Doctor Who spin-off review: Revolution spreads across the Dalek Empire in “Death to the Daleks!”
By James Aggas
In the third episode of Doctor Who spin-off series Dalek Empire, the cry of “Death to the Daleks!” is heard across the galaxy. But will it be enough to stop the might of the Daleks?
“Death to the Daleks!” There’s a reason that this quote is used as the title for the third episode of Dalek Empire. It’s a key moment in the series with a lot of build-up, and represents a major turning point in this episode. Ironically, while the consequences of the moment are heard, we don’t get to hear it. Not until the next episode, anyway.
Before then, we find out more about the war between the Dalek and the Earth Empires. And for the good guys, it’s not good. As several years pass, the situation continues to get more desperate. There’s one major moment that makes this especially clear. It also makes you wonder: what can our heroes do to stop the Daleks’ forces?
One thing that I really like about this series is how it depicts a war that’s fought for years, and yet we hardly get any battle scenes. That could be seen as a bit of a cheat, but writer and director Nicholas Briggs somehow makes it work.
The best way he does this is how, despite the epic story and the scale of it, Briggs still keeps the focus small. By focusing on three key characters – three characters who generally manage to stay away from the battle lines – we’re given a clear idea of the impact of this war.
While it shares a title with a Third Doctor serial, “Death to the Daleks!” is a very different story in Dalek Empire…
(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.
Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)
A difficult friendship
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The friendship between Suze and Kalendorf – something that’s been a key part of the series – is having some major ups and downs. Kalendorf is worried that Suze might be becoming overconfident, and honestly, it’s not hard to agree with him. While Suze is doing everything she can to put her plan into action, she’s also making the Daleks’ work far too easy at times.
As for Alby? He’s got his own problems, as he’s chased across the galaxy by a police officer, Mirana, that has no idea what he’s up to. This adds an interesting element to Alby’s story, as he has to avoid her as much as he has to avoid the Daleks capturing him.
“Death to the Daleks!” (which has no direct story connection to the Doctor Who serial of the same name) is another strong episode of Dalek Empire. All the main characters are very likable and continue to face difficult choices. With their empire spreading, the Daleks have never felt more threatening, or more dangerous.
It all leads to a bold and shocking cliffhanger, one that leaves the listener with a lot of questions. Questions that will (mostly) be answered in Project Infinity…
Next. How Big Finish made the Daleks threatening again. dark
Have you listened to Dalek Empire at all? Has our series of reviews so far made you want to check out the series, or even simply re-listen to it? Let us know in the comments below.