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[threemonkeys]

It was the first leaders debate of the election campaign last night. So at work, what did everybody want to discuss - why the latest Dr Who episode. Last night was the Dalek episode with the Christopher Eccleston Doctor. Since I have deliberately avoided all the spoilers and downloaded episodes, it was new for me too.

The feeling was astonishing in its unanimity. Great rendition of the Dalek - just an excellent job of envoking the menace and power. The stuff with the sucker and the stairs was a nice homage to all the jokes about them over the years.

But everybody also agreed that the whole resolution with the last Dalek/Kaled getting emotion just didn't work at all. Daleks are supposed to be the ultimate evil - implacable in their desire to wipe out all enemies. They do not just wimp out, get emotions and destroy themselves.. That is just messing with the fabric of the universe. Rose Tyler may just possibly be the coolest companion ever but even she does not have the power to subvert a Dalek. It just ain't right.

OK, I'm done ranting.

Comments

[darthsappho.livejournal.com]

But the Dalek agrees with you that it's supposed to be the ultimate evil; it considers a Dalek with a conscience to be so abhorent that it must be destroyed even if that Dalek is itself. It's not a case of wimping out, but of being psychotically obsessed with racial purity. Absorbing some random stranger's time-active biodata is a rather risky thing to do at the best of times, but the Dalek was desperate.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Very good point. I'm getting used to the idea now that my initial gut reaction to a Dalek with emotions is fading.

My acceptance is also helped by remembering a Hartnell episode (possibly now lost) where the Daleks capture the Doctor and force him to produce "the human essence" which is used to infect 3 daleks. All part of a plot to find "the dalek essence" and infect humans.