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Christopher Eccleston
Dalek
Ninth Doctor Logo


Synopsis


Dalek Danger
Dalek Danger
 Beneath the Salt Plains of Utah, the billionaire collector Henry Van Statten holds the last relic of an alien race.

 When The Doctor and Rose investigate, they discover that The Doctor’s oldest and most deadly enemy is about to break free.

 It’s a fight to the death, with Rose caught in the middle.

Source: BBC DVD


General Information

Season: Twenty Seven (New Series 1)
Production Code: 1-6
Story Number: 161 (New Series: 5)
Episode Number:702 (New Series: 6)
Number of Episodes: 1
Percentage of Episodes Held:100%
Working Titles:"Return of the Daleks" and "Creature of Lies"
Production Dates: October - November 2005
Broadcast Date: 30 April 2005
Colour Status: Colour
Studio: BBC Wales (Unit Q2, Newport)
Location: National Museum of Wales and Millennium Stadium (Cardiff).
Writer:Robert Shearman
Director:Joe Ahearne
Producer:Phil Collinson
Executive Producers:Julie Gardner, Mal Young and Russell T Davies
Associate Producer:Helen Vallis
Script Editor:Helen Raynor
Editor:Graham Walker
Production Manager:Tracie Simpson
Production Designer:Edward Thomas
Director of Photography:Ernie Vincze BSC
Casting Director:Andy Pryor CDG
Costume Designer:Lucinda Wright
Make-Up Designer:Davy Jones
Cameraman:Martin Stephens (Operator)
Visual Effects:The Mill
Special Effects:Any Effects
Prosthetics:Millennium Effects
Stunt Co-ordinator:Lee Sheward
Stunt Performers:Derek Lea, Neil Finnigan, Stuart Clarke and Tony Lucken
Incidental Music:Murray Gold
Special Sounds (SFX Editor):Paul Jefferies
Sound Recordist:Ian Richardson
Title Music:Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Arranged by Murray Gold
Daleks Originally Created By: Terry Nation
Number of Doctors: 1
The Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (The Ninth Doctor)
Number of Companions: 2The Companions: Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) and Bruno Langley (Adam Mitchell) (Joins) Additional Cast: Steven Beckingham (Polkowski), Corey Johnson (Henry van Statten), Anna Louise Plowman (Goddard), Nigel Whitmey (Simmons), John Schwab (Bywater), Jana Carpenter (De Maggio), Joe Montana (Commander), Barnaby Edwards (Dalek Operator), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voice).Setting: The Vault, Utah, USA (2012) Villain: A Dalek

The Episodes

No. Episodes Broadcast
(UK)
Duration Viewers
(Millions)
In Archive
702Dalek30 April 200545'20"7.8Yes

Total Duration 45 Minutes


Audience Appreciation

Average Viewers (Millions) 7.8
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2005)88.14%  (Position = 3 out of 10)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2009)84.10% Lower (Position = 15 out of 200)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2014)86.23% Higher (Position = 15 out of 241)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2023) Position = 3 out of 10


Archives


 This story exists and is held in the BBC's Film and Videotape Library.



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Notes


At long last the Daleks are back - or at least one lone Dalek.

This story very nearly didn't feature the Daleks, due to complex negotiations over the rights to use these iconic monsters. At one point an alternative creature was created by Russell T Davies for writer Rob Sherarman to use. This ultimately became the Toclafane featured in the Season Twenty Nine story "The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords".

The working title for this story was initially "Return of the Daleks" and then "Creature of Lies". It was also at one point jokingly referred to as "Absence of the Daleks".

The concept of a tortured Dalek was heavily based on writer Robert Shearman's popular Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio story "Jubilee".

Adam Mitchell (former Coronation Street star Bruno Langley) joins The Doctor and Rose Tyler at the end of the story.

Anna-Louise Plowman, who played Diana Goddard, is no stranger to Science Fiction. She previously guest starred as the Goa'uld Osiris in Stargate SG-1.

Nicholas Briggs became the new voice of the Daleks in this story, after several years of providing Dalek voices for the Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio stories. Nicholas Briggs also provides the voices for other monsters, such as for the Cybermen and the Judoon.

At the beginning of this story it is revealed that the call sign for van Statten's personal helicopter was "Bad Wolf One", a recurrent phrase throughout Season Twenty Seven (New Series 1).

As well as a Dalek Van Statten's museum of alien artifacts also includes a Cyberman head from "Revenge of the Cybermen" and a Slitheen arm. The Dalek is initially refered to as a "Metaltron" as Van Statten does not know its real name.

Despite various articles (both on television and in newspapers) this story is not the first to show a Dalek going up a flight of stairs - this attribute was first revealed in the 1988 Seventh Doctor story "Remembrance of the Daleks". However, this story is the first to reveal a few other Dalek firsts - including the reason for all the half-domes on its lower casing.

Like the previous stories the ending contains a trailer for the next story. In this case "The Long Game".

Following on immediately after this story, on BBC3, was the sixth chapter of Doctor Who Confidential "Dalek" looking into the return of The Doctor's most feared foe.

This story was nominated for the 2006 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. It came third.



First and Last

The Firsts:

 The first appearance of a Dalek in the revived television series and the first for 17 years - since the 1988 Seventh Doctor story "Remembrance of the Daleks".

 The first 'Dalek' story to contain a lone Dalek.

 The introduction of short lived companion Adam Mitchell played by Bruno Langley.

 The first appearance of a Cyberman (albeit just its head) in the revived television series.

 The first Doctor Who story to be written by Robert Shearman.

 The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Joe Ahearne.

 Nicholas Briggs' first involvement in the show providing the voice of the Dalek.


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The Plot

WARNING: May Contain SpoilersHide Text
Exploring the Museum
Exploring the Museum

A distress signal draws the TARDIS off course to an underground base many storeys below the surface of Utah near Salt Lake City, in what appears to be a museum of alien artifacts... including a Cyberman head and a Slitheen arm. Something else tough within the museum is reaching out, calling for help. Could be the "Metaltron" – the one live alien specimen within the museum?

The Doctor and Rose Tyler are soon detected, taken as prisoners and so meet the owner Henry Van Statten - one of the richest, most powerful, most obnoxious men in the world. Despite being unimpressed with The Doctor's seemingly endless knowledge of alien technology Van Statten realises The Doctor may have some use to him, as he puts him into a cell with the "Metaltron".

Even The Doctor is unprepared for what awaits him shackled, damaged and helpless within the cell. For The Doctor is in for a shock when he comes face-to-eye stalk with the last surviving member of the Dalek race.

Henry van Statten
Henry van Statten

The Doctor informs the Dalek that they are both it would appear the last of their kind due to a massive Time war where the Daleks and the Time Lords fought and destroyed each other. Realising the danger they are all in The Doctor tries to kill the Dalek but his attempts are thwarted by Van Statten and his guards.

Realising that The Doctor is also an alien Van Statten becomes more interested what he can extract from The Doctor and so starts to torture him. But unbeknown to them both Rose, on befriending Adam Mitchell who catalogues Van Statten’s artefacts, finds herself also in the cell with the Dalek. Unaware of what a Dalek is and of how dangerous it is she has a totally different conversation with the Dalek and even feels pity for it.

Adam Mitchell
Adam Mitchell

But when she touches the Dalek and it samples her DNA the Dalek is able to recharge itself and so break free from its chains and then its cell. Suddenly with the Dalek on the loose, guards being killed and the base under full alert The Doctor has to find a way of stopping the Dalek’s devastating bid for freedom and at the same time allow Rose and Adam, who are trying to flee from the all powerful Dalek, to escape to safety.

Despite being underground, and so therefore having to navigate a flight of stairs, and being ambushed and caught in a hail of bullets nothing it seems can stop the Dalek. Not even when the underground bunker is sealed off with a blast proof door - for the Dalek has Rose to use as a hostage to force The Doctor to obey its demands.

Rose though is soon to learn that everything in the universe has a purpose even if it is to exterminate every other living thing. And the captured Dalek is in for a life changing experience - all thanks to Rose.

 
Dalek Incarcerated
Dalek Incarcerated
Dalek Danger
Dalek Danger
Death by Dalek
Death by Dalek
A Concerned Rose
A Concerned Rose
 
Rose's Helping Hand
Rose's Helping Hand
Stairs? No Problem
Stairs? No Problem
Death Dalek Style
Death Dalek Style
Exterminate!!
Exterminate!!




Quote of the Story


 'Whatcha gonna do to me? If you can’t kill, then what are you good for Dalek, what’s the point of you? You’re NOTHING!'

The Doctor



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Release Information

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)Code NumberCover ArtRemarks
Video
DVD
Aliens of London - World War Three - DalekJune 2005BBCDVD 1756Photo-montage
Video
DVD
The Complete First SeriesNovember 2005BBCDVD 1770Photo-montageTARDIS Boxed Set containing all 10 stories
Audio
CD
Original Television Soundtrack - Series 1 and 22007Photo-montageMusic by Murray Gold
Video
DVD
DalekOctober 2009BBCDVD 2998Photo-montagePart of the "The Dalek Collection" box set containing all Dalek stories
Video
DVD
Series 1 - 4 Box SetOctober 2009BBCDVD 3058Boxed set containing all 43 stories on 23 Discs
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete Series 1-7 Box Set (Limited Edition)December 2013BBCBD 0242Photo-montageLimited Edition Blu-Ray boxed set containing all Series 1-7 stories at full 1080p high definition
Video
DVD
The Complete First Series (2014 Re-release)August 2014BBCDVD 3965Photo-montageBoxed set containing all 10 stories
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete First Series Box SetAugust 2015BBCBD 0261Photo-montageBlu-Ray boxed set containing 10 stories
Audio
LP
Original Television Soundtrack - Series 1 and 22016Photo-montageMusic by Murray Gold
Video
DVD
The Complete First Series Box Set (Limited Edition Steelbook)March 2017Photo-montageLimited Edition DVD Steelbook boxed set containing 10 stories (Amazon Exclusive)
Video
Blu-Ray
The Complete First Series Box Set (Limited Edition Steelbook)March 2017BBCBD 0343Photo-montageLimited Edition Blu-Ray Steelbook boxed set containing 10 stories (Amazon Exclusive)
Video
Blu-Ray
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray CollectionNovember 2023BBCBD 0582Photo-montageBoxed set containing all Ninth and Tenth Doctor stories upscaled to high definition


In Print

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)PublisherAuthorCover ArtRemarks
Novel
Novel
DalekMarch 2021BBC BooksRobert ShearmanTarget Collection. ISBN: 978-1-78594-503-8
CD
CD
DalekMarch 2021BBC AudioRobert ShearmanAudio version of the Target Novel read by Nicholas Briggs
Doctor Who Magazine - PreviewIssue 356 (Released: May 2005)
Doctor Who Magazine - After ImageIssue 357 (Released: June 2005)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 435 (Released: June 2011)
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of FictionIssue 449 (Released: July 2012)
Doctor Who DVD FilesVolume 3 (Released: February 2009)

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Photo Gallery


The Doctor and Companions

 
Christopher Eccleston
The Ninth Doctor

   

Billie Piper
Rose Tyler
 
Bruno Langley
Adam Mitchell
   




On Release

DVD Cover
DVD Cover

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series DVD Box Set
Complete Series DVD Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Original Television Soundtrack Silva Screen CD Cover
Original Television Soundtrack Silva Screen CD Cover

Silva Screen
AUDIO
The Dalek Collection Box Set
The Dalek Collection Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
   
Series 1-4 DVD Box Set
Series 1-4 DVD Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series 1-7 Ltd Edition Blu-Ray Box Set
Complete Series 1-7 Ltd Edition Blu-Ray Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series DVD Box Set<BR>(2014 Re-release)
Complete Series DVD Box Set
(2014 Re-release)

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series Blu-Ray Box Set
Complete Series Blu-Ray Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
   
Original Television Soundtrack Vinyl Cover
Original Television Soundtrack Vinyl Cover

Silva Screen
AUDIO
Complete Series DVD Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set
Complete Series DVD Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Complete Series Blu-Ray Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set
Complete Series Blu-Ray Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set

BBC
VIDEO
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray Collection Cover
Series 1 - 4 & Specials Blu-Ray Collection Cover

BBC
VIDEO
   



In Print

BBC Books Target Collection Cover
BBC Books Target Collection Cover

BBC
NOVEL
 
BBC Books Target Collection Audio CD Cover
BBC Books Target Collection Audio CD Cover

BBC
CD
   


Magazines

Doctor Who Magazine - Preview: Issue 356
Doctor Who Magazine - Preview: Issue 356

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - After Image: Issue 357
Doctor Who Magazine - After Image: Issue 357

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 435
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 435

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 449
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 449

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who DVD Files: Volume 3
Doctor Who DVD Files: Volume 3

GE Fabbri


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