My Review of Doctor Who's: "Planet Of The Daleks"

Written by Terry Nation
Directed by David Maloney

Supreme Dalek: �The Daleks are delayed, never defeated.�

For Jon Pertwee�s penultimate season, they certainly pulled out the stops. Multiple Doctors in the first story and the cavalcade of The Master, Ogrons and Daleks in the previous story. This one is a continuation of that and while it�s not as compelling as the previous one, it does have its moments.

Landing on Spiridon for instance. The Doctor was badly wounded in the last story and made an effort to alert the Time Lords about what the Daleks were getting up to. The problem was that even The Doctor�s endurance only lasts for so long and he found himself in a coma for a good part of the first episode.

Jo Grant can often get a bad rap for being ditzy but over the duration of her tenure, she has gotten somewhat better and better. Here, instead of sulking about The Doctor�s coma, she takes the risky initiative into stepping out on Spiridon�s world in order to try and get some help for her friend.

I know it�s not exactly the most extraordinary thing in the world to do because every companion would�ve done exactly the same thing but fair play to Jo nonetheless. By stepping out into the world, she might have gotten the misfortunate of being poisoned for a while but she also stepped things into gear.

The Thals that landed on Spiridon wouldn�t have met up with The Doctor as quickly if she didn�t alert them to his current condition and when it came to trying to defeat the Daleks, the likes of Taron, Rebac, Vaber, Codal and Latep certainly wouldn�t have gotten as far without his help.

In the last story, the Daleks were planning yet another crack at taking over the universe. Here there�s no Master or Ogrons for back breaking stuff or pithy commentary. Instead the mostly subjugated Spiridon residents are helping their new masters, despite one of them rebelling to save Jo�s life.

When Wester later wanted to talk to the Dalek in command, I had a feeling that he was about to give up The Doctor, Jo and the Thals for some reason or another. Instead he risked his life to infect a few Daleks but killed himself in the process. It was noble of him but also a little stupid in respect.

The Daleks usually have some great schemes in a lot of their stories and while planning to release a bacteria that would kill everything on Spiridon as well as ensuring that they themselves were immunised made sense, it didn�t come off as well for them. Spiridon as a planet could be as a good but with molten ice pools, why risk it?

Also because I have to point it out, but is this one of the few Dalek stories that both the pepper pots and The Doctor largely don�t interact with one another? There�s one or two little scenes but for six episodes, they�re rather few and far between. I kind of wanted some proper Doctor/Dalek dialogue.

Also while it seemed to have taken the longest of times to actually reveal the Daleks big plan, it also felt like it was resolved in seconds as well. Having 10,000 Daleks in suspended animated is pretty good temporary solution for halting an invasion, but wouldn�t finding some more explosives to destroy them while in that state also have been a good one?

In terms of the Daleks, even then the Supreme Dalek actually managed to escape and nearly got a lucky shot at The Doctor. I think it�s the first story I�ve seen with the Supreme Dalek and it�s certainly a stylish design that�s done for the Dalek in command. Too bad they waited until the last episode to bring it in. Some proper scenes with the Supreme Dalek and The Doctor would�ve done wonders for this story in all fairness.

As for the Thal characters, this is probably the strongest thing about the story. None of them felt like ciphers. While Vaber and Taron�s opposing views about using explosives got a little tiresome, it was sort of easy to see both sides of their arguments. Similarly it was also easy to see why Taron found his affection for Rebac problematic.

Also this story had some wonderful exchanges between The Doctor and scientist Codal on the nature of bravery as well. Out of all of the Thals, Codal was probably my favourite and I�m pretty glad he survived and while the Jo/Latep love thing was a little rushed, I did feel bad for the latter when Jo declined his invitation to Skaro. You�re probably doing the right thing there, Jo.

Also in �Planet Of The Daleks�

Given the title, I think it was a shame that this didn�t actually take place on Skaro. I suppose they needed certain plot devices though � serious cold, Spiridon invisibility, etc.

Taron: �There�s no such place as Earth. It�s just a name in our old legends. It doesn�t really exist.�
Jo: �Believe me it does.�

There�s a nice reference to Susan, Barbara and Ian and �The Daleks� in this story. That made me smile.

The Doctor: �You still don�t trust me?�
Taron: �Why should I? You come here out of nowhere and claim to be something of a legend.�
The Doctor: �Yes, I see your point but I am on your side.�

The Doctor: �There�s a considerable difference between courage and reckless stupidity you know.�

This is the second story in a row where The Doctor�s had to convince someone that he�s from a legend long ago.

Codal: �Well, the one thing we have got is time.�
The Doctor: �On the contrary my friend. The Daleks don�t intend to let us rot down here.�

Codal: �That little machine of yours has quite an effect.�
The Doctor: �Had quite an effect. Not anymore I�m afraid. You know for a man who abhors violence, I must say I took great satisfaction in doing that.�

Interesting method of escape with The Doctor and Thals using the hot air and some materials to rise themselves away from the Daleks.

The Doctor: �You know after this, I really must take up hot air ballooning. It really is most exhilarating.�
Rebac: �I�d prefer a rocket to take me off this planet.�

The Doctor (to Taron): �It�s a good feeling, isn�t it? When the hunted become the hunters.�

I must say I was impressed with Jo�s little way of pointing to Earth for The Doctor to take her home.

Dalek 1: �Who is he?�
Dalek 2: �He is the one known as The Doctor, the greatest enemy of the Daleks.�

The Doctor (to Taron): �When you get back to Skaro, you�ll be national heroes. Everybody will want to learn about your adventures. So be careful how you tell that story. Don�t glamorise it. Don�t make war sound like an exciting, thrilling game.�

This was released on DVD in October 2009 as part of Dalek War box set with �Frontier In Space�. There�s a really good commentary from Katy Manning, Prentis Hancock, Tim Preece, Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks.

I don�t think you�ll ever get a genuinely awful Dalek story out there but you�ll certainly get ones that are stronger than others. �Planet Of The Daleks� has a lot going for it but it felt rather slight after the previous story and the following story definitely surpasses it as well.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 2-1

2. Melody Club - Goodbye To Romance



What a stunning run of albums these guys have had. Making irony-free pop music is an occupation that�s becoming more and more rare, but Melody Club managed to record an album that hearkened back to the days of shimmering bubblegum pop music with a rock edge. It�s a shift for them, downplaying the synths in favor of a meatier, guitar-influenced sound. There was nothing else like it recorded this year, and it easily wins the prize for the jolliest sounding record of 2009. The band is probably past their prime commercially, but I pray that they stay together and keep recording because they would leave behind a very big hole in the market if they stopped.

Myspace

1. Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster



Nobody defined pop music in 2009 more than Lady Gaga. She single-handedly took control of the year, spawning armies of imitators while fearlessly steering herself into what looks to be a long-lasting career. The Fame Monster was the exclamation point on a flawless run of singles. It managed to top her debut in every way possible and offer a portrait of a true pop artist. The album is short, just like some of the best records of past decades, and all the stronger for it. There isn�t a bad track here, or a song that doesn�t instantly sound like a huge hit single. There are hooks within hooks, bizarre lyrics, and the opportunity for even more out-of-this-world costumes. What more could you want?

Myspace

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 2-1

2. Melody Club - Goodbye To Romance



What a stunning run of albums these guys have had. Making irony-free pop music is an occupation that�s becoming more and more rare, but Melody Club managed to record an album that hearkened back to the days of shimmering bubblegum pop music with a rock edge. It�s a shift for them, downplaying the synths in favor of a meatier, guitar-influenced sound. There was nothing else like it recorded this year, and it easily wins the prize for the jolliest sounding record of 2009. The band is probably past their prime commercially, but I pray that they stay together and keep recording because they would leave behind a very big hole in the market if they stopped.

Myspace

1. Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster



Nobody defined pop music in 2009 more than Lady Gaga. She single-handedly took control of the year, spawning armies of imitators while fearlessly steering herself into what looks to be a long-lasting career. The Fame Monster was the exclamation point on a flawless run of singles. It managed to top her debut in every way possible and offer a portrait of a true pop artist. The album is short, just like some of the best records of past decades, and all the stronger for it. There isn�t a bad track here, or a song that doesn�t instantly sound like a huge hit single. There are hooks within hooks, bizarre lyrics, and the opportunity for even more out-of-this-world costumes. What more could you want?

Myspace

Top 50 Singles of 2009: 5-1

5. Dyno - Don�t Speak Love



My favorite new indie group of the year, this song was seemingly written using a template of everything that I love. A stunning example of why Swedish pop is so unbeatable.

4. Lady Gaga - Poker Face



Her official, world-conquering arrival. For that alone, it�s worth noting. But that�s forgetting the sheer brilliance of the song.

3. The Galvatrons - Cassandra



The track where I can safely use the �synths from Van Halen�s Jump� comparison. That, by the way, is pretty much the highest praise in the world.

2. Alcazar - Stay The Night



Never liked them too much before, but this song single-handedly changed that. This will sound as fresh and joyous twenty years from now as it does today.

1. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance



Her gutsiest single to date, and the release that marked her speedy evolution into a proper pop artist. This is so far ahead of anything else on this list, it�s ridiculous.

Top 50 Singles of 2009: 5-1

5. Dyno - Don�t Speak Love



My favorite new indie group of the year, this song was seemingly written using a template of everything that I love. A stunning example of why Swedish pop is so unbeatable.

4. Lady Gaga - Poker Face



Her official, world-conquering arrival. For that alone, it�s worth noting. But that�s forgetting the sheer brilliance of the song.

3. The Galvatrons - Cassandra



The track where I can safely use the �synths from Van Halen�s Jump� comparison. That, by the way, is pretty much the highest praise in the world.

2. Alcazar - Stay The Night



Never liked them too much before, but this song single-handedly changed that. This will sound as fresh and joyous twenty years from now as it does today.

1. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance



Her gutsiest single to date, and the release that marked her speedy evolution into a proper pop artist. This is so far ahead of anything else on this list, it�s ridiculous.

How I Love That I Was Bad

Okay, like every other lame-o in the universe, I am making New Year's Resolutions. The List is Long.
The Longer the List, the Less Likely they will happen. So I'm stopping now. I'll do something that will improve me: let's just leave it at that.

Now to the Fun Part: one of the tacky things I have done.

One day my mom shipped all my old report cards, etc, for me to keep. I looked them over before I tossed them to the winds. Nope, not a straight A student. Not disruptive. Just too prone to looking out the window.

I guess now they would call it ADD. Personally, I think the deficit was on the opposite side: they didn't give me enough to pay attention to. In second grade, I started reasoning out theological arguments to dispute nun statements about who went to heaven and why. Silently. In third grade, I distinctly was dubious over the now-defunct biological theory of Protoplasm. How did it reconcile with Atoms? I couldn't make it work. And thinking through these things takes time, you know, while class marches on.

Introducing Mrs. Grim:
I was five, maybe four. We were doing some book page "One is not like the other". I was supposed to circle the unlike. Okay. But we had to wait so long for the next thing. I drew all over the book while I was waiting.

"Which one of these was circled?" Mrs. Grim was upset again. It was obvious to me, but I pointed to the appropriate figure: a top, as opposed to a ball, a world, and something else that was round.

"You wait here after class," she ordered. Okay.

At day's end, the woman streaked out of the classroom and ran to the curb, looking for my mother. She grabbed my mom by the shoulders, shaking her and yelling. "Your child does not pay attention!!" Meanwhile, out of assault range, I waited (again) in the classroom. Swear I didn't light any fires, pull out any toys, or steal my teacher's lunch money.

On the way  home, my Mom said, "Ann, you really need to pay attention in class."
"Okay." I distinctly remember looking out the car window. Green grass and stuff.

Flash forward: the Christmas Pageant!! We were going to be every animal. I wanted to be a deer, but no: Mrs. Grim determined I would be one of the cows. I was mortified. I had to make a mask for myself in a species I did not want to be, and practice cow steps. Just torture.

Maybe that was the year I learned I was not the center of the universe. Nah. Socialization takes longer than that.

The pageant was on a stage with light bulbs along the edges. Mrs. Grim told me not to step on the lights. I tried not to, but you know: little legs, adult stairs. [Crunch.] She rolled her eyes. Her mouth was a flat line.

I was determined to show her I was special to somebody.

"My mother dressed me in my lacy pants," I informed her, and mooned her, right on the stage, to a full house.

I got applause, mind you! Perhaps that was the defining moment of the year--
So, my New Year's Resolution: this Rebel is going to be BAD  . . . . it's in my constitution . . . .

This Year's Stern, Tragic Beauty

.

"Traveler, take this word to the men of Lakedaimon:

We who lie buried here did what they told us to do."

.
The things that make us proud often do not make us happy. I don't know how else to say it. A stern joy, perhaps. A better understanding of duty, be it large or small. An understanding of the cost of freedom--not in the jingoistic way that phrase is used, but in the way of knowing our room to breathe is made up of other people's efforts and frequently their sacrifices.

For the most part we don't know them as individuals. But they served our community and were injured or died for us. That's a kind of love they gave us.  This post is here to sternly and lovingly acknowledge it.

Here at home:

One hundred and twenty U.S. law enforcement deaths in 2009.

Four Canadian law enforcement officer deaths, 2009.

Ninety-two U.S. firefighters killed in the line of duty, 2009.

Out in the battlefields:
These are military deaths in Iraq.

One hundred fifty-one deaths by coalition forces in 2009.

One hundred fifty deaths by U.S. servicemen and women in 2009.

More than six hundred wounded in 2009.

Military deaths in Afghanistan, but also in peripheral areas.

Five hundred and twenty deaths in coalition forces in 2009.

Three hundred and nineteen deaths by American forces in 2009.

One hundred thirty-eight deaths by Canadian forces in 2009.

.

And a moment for their loved ones, who still grieve.

A moment for people of good will who decided not to be a bystander, who acted from principles of virtue.

For the innocent don't feel innocent any more. You may be tarnished. You're all the more important because of it. Allow us to bumble our way to you.

References: Simonides of Ceos, Trans. Richard Lattimore; the Officers Down Memorial Page. and the same organization for Canada; the USFA Firefighters Memorial site. Canada has the Fallen Firefighters Foundation: no information for 2009 yet. You are not forgotten.

Military figures from iCasualties.org, a site that was dedicated to counting and remembering the fatalities in this war, long before anyone else would try. Photo: images.travelpod.com zento.

2009, That Was A Year

Best Show (UK): Torchwood. The first two seasons were fun but Season 3 certainly took the show to a new level.

Worst Show (UK): Big Brother 10. Thank God this shit is ending in 2010.

Best Show (US): True Blood. When I fall for a show, I fall hard and this I fell for.

Worst Show (US): 90210. More vacuous crap courtesy of CW.

Best Villain: The Master in Doctor Who. Closely followed by Maryann in True Blood.

Worst Villain: Danko in Heroes. Dullest too.

Best TV Death: Juliet Burke in Lost. Also tempted to say George in Grey's Anatomy too.

Worst TV Death: Tracy's not a death in Heroes. Edie in Desperate Housewives as well. She deserved something better.

Shocking TV Moment: The second season finale of Ashes To Ashes. Coma within a coma. The hell?

Sexiest Male On TV: Russell Tovey in Being Human. How can you not love George?

Sexiest Female On TV: Is it early to include Karen Gillan? Okay then, Anna Paquin from True Blood then.

Best Finale: Although I'm still watching it, I'm gonna say Doctor Who's The End Of Time two parter.

Yes, Kids Are Annoying: The Scavo twins in Desperate Housewives. Two years in a row.

Neither Use, Nor Ornament: Holly Harper and Ryan Lafferty in Brothers And Sisters. Take the hint, writers and do away with them already.

Good Reality TV: The Apprentice. Come on, it's the only thing in this genre I get into.

Bad Reality TV: Big Brother 10. At least it's ending.

Best Gay Couple: Kevin Walker/Scotty Wandall in Brothers And Sisters. Emily and Naomi from Skins come a close(ish) second.

Worst Gay Couple: Julia McNamara/Olivia Lord in Nip/Tuck. Look at the shitty way they killed off the latter as well.

Best Straight Couple: Jessica Hambry/Hoyt Fortenberry in True Blood. Genius idea and the most believable couple on the show.

Worst Straight Couple: Bree/Orson in Desperate Housewives. Talk about devolution in a big way.

Best Guest Appearance: John Simm on Doctor Who. Thank God the Master was the last big villain for David Tennant's last story.

Worst Guest Appearance: Lindsay Lohan in Ugly Betty. Dull.

Killed Too Soon: Jacob in Lost. Why introduce him to kill him off, guys?

Difficult Season: Heroes. Season Three failed to improve the show and Season Four seemingly isn't helping either.

Best Male Character: The Doctor in Doctor Who. I'm gonna miss his tenth incarnation while looking forward to his eleventh one.

Worst Male Character: Paul Ballard in Dollhouse. Boring character, even if the second season has made him slightly more tolerable.

Best Female Character: Tara Thornton in True Blood. Rutina Wesley is arguably the best actress on the show and it's hard not to love her character.

Worst Female Character: Claire Bennett in Heroes. I had to pick someone, didn't I? Maybe Katherine Mayfair from Desperate Housewives as well.

Most Improved Show: Lost. Season 5 was wonderful.

Least Improved Show: Nip/Tuck. Season 5 wasn't.

Best TV Partnership: The Doctor/Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who and Alex Drake/Gene Hunt in Ashes To Ashes.

Worst TV Partnership: Sean and Christian in Nip/Tuck. And I used to love their dynamic.

Best Use Of Music: Skins. This show fires on all cyclinders on that front.

HoYay Award: Doctor/Master in Doctor Who. Mind-tapping, bondage ahoy. You'd almost think David Tennant and John Simm would go gay for each other.

2010 Hopeful: Glee, which looks awesome.

I'll edit this later to include more stuff.

Rant #163: New Year's Resolutions

Here is my first annual Ranting and Raving New Year's Resolutions.

2010 appears to be an interesting year in our country and for me personally, so I thought I would draw up a couple of resolutions, and then a year from now, see if I was able to hold to them.

I doubt it, but you never know.

1) Don't eat as much as I did in 2010: Yes, this is a common New Year's resolution, but the fact of the matter is that I went to town in 2009. I don't want to do that again. The last few weeks, in particular, have been killers. I am taking the "less is more" philosophy." Let's see if it works.

2) Use my credit cards less: With all the monkey business that credit card issuers are pulling with their cards, I think it is best that I hold back using what I have, and only use them in emergencies. Let me see if I can start paying these things off, and then getting rid of them entirely.

3) Ask for a raise: I haven't had one in three or four years, and although the economy stinks, maybe this is a good time to ask for a raise. Even if I don't get one immediately, I have put the bug in the proper peoples' minds that I need something more, and maybe they will accommodate me later.

4) Listen to myself more when I make a decision: I have a habit of second-guessing myself, and then, when things don't work out, I blame myself. "Why didn't I listen to myself the first time?" is what often goes through my mind. Well, maybe I will listen to myself more in 2010.

5) Be more active: This really ties into No. 1 on the list. I was never very athletic--although I loved and played lots of sports--but in my 50s, I, well, just sit there. Maybe I can become more active, not necessarily exercise, but just be more active, shoot hoops with my son, something like that.

6) Tie loose strings together from my past: Not that I haven't done this, but I want to continue to do this in 2010. I grew up during a wonderful/terrible time in the 1960s and early 1970s in a community in Queens, New York, that I still have many ties to through people that I know. I want to further cultivate those relationships, because they are still strong, even after 40 years.

That is all I can think of now.

I also resolve to continue to write my Ranting and Raving insights each and every week for the foreseeable future. It is a lot of fun, and I know people are visiting ... even though my posts don't receive many comments.

People from the U.S., Europe and other continents around the world do come here, and I have tried to make this site as enjoyable as possible. I resolve to continue to do that in 2010.

Everyone have a wonderful 2010, and I will speak to you again on Monday, January 4.

Moscow Bridge Skyview

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 4-3

4. Cinema Bizarre - Toyz



By far the highest ranking German album on my countdowns ever, this was a real pleasant surprise this year. It�s the longest album on the countdown, so that means there�s a little bit of filler, but all in all this band�s electro/glam makeover was a resounding success, even if it wasn�t met with the sales it deserved. Bounding between dramatic power ballads and dancefloor stompers, it�s an extremely strong set of mainstream pop/rock songs, and the album Tokio Hotel should have released this year. I doubt many people have even heard it, which makes it the perfect recommendation for this catch-up time of year.

Myspace

3. Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment



The number three spot is split between this album and the entertainment Lambert gave us on Idol this year. It�s impossible to separate the two. Luckily, though, on its own the album doesn�t disappoint. It�s overproduced and overblown, sure, but that�s what this type of pop music should be. More importantly, Lambert�s the first American popstar in a long time to attempt uttering words like �glam rock� in the context of mainstream radio play. For that alone he deserves one of the top spots. There were a couple of potholes on the road to success, but his second single is starting to take off and I can�t wait to see what he does in the future.

Myspace

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 4-3

4. Cinema Bizarre - Toyz



By far the highest ranking German album on my countdowns ever, this was a real pleasant surprise this year. It�s the longest album on the countdown, so that means there�s a little bit of filler, but all in all this band�s electro/glam makeover was a resounding success, even if it wasn�t met with the sales it deserved. Bounding between dramatic power ballads and dancefloor stompers, it�s an extremely strong set of mainstream pop/rock songs, and the album Tokio Hotel should have released this year. I doubt many people have even heard it, which makes it the perfect recommendation for this catch-up time of year.

Myspace

3. Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment



The number three spot is split between this album and the entertainment Lambert gave us on Idol this year. It�s impossible to separate the two. Luckily, though, on its own the album doesn�t disappoint. It�s overproduced and overblown, sure, but that�s what this type of pop music should be. More importantly, Lambert�s the first American popstar in a long time to attempt uttering words like �glam rock� in the context of mainstream radio play. For that alone he deserves one of the top spots. There were a couple of potholes on the road to success, but his second single is starting to take off and I can�t wait to see what he does in the future.

Myspace

Top 50 Singles of 2009: 10-6

10. Blake Lewis - Heartbreak On Vinyl



The Idol runner-up�s best single to date. A smart, hooky ode to record stores and those who love them.

9. Tommy Sparks - She�s Got Me Dancing



A springtime party track in a year where there weren�t many to go around. From the squeaky synth opening to the undeniable hook, this was pure magic.

8. Lady Gaga - Paparazzi



Gaga�s most lasting radio single yet, the jaw-dropping video was what really propelled this to the forefront of people�s minds. Several months in, it still hasn�t gotten old.

7. Melody Club - The Only Ones



A galloping pop single signaling a shift in the band�s sound, this track just makes you feel really, really good. Simple as that.

6. Filthy Dukes & Tommy Sparks - Messages



Even better than Sparks� solo stuff, this electro dance track was the coolest thing to come out of the UK this Summer. I prefer to think of it as the 2009 Scissor Sisters comeback single that never was.