The Doctor and Peri have travelled to the planet Necros to attend the funeral of his old friend Professor Arthur Stengos. Upon their arrival they learn the shocking truth behind Stengos's demise and the Doctor's old adversary Davros's involvement in it. Having become "The Great Healer", Dalek creator runs Tranquil Repose, a pseudo-medical facility where the terminally ill patients are sealed away in suspended animation until a cure can be discovered. The Doctor strives to uncover the motives behind Davros's obvious machinations and in doing so he learns the horrifying truth.
Arguably the pinnacle of a rather uneven series 22 of the classic series, with only Vengeance on Varos vying for the mantle of being so. It's a story that scripted by Eric Saward, relies substantially from his interest in crafting stories which are mercenary themed. Sidelining Colin Baker's Doctor who with Nicola Bryant's Peri, spend most of the first part of a two-part story journeying to the auspicious Tranquil Repose. Flawed though Saward's concept may be, it is never the lest better executed than in his less satisfying; "Resurrection of the Daleks"back in series 21. There is the palpable chemistry between both the Doctor and Peri as they banter back and forth, with the emotional bond between the two of them having already been cemented. Taking up the main thrust of the plot is the character of Orcini, a Knight of the Grand Order of Oberon played with understated nobility by veteran actor; William Gaunt. Partnered with his faithful squire Bostock (John Ogewen), who makes for an effectually infallible foil to his master.
The stories narrative requires a string of eccentric, indecorous supporting protagonists who inhabit and work within Tranquil Repose who are utilized with great efficiency, weaving their varying plot strands as they play out in parallel with one another. In the role of the self-absorbed and pompous Jobel, Clive Swift proves to be a fitting choice as he fits the physical description perfectly. An odious and dare I say lecherous individual who is portrayed with the perfect level of conceit, and donning a conspicuousness hair-piece that reflects his clear narcissism. While slightly inconsistent in the quality of her performance, actress Jenny Tomasin is overall solid as the shy,awkward assistant Tsambecker who is transparent in her love for her superior. As dedicated head and chief security personnel; Takis and Lilt, Trevor Cooper and Colin Spaul make a solidly effective pairing while Stephen Fynn and Bridget Lynch-Mosse are paired together as Stengos's headstrong daughter Natasha and the reluctant, cautious Grigor; freedom fighters attempt to free the figuratively entombed occupants of the suspended hibernation area. Rounding off the one-off supporting cast is alternative comedy actor Alexi Sayle who while initially playing to manic, off the wall type as the DJ of Tranquil Repose, he aptly contrasts this when he drops the false veneer upon meeting Peri, revealing him to be genuinely sweet, sincere and perhaps the only man in the galaxy who doesn't trying to get inside her knickers.
Returning in the second of four guest appearances (one of which was in a different role earlier in series 22, that of London bank robber Russell in Attack of the Cybermen), Terry Malloy once again makes a memorable impression as Davros. Here we see him at his calculatingly evil and manipulative as he cunningly exploits Tsambeckers feelings for Jobel to his own ends, and his guile doesn't end there. Malloy, while not the best actor to have taken up the role (Julian Bleach for me offering the definitive rendering of the wheel-chair bound mad scientist.), he still still makes for a chilling presence. His costume although it looks gaudy by modern standards is never the less exemplary given this was 1980's British television. In fact the production values and set design for Tranquil Repose is superbly realized, with Alan Spalding giving it an archaic temple like aesthetic which is oddly sterile.
If fans might potentially find any flaws it's that the Doctor's old pepperpot adversary's take more of a back seat here, with this really in all earnest being a Davros story. Baker's wry incarnation of the wily Time Lord is also sidelined to some degree, with his having nothing to do with the outcome of the story's conclusion. Love it or hate it, I personally think that despite myself I rather liked it and admire Saward's unorthodox approach to the plot. He also doesn't skimp on some of the more horrifying aspects with it both being a couple moments of graphic violence, and an unsettling moment which I won't go in to so not to spoil it, but suffice to say you will know what it is when you see it and it delivers something of a dramatic impact. This includes the nature of Davros's evil scheme which although appropriately alarming, can't be accused of having any real innovation.
And so we have Revelation of the Daleks; an absorbing entry in Doctor Who's lengthy history, it wouldn't make it in to my personal top list of the best stories in it's classic run. However in what was an underwhelming 22nd series, it stands head above most of the rest and at least warrants viewing, and does feature some of the up-most rewarding qualities that the show had to offer.
Arguably the pinnacle of a rather uneven series 22 of the classic series, with only Vengeance on Varos vying for the mantle of being so. It's a story that scripted by Eric Saward, relies substantially from his interest in crafting stories which are mercenary themed. Sidelining Colin Baker's Doctor who with Nicola Bryant's Peri, spend most of the first part of a two-part story journeying to the auspicious Tranquil Repose. Flawed though Saward's concept may be, it is never the lest better executed than in his less satisfying; "Resurrection of the Daleks"back in series 21. There is the palpable chemistry between both the Doctor and Peri as they banter back and forth, with the emotional bond between the two of them having already been cemented. Taking up the main thrust of the plot is the character of Orcini, a Knight of the Grand Order of Oberon played with understated nobility by veteran actor; William Gaunt. Partnered with his faithful squire Bostock (John Ogewen), who makes for an effectually infallible foil to his master.
The stories narrative requires a string of eccentric, indecorous supporting protagonists who inhabit and work within Tranquil Repose who are utilized with great efficiency, weaving their varying plot strands as they play out in parallel with one another. In the role of the self-absorbed and pompous Jobel, Clive Swift proves to be a fitting choice as he fits the physical description perfectly. An odious and dare I say lecherous individual who is portrayed with the perfect level of conceit, and donning a conspicuousness hair-piece that reflects his clear narcissism. While slightly inconsistent in the quality of her performance, actress Jenny Tomasin is overall solid as the shy,awkward assistant Tsambecker who is transparent in her love for her superior. As dedicated head and chief security personnel; Takis and Lilt, Trevor Cooper and Colin Spaul make a solidly effective pairing while Stephen Fynn and Bridget Lynch-Mosse are paired together as Stengos's headstrong daughter Natasha and the reluctant, cautious Grigor; freedom fighters attempt to free the figuratively entombed occupants of the suspended hibernation area. Rounding off the one-off supporting cast is alternative comedy actor Alexi Sayle who while initially playing to manic, off the wall type as the DJ of Tranquil Repose, he aptly contrasts this when he drops the false veneer upon meeting Peri, revealing him to be genuinely sweet, sincere and perhaps the only man in the galaxy who doesn't trying to get inside her knickers.
Returning in the second of four guest appearances (one of which was in a different role earlier in series 22, that of London bank robber Russell in Attack of the Cybermen), Terry Malloy once again makes a memorable impression as Davros. Here we see him at his calculatingly evil and manipulative as he cunningly exploits Tsambeckers feelings for Jobel to his own ends, and his guile doesn't end there. Malloy, while not the best actor to have taken up the role (Julian Bleach for me offering the definitive rendering of the wheel-chair bound mad scientist.), he still still makes for a chilling presence. His costume although it looks gaudy by modern standards is never the less exemplary given this was 1980's British television. In fact the production values and set design for Tranquil Repose is superbly realized, with Alan Spalding giving it an archaic temple like aesthetic which is oddly sterile.
If fans might potentially find any flaws it's that the Doctor's old pepperpot adversary's take more of a back seat here, with this really in all earnest being a Davros story. Baker's wry incarnation of the wily Time Lord is also sidelined to some degree, with his having nothing to do with the outcome of the story's conclusion. Love it or hate it, I personally think that despite myself I rather liked it and admire Saward's unorthodox approach to the plot. He also doesn't skimp on some of the more horrifying aspects with it both being a couple moments of graphic violence, and an unsettling moment which I won't go in to so not to spoil it, but suffice to say you will know what it is when you see it and it delivers something of a dramatic impact. This includes the nature of Davros's evil scheme which although appropriately alarming, can't be accused of having any real innovation.
And so we have Revelation of the Daleks; an absorbing entry in Doctor Who's lengthy history, it wouldn't make it in to my personal top list of the best stories in it's classic run. However in what was an underwhelming 22nd series, it stands head above most of the rest and at least warrants viewing, and does feature some of the up-most rewarding qualities that the show had to offer.