Not being a fan of Doctor Who these days, I don’t really collect what seems like the endless amount of Doctor Who magazines available, but I do like to keep hold of any Dalek related editions of Radio Times, that have cropped up from time to time .( I wish I'd kept a few from the sixties and seventies! )
On the 13th November 1999, the BBC ran a Doctor Who night introduced by Tom Baker. It combined science fiction, comedy and insight into the perennial Time Lord.
Paul Mc Gann was technically the latest incarnation after appearing in the less than successful movie in 1996. But the front cover of the Radio Times didn't take any chances when it came to promoting the show. A Dalek was chosen to represent the series.
When the brand new series started in 2005 and it was decided to feature a story about the Doctor’s arch nemesis it would be important to get it right.
‘Dalek’ premiered at the end of April, 2005 after much hype. The episode, I gather was met with mixed feelings. We were all treated to a rather pitiful and pathetic Dalek exploring it’s inner feelings and questioning it’s own motives after being contaminated by Rose Tyler’s DNA and ultimately committing Dalekcide. While most Doctor Who fans, quite naturally raved about the story, the general public, more used to seeing these single minded unreasonable cyborgs exterminating everything in sight, were all left confused. What had happened to the Doctor’s arch enemy? Would the next episode see another poor Dalek, bent on world domination attending anger management classes!
I might have miss understood, but surly the appeal and strength of a Dalek is it’s total inhumanity and unerring determination. It shows no mercy and is only answerable to other Daleks . And one more thing I've heard - if you get in it’s way, you’re dead!
That’s why I hid behind the sofa in 1963!
I know! I know! I’m being a little unfair. The story. written by Robert Shearman had a heck of a lot more to it, having a lot of depth, drama, characterisation, and not to mention a liberal amount of extermination. He wanted to show that there was something living inside the Dalek, and based the episode on the film, Silence of the Lambs.
A Dalek crossing Westminster Bridge, a nod to the sixties serial perhaps, graced the cover of that weeks Radio Times which also carried a four page feature.
Fans could also send away for a double sided Dalek poster.
Later Radio Times had Daleks taking centre stage This one from July 2006 promoting the final episode from that season,' Doomsday'. An alternative cover was available featuring the Cybermen.
Even Davros got a chance to shine as he featured in the season finale,' Journey’s End' and on the front cover in July 2008.
In April 2010, another ‘Vote Dalek’ cover, to coincide with the general election and yet another redesigned Dalek. Three different covers ensuring no political bias were produced with either red, blue or yellow.
Personally I thought it looked quite plasticity - like some electric buggy that someone from the council would scoot around in collecting litter! Still I suppose it suited some of the iPhone generation who no doubt watched the show.
Finally at the beginning of September 2012, Matt Smith’s Doctor would face his deadliest enemy and to celebrate the Radio Times gave away a free mini wall chart as part of a fold out cover.
Join me next time for the final part of my journey through Dalek land were we get to see more toys!
