Wow. This has to be one of the best episodes of classic who out there, not only does the story finally reach fever pitch but we get some shocking moments too, Katarina's death is extremely sudden and unexpected, I actually had to stop listening just to take it in. Katarina isn't the only ally we lost in this episode though as Bret Vyon played by the wonderful Nicholas Courtney who would later play our beloved Brigadier is also dispatched by new secondary villain and femme fatale Sara Kingdom. Just wow. 9/10 for this one I think
4 Reviews
Death and Conspiracy. A truly excellent episode takes strides.
maxglen16 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Greatest Episode Of Doctor Who
icewarrior-2672713 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A very close better to Day Of Armageddon, The Traitors is absolutely brilliant! Possibly the darkest episode of the 60s too as we both have the tragic death of Katarina who sacrifices herself even though she didn't fully understand what was going on (seeing her body float around space afterwards and limp is just disturbing, you can see why Australian censors chose not to broadcast this) and the death of Bret which always makes me feel so sad as he was a great character and was killed by his sister who was deceived into thinking he was a traitor. The scene with Daxtar is a great one too, he's been Bret's friend for years but even he has betrayed them, when Bret guns him down is a powerful moment, especially with the outrage Hartnell show's (who is putting in one of his greatest performances during this story might I add).
At the beginning of episode 5 when you realize it's just the Doctor and Steven left, it reminds you of how much they've lost to try and warn Earth and it really gives the show an unprecedented sense of danger, the show feels far too safe these days but at this point you feel that anything could happen to any of these lovable characters who are mercilessly gunned down by the Daleks or caught in Mavic Chen's web of lies.
Overall this is definitely the best episode of the lot and it's a tragedy that it no longer exists in its original form as I'd say in terms of individual episodes of Doctor Who, this may be the greatest.
At the beginning of episode 5 when you realize it's just the Doctor and Steven left, it reminds you of how much they've lost to try and warn Earth and it really gives the show an unprecedented sense of danger, the show feels far too safe these days but at this point you feel that anything could happen to any of these lovable characters who are mercilessly gunned down by the Daleks or caught in Mavic Chen's web of lies.
Overall this is definitely the best episode of the lot and it's a tragedy that it no longer exists in its original form as I'd say in terms of individual episodes of Doctor Who, this may be the greatest.
The Daleks' Master Plan: Part 4 - Brilliant epic adventure
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic19 August 2014
Review for all 12 parts:
This is an epic 12 part story from writers Dennis Spooner and Dalek originator Terry Nation, beginning with the episode The Nightmare Begins.
This adventure continues the story introduced in the episode Mission To The Unknown and features the Doctor trying to thwart the Daleks evil plans to conquer the solar system. It also features Nicholas Courtney (later to play Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, a series regular), as Bret Vyon. He, along with the regular cast, Kevin Stoney as villainous Mavic Chen and most other cast, perform superbly. The Daleks too are at their peak in many ways and are great villains for this epic. In addition there are the other interesting alien characters and even the return of the Meddling Monk (Peter Butterworth) from the Doctor's home world! The story even has the shocking deaths of no less than 3 of the Doctor's 'companions'!
The word epic is absolutely right for this mammoth story and it is incredible how the quality and interest is kept over an unprecedented 12 episodes. The only slight drop in quality being the 7th episode The Feast of Steven which is a Christmas special of a far more light- hearted and whimsical kind. To compare that episode and criticise it as a blot on the story is very unfair, you have to take it on its own as a special episode more comparable to the kind of comedy spoof used for charity telethons in later years. On that basis it is successful. The other 11 episodes are brilliant, exciting and well made.
A classic.
My Ratings: Episode 7 - 7/10, all other episodes 10/10
This is an epic 12 part story from writers Dennis Spooner and Dalek originator Terry Nation, beginning with the episode The Nightmare Begins.
This adventure continues the story introduced in the episode Mission To The Unknown and features the Doctor trying to thwart the Daleks evil plans to conquer the solar system. It also features Nicholas Courtney (later to play Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, a series regular), as Bret Vyon. He, along with the regular cast, Kevin Stoney as villainous Mavic Chen and most other cast, perform superbly. The Daleks too are at their peak in many ways and are great villains for this epic. In addition there are the other interesting alien characters and even the return of the Meddling Monk (Peter Butterworth) from the Doctor's home world! The story even has the shocking deaths of no less than 3 of the Doctor's 'companions'!
The word epic is absolutely right for this mammoth story and it is incredible how the quality and interest is kept over an unprecedented 12 episodes. The only slight drop in quality being the 7th episode The Feast of Steven which is a Christmas special of a far more light- hearted and whimsical kind. To compare that episode and criticise it as a blot on the story is very unfair, you have to take it on its own as a special episode more comparable to the kind of comedy spoof used for charity telethons in later years. On that basis it is successful. The other 11 episodes are brilliant, exciting and well made.
A classic.
My Ratings: Episode 7 - 7/10, all other episodes 10/10
This episode had a shock for viewers.
Sleepin_Dragon23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The Spa has taken off, just in time as The Daleks had arrived, unfortunately a stowaway is on board 'Kirksen,' who has grabbed Katarina and demands to be taken to Kembel. Kirksen drags the terrified Katarina into an air lock, where she hits the eject button, killing herself and Kirksen. The Daleks demand Chen regains the Tiranium core, he returns to Earth to make plans with his Security forces. Chen colludes with his head of security Karlton, they draft in Sarah Kingdom, and instruct her to deal with the traitors. The Doctor, Steven and Bret head for the Security Services base to seek help from Daxtar, little knowing that he too is allied to Chen. Kingdom enters after Bret had dealt with Daxtar, only to kill Bret.
It's a truly wonderful episode, it's another episode in this serial that I and many fans alike I'm sure would desperately love to see. It must have been rather shocking for fans to witness both Katarina and Bret's deaths, it must have seemed like Katarina was stepping in to Vicki's shoes as companion.
Sarah Kingdom is also a really fascinating character, the show had been crying out for a femme fatale, a true powerful woman, Kingdom delivered.
This was a brilliant episode. 10/10
It's a truly wonderful episode, it's another episode in this serial that I and many fans alike I'm sure would desperately love to see. It must have been rather shocking for fans to witness both Katarina and Bret's deaths, it must have seemed like Katarina was stepping in to Vicki's shoes as companion.
Sarah Kingdom is also a really fascinating character, the show had been crying out for a femme fatale, a true powerful woman, Kingdom delivered.
This was a brilliant episode. 10/10
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
