Remembrance of the Daleks: Part One

The Doctor and Ace arrive at Cole Hill School, returning to where it all began. But something is wrong - strange forces are gathering, and the Doctor soon finds himself working alongside the military as an old enemy re-emerges.

I have to start by saying I love this episode. Talk about upping their game - moving from Dragonfire into Remembrance must have felt like going from a weekend with the Borgias to a Caribbean cruise. For my money, this story rates as the best Dalek adventure since Genesis.

The Daleks may wobble a bit, but they look terrific - especially the gleaming white Imperial Daleks, who feel genuinely new and imposing.

It's beautifully cast: Simon Williams brings effortless authority, and Pam Salem (once tipped as companion material) proves again how strong she is here.

The music is spot-on - atmospheric, modern, and far better integrated than anything we'd heard for quite some time.

There are a few production slips - glimpses of cars, windows, and modern details that crept through - but they hardly matter when the story's this strong.

I also loved Ace reading The French Revolution in the school, a perfect little nod to An Unearthly Child.

It's such a rich, confident episode - easily on another level from much of what came before. And of course, it finally solves the famous "Daleks can't do stairs" issue, which is just brilliant.

10/10.

Review of the Complete Story:

REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS is one of the better serials from the Sylvester McCoy era of DR WHO. That's because it's an action-packed story that hearkens back to the days of DALEKS: INVASION EARTH 2150 A.D. with the Doctor's greatest villains engaging in mass battles with plenty of explosions and pyrotechnic effects. There's even a special effects shot of a spaceship landing outside a school which looks actually decent for a change.

McCoy's era is unfortunately noted for its child-friendly atmosphere, apparently at the behest of BBC producers who complained that the Colin Baker era was too dark. This meant that many of the stories were silly and cheesy, but REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS avoids those pitfalls for the most part. It's also the final Dalek story for 'classic' Who, so it has a special place in my heart.

McCoy gets more to do here than usual, his Doctor coming across as an action man who takes centre stage for once. Ace is less annoying than she would be in some other serials, and the inevitable return of Davros is a real highlight. There are central roles for plenty of familiar faces, including George Sewell, GRANGE HILL's Michael Sheard (playing an evil headmaster!), even the guy who played the butler in THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR turns up! Watch out for Dalek-vs-Dalek battles and the memorable scene where a Dalek climbs the stairs.

Wow where did that come from?

From sheer mediocrity of Season 24 to pulling out all the stops for Season 25. The influence of Andrew Cartmel's vision is only fully realised here. He was brought in last minute as script editor for the previous season so many of the scripts were commissioned before his arrival.

From the pre title sequence with speeches from JFK to MLK and Hitler. The anticipation is amped up.

The Doctor and Ace return to Totters Lane in November 1963 as he left something behind. There are sinister goings on at Cole Hill School with something bad occuring in the basement.

The Doctor along with some soldiers led by Group Captain Gilmore (Simon Williams) and scientific advisor Professor Rachel Jenson (Pamela Salem) manage to catch a lone dalek. The Doctor just knows more are on their way.

Remembrance of the Daleks very much saved the McCoy era. John Nathan Turner knew that he was in the last chance saloon with the future of the show. There was some care and attention here.

It has outside location shooting, the sets are more atmospheric and detailed. At times a little reminiscent of EastEnders such as the cafe scene. This might have been the house style for shows shot on video in that era.

More importantly it was exciting and you wanted to see more. The best was at the end, Ace kneeing the headmaster (Michael Sheard) and that dalek climbing the stairs.

What happened to the E in Foreman? In the first ever episode on the gate ist says I. M. Foreman but in Rememberance of The Daleks t says I.M. Forman so what happened to the E? lol