watch this episode to find out what happens to the ol' dalek........!! From the sounds of it I didn't miss too much..!!

CalliArcale · May 4, 2005

How very *kind* of grevie to spoil the episode for you. I've seen it now, and he's not describing it accurately. Thank goodness I didn't read his spoiler first. (BTW, it's considered rude not to include spoiler warnings, grevie. Nice going. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> ) SPOILERS AHEAD (select the blank area to see): The part grevie apparently didn't notice was that the Dalek was severely injured. But this is a very advanced Dalek -- essentially, the culmination of all of their technological advances. When Rose touches it, it is able to absorb some of her DNA, using the material to regenerate itself. This effectively removes what Davros had done centuries before when he genetically engineered the Daleks to have no emotions other than hate and arrogance. It repairs the damage to its mind. Now, one can get into the nature/nuture debate to test whether this is plausible, but what's happening is that the Dalek is having its horizons broadened just a tiny little bit. Just enough to make it question its reason for existence, realize the futility of its situation, and want to die. END SPOILER Anyway, I really liked the episode. A lot. In fact, I felt it really was one of the best. Not because it conformed exactly to all of my preconceived notions, but in part because it didn't. It challenged my preconceptions. It challenged what it is to be good and what it is to be evil. What is the right thing to do? Who is evil in this episode? It's not as clear as you might like it to be. Perhaps that will bother a lot of fans, but I liked it. Of course, I'm a fan of Babylon 5 as well, and that's a series that really messes with the question of good versus evil. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

CalliArcale · May 5, 2005

Yeah. It seems to have ended in mutual annhilation, although I'm surprised the existence of both Daleks and Time Lords is still known, which suggests they were not simply deleted from history. Jabe knows about the destruction of Gallifrey, for instance. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

qzzq · May 6, 2005

Probably not fitting this thread, but it's about Dr Who and it has the world 'Dalek' in it... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> BBC: <ul type="square">Doctor to exterminate Glazer bid? Manchester United fans have found an unusual ally in their attempt to stop Malcolm Glazer taking over the club - Doctor Who. The Timelord has taken a break from destroying Daleks to lock horns with his most fearsome opponent yet. Christopher Eccleston, who plays the Doctor in the BBC One series, is a lifelong Red Devils fan and has pledged £10,000 to Shareholders United, the supporters' organisation fighting the £800m Glazer bid. SU vice-chairman Oliver Houston said: "We are delighted that Chris has put his money where his heart is and we hope that he is the first of many high-profile United fans who will lead the way by coming forward in our club's hour of need." But will the good Doctor be strong enough to see off the laughing tycoon? Glamorous assistant Billie Piper could hold the key - when it comes to getting her own way with bespectacled ginger businessmen, she's second to none. The Tardis could also play a big role in all this - forget Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, Mr Glazer - how about Tubby American Reds' Deal Is Scuppered? And finally, there's our old favourites, the Daleks. After showing their soft side in the last episode, they look set to join up with the arch-enemy and exterminate the Glazer bid - after realising they share a love of Manchester United with the Doctor. And how do we know they support United? Well you don't get much further away from Manchester than outer space.</ul><img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> *** </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 6, 2005

I thought Calli was pulling our leg with the 'spoiler warning' at first, then I discovered what happened when you held the mouse button down and dragged the cursor. That is a pretty neat trick ... those clever mods, eh! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

earth_bound_misfit · May 7, 2005

Hey! Thats pretty cool, I never knew that either <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----------------------------------------------------------------- Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?Go here to see how: SDC Eye saver </div>

CalliArcale · May 9, 2005

I'm sorry, grevie, I was feeling a little touchy. Spoilers are a little personal for me sometimes. You're right; you did provide fair warning. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

CalliArcale · May 9, 2005

I should've explained how I did the spoiler bit: 1) Under "Make post", select either "using HTML" or "using HTML and UBBCode". 2) Change the color of the spoiler text to be the exact same color as the background like this: Spoiler stuff goes right here 3) Post away! Basically, anything between those font tags will be the same color as the background. It took a little experimentation to find it on the style sheet, but that's the color of the background. Outpost Gallifrey used to use that strategy for spoiler protection. (Now they use a nifty javascript thingy that rolls the spoiler away until somebody clicks on it.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

JonClarke · Jun 26, 2005

I finally saw this episode last night and it was truly awesome. The script was able to achieve an extraordinary degree of sympathy and pathos for the last surviving dalek at the same time demonstrating how and why they were so feared. The dr was also quite scary as well. A lot of TV SF requires a degree of suspension of disbelief. I was chilled to tbe bone by this one. I liked the way in which all the classic dalek jokes were dealt with in the story - their suckker arm, their supposed inability to cope with stairs, theirt pepper pot appearance. Excellent work! Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

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