Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks - REVIEW

 A solid story packed with menace, tension, and charm. A great story to tide us over until Series 13.

After around ten months away from our screens, The Doctor returned for a special New Year's episode! Revolution of the Daleks marks the return of Captain Jack Harkness, eleven years after he last met The Doctor (not just a flying visit) and it's good to have him back! This festive special had much to offer, from Dalek Drones, large-scale attacks, numerous nods to the past and some rather beautiful moments between the cast. Let's get into it! Oh, and spoilers ahead... Probably a lot. Sorry.

Let's run through the story. The events lead on from the happenings of 'Resolution.' The remnants of the Dalek shell are taken away, hinted at some form of secret location that isn't used anymore, perhaps The Black Archive? That's just me hoping we get the return of UNIT at some point. Anyway, Jack Robertson's return meant it wouldn't be that simple. After intercepting the delivery, him and new and short-lived Prime Minister, Jo Patterson scheme to get out a quick supply of 'Defence Drones.' Dalek-like security systems for protective purposes. This likely would've worked too if the cellular DNA of a Dalek mutant wasn't left behind for a genius to discover.  All of this part of the story was story-building. This allowed us to get an idea of what the intention was, what could possibly go wrong and how. It was fun, made even better by the thrilling score from Segun Akinola. People may miss Murray Gold, but Akinola's work here was beautiful. The rock bombastic sound as the first defence drone appeared gave me chills. A great start so far!

Now, one of my favourite moments early on... Okay, I have two. First off anyway. Yaz. I have wanted to connect more with Yaz since I connected the dots about her mental health. From Series 11, there's subtle drops that nobody understood her, she had a hard few years, and in Series 12 we got a better look. Now, I think we see her really relying on The Doctor, idolising her, almost as if she saved Yaz. I loved the nature of her character and how desperate she was to find her friend. She needed to build some more since she's the last of the three companions left. I think this episode did a good job allowing her to do that. The other thing I loved, The Doctor. Her time in prison I expected to be short-lived, but what we did see was quite stunning. The solitude all felt a little too real. The fan service too, the Pting now at legendary status, the Weeping Angel appearance. I just thought it was all wonderful. My only issue with this was how quickly Jack got her out of the prison. Now, if there'd have been about a minute more of this where we saw Judoon kicking into action or lasers firing or something to give it extra gravitas, it likely would've been a perfect sub-plot. 

Further on with the story. The Doctor returns to her fam... Only ten months out. She's done worse (Amy Pond), but even still, that's quite a while and the shove Yaz gives her I felt in my soul. The tension developed here was quite nice especially since it lingers throughout the story. It doesn't take too long to get back into action however. With the clone-grown Dalek mutant now in control of genius, Leo, we understand the true nature of the Dalek plan. In Osaka, Japan, numerous Dalek mutants, possibly hundreds of thousands have been developed and ready to be transported into every Dalek drone. Even the Doctor can't quite prevent this. Cue the attack. Now, one thing I am absolutely loving about the Chibnall era is the atmosphere of attacks and such. My only issue is that they should be longer! The Dalek Drones massacring people was quite an intense watch, to the point I could've cried. I wanted more, I think there should've been more to just really drive that tension home.

The scene pictured was a highlight for me. We soon panned to a person hiding from the drones and then she turns to see a Dalek ship hovering in the skies above. Goosebumps. This scene gave me the chills I know only Doctor Who can give me. It was a great shot with stunning CGI. A true triumph. Of course, no modern Who story would be complete without the Gold Daleks (pictured below with John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness). I found it a clever solution for the Daleks to destroy the drones. How fitting for the Daleks to reject impure creatures. Is this a throwback to Series 3? I haven't watched those Dalek stories in a long time, but I presume so. Another missed opportunity though, more scenes with the Dalek shootout would've been great. Maybe some cool shots in hot spots around the country perhaps to highlight the gravity of the situation. 

However, I did really enjoy the resolution. The Daleks were tricked into the spare TARDIS (Yaz's TARDIS I'm calling it) and left to be taken to the void whilst their ship exploded. A fitting solution and one even I didn't pick up on until the Daleks did. Clever, really. Jack Robertson taking the spotlight and being hailed a hero for his actions also seemed quite fitting for today's world. Jack's exit from the story wasn't quite what I would've wanted, but at least we got a mention of Gwen Cooper (I've yet to discuss Rose's mention). Hopefully more stories have him pop up in the future since he's back in 21st Century Earth. Maybe even a Torchwood return? That would be something. I would've liked a better goodbye, not just him vanishing. It did have a 75-minute timeslot for a 71-minute episode. Another couple minutes wouldn't have hurt. 

Anyway, now the tears come along. I don't think Ryan was the most appreciated companion by the fandom... At all. I didn't connect with him, but him finally saying goodbye struck a heartstring. It was quite lovely to watch the scene unfold, The Doctor seemingly in shock, blaming herself to some degree, but accepting. Just what The Doctor would do. Then we saw some really terrific acting from Bradley Walsh as Graham. Choosing family first, being the parent that Ryan never had. When you contextualise the meaning of it all, it really was quite beautiful. Ryan's mother died young, his father missed nearly all his life, his Gran’s death, and now Graham can't accept another person doing the same. This is how we bid farewell to the pair. A very touching moment made increasingly more emotional by the return to that hill in Sheffield. I cried. I didn't even know if I would, but it was sweet to see companions leave to live a full life and not get killed. Grace's appearance was the cherry on top for me and made for a beautiful closing sequence. We all know Chibnall, if nothing else, can write exit stories (Torchwood Season 2 finale). 

That brings us to the end of the story and what a story it was. Before I provide a summary of my thoughts, let me mention something I am very excited by....

Rose was mentioned being locked in a parallel universe; the void was then later mentioned. In order to seal the void, nothing can come through or go through it. However, with the Dalek Tardis now transported there, does that mean the seal is broken? Could this be a return for Rose Tyler? It's all a possibility and with Jack's return, who knows what Chibnall has up his sleeve next?! I'll be interested to find out! 

At the end of the live broadcast, we were met with a teaser for Series 13... John Bishop joining the show! People seem to be too focused on him being a celebrity comedian and how it may make a joke out of the show, but... Catherine Tate? Bradley Walsh? Matt Lucas? They all ended up being quite a brilliant addition so why wouldn't John Bishop. I am hoping we get a nice length of time with just The Doctor and Yaz in the TARDIS, but I am super excited by the prospect of a new companion joining the team!

Overall, "Revolution of the Daleks" was quite a successful story. It provided the gravitas I craved with some rather great scenes. The visuals were also impeccable. CGI has come a long way since 2005 and the show has never looked cleaner. I do feel there were some missed opportunities, some of which could've easily been eradicated with an extra twenty seconds of content, but what we did get was still a triumph. The Doctor was a nice highlight here too, with sudden changes in character from her anger and betrayal in response to her time in prison and the revelations of Series 12 to her excitable self we've grown to appreciate. Whittaker's Doctor is unique, so socially awkward, yet goofy and charming, yet seemingly lost. She's great. Another special mention must go to Segun Akinola because the music was superb throughout. I did say something above, but the music of several scenes keep playing through my head. It must've been good to do that. A final positive to bring up is the cinematography. Every shot was stunning, as to be expected with the current Doctor Who, but it still needs a mention. Let's tone back some lens flares though, maybe? 

  

I'm excited to see what Series 13 has in store for us. There's a lot riding on these eight episodes so here's to Doctor Who in 2021! 

P.S: Doctor Who ain't going to suddenly retcon The Timeless Child arc. It has only just been introduced. Stick with it, reserve your opinions and enjoy the drama. There's a lot more to come and likely a lot more development to be made so don't fear. After all, it's just fiction. 

SCORE: 9/10