When I received Colin’s gift card and suggestion regarding the Doctor Who Time
Lord Victorious event, I’d already been following part of the event
without knowing it - I've been watching Daleks!, a five-part animated series that started on the Doctor Who YouTube™ channel in November.
The story begins with the Daleks attacking Islos, home to the Archive of Islos, as the next victim in their ongoing objective of universal Dalek domination. To save what is left of their civilization from the threat of Dalek destruction, the Archivians agree to surrender the Archive, but when the Daleks arrive, the Archives are empty except for the robotic Archivians and an enigmatic portal.
The
Chief Archivian explains that the population of the planet has been evacuated through the portal along with the contents of the Archive, leaving
the Daleks with nothing. Infuriated by this betrayal, the Daleks
destroy the remaining Archivians, but the Chief Archivian reveals that the portal was provided by an ancient race that lives outside of time. In
exchange for their help, the Archivians have offered them the Dalek race - at which point the Entity, a deadly energy being from another dimension, floods through the portal and attacks the Daleks.
The Daleks flee, but they are helpless against the Entity. With the Dalek fleet destroyed and their home planet of Skaro in ruins, the Dalek Emperor
seeks allies to prevent the extinction of the of his species. Aided by the war-scarred Prime Strategist of the Daleks,
the Emperor finds reluctant help from the Mechanoids, who scornfully agree to assist their defeated foes.
I enjoyed the series, although I can see that it might not be to everyone's taste. After decades of watching the Doctor struggle against the Daleks, it's hard to develop any sympathy for them, even as their species is brought to the brink of extinction. The animation isn't elaborate, although its lack of subtle textures and softened lighting effects does lend itself to the mechanical cast - which may itself be a barrier to some viewers. The series is notable for its complete lack of organic characters: the entire dramatis personae is composed of Daleks, the Archivians of Islos, the Mechanoid civilization, and the Entity.
However, the series is very well executed, with an excellent range of voice talent from Doctor Who, including, of course, Nicholas Briggs, the long-time voice of the Daleks. It's also an intriguing addition to Dalek canon, a sort of grace note to their frequent appearances as enemies of the Times Lords and the Doctor in particular.
As with the Tom Baker Big Finish audio production, the connection to the Time Lord Victorious event is not obvious, other than a parting suggestion that a far deadlier foe awaits the Daleks - presumably the Doctor, but we'll see what revelations are still to come from my purchases from the rest of the event.
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