The second Doctor makes his premier in Power of the Daleks. Having regenerated (or ‘renewed’) for the first time, his companions aren’t even certain that this new man is the Doctor. But the TARDIS lands in the future, on an Earth colony on the planet Vulcan. No relation to Mr. Spock. There’s backstabbing aplenty among the various people running the colony. And the encounter the treacherous, murderous Daleks, pretending to be useful robots. “We are your set-vants …”
The bad news is, some of the original footage has been lost! The good news is, the audio survived, and animated footage has been created to fill in the missing gaps. And it looks wonderful. You can see a sample in the trailer at the end of the page.
Part 1
Ben and Polly suspect that the ‘new’ Doctor is really an imposter. The TARDIS lands on the planet Vulcan. Where an unseen person assassinates another. The Doctor is a witness, and while investigating the corpse, it turns out he was an Examiner from Earth. The Doctor discovers a pass badge on him. It gives him unrestricted access to the colony.
Ben Jackson: [Ben picks up the Doctor’s ring from the floor] Now look, the Doctor always wore this. So, if you’re him it should fit, now shouldn’t it?
[Ben grabs the Doctor’s hand, and slips the ring on. However, the ring is far too big for the Doctor’s finger]
Ben Jackson: There… That settles it!
The Doctor: I’d like to see a butterfly fit into a chrysalis case after it’s spreads its wings.
Polly Wright: Then you did change!
The Doctor: Life depends on change, and renewal.
Ben Jackson: [sarcastically] Oh, so that’s it, you’ve been renewed, have ya?
The Doctor: [taking Ben’s remark seriously] I’ve been renewed, have I? That’s it, I’ve been renewed! It’s part of the TARDIS. Without it I couldn’t survive.
Part 2
Posing as an Examiner from Earth, the Doctor warns the scientist Lesterson of the dire consequences of reactivating the Daleks.
[last lines]
The Doctor: It can do many things, Lesterson. But the thing it does most efficiently is exterminate human beings. It destroys them, without mercy, without conscience. It destroys them. Utterly! Completely! It destroys them!
Dalek: I am your servant. I am your servant. I am your servant. I am your servant. I am your servant. I am your servant.
Part 3
The rebels take Polly prisoner. They intend to use the Daleks to take control of the colony. The Doctor discovers that all three Daleks are reactivated.
Dalek: What does this machine do?
Lesterson: You know, it’s amazing. You have an almost human interest and curiosity.
Dalek: A Dalek is bet… is not the same as a human. If I am to help, I must know everything.
Lesterson: Yes. Yes, of course.
The Doctor: Yes. When I say run, run like a rabbit. Run!
Part 4
Lesterson discovers that the Daleks are reproducing themselves. It drives him insane. And, the Daleks are preparing to seize control of the colony.
Valmar: [to the Dalek] Now, when I tell you to fire…
Dalek: I am your servant.
Part 5
Brogen leads the rebellion and takes control of the colony, killing Governor Hensell. But the Daleks are also ready to make their final move.
Dalek #1: Why do human beings kill human beings?
Part 6
As the battle rages between the rebels and the loyal colonists, the Daleks attack. The only chance for the colony’s survival is the Doctor.
Dalek #1: [from outside the laboratory, there is a terrifying scream] The humans are being exterminated.
First Dalek: The law of the Daleks is in force.
Second Dalek: Extermination of humans.
First Dalek: [the First Dalek scans the laboratory, sensing something is wrong] Our cables have been moved.
Lesterson: [the two Daleks notice the new cable threading its way to the workbench. They glide towards the workbench just as Lesterson emerges from the cupboard] And I could tell you who did it!
Dalek #1: What were you doing in there?
Lesterson: I want to help you.
Dalek #1: Why?
Lesterson: [impersonating a Dalek] I am your servant.
Dalek #1: We do not need humans now.
Lesterson: Ah, then, but you wouldn’t kill me. I gave you life.
Dalek #1: Yes, you gave us life. [suddenly the Dalek fires, and Lesterson is struck by the deadly ray. Lesterson collapses to the ground]
Cast
- Patrick Troughton (Doctor Who – The War Games) … The Doctor. The first appearance of the Second Doctor, the beloved cosmic hobo. Who’s intentionally allowing people to underestimate him.
- Anneke Wills (Doctor Who: The War Machines)… Polly
- Michael Craze (Doctor Who: The War Machines) … Ben
Additional cast
- Pamela Ann Davy … Janley
- Peter Hawkins … Daleks
- Nicholas Hawtrey … Quinn
- Robert James … Lesterson. A very good performance, as the inventor who thinks that he’s “discovered” The Daleks buried on the planet. And he wrongly thinks that they’re merely robots, programmed to serve humanity. And he’s shattered when he finds out th truth.
- Richard Kane … Valmar
- Edward Kelsey … Resno
- Steven Scott … Kebble
Product Description
Patrick Troughton stars in this recreation of a lost classic from 1966.
The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Polly and Ben to a colony on the swamp planet of Vulcan. Soon after arriving, the Doctor witnesses a brutal murder.
Meanwhile, in another part of the colony an ancient crashed space capsule has been discovered in the swamps. The colony’s misguided chief scientist opens the capsule and discovers a group of strange metal ‘creatures’ inside. The creatures appear to be long dead. The Doctor calls the metal creatures ‘Daleks’ and claims that they are incredibly dangerous.
‘Power of the Daleks’ was the first Doctor Who story to star Patrick Troughton as the Doctor – broadcast between November and December 1966. Sadly, none of the six original broadcast episodes of ‘Power of the Daleks’ any longer exist in the BBC Film Archives. However, complete audio recordings of the lost episodes have survived in the hands of private collectors. And it is these audio recordings that are used as the basis for this special animated production of the programme. Now in a brand new edition and brought to you in glorious black and white…
