Daleks in Manhattan

There's a common myth that DOCTOR WHO is " The show with the Daleks in it " . Yes the show did feature Daleks from 1963-1989 but Daleks aren't the be all and end all of the programme . In fact when you think about it the most highly regarded seasons among fans , five ( 1968 ) seven ( 1970 ) , thirteen (1975-76 ) and fourteen ( 1976-77 ) haven't featured any Dalek stories at all . The reverse is also true with stories such as The Chase , Death To The Daleks and Destiny Of The Daleks held in very low regard by the fans . It's somewhat annoying when producers bring back the Daleks for the sake of it and this certainly applies to this story .

It's not just the return of the Daleks that's so underdeveloped -it's the entire script which has a lack of thought . In fact there's something painfully inconsistent with every scene . For example Soloman ( This week's token black character )talks about his time in The Great War and the need for sticking together but seeing as the American army was segregated until 1947 would such a character be aware of a need to be sticking together ? It'd be more logical and credible if he was bitter and anti assimilation . In an early scene he takes back a loaf of bread that'd been stolen and breaks it in half and gives half of it to the rightful owner and the thief . Is that moral ? I guess because his name is Soloman there's a biblical reference there somewhere but again there's a lack of credibility , same as it's pushed down the viewers throat of how hungry and poverty stricken the people are in Central Park then when they'r offered a chance of work most of these unemployed , hungry and poverty stricken people turn it down

You also have to ask yourself why is it the Daleks have decided to locate to New York in 1930 ? Despite the poverty caused by the Wall Steet crash America was still a capitalist democracy with a free press and where people were allowed to ask questions . Wouldn't the Daleks have been better off in Hitler's Germany or Stalin's Soviet Union ? Indeed with the dubious success of Stalin's five year plans it would be far more logical to have set the story there and have the character of Diagoras as a high ranking commissar who doesn't tolerate dissent , but I guess Daleks In The Gulag doesn't have the same ring to it

Director James Strong does his very best with the weak material , but there's a fly in the ointment and that is the " Noo Yoirk accents " . They are absolutely terrible and a great distraction . Likewise much of the dialogue such as " Laszlo was da smartest guy oi ever dated " . Strong does however make sewers look like sewers which is not often the case in the history of the show ( Attack Of The Cybermen being an example ) and he does pace the impact aesthetic of the cliffhanger very well . It's just a pity that the Radio Times gave away the episode ending with a front page photo

An underapprichated episode. Has some good elements that although lack any depth are interesting themes to have been explored. Daleks building the tallest tower, with slaves around them, men being forced to work many painful hours. With distressed homeless people not living far from the construction sight the Daleks are working at.

The Start,

Start is very good in some respects. The musical score is different, and it's performed well, by Tallulah herself. Her boyfriend leaves her to get ready for the musical score she is about to perform. He then hears a strange noise, curiosity gets the better of him, he's then taken by the Daleks slaves, and is now reported missing. The start has alot going on, and is an interesting starting point as we are getting to know these characters and there traits. Missing people around the area, with also homeless people is an interesting choice, and it pays of. We get this sense of danger around them as they aren't far from the proximity of the people that weirdly disappear.

The performances,

David Tennant is incredible. When he finds the Brain of a dalek, he doesn't know what it is at first. But then the realisation kicks in. This has some great build up and creates disbelief as the Doctor is just as shocked as the audience. He shows fear and anger whilst rage added into the blender of emotions. This is good part of the story, as the Doctor has many different emotions and David Tennant is portraying these so well, with his brilliant acting skills.

Where this episode full short is the over the top acting, along side the Overused Daleks. Who also get sidelined in there own story as we have there minions or slaves, with them. They don't get any depth. We also don't know there motivations for being there or how they got there. Them seem to be just there.

The Ending,

Everyone thats held hostage and including the Doctor are all there witnessing a human in Dalek form. This is interesting and a unique story as it's completely different from other Doctor who stories that feature the Daleks.

The trailer also for Part 2 is crazy good. Action Packed, emotional ride, complex plot and themes makes for a fun story.

Verdict, Very underatted 7.5/10.

I watched Doctor Who again from beginning cause I want to do a Doctor Who video. Watched this episode again today and just found out Andrew Garfield was in this episode! What a surprise!

I seem to fit in the middle of the majority, I don't think it's that bad but I do dislike the pig slave thing. This episode is a little to un-dalek but i will see where it goes

This is the quintessential Doctor Who to me and I can't understand the low ratings. This is the best Doctor Who episode I've seen. It has the Daleks trying to take over again this time in in 1930 New York. This 2 parter has everything, great setting and characters, easy to follow and best of all the Dakeks saying the magic exterminate! Seriously if you are or aren't a doctor Who fan this is the best episode to watch!