. screeching sound coming from the engine. EDITORIAL DOWNTIME WITH It also had a poster promoting a local gig — where Peter himself was to sing in a jazz by Alan Stevens PETER MILES band — blu-tacked to the passenger window. "Thank you. That's what I wanted to know." By Dylan Rees “I answer frankly, none of this smarmy stuff, and I say what I believe,” was his opening This issue commences with a previously Peter Miles is a name familiar to most fans remark, setting down the ground rules for unpublished and quite extraordinary of genre television. He appeared in episodes our talk in his second floor flat. interview with Peter Miles. of Moonbase 3, Survivors, Blake’s 7 and had three major roles in classic Doctor Who; most The rooms were filled with trophies from his I say that because, having known the man notably as Davros’ right hand man, Nyder, long career. Flyers and posters from various for over thirty years, I feel that Dylan Rees in the 1975 story Genesis of the Daleks. theatre performances lined the hallway. The has captured him precisely. The warmth, the Peter passed away in February of 2018, but sitting room had shelves stacked with DVDs, humour, the eccentricity; this is Peter relaxed his legacy as the perennial ‘Bad Guy’ was CDs and VHS recordings of his many roles, and in full flow, clearly demonstrating assured in the annals of Cult TV history long and the desk in the corner was piled high that there was much more to him than before then. with correspondence. his signature role as the cold and ruthless Security Commander Nyder would suggest.

From someone who worked for Davros, we move on to a boy who employed a Dalek, as Issue 508-9 Ian Scales takes us back to 1980 and the fête Edited by Alan Stevens of Doctor Who. Fiona Moore and I then pick Cover by Andy Lambert up the sink-plunger, revisiting Peter Capaldi’s Proofreading by Ann Worrall encounter with Davros and the Daleks, and Fiona Moore before we all take a trip to John Darley’s workshop for a spot of Dalek building! Postcard by JL Fletcher Published by the Next stop, a Doctor Who forum, and Mathew Doctor Who Appreciation Society Peck’s account of how he sweats blood to Early in 2015, I had the pleasure of spending run it successfully, while Dale Smith has his Layout by Nicholas Hollands an afternoon with Peter at his home in Ealing, own encounter with the darker aspect of All content is © and later at a pizza house around the corner, fandom’s psyche. Which leads us effectively relevant contributor/DWAS where the staff greeted him warmly. They into our final article for this month, where No copyright infringement is intended even offered us a discount because Mr Miles Jez Strickley examines the irrationality was such a local favourite. At the time I was “I still get fan mail for Doctor Who and other of the Cybermen — a study beautifully interviewing people for my book Downtime: things.” Peter seemed truly amazed by his complimented by Andy Lambert’s chilling CONTACT US: The Lost Years of Doctor Who (Obverse popularity. wrap-around cover. DWAS, PO Box 1011, Books). While researching this subject, I Horsham, RH12 9RZ, UK discovered Magic Bullet’s phenomenal Knowing him to be a regular at conventions, I would like to gratefully acknowledge JL or email: [email protected] Kaldor City series, in which Peter gives a I asked if he minded being the centre of so Fletcher’s striking Genesis of the Daleks memorable performance as Firstmaster much attention. postcard, and David Bickerstaff and Steven Landerchild. Producer Alan Stevens agreed Allen for furnishing reference photos of FIND US ONLINE to put me in touch with Peter and he readily “I adore it. Sci-fi fans have such deep respect Daleks and Cybermen for these respective www.dwasonline.co.uk agreed to an interview. for people who do well in their favourite artworks; and also Andy Hopkinson, Alex facebook.com/dwasonline TV shows, and they treat you as if it’s your Moore, Mary Milton and David Bickerstaff It was a bright winter morning when I hopped birthday all the time. They’ve got such a nice (again!), for providing me with some never- twitter.com/dwas63 on the Piccadilly line from my home in north approach. I know I’ve signed many thousands seen-before photographs to illustrate the youtube.com/dwasonline London and headed down to Ealing. Peter of autographs in my life, and I’m not even Peter Miles feature.  instagram.com/dwasonline had generously agreed to pick me up from Doctor Who, but I sure have signed them, the station in a car that had seen better days: and everyone who comes in front of me is a door that refused to lock and a suspicious a joy to meet. I haven’t met one awkward - 2 - - 3 - customer, or one strange person, not one. Our conversation then turned to other Sarah Jane Adventures, politicking and bad management, which is It’s amazing.” performers he’d appeared with and admired. and she was jolly good in nothing new at the BBC.” it too, though I have to For Peter, it was not only the fans that were a “I worked quite a bit with Nick Courtney, say, she never seemed Peter also had the good luck to work with delight to be around. He explained that other and I’ve been to lots of conventions with to enjoy her success. As Jon Pertwee and his producer Barry Letts in Who alumni, such as Anneke Wills, were a him. I remember in Coventry, at one of our a person, some people Doctor Who and the Silurians and Invasion of source of great comfort to him: “Although events together, it was announced over the might have called her the Dinosaurs, then later in the 1995 Doctor they know they are only seeing you for the microphone that he had been appointed the ‘a real live wire’, but I’d Who BBC radio play, The Paradise of Death. evening or for the weekend, they sort of President of the Doctor Who Appreciation go further; I’d say she befriend you, because we worked on the Society! I nearly cried, I was so touched for was never able to fully “Barry was an interesting case,” Peter same show.” him. I had such a high regard for Nick, he was relax.” chuckled. “If I was a school boy of 13 or 14, wonderful.” there is a phrase I would use and you’ll know During the course of our chat, I learned that And what of the four Doctor Who actors it; I would say that guy is a ‘goodie goodie’. Peter attended his first convention in the Courtney passed away in 2011, and Peter Peter has appeared alongside? He’s never naughty. Barry Letts quite rightly early 1980s, appearing alongside ‘Davros‘ attended his memorial service: took Doctor Who, and the production of it, actor Michael Wisher. “Sylvester McCoy is terrific. We worked terribly seriously, but he had no sense of “It was held at the chapel in Covent Garden. together on the BBV audio drama Prosperity humour.” It was beautiful too. Very cleverly done. They Island and that was a lot of fun.” placed video screens on either side to display the story of Nick’s life. Tom Baker gave the And Tom Baker? main speech and it was superb.”

A faint smile spread across Peter’s face as he reminisced. “I’ve got his biography right there.” He pointed his walking stick at his modest collection of books. “Nick says wonderful things “We were seen as a double act, because I’m about me in it, so I’m the only one in Genesis who could chat up even more touched. It I asked him for an example of this. Davros, query, and even contradict him. We was lovely of him.” “For me he’s a big television star! Seven were a team. Michael Wisher loved working years as Doctor Who, and very good in the “I saw Barry tell off Pertwee once. He said with me and vice versa.” Another Doctor Who star that died the same part; that’s major. It was a real pleasure to to him, ‘Why are you always larking about, year was Elisabeth Sladen… work with him on Genesis. My goodness, he having a good laugh when you’re rehearsing?’ Of course, Peter also reprised his role of certainly knew the script was a masterpiece Jon said, ‘Yes we laugh: it’s about getting the Nyder for the Big Finish mini series I Davros, “That was a bombshell! I think it was a shock and gave it his all.” team to work together; you make everybody in which Terry Molloy voiced Davros. to a lot of people. She, and her husband, relaxed; you make everybody like each other.’ Brian Millar, were only a few doors away from As for Colin Baker, Peter, who worked with He was right of course. “Anybody working with Terry Molloy is going me and, during the times Liz and I worked him for BBV and Big Finish, is sympathetic. Larking about develops to have it easy,” Peter told me, “because in together, I would give her a lift in my car to teamwork. Jon said to my opinion he’s topnotch. I think he’s as the studio, and we would often socialise, but “Colin is a fine actor and very aware that he Barry, ‘We’re never late brilliant at playing Davros as Michael Wisher, she kept her illness very quiet.” will always be the Doctor, but he must have for work, we never muck whom everybody reveres. When people mixed feelings on the matter. I appeared in about to stop recording are that good and are also team players, Because Peter had known Sladen for nearly half as many episodes, but my involvement or anything do we?’ and like Terry Molloy, it’s a joy. To work with forty years, I wondered if he could provide with the show was a happy one, whereas Barry had to admit, ‘No you somebody with that approach to acting, it’s some insight into her character? Colin was treated very poorly, with his time don’t.’ a great experience and so easy to do.” as Doctor Who cut short. To this day, there “She was a very professional actress. are fans who blame Colin for his misfortune, “So Pertwee was right. But that’s not to Very technical and very precise. She was which is terribly unfair. Colin was a victim of decry how good Letts was as a producer. ’I m absolutely thrilled to get her own series, The so pleased I worked for him, but he was very, - 4 - - 5 - very serious. I’m not being rude, I promise did the television casting directors say to Nation. That level of depth in a television story, The Prisoner, he performed memorably you, because I’m so grateful for what he did me, ‘We’d like you to play this comedy part, script is rare, even back then.” against Paul Darrow. How did he find his co- for me, but you couldn’t make jokes with Peter’? No, they did not. Because although star? Barry.” you’re a versatile actor, it’s not welcomed.” An actor’s work is sporadic, which must make it financially a bit of a struggle. Does “Paul is great fun. He takes the mickey out of Most fans will be I asked Peter, out of all the roles he has Peter get regular repeat fees for all those himself, and is more modest than you would familiar with Peter played, does he have a favourite? classic television programmes he appeared believe. If he admires a particular actor’s Miles as an actor who in during the 1970s? work, he’ll openly say so. I don’t think he’s specialises in playing done as much telly as he deserves. If I was a villains. I asked him “I get a few hundred pounds a year from casting chap ’I d have him on the box all the if he minded the DVDs, because they are so popular.” time.” association? Then, as I mentioned, there’s also the Peter was also reunited with actor Brian “Oh no, it has come out of my doing a lot convention scene, which in the UK has always Croucher… of telly in a condensed time. Even if it was been fairly healthy. How many has he done one part, in one episode, I’d always be now — is it hundreds, or even thousands? “Oh, yes, the last time we'd appeared playing a bit of the anti-goodie. All the sci-fi together was in Blake‘s 7. I was Secretary I did sprang from my role in Silurians. They “No, no, I’m not like Colin Baker.” He lets out Rontane, a very cool customer, and Brian spotted that part of me that could do villains. a impish chuckle. ‘But I’ve been to lots in my played the role of Space Commander Travis, I also had a face that suited, for example, “Outside of sci-fi, my favourite part, which time. About five or six a year. They add up, who was on trial for his life. Prior to that military types, I got cast quite a lot as military was written specifically for me, has to be the but certainly not thousands. My friend Caron we teamed up as a couple of crooks for an officers, either French or German. I played Reverend Ocelot for an audio production Gardner was sitting near me at the NEC. She episode of The Hanged Man, a series made an SS Sturmbannführer in Colditz and I think I did for Alan Stevens in 2012. It tested me had a small part in the by Yorkshire Television. We were scheming Nyder represented Himmler in many ways.” as an actor, as it switched between comedy James Bond movie to steal wages from a building site. I was the and tragedy, and, by golly, you really had to Goldfinger, playing one safecracker. So why did he think casting directors be on the ball to get the balance right. The of Pussy Galore’s pilots, associated him with these roles? play was called Radio Bastard, which is a very but she was signing for “We had some nice naughty title, and I hope it doesn’t put some two solid days! I said, scenes together in “It’s a combination people off, because it’s “My God, you must be Kaldor City. I recall of things that go really very good and very popular to have made there was one through a director’s funny. It was challenging all that money!” where Firstmaster mind very quickly: and emotionally very Landerchild is thrown mainly the voice, intense to perform, but I It was in 1999, that Big Finish Productions into a prison cell the use of the voice wouldn’t have missed it were given the license to produce brand new and then served a in criminal roles, in for the world. Doctor Who audios and, of course, they were dead rat in a bun for nasty parts. Mine soon knocking on Peter’s door. How did this his supper! I complain to Brian‘s character suggested an evil criminal to them and that “However, if it’s sci-fi, it can only be Security come about? [Cotton] and he says ‘That was clearly a was it. Because quite simply, and this is God’s Commander Nyder. There were so many mistake… the rat should have gone to the cell truth, although I am a versatile actor, this is sides to that character which let me show my “It was Gary Russell. I’d met him at the very next door!’ not seen as good by casting directors. They range as an actor. You’ll notice Nyder’s voice first convention I attended. I knew him very don’t like versatile. They want you in the changes and becomes warmer when he well, and Gary Russell loved my work. Gary “I love that dark, almost surreal comedy, and same sort of part every time. It saves them pretends to conspire with the Thals, and later got me for Big Finish.” Brian has great timing.” any homework.” it has a more hysterical edge when he’s Audio is a format Peter clearly relishes. Peter was quick to remind me that he hasn’t pretending to conspire just appeared as villains. with Gharman against “I’m besotted, absolutely besotted, with Davros. Nyder showed recording CDs and doing radio.” “In my career, I’ve played a lot of comedy. a human loyalty to Even more in my theatre life. I was doing Davros, which the Fortunately, it was not only Big Finish and lots of Alan Ayckbourn, at one time, lots of Daleks could never BBV who were after his vocal talents. As Feydeau, lots of Ray Cooney farces and other match. It was great already mentioned, Magic Bullet cast him for modern comedies. That was all me too. But writing from Terry their Kaldor City series and in one particular - 6 - - 7 - Peter feels that audio is a format that will last likely to be. Nonetheless, Peter enjoyed the famous line for us.’ He hadn’t told me about forever. experience. this, and I was shocked because I needed time to prepare. You can’t just become a “People seem to love listening to drama “I did two Doctor Who scripts for him and part. And he hadn’t said a word to me!” on CDs and the radio. It has an immediacy. when we’d finished, Ian said,‘ Here is a piece It speaks directly to you, whether you’re of paper confirming the fee you’ll receive if Peter met many other colourful characters washing up in the kitchen, or lying down these ever go out on the telly.’ It was quite during those convention appearances, both having a rest with your eyes closed. It triggers handsome.” stars and fans alike. But had, I asked him, any your imagination. Think about The Paradise of them ever became friends? of Death: that’s a good example. I defy But was Levine sincere in thinking they would anybody to not enjoy The Paradise of Death. be released? It’s really entertaining and cuts across age groups as well. I think that’s one of the joys “Perhaps he knew deep down in his heart Each character thinks they are somebody of sci-fi; it can appeal to any age. No wonder they wouldn’t be, but I really can’t say. The else. The Colin Baker character thinks he’s its fans are as plentiful as shoals of fish.” second one I did for him was really super. Romeo,” he explained. “He’s also besotted The story was titled The Dark Dimension and with sci-fi and doesn’t know it. He has a I played a character called Hawkspur, which pet dog, that he feeds Whiskas, but the pet was a terrific part. And something happened looks exactly like a Dalek, so he’s actually when we finished recording it, that had never feeding cat food to a Dalek. There are a lot of happened to me in my life before. It was after allusions to Doctor Who.” a terribly long day, let’s say about nine o’clock at night, and we’d worked like slaves, scene Peter would have co-starred too, playing “a after scene. When we eventually stopped, mad surgeon who is a blood-thirsty devil, there was a short silence and then everyone and can’t wait for the next operation.” present gave me this huge round of applause. “A friend is different from an acquaintances It was a wonderful thing. I was completely or a fan. There are a small number of people And this character’s name? What else could Through his numerous convention stunned that they would do that.” who I would now consider friends. But I’m it be… appearances, Peter has become familiar with fussy. I don’t go around conventions looking many fans, including Ian Levine. In 2006, he for people who could become a friend of “He’s Doctor Nyder!” contributed to the Value Added Material on mine. I don’t have that attitude at all.” the DVD release of Genesis of the Daleks The one regret I have, from my meeting with produced by Levine. What is his take on this Peter’s love of acting in the audio medium Peter Miles, is that I didn’t keep my recorder rather infamous figure? also moved him to write his own script. running once the formal interview was over, as during lunch he became even more “Ian is a man that likes sci-fi and knows a lot “I’ve discovered I adore writing and’ I ve relaxed, charming and entertaining, telling about it. His career has ranged from the music scripted a farcical comedy which takes place me stories of his life, his relationships and his scene through to drama. He interviewed in a nut-case hospital. It’s called, Barking friendship with Dusty Springfield. me (at length) for the video [extra] in some Mad and I’ve mapped out every second of room he hired out at the BBC. He assumed the farce in immaculate detail.” Now Peter has left this world, his thoughts the voice of a very good schoolteacher, one have also departed, but at least I can share that you’d like if you enjoyed working hard He’d hoped to entice both Colin Baker and with you my remembrances of this talented, for somebody, and he had a lot of authority, Sylvester McCoy to star. generous and courteous man.  right on the ball: if something wasn’t right, Peter also recalled one of Ian’s evenings he said so immediately. You knew where you where he invited fans and industry were with him, but he did talk rather a lot professionals to meet over dinner. when it wasn’t his turn.” “There was a restaurant he had hired out, Levine produced a number of unofficial and they were all fans there, and people Doctor Who related projects, often animating from his other love, music; all these Northern unmade or missing Doctor Who stories. These Soul people. He paid for the meal, and then animations were never made commercially he stood up and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, available and, for legal reasons, are never the actor Peter Miles is going to perform his - 8 - - 9 - due to the school’s annual fêtes and their be ideal for showing off my Denys Fisher THE FÊTE OF DOCTOR WHO always-large bookstall. models and a Palitoy talking K9 and Dalek. With a lot of enthusiasm and some careful By Ian Scales placing, I was able to make the space look fairly full. The fish tanks were positioned at In May of 1980, I decided, more or less on intervals around the walls, as well as upon a whim, to contribute a modest Doctor Who the two tables that I’d put in the middle exhibition to a fête held at a small island of the room so that people could wander school. My impression was that its role in around in a circular fashion from entrance to the day’s events would be low-key. However, exit. I soon discovered that I had underestimated the popularity of the Doctor Who series at the time.

The Isle of Sheppey is an often neglected the Daleks, plus the BBC Doctor Who Sound part of Kent that lies on the Thames estuary. Effects album and a single of the theme tune. It is noted for having an offshore, partially Having visited officialDoctor Who exhibitions, I also owned a copy of Doctor Who and the sunken World War II cargo ship, that is laden once in Blackpool and regularly in Longleat Pescatons, but the screams on that LP had with bombs. My Dad once canoed up to its on the way back from holiday-making, it absolutely terrified me a few years earlier, mast at an exceptionally low tide, only to occurred to me that devising something so I wisely concluded that the prospect of be hurried away by an agitated coast guard. similar might be fun. toddlers being dragged into the staff room to Apparently, the bombs are ready to go off at the accompanying cries of agonised people any time, potentially taking half the island Obviously I did not have access to the grand was to be avoided. I decided to focus on with it. resources that those exhibitions enjoyed — The result looked fine, but... somehow, it Genesis instead — particularly the Dalek’s my Who stuff consisted mostly of a collection lacked atmosphere. final“ We are Entombed” speech — and other In 1980, the town of Minster, where the fête of Weetabix stand-up figures, some vaguely memorable moments. In between these, I took place, had only a few small schools, undressed Denys Fisher toys, and a collection In my mind, I travelled back to how I had felt faded in and out some weird and wonderful a post office and a village shop, together of annuals. But I thought they’d just about when I entered the Doctor Who Exhibition noises from the Sound Effects record. with a nonchalant attitude to the threat of do. in Blackpool. I could recall how the darkness annihilation. Before any disappointment was punctuated by illuminated exhibits. Armed with what was clearly the best mix sets in, this humble introduction is not a However, I also knew that mum had become Without access to such facilities I would be tape ever made, I felt confident that I could prelude to a dramatic explosion, a surprise involved with a Doctor Who group based on forced to improvise, perhaps drawing the create some atmosphere. I just needed a few visit from Tom Baker, or even one from Terry the mainland, and this curtains and switching on various lights to more significant features to entertain any — Nation (who lived fairly nearby in Lynsted). later turned out to be add ambience. That first awed impression and every — one that I hoped might decide This article is about a small, largely unknown a useful resource. had also been formed by the sounds of the to visit my small display. event, experienced only by the local people. Doctor Who theme mingling with the distant In the run up to fête brayings of Daleks. As I was fortunate enough As it turned out, one of mum’s Doctor My mum taught at the primary school; a day, I managed to to have what must have been a pretty Who fan friends knew a guy who, rather pretty place that was split into two parts — negotiate the use of advanced hi-fi system for its time, I was able cryptically, owed him some kind of favour — the main building being on a hill with some the school staff room, to fade music in and out, manually, on my the important thing being that he possessed steps leading down to a playground, which, a large area with record/tape player, whilst transferring music a Dalek! At the time we all assumed that this in turn, was adjacent to a large field. This plenty of wall space from vinyl onto a cassette. That would prove was an official Dalek. Examining the photo field was where school events generally giving me access to useful for compiling effects to be played in now, it seems home-made. But that didn’t took place. Early on in the year, mum had display boards, and the background at my own exhibition. matter — it looked the part. I had also been mentioned that they were preparing for bookshelves on which fortunate enough to borrow a Voc robot the spring fête. The school did not have the I could present my Accordingly, I spent an exciting day and outfit, and a mate of mine agreed to patrol money to attract any local celebrities, but assortment of posters evening scouring through my hoard of the exhibition wearing it. The costume, she wondered if I had some ideas about and Target novels. Doctor Who related LPs to find suitable created for a DWAS amateur film, was how to make it special. I was 14 at the time, The room also held sounds, themes, and scenes to mix. I had beautifully made, and fitted him perfectly. possessing a rather prominent pudding a surprising number the Decca Records’ release of Genesis of My attractions were finally sorted. basin haircut, and, more pertinently, a small of empty aquariums, collection ofDoctor Who memorabilia, partly which turned out to - 10 - - 11 - Fête day was rapidly At one point I turned, led down to the playground were filled by a annuals. It felt like the crowning achievement approaching and it was, and discovered line of people. It was the first time that I fully of the day. equally rapidly, becoming that the Dalek had realised quite how popular an attraction my apparent that the disappeared! A display had proved. The pride I felt was huge, As the event concluded, Headmaster was promoting passing informant not only for the work that many people had I learned that the my exhibition as a major reassured me that put into this tiny event, but for the television Headmaster had been feature. The programme it was with the programme that I had believed was not really heard praising my efforts. now proudly advertised queue outside (a that popular any more. The Dalek was gone, as that visitors would be able queue?) ready for parents to mysteriously as it came, to have their photographs take photos of it with their children. I recall wandering over to the book stall. apparently retrieved by taken with a Dalek, which, I Distracted for a moment by the fact that the Dalek Man who I heard from members of staff, was causing My mum’s recollection is that whatever the queue did not seem still hadn’t met. I was some excitement amongst the children. By favour that Dalek Man owed to her friend, it to be dwindling at all, my thrilled that Doctor a rather fortunate coincidence, the teacher didn’t appear to be one that brought much eyes fell on a collection Who could still next to my mum’s room had been reading joy to the bearer. I was advised that whilst of items that a lady had attract an audience Doctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth parents were happily snapping away with just pulled from a box and I appreciated to her class for the past couple of months — their little darlings outside the room, he had and scattered over the the opportunity completely independent of my idea to do a apparently demanded that they stop. “No emptying table. An that… Doctor Who event. photos!” he had shouted. I did not witness oddly pink hardback this. I couldn’t imagine where he had even cover was just visible. Hang on…. Whilst writing this, a vaguely Eventually, the day itself arrived and I come from, or went, I only heard a hasty It was the first Jon disturbing, and certainly startling, thought remember spending the early hours checking account, but apparently, after a pregnant Pertwee Doctor has occurred to me. over my displays, organising members of staff, pause, someone tactfully suggested that the Who annual. After creating a less-cluttered space for the Dalek Dalek be returned to the main exhibition paying my ten pence, Had Dalek Man actually been right there all and so on. But curiously, I have no memory at area where parents could take more general I returned to the exhibition and, those years ago, but sittinginside that bloody all of meeting my Dalek benefactor. Instead, pictures. Coincidentally many of these proud as punch, placed my new acquisition Dalek?  the experience was punctuated for me by photographs involved their children being on the display shelves alongside the other a series of staff, friends and parents, who near the Dalek... appeared like extras from a farce, relaying items of news about the “Dalek Man”. I was Meanwhile, my friend in the Voc outfit severally informed that “the Dalek Man in a manfully threw himself into his role, walking Van” had arrived, that “the Dalek Man had up and down the gradually building queue COOL THINGS installed the Dalek”, and of the Dalek Man’s in the hallway, terrorising the children. And sundry demands. as the day progressed, he granted them the THE MAGICIANS APPRENTICE / THE WITCH’S FAMILIAR photo opportunities they had lost with the It seems to me now, that I returned to the Dalek. By Fiona Moore and Alan Stevens exhibition from one of my excursions, and the Dalek was just... there… looming large It fascinated me, the clear pleasure that the 37 Stupid Things about The Magician’s and silently watching me from the corner children were getting, not just from appearing Apprentice and The Witches Familiar of the staff room. Suppressing a sudden with a Dalek, but from the relatively meagre (And 13 Cool Ones) shudder, I dimmed the lights (well, turned jumble of items on display, as they pointed (But we’re not telling you which is which) some off) and switched on the tape recorder. out the monsters depicted in the various (We’re expecting you to work that out for A searing blast of the Doctor Who theme, books, cards and posters that I had acquired yourselves) followed by the sounds of Tom Baker arm- over the years, to their delighted parents. wrestling with Davros, filled the room. Then 1. The commencement draws at least as I waited, hoping that people would turn up. But my most cherished moment came during much, if not more, from The Deadly Assassin the break I took when one of the staff offered and The Ultimate Foe as it does from Genesis The first trickle came fairly quickly. Children to stand in for me. As I made my way down of the Daleks. and parents moved at an appreciable rate the long hallway, I was surprised to see that around the area, taking pictures of the Dalek. there were still people waiting to come in: 2. The slightly hard-to-hear line from the Then more visitors arrived, and more, until the queue continued all the way to the main soldier in the opening sequence on Skaro the room seemed overflowing with people. doors. Outside I stopped short. The steps that is: “There are clam drones two miles away.” - 12 - - 13 - This suggests that either Davros wasn’t, in 9. That sequence also raises the fact that, 17. The shock reveal at the climax of part one 25. The first five minutes of part two are spent fact, responsible for the infamous giant land- with an unknown number of Doctors is that the Daleks brought Skaro back, and on an explanation for how Clara and Missy clams in Genesis of the Daleks, or that this is travelling the Earth in time and space, pretty have been hiding the planet. And yet, they survived the cliffhanger, which just boils what inspired him to make them. soon it’ll get to the point where you won’t must have brought it back before then, since down to ‘we used space magic.’ Seriously, at be able to throw a stick without hitting one. the Doctor meets Darla von Karlsen on Skaro this point we’re starting to miss the Ainley- 3. Why does Kanzo think he can shoot down in Asylum of the Daleks and doesn’t seem Master’s constant non-explanations for his an airplane with a longbow? 10. And to add to that, it looks like the Daleks particularly surprised. improbable survival. have Dalek-dickhead human agents scattered 4. Much as we love the cantina sequence in randomly throughout history, in the hope 18. How is it somehow worse to be on Skaro, 26. Where did the rope come from? Do the film Star Wars, it’s also responsible for that the Doctor turns up. Sooner or later, than to be on a space station with Davros Daleks manufacture it, and then leave it lying one of the biggest visual clichés in telefantasy. there’s going to be a population conflict. and a bunch of Daleks? around the wasteland? Or if not, does Missy somehow carry such things around in her 11. While on the planet Karn, the Doctor hears 19. Haven’t all those Daleks got anything pockets? from a talking nest of snakes that Davros has better to do than just stand around in a room a message for him, so he promptly starts with the Tardis, like patrons at an art gallery? 27. Also, given that Clara and Missy are in a making preparations for his own death. Talk treeless desert (and, according to The Daleks, about an overreaction. the nearest forest is a petrified one), where did she get the stick? 12. The audience in the twelfth century castle contains at least two men wearing 28. “It took me so very long to realise it was plate armour. When you consider how hot you, standing at the gates of my beginning.” and uncomfortable it is to wear that stuff for Can’t have been that long, though, as Davros more than a short while, you’ve got to ask has known what the Tardis looks like and what why. it is capable of since at least Resurrection of 5. We’d just like to remind our readers that 20. We know from Victory of the Daleks the Daleks, and the Doctor had it with him Davros’ henchman in Genesis of the Daleks, 13. The giant CGI snake is cool, even if its that The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End did not during his battlefield encounter with the Nyder, has a name which sounds like “neidr”, teeth are very un-snakelike. take place, and that entire space/time event child Davros. the Welsh word for snake. Here, Davros has a disappeared down the Crack in Time. So the henchman who’s made of snakes. 14. Why is the “hospital” revolving, when we Dalek Supreme we see here could well be the 29. Why is the Special later discover it’s on the planet’s surface? one destroyed in Journey’s End. Weapons Dalek, which, 6. Colony Sarff is riding a hoverboard Unless the planet itself is rotating that fast. according to the novelisation throughout. Wouldn’t that make him Colony 21. But all this raises the question of of Remembrance of the Daleks, Surf? 15. So you’ve got a cell whose entire security what happened to Dalek Caan, who was was abhorred by the other depends on prisoners believing they’re in responsible for going back in time and saving Daleks as an abomination, 7. It takes eight snipers to kill a Time Lord. space and, therefore, not attempting to open Davros from the Nightmare Child in The casually hobnobbing with the Thanks, Missy, for letting us know. the door in case they’re sucked out into the Stolen Earth/Journey’s End timeline, and how Dalek Supreme? And if it’s vacuum. Wouldn’t it be easier just to, I don’t Davros has survived at all in this timeline. somehow been rehabilitated, 8. And, much as we love Missy, we have to know, lock the door? Mess with Doctor Who continuity, and it’ll why has nobody bothered to ask why she goes to all the trouble of freezing mess with you back. clean its casing up a bit? the planes, hassling Clara and contacting 16. How did Davros get access to all these UNIT just to find out where/when the Doctor recordings? Does he have an extensive 22. Also, why is one of the quotes we hear in 30. Points for this being the first time is. Surely, if UNIT have the technology to find collection of Doctor Who DVDs? Davros’ montage taken from The Stolen Earth in the episodic series that the Special him, so does Missy? (“Everything we saw. Everything we lost”) Weapons Dalek talks, though this again which shouldn’t exist in this timeline? raises the question of why it kept silent in Remembrance. 23. ‘Maximum extermination’ apparently means ‘disintegrate’. Bit convenient for Clara 31. Why have the Daleks decided to remove and Missy’s escape, that. all the closed-circuit camera surveillance, which was there in the original Dalek story, 24. Given Missy’s usual behaviour, the title of from their city? But not, it seems from the part two ought to be The Witch’s Overfamiliar sewers? No? Oh, please yourselves. - 14 - - 15 - 32. Also, if Davros’ chair is (as repeatedly 43. “That’s why they keep yelling: 49. The Doctor returns to rescue the child established) his life support system, how can ‘exterminate’. It’s how they reload.” Why do Davros when he discovers that the concept of he survive that long without it? they also chant “destroy,” “annihilate,” and “mercy”, although deeply buried in Davros, other things, then? has been passed on to the Daleks to the 33. And if Davros doesn’t have any point where the word can be found in their legs, where has Peter Capaldi put 44. It may be an allusion to an infamous vocabulary banks; something which aids his his? continuity error in Terrance Dicks’ discovery that Clara has been imprisoned novelisation of Destiny of the Daleks, where inside the Dalek casing. This means the 34. If Davros has a personal it states that Davros’ eyes open, but this Doctor saves the young Davros, not because forcefield round his chair, how seems to be going to an awful lot of trouble he couldn’t face killing a child, but because it did the Doctor get him out of just to fix something that contradicts the allows him to save the life of his then-current However, he has confused ‘mercy for the it? Moreover, if that’s the case, transmitted version anyway. pathological obsession, Clara. enemy’ with ‘compassion for one’s friends’, how was the Doctor able to which means that Davros has inadvertently threaten Davros with a mere gun 50. So, in conclusion, Davros makes a fatal given someone as dangerous, ruthless and in Resurrection? error in believing that “mercy” is a weakness manipulative as he himself, the means to within the Doctor that he can exploit. drown him in his own shit.  35. Also, how did the Doctor not notice that the chair was full of snakes? 45. “Anyone who’s not a Dalek is an enemy If you happen to be one of the obsessed, 36. Since it’s later implied that the Dalek of the Daleks”. Except, it seems, for Davros then you’ll be nodding your head right now, voice is mechanical, how is it that we hear and Colony Sarff. DALEK PRODUCTION! as you read. The rest of you will, no doubt, be Dalek voices coming from the Dalek sewage? By John Darley mystified head-shakers. 46. If, as Missy points out, the Daleks know 37. The Master has a daughter. And we that having the Doctor’s companion is how It is likely that the earliest Dalek builders I don’t think there is any way of explaining can only hope that future showrunning you keep control of the Doctor, then why are picked up their tools for the first time on 28 exactly what it is about the Daleks that regimes really don’t try to develop that bit the Daleks dense enough to try to shoot her December 1963. Just after tea. This is the makes them so appealing. They just are. It of continuity. dead at the end of part one? date when the world first got a proper look could be the eerie way that they glide along, at the psychopathic pepper pot aliens behind dome suddenly sliding sideways to point that 38. Why do the sewage-Daleks attack the 47. In part one, the Doctor tries to discourage the plunger arm that had threatened Barbara one eye at an enemy; body then rotating to Dalek, but not the Time Lady or the human, Missy from coming with him to Skaro, and, the previous week. bring the eye front and centre again, without who they must hate just as much (if not more in part two, he seems surprised that she ever breaking that gaze. It could be their so)? survived the apparent Dalek extermination. It is also likely that their materials were fractured personalities; the creature within And yet, his entire plan rests on Missy nothing more than bits of cardboard and ranting away as it slowly goes mad with 39. As well as “mercy” the Daleks also have coming with him and surviving the events their only tool, sellotape, but innovation and claustrophobia. Whatever it is, the design is the words “okay” and “weird” programmed of the story, to save him from having his evolution have to start somewhere. They somehow... perfect. into their vocabulary banks. regeneration energy drained. started here. Their creation is a credit to the joint efforts of 40. Oh, and contrary to what’s implied 48. The core concept of this two-parter Many of the children script writer Terry Nation, designer Raymond here, the word “love” is indeed in Daleks’ is a riff on the scene from Genesis of the captivated by their Cusick, his assistant Jeremy Davies, and Bill vocabulary; just search the transcript for Daleks where the Doctor likens the embryo first sight of those Roberts of Shawcraft Models. There has Dalek if you don’t believe us. Daleks to a fictional child who will grow mechanical monsters never been anything quite like the Daleks. up to be evil. Here, the Doctor rescues the would carry a For the initiated, they never grow old. 41. And why can’t the Daleks say: “You are child Davros from the minefield, an act that fascination for them different from ” me ? All this programme Davros himself views as a weakness, and throughout the rest I came to the Dalek party relatively late on, does is restrict Daleks’ articulations to indeed, thinks he can manipulate the Doctor of their lives. There when they had glided out of the 1960s and simply shooting things, which seems rather into sharing his regeneration energy with was, and still is, were appearing, in colour, during the heady constraining. Davros’ own, monstrous children. What something about days of the early 1970s. The impact on the Davros doesn’t realise, of course, is that the Daleks which gets five-year-old me was no different from that 42. Apparently, for this story, they also can’t Doctor originally abandoned the child to the inside you if you’re which had driven children to obsession nine say the word “no”. minefield. not careful, and it years earlier. isn’t easy to let the obsession go. - 16 - - 17 - Out came the cardboard and sellotape and Back in the early days, when the internet Again, I didn’t know it, but I was not alone. off I went. And to complement my efforts, I was either young, or not there at all (such Across Britain (and the world) other people picked out a string of Dalek related toys and was the nature of dial-up) there was no way were dutifully measuring up plastic kits and games from the Autumn & Winter edition of of accessing the information required to reaching for their calculators. the Grattan Catalogue, and ringed them in accurately build a Dalek to the standards of felt tip as potential Christmas presents, for those seen on television. Enter the internet (stage left). Everything the attention of my parents, grandparents or changed. All of us quietly obsessing in private, anyone else who might be willing to chip in. Like myself, many would-be Dalek builders were suddenly united. By today’s standards, had, in the course of their journey to this notion seems fairly mundane, but Yet even back then, I knew this was never But... as we all know, Daleks never actually maturity, got their hands on a copy of the these were different times. Discovering we going to be enough. Sure, I had progressed die. They lie dormant, covered with cobwebs. How To Build A Dalek guide published by the were not alone caused a seismic difference. to constructing some pretty good Daleks out Then, just when you think it’s safe to wiggle Radio Times in 1973. Resources were pooled, groups were set up of fabric conditioner bottles and suchlike. the gun, you find yourself irradiated, like a fly and dimensions were exchanged. The game I’d followed every demonstration on Blue on the end of a bug-zapper. As a youth, I had been was on. Peter and had built the Doctor Who theatre, terrified by the outlined together with several Plasticine-domed VHS tapes and BBC repeats resurrected the construction process for Many of the people who were around in Daleks. But I still wasn’t satisfied. Daleks for me, and forced them firmly to the the Dalek dome, which those early days of the internet are still front of my mind. Watching many episodes involved such outlandish around today. They have followed the I knew exactly what for the first time since they were originally material as shellac and growth of online Dalek building from the I wanted. I’d tried aired brought back childhood memories, fibreglass. It was obvious very start. Yahoo was the first place where asking for one for and rekindled that desire to build and own too, that the dimensions the like-minded gathered, forming The Dalek Christmas, probably a ‘real’ Dalek. included in the guide Builder’s Club and The Dalek Builder’s Guild in 1973, but the were far from accurate. — both groups doing their own thing but request was somehow The difference this time around was that I Anyone with even a small comprising, essentially, the same people. misunderstood and I was an adult. I had resources and money at Dalek obsession could see that They eventually consolidated and moved to got a Japanese tin plate my disposal (and only a limited number of the skirt was missing an entire column of MSN. Frustratingly, the discussions held in robot instead. It wasn’t people who would try and stop me). The key hemispheres. the old groups couldn’t be transferred over, even full-sized. What here was to start the project without actually and much of that information was lost. For I wanted wasn’t in any telling anyone what I was doing. By the time Fortunately, around this me, this problem had a bearing on events catalogue or modelled they cottoned on, it would be too late. time, a new fifth scale which were to follow. on TV. A full-size Dalek Dalek kit, produced by of my very own. Freeze-frame for one moment. Picture me Sevans Models, was Nevertheless, by pooling resources the with saw in hand, about to make my first released. The kit then group was able to develop various sets of My attempt to build myself such a Dalek cut… went through a couple of rudimentary Dalek plans. These were the happened in the late 1970s and involved revisions, which honed final piece of the jigsaw and at last, my Dalek chipboard sheet, purloined from my father’s What I didn’t know was that there were the accuracy and made it build had the green light. workshop and haphazardly nailed together other individuals out there going through the easier to assemble. I came to form the rudiments of what I thought was same experience. They had all realised that across one of these kits the correct shape for a Dalek skirt. This didn’t the obstacles to their building a Dalek had (the later version) in a branch of Beatties, in go down well with anyone, including me. It disappeared. And their actions were much the Meadowhall shopping centre, Sheffield, took up too much space in my bedroom and the same as my own. They too were using one Saturday afternoon in the mid-1990s. the ends of the nails poked out here and their time, money and abilities to begin work This was the ‘missing link’ that would get me there and were potentially lethal. on their childhood dream. started on a full-size build. My first full size Dalek was actually two. I was working with a friend of mine (who I shall call In any case, my obsession was soon to be They also encountered the same stumbling Before I began, I carefully drew around all the ‘Ian’ — because that’s his name). We got very packed away, as other matters became block that I was currently attempting to various components of the kit, transferring drunk together one night, and I confessed my a priority: High school, exams, college, circumvent. There were no official Dalek the outlines onto paper. My logic was that Dalek-building aspirations. To my surprise, he relationships, jobs, mortgages. All the usual plans available, anywhere. I would scale these up by five to obtain the thought this was a great idea, so off we went stuff that people insist you do in order to dimensions required to make the full-sized to build one for each of us. Mine was to be be classified as human. The Daleks were Unfreeze my frame as I put down the saw prop. a 1960s Chase/Power style Dalek. His was consigned to the realms of boyhood history. and scratch my head... to be a 1970s version, loosely based on the silver and black Death colour scheme. - 18 - - 19 - I tackled the necks, two together gave aspiring Dalek builders inside the shoulders, the whole thing inside years later, the Project Dalek Forum is still shoulders and collars much of what was required to get started. the fender, for easy transportation. This was going strong. It has enabled many individuals while Ian focused on the to be a grey, Genesis style Dalek. to come together and work on joint projects, skirts and fenders. We Meanwhile our finished Daleks were honing existing Dalek plans and developing both worried about the paraded around our local neighbourhoods Over a period of several months, I worked new ones for other Dalek types. It still 2x56 hemispheres. I also and attended several parties. Everyone was on my build, section by section. I already had holds every piece of relevant Dalek building produced both fibreglass impressed. Ian and I decided we needed to some moulds available, stored away from information that was ever posted. domes, having thoroughly researched the put our process online, so we purchased a previous projects. This was a great help, but methodology. The dome remains the one web domain, documented our build, and I wanted to go a step further and produce Who could have imagined, back in the early component that strikes fear into the heart of made it available at projectdalek.co.uk. a Dalek with no wooden components days, that so many like-minded people every Dalek building newbie. Producing your whatsoever. would eventually find each other and work own is something of a ‘rite of passage’. Around this time, the existing online together? The world is an amazing place. communities were beginning to creak On a standard Many of the members currently online are These days, you can find out all you need to under the strain of all the information they Dalek, the neck familiar faces from the past, but there are know about dome production and everything contained. The Yahoo and MSN platforms section is almost also many new, younger members who else at the swipe of a screen. Back then, we were not ideal for the preservation and logical always made from appear to have been bitten by the Dalek were asking the questions online for the first presentation of Dalek building information. wood — either building bug. time. Answers often took a while to arrive. They were designed more for chat, in much MDF or plywood the same way that Facebook is today. — as is the inner Today there is less Despite this, I became proficient in part of the neck, fear associated with several practical skills, including carpentry I decided we needed a platform that was (the neck bin) the use of advanced and metalwork. Our Daleks were made better organised and divided up into logical which holds the materials such as predominantly from wood, so they were sections, where information on the building dome in position. This makes the finished fibreglass. Even first- heavy, and hard work on the legs during process would not become lost. So, together assembly quite heavy. I set about constructing timers are often operation. I later fitted the running gear from with a small group of other builders who the entire Dalek from a combination of willing to give it a an electric wheelchair into my Dalek skirt to shared my vision, I set up a bulletin board, fibreglass and carbon fibre parts. The neck go and construct save on leg effort. At the time, this was an with the aim of giving something back to rings were laid up in fibreglass and I created a their Daleks from innovation which had only been done bya all those who had come together out of the set of moulds for the components that form composites. They couple of other Dalek builders. pre-internet isolation, to pool resources and the neck bin, while the trefoil struts that are also using CNC technology (Computer make Daleks happen. separate the rings (traditionally made from Numerical Control, which involves the Throughout the construction process, I had pieces of wooden dowel) were constructed automatic control of machining tools) begun to make notes on the build techniques It was the beginning of the Project Dalek from carbon fibre. alongside 3D printing, to assemble these that we were using. I did this at the end of Forum. Over the next few years, the Daleks nightmare creatures. each session, dutifully sitting at my screen, reappeared on our screens in the new Even the operator’s seat was made from typing in the day’s progress. By the time the series, and a whole new wave of enthusiastic fibreglass, held in place by lightweight Where once an eyeball, or a plunger, would Dalek was finished, I had compiled a full set young Dalek fans appeared. New plans were aluminium tubing glassed into the skirt be 3D printed, saving a bit of time during of instructions, which were far better than developed and new Daleks built. frame. The only concession I made was to the build process, today, it is possible to anything that had gone before. These notes use a piece of 18mm MDF sheet inside the print even the larger Dalek body segments became the basis for The Dalek Builder’s I also caught the Dalek building bug again. I (fibreglass) fender, because the casters had by breaking down the computer-generated Workshop Manual, which was later to think this probably happens to most builders. to be bolted to something bulky and solid. parts into sections before printing and re- become the starting point for so many other If anyone tells you they are going to build a assembling the ‘real world’ results. It won’t new builders. Dalek, don’t believe them. What they are The finished Dalek was (and still is) oneof be too long before someone out there actually saying is that they are going to build the lightest around. It packs into a standard produces an entirely 3D printed, full-sized The first set of really good their first Dalek... and then another... and saloon car without issue, and it is easy to Dalek. It’s incredible how far we have all Dalek plans arrived around another... assemble and operate. I shared this build on come. this time. They were the forum as it progressed, to allow others developed by Malcolm Having had enough of heavy wooden to see what was being done and copy the I still own the two Daleks that I have Lear and uploaded to the bodywork, I decided that my next Dalek methodology. mentioned during this story. They sit there various online groups. would be made entirely from fibreglass and in silence. One is in the garage, the other These were the perfect therefore ultra-lightweight. I also wanted to Many builders posted their progress too, and guarding the spare room. I don’t have a accompaniment to the be able to pack it away inside itself, so the this constant stream of new activity within burning desire to show them off, or even Workshop Manual. The shoulders would fit inside the skirt, the neck members’ build diaries has meant that, 15 jump inside and operate them. For me, it’s - 20 - - 21 - enough to know that they are there and that Of one thing I am certain. Over the many either side of the debate. It felt very much poll, the majority decided they wanted it to I built them. That childhood box is now well years this journey has taken, the Daleks like Remembrance of the Daleks, with two be called Classic. Although it is much smaller and truly ticked. have put a big smile on the faces of a lot of factions, in this case of pro and anti female than our main group, with approximately 15 children. And some of us adults too!  Doctor warriors, battling it out. Worst of all thousand members, Classic Infinity is as busy Much of my spare time these days is spent was the name calling. If you liked the idea as our other pages, if rather less dramatic. running Project Dalek and helping others to of a female Doctor you were a SJW (Social It’s a great place for new fans to learn about realise their Dalek dreams. Updates to the Justice Warrior) and not a fan, and if you the history of the show. sites and the plans appear to have become didn’t, you were sexist and also not a fan! a lifelong vocation. I’m not complaining. It’s a passion, and Dalek building still fascinates It was a difficult thing me. for me to watch. I had friends, good people, The resources that I help to keep alive on both sides of the are now well used, and (hopefully) well- argument. Long term received. However, the real credit should go members suddenly found to all those members and friends who have themselves removed from “Don’t be a Judoon” is the most important built their Daleks and then raised thousands Facebook groups, and advice I give to new admins. The key is to with them for worthy causes such as Children unfairly labelled for not be polite, courteous and helpful. It’s easy In Need. being onboard with the show’s change to remove and block a member who has of direction. If ever there was a gap in the engaged in a heated exchange, but it’s fan market, this was it, and so we set about important to remember that we all have bad creating aDoctor Who platform that wouldn’t days. alienate newcomers and would welcome debate from both sides of the divide, as long PEACE, LOVE AND HARMONY as it was respectful.

FOR DOCTOR WHO INFINITY! The influx of recruits that followed was down to the fact they were all looking for an escape By Mathew Peck from mind-numbing arguments about the casting of the Doctor. We reaped the benefit, Who in their right mind wants to administer a Doctor Who Infinity was created three years garnering a great bunch of posters, whose very busy Doctor Who Facebook group? You ago, at a time when our fandom became opinions covered all eras of the show. don’t get paid for it, it’s very stressful, and a divided. Those who had been crying out lot of your spare time is used up dealing with for a female Doctor, clashed with diehard, Thankfully, things have calmed down since Recruiting the right people for an admin role disputes between irate group members. The often older, fans, who felt that this would Jodie’s completed her second season, can be difficult. First off, you need someone answer is, quite simply, me and my fellow betray the canonicity of the show and though the healing process is still ongoing. who can give the time. Then we look for administrators! Indeed, it’s not just one, but remove a valuable role model for boys. The We encourage people to tell us what anyone whose posts have interesting content two Doctor Who groups, and a Facebook announcement of Jodie Whittaker as the they’ve loved about the show throughout and generate lots of activity. As already page, that I manage, but guess what? I’m Doctor hardened the controversy, some its history, and to explain their dislikes, but noted, a tolerant mind-set is essential: an loving every minute of it! feeling the decision had been taken solely we don’t allow personal criticism of other admin has to understand they are there to to reignite interest in the franchise, with no fans or offensive and derogatory comments serve members, and not be too quick to Our main group is Doctor Who Infinity, a real thought of how established fans would directed at people who have worked on the punish if they get over passionate. We have rather new enterprise, with a little over 46 react to it. While many welcomed the change programme. admins and moderators from different time thousand members. We consider ourselves with open arms, others felt strongly they had zones: Australia, France, USA, Canada — me lucky to be one of the most activeDoctor Who been left out in the cold. As the group became busier, our ‘classic only’ in the UK. It makes selecting a venue for the Facebook groups, with posts averaging one members felt their notifications were being staff Christmas Party a bit of a problem. hundred a day, and many gaining hundreds The upshot was that, as the debates became clogged with New Who posts, which is how of comments. Members share their love of more political, people deserted the Doctor Doctor Who Classic Infinity was created. Doctor Who is hugely successful worldwide, the show through reviews, events, cosplays Who forums, with fandom dividing into those Originally called Doctor Who Retro Infinity so it amazes me how many GPs from abroad, and photos, generating countless discussions who were positive about Jodie Whittaker and (the suggestion of one of our members — and even pharmaceutical companies, try which cover many different eras of the Doctor those who were not. The slightest criticism and a great name, in my opinion) many to join us, thinking we are a medical group. — from William Hartnell to Jodie Whittaker. could see you removed from fan groups on members disliked it, and when we put it to a At first we didn’t mind much because it - 22 - - 23 - increased our numbers; but then someone Q&A posting basically involves the It’s always such an honour to have these posted instructions on how to conduct a cooperation of people who are, in some way, wonderful people join us, and we plan to successful prostate examination. That was connected with the “fam”, and agree to talk invite more to Infinity over the coming years. when we realised it was best to vet the about their experiences. Our members ask members first and go to post approval. the questions, and our guests answer them. Doctor Who Infinity is busy all year round, but when the programme is on the air, things Our Doctor Who Infinity page, unlike the We started with the artist Colin Howard, who step up a gear. Each time an episode airs it is group, concentrates more on sharing polls created many magnificent Doctor Who VHS total bedlam. Even though our members are and memes to other Doctor Who and sci-fi covers back in the 1990s. Colin is a particular television back in the 1970s. Guy also had on post approval and we have a three day Facebook groups. Over the last year or so, we favourite of mine and I love sharing his work several little known Who anecdotes for us to spoiler curfew and a special spoiler post for have increased this activity to enable us to on posts. He is an inspiration to many of the relish, as well as some concerning his time those who wish to discuss the latest episode, reach a wider fandom: and it’s a good way to young artists in our community. when he appeared in the iconic 1976 drama, the influx of comments we receive is quite get our name out there. Pages are preferred I Claudius, and on set with the legendary staggering. You find there isn’t a moment for by some fans as there is less contention, you Olly McNeil, Tom Baker’s personal Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. yourself, as you direct members wanting to don’t have to be a member to follow, and you photographer did a spectacular live broadcast have their say to the spoiler post. It all gets can just dip in and out whenever you want. for us, describing what it’s like to work with Peter Purves, who played Steven Taylor way pretty hectic because it really is something the man who is, for many of us, the Doctor back in the William Hartnell era, has also you have to get right. Fans in other countries It’s always good to share polls from the himself. been kind enough to contribute. Peter’s can be very unforgiving if even the slightest page to all groups, to find out the general recollection of his time as a regular cast detail has been revealed. It’s not okay, consensus on things like “Who is your Before we knew it, Nabil Shaban (from member was excellent and there was so either, to tell them just to switch off their favourite Doctor,” (no pun intended) and “Are Vengeances on Varos, Mindwarp, and more much to talk about, although he was less notifications, or avoid Facebook. They still you enjoying the current series?” The most recently, Sil and the Devil Seeds of Arodor) forthcoming when we asked him to recite want to access their Doctor Who groups to popular (and most interesting) polls are the had agreed to become involved. A true the words to The Last Chance Saloon — I discuss other eras, or the episodes leading ones that cause the most controversy, where gentleman, he is always willing to answer can’t think why! up to the one they are waiting to watch, and fans forcefully defend their perceptions of questions and discuss his time on the show. you have to take that into account. the show’s heritage. Clearly, for some, there As part of our Doctor Who Classic Infinity is a credibility threshold that should not be lockdown, writer Stephen Wyatt (Paradise For me personally, the last four years have crossed, even in a sci-fi fantasy. Towers, The Greatest Show in the Galaxy) been a rollercoaster, as I’ve watched the answered questions about his contribution group grow from a handful of members, to An eye-catching Facebook page is very to the world of Doctor Who. His posts, in the tens of thousands we have today, and important, and that means a good cover particulate, gained a great deal of attention it has become an important part of my life. picture. Those for Doctor Who Infinity from members. I love doing my bit to help devotees enjoy and Doctor Who Classic Infinity are now their Doctor Who experience and long may put together by the very talented Aidan Stephen gave us a fascinating it continue. Wilkinson. You may know him as the ‘Tardis insight into the John Man’. A huge fan of the show, Aidan has a For New Who fans, we secured the services Nathan-Turner production natural gift for rendering 3D models of the of Simon Fisher-Becker who played Dorium team, his good working Tardis from different eras, and has been a Maldovar in several Eleventh Doctor relationship with script regular member on Infinity for a number of adventures, and Jack Shalloo, the pregnant editor Andrew Cartmel, years. guy from the series 11 story the Tsuranga and the departure from the Conundrum. I was also very lucky to track previous season format of The question and answer posts are my down Guy Siner of Allo Allo fame, who The Trial of a Time Lord, absolute favourite thing on Infinity. I like to played General Ravon in the 1975 classic to more straightforward think it’s something unique we do, but I’m Genesis of the Daleks. Guy was worried that stories that were less sure it’s been done by other Doctor Who his recollection of the story was a bit hazy, concerned with the groups in the past. Although most of our as it was so long ago, but he was delighted show’s mythology. It’s members can get to the conventions, to to learn that Who fans still cherished the reassuring to know that meet and talk to the stars, the question and story all these decades later, and happily Stephen is still producing great material, with Many other Facebook groups like ours, which answer posts allow those who, for financial, agreed to take part. The post was a success. his recent Big Finish story Psychic Circus, a have been going a lot longer, and with more or mobility issues, are unable to attend these He gave us a very good insight into what it sequel to The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, contributors than we could dream of, have events, to connect with people who have was like for a young actor to be rushed from and his latest novel (not Doctor Who related) found that their activity has declined over been a part of the series. set to set, and how different it was recording The World and his Wife. the years. We have to recognise that, at - 24 - - 25 - some point, Doctor Who Infinity may go the To become a member of our Doctor Who dropping into conversation that books hate Mens’ Rights Activists are a boys-only club same way. So we intend to make the most Infinity Facebook group, follow this link: Christmas. My online banking account had who take a keen interest in Feminism. They out of the fun whilst it lasts. no opinion on Jodie Whittaker’s casting. Even read that women globally get paid 63% of https://www.facebook.com/groups/ Tesco.com remained suspiciously mute on what men do; or that women are more likely But who knows? Maybe we will continue DoctorWhoInfinity/ the subject. No, what people usually mean to be injured in car crashes because seatbelts debating our love of Doctor Who, and when they say: “The Internet doesn’t like it” aren’t designed for women’s bodies and sharing memes, posts, and pics, To Infinity For fans of the Original series, you can check is that Twitter, or Reddit, or Quora don’t like neither are the crash dummies that test and Beyond.  out Doctor Who Classic Infinity here: it. them; or that the tiny minority of Fortune 500 Chief Executive Officers who are women are The Doctor Who Infinity page can be accessed https://www.facebook.com/groups/ But we can go further than that. Twitter didn’t 45% more likely to be sacked than their male via the following link: ClassicInfinity/ hate the casting of Jodie Whittaker. We know counterparts, regardless of their company’s this because someone called Natalie Meehan performance. They read these stories and https://www.facebook.com/InfinityWho/ checked for us. According to her analytics,* they give whatever the opposite of a mating on the day of the announcement, there were call is: “Feminism Has Gone Too Far.” over half a million tweets with the hashtags into the public consciousness. 2016’s #Doctor13, #13thDoctor, #DoctorWho, The sad irony is that Ghostbusters reboot demonstrated there #TimeLord, or #JodieWhittaker. 80% of the MRAs are collateral THIS THING OF DARKNESS was an appetite for female representation those were positive. So when you read those damage in the same Dale Smith in sci-fi and fantasy, while The Internet’s articles saying: "The Internet hates female war for which they’re reaction showed why society desperately Doctors", what they actually meant was: busy cheerleading. The needed it. Even more than that, Doctor Who "About a fifth of people on Twitter forgot world has told them I’m probably asking the wrong people here, needed an angle. The fiftieth anniversary what they should do if they had nothing nice it belongs to Men, but I’ll give it a go anyway. Did you know that had come and gone. The show had already to say." but even more specifically, that it belongs in 2017, Doctor Who became a woman? I played: “the Doctor can be someone else!”; to the Alpha Men. Taking their cue from a know! Yet — apparently — it happened. And “the Doctor can be a floppy haired child!”; Now, let’s be honest: when we speak about long debunked theory about wolves, they when it happened, The Internet didn’t like it. and “the Doctor can be Malcolm Tucker!” The Internet hating the idea of a female see life as a war between those Alphas and At all. cards. Short of convincing someone very, Doctor, we’re not really talking about the everyone else. If you let your guard down very famous to take a massive pay cut to people who didn’t respond positively, are for one minute, even if you pause in kicking work 14 hour days in Wales: “the Doctor can we? We’re not considering people who were some desperate Beta in the face long enough be a woman!” was an obvious card to play. worried this meant that a sentient cabbage to tie your shoelace, they will be at your would be the next companion. We’re on throat. MRAs are the about the people who said: “Am I a sexist if poor children who were I don’t want to see a female Doctor Who? so bullied by the world That’s like accusing women of being sexist for that the only way they wanting one of their heroes to not be turned can interact with it is to into a man. If it’s not sexist for them, it’s not bully right back. sexist for us… I think caving into feminist and Somewhere, a room full of Ghostbusters fans SJWs [Social Justice Warriors] is not good, It’s hard to feel sorry for turned as one and said: “You don’t say?” especially when polled, between 60—70% of an MRA when they’re fans didn’t want this.”** spewing venom into your online Talk of the Doctor becoming a woman started face, but we can at least comfort ourselves almost as soon as John Nathan-Turner got So why did The Internet hate the idea so We’re talking about the MRAs. that they have An Agenda; they probably his feet under the producer’s desk, but it much? don’t believe what they’re saying, and they was always a bit of tabloid-bait rather than I hope with all my heart, that whatever your definitely aren’t really Doctor Who fans. They a serious proposition. 2017 was different. The obvious response is... obvious: The stage of life, you have reached it without can’t be, or they’d know what the Doctor The revived version of the show was losing Internet didn’t hate it, and why are you knowing what an MRA is. But I’m afraid if said about survival of the fittest. some of its shine. I don’t mean: WHAT HAS talking like the Daily Mail? that is the case, I’m going to ruin it for you. HAPPENED TO THE MAGIC OF DOCTOR And yet… WHO? — rather that getting people excited The Internet gets mentioned a lot, likeDoctor *—Meehan Natalie about it was becoming incrementally harder. Who Canon: as if it’s a real thing that can https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/react-doctor-who-13/ Let’s go back to the beginning. Most sources The #MeToo movement had put casual give you a definitive answer about anything. **—https://www.quora.com agree that The Time Machine was one of sexism and the importance of representation Quoting The Internet’s opinion is like casually /Am-I-a-sexist-if-I-dont-want-to-see-a-female-Doctor-Who Sydney Newman’s inspirations for Doctor - 26 - - 27 - Who. The importance because they knew they didn’t have that swooping in somewhere they’ve never been Adric down a notch or two. But the Doctor of the novel to Doctor right. before and deciding that This Clearly Won’t has always had a better relationship with Who’s DNA can often Do. Don’t forget, plenty a good Victorian had women… except in that one regard. There be overstated, with This was the era of the Great Man theory a heartfelt belief in protecting the weak. Only is no hanky-panky in the Tardis. Even after the idea being little of history, the widely discredited idea that they believed the best way of doing it was to successfully pushing out Rose’s boyfriend, more than “What if history only happened because exceptional prevent the women and the coloured chaps even after she started to see him as a there was a time machine?”, before it men forced it to. This is the theory that says from having a say in their own lives. That’s potential replacement, the Doctor couldn’t started developing in different directions. the best thing you can do with a time machine why the real bravura quite bring himself to tell her how he felt. But The Time Machine is part of a wider is kill Hitler, because that will prevent World act of showrunner Chris Instead, he prevaricated on that desolate genre, one that I’d argue Doctor Who fits into War Two. But more pertinently, it is also the Chibnall’s first year wasn’t beach until the moment had passed. Then quite neatly. The Time Machine is a prime theory that informs the modern concept of casting Jodie Whittaker, it he moped about it for a while, and reminded example of Victorian Science Adventure — what a hero is: the Campbellian Hero*** was sending a character himself how annoying women were anyway a genre that embraces many of the works who has his roots in the Great Man theory, so steeped in the tropes of by picking up a ginger bridezilla, before of Jules Verne, H Rider Haggard and, of and is so ubiquitous that Rosa Parks becomes Empire, to India during the trying the whole thing again with someone course, HG Wells. You might see these tales the Great Man who took a stand when she partition. who had simply too much self-respect for his as pure escapist fiction, or possibly the was too tired to stand. The much more nonsense, and dumped his ass for The Idiot. creaky antecedents of modern sci-fi. But impressive truth — that she was a member But that just means the Doctor is a hero, the Victorian Era caught the science bug of a collective who carefully planned and doesn’t it? Not an Alpha, for goodness sake. There are two distinct big time, and these stories are riddled with executed a protest to Of course not. camps in Doctor Who it. Either their heroes have invented some enrage and engage fandom: those who fantastical machine, or else they look at the Moderate America — Although… when the Doctor is a man, some think the Doctor world with a scientist’s eye, often being fully doesn’t matter; the of his relationships with other men do look a is beyond sex, and fledged scientists themselves. This is the era audience wants her little Alpha-y, don’t they? those who think that of the Professorial Hero, the academic whose to be a lone Great the Doctor dances thirst for knowledge takes them into the Man, because that’s Right from the start, when Ian Chesterton with pretty much heart of some escapade or another. Scientific the archetype that burst into the Tardis, the Doctor bristled every companion sleuths, adventuring academics, and plucky appeals to them most. and snarked, but didn’t outright challenge. who walks through the Tardis doors. But professors. No, he used his superior intellect to needle there’s a third possible reading: that the But it’s also an archetype that appeals to and belittle instead, trying to put Ian down Doctor would love to dance, but doesn’t And Doctors. boys who see the world divided into Great in the eyes of the women without openly have the moves. It’s a reading that appeals (Alpha) Men and the rest. challenging him. When The Power of the to a particular section of the audience, There were other things going on in the Daleks came around, the Doctor did the and another common trope. Nerd culture Victorian Era that affected the genre, of It’s easy to argue that lumping the Doctor same to Ben, apparently with the sole is suffused with reward girlfriends: the course. The burden of imperialism cast a in with those Victorian bastions of Empire is intention of bringing Polly closer to him than beautiful girls who never quite see the hero long shadow: the belief that the British had missing the point; that it ignores the Doctor’s her distrustful companion. He called Harry In That Way, until the story makes them gained such a vast Empire because they were compassion and desire to protect the weak. Sullivan an “imbecile” for trying to undo a realise that those nerds are actually the real the only ones with the rectitude to manage But it’s equally as easy to point to any number buckle he couldn’t have known was linked to Alphas. It’s one of the many offshoots of the it fairly and justly, and the weight of that of occasions where the Doctor’s moral a bomb, but let Sarah Jane laugh off throwing All Women Love Bastards myth that is the obligation to do The Right Thing. It wasn’t so compass is assumed to point true as a matter around a box she knew full-well contained Ur Myth of the MRA boys’ club. One of the much that — when they were most tempted of fact. Uploading River Song into a virtual gelignite. Years later, he met a girl he liked cousins of the MRAs are the incels — the not to — these heroes pulled up their socks world is saving her, and there’s no need to called Rose and wasn’t very happy to find involuntary celibates — who complain that and did it: more that ask her permission; Susan is starting to grow out she already had a boyfriend: Mickey was sex isn’t fair because they’re too nice for their innate moral up, so obviously she’d agree that it is best christened The Idiot, and the relationship girls to want to have it with them, so some compass meant that she’s dumped on a post-apocalyptic world undermined to the point of break up… kind of rota clearly needs to be established. they always knew to fend for herself; and of course there’s leaving the Doctor a free run at convincing They buy into the toxic fantasy that treating exactly what the Right nothing wrong with Anglicising a name Rose she’d be better off with someone like women as if they were normal human beings Thing was. When because its tricky for you to say, as long as it him. is a surefire trip to the Friend Zone, and what they held those two means you get to call a big, scary alien, Tim. you need is either to undermine them to the wires in their hands, The Doctor is the archetypal White Saviour, I mean its clear that the Doctor doesn’t point where sex with you would seem like a they paused, even really feel that comfortable hanging around nice confidence boost, or else get rich so you in the face of their ***—https://academyofideas.com/2016/06 with men. Adric… no, okay: even the most can buy a fancy car to impress them. And, best friend’s urging, /joseph-campbell-myth-of-the-heros-journey/ ‘woke’ individual would’ve wanted to take in a certain kind of light, a machine that can - 28 - - 29 - travel anywhere in time and space sure looks compass. Confused by human emotions dim that halo if you want people to actually a real fan anyway” is like hearing someone like a pretty fancy car. because he is a man of science and conclude that he’s wrong. It’s the same effect launch into a tirade about Polish builders logic: science and logic, of course, being that means you’re unlikely to scream: “Oh my choking the NHS, and bringing down wages, synonymous with masculinity, and always God! He WOULD make a good Dalek!” when and responding that they haven’t had a pitted against emotions, the most feminine Davros tries to convince the Doctor they’re bathroom fitted recently. ’It s not completely trait. A man who, if he happens to ask a nearby two peas in a pod. There will always be some irrelevant, but it is definitely missing the woman to make him a cup of tea, doesn’t have people who will assume everything the hero point. And it’s an attempt to shut down the to put up with does is right, particularly if the things they’re conversation without having to get into the a lecture about doing happen to chime with the things they messy business of refuting it. In the world damaging gender believe about themselves. of politics, there’s been a lot of talk about stereotypes and accepting what people say in good faith, and the burden of I know what you’re going to say. I’ve ignored moving on from there. When the people emotional labour everything the Doctor has ever done that who hate Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor on The Doctor is demonstrably confused by before HAVING doesn’t fit my argument, from the Second principle, attempt to justify themselves, they human emotions: maybe everything else is TO MAKE HIS Doctor’s relationship with Jamie McCrimmon always claim that it’s the writers pushing their an attempt to work around it? OWN CUP OF to the very fact that she is now a woman agenda onto Doctor Who, that the writers are TEA ANYWAY! who still demonstrates her bewilderment making it Political. Okay, they’re maintaining That thought, however, is the gateway drug at emotions. Isn’t that all any of us do that sticking to any old white bloke with an for joining the MRAs. You start by believing The Doctor arrives and effortlessly takes when watching Doctor Who? The character Equity card isn’t a de facto political act. But the world when it tells you that women are charge. He knows who the bad guys are has had nearly sixty years of nuance and they’re also telling us there’s a version of a different breed to men; that the game is: and defeats them without anybody having development, none of it under the guidance Doctor Who that they know, (and love) and men can’t guess — and aren’t allowed to to lecture him about how things aren’t of a single figure pushing their idea of just inclusion and diversity isn’t a part of it. ask — what women want. Then you see that, black and white these days. And he treats Who Doctor Who might be. We all ignore somehow, some men are coping perfectly women almost as badly as that other famous certain aspects of the Doctor: if you’re not Those people are Doctor Who fans. fine. Again the world pops up to tell you misogynist James Bond: not just patronising willing to concede any of the points I’ve that’s because they know the tricks. So you and dismissive, or denying women the agency raised here, then at the very least you should And that’s a scary thing to admit, because if learn the tricks, and either they don’t work, to make their own decisions and mistakes, be able to agree that we have collectively they are, and we are, then where does that or worse, they do. If they do, you have but sometimes actively gaslighting his ignored, for decades, that William Hartnell leave us? yourself a girlfriend… yet deep down, you companions: leaving Sarah Jane thinking for was playing the (at least) ninth incarnation of believe that’s only because you told them years that she’d done something wrong and the Doctor, a single-hearted scientist exiled I know this person. I really like them. I think I how impressed you were by their rejection had been kicked out of the Tardis because of from his home planet. know what they’d say: of traditional beauty standards. You’ve been it; telling Ace that their visit to Gabriel Chase denied that bewildering moment where you was nothing more than another random stop Yes, The kind of person tell someone you like them, and they tell you off, or forcing her, on numerous occasions, who can watch the they like you back. From now on, you’ve got to face her biggest fears without warning Doctor’s speech about to be on your guard, because other people or consent. There’s a halo effect that comes the futility of war in know the tricks too. Even if they didn’t, at from being the hero of a story. If the Doctor The Zygon Inversion some point your girlfriend is going to look at tells us that the only way to defeat Fenric is to and think he’s tipping you and realise she can do better. Because destroy everything Ace trusted, most people a wink that says: you’re the kind of loser who can’t get a girl are going to agree with him because he’s “Unless you’re talking without resorting to tricks. the hero. You have to work pretty hard to about a gender war: count me in for that!” The world becomes a bewildering, Darwinian is probably someone nightmare. It’s kill or be killed. who looks at a picture of a Rubin’s vase and insists it’s two faces. And there is the Doctor, the most effortless of Alphas. Frequently mocking or even When somebody says it’s political openly belligerent to men — particularly correctness gone mad that the Doctor is military men or those with power. Often now a woman, I can definitely appreciate the "There are some corners of fandom which mocked or underestimated, before being desire to put as much distance between us have bred the most terrible things. Things ultimately respected and admired for both and them as possible, metaphorically and which act against everything we believe in. his intelligence and his unswerving moral physically. But responding that: “they aren’t They must be fought."  - 30 - - 31 - are presented, superficially at least, as more former is the mechanical façade of control years earlier, these human puppets would IRRATIONALITY OF THE or less fully robotic. They have little or no and constraint, the latter a terrifying fury of have proven invaluable tools, able to enter organic feature to speak of. True, they do feelings; the two forced together in a self- the base’s “radiation room” with impunity; sport human hands in The Tenth Planet, and defeating synthesis. something the Cybermen were unable to CYBERMEN the semblance of a jaw-like mechanism in do. It’s as though there’s an underlying By Jez Strickley Earthshock, but for the most part there is In the original series, the Cybermen’s various obsessive-compulsive nature surfacing here, only metal and plastic on show, excepting the assaults on the Earth, from The Tenth Planet as the Cybermen go through the motions of (From an idea by Alan Stevens) occasional organic discharge (see The Five through to Silver Nemesis, reflect a power- their first gambit, but with the addition of Doctors). Cyber-conversion with its flesh- seeking mentality. This condition establishes certain changes to make it successful. Only “We were discussing spare part surgery mutilating mechanics is equally uncommon a dynamic between states of being: desire they’re decades late, and these adjustments and conceived the idea of someone with in the series, with just a few stories detailing versus fulfilment; want versus satisfaction. aren’t going to win it for them on the barren so many mechanical replacements that he this body horror. Is it surprising, then, that Power-seeking is part of a finely balanced lunar surface. Still, somehow, they find these didn’t know whether he was a human or a these cyborgs are depicted as machine life, mental equilibrium, not dissimilar to a node revisions all important; holding a kind of machine.” as opposed to a futuristic melding of organic in an ecosystem food web. Like the desire for psychological resonance that makes their and inorganic parts that are more naturally revenge, however, it has absolutely no place re-enacting absolutely vital. Yet, in failing Doctor Christopher Magnus prone to irrational behaviour? As I said, it’s in the logical processes of an intelligence to address the needs of their new setting, Howard ‘Kit’ Pedler an understandable error. freed from the trappings of emotion. complete with a freshly-regenerated Doctor, Nevertheless, the Cybermen’s insistence on there’s an evident lack of imagination on Have you ever felt off-base? That there’s But cyborgs they are, and it’s this merging destruction, largely directed at the human their part, revealing their machine aspect. By something illogical about your actions? of distinct pieces which, rather than creating race, is surely a prime example of the drive barrelling ahead with tactics that are a revised Risk-taking behaviour is an example. Every a harmonious synthesis, instead leads to a for power and vengeance. The contradiction version of those used in The Tenth Planet, sensible bone in your body is telling you sort of logico-emotional schizophrenia. The between rational and irrational action is but now applied to a Moonbase setting, their that what you’re doing simply doesn’t stack flesh aspect resists its rational mechanical clear. Is it any wonder that the Cybermen obsessive compulsive (read emotional) side up. But you go ahead regardless, as though framing, plunging Mondas’ last children suffer from a personality disorder? is demonstrated. Much there’s something right, something rational, into a splintered and the same can be said of about your irrational act. Self-deception contorted psychology. the events in The Wheel is another. You persuade yourself that an The irrationality of the in Space, where the otherwise unreasonable action is actually Cybermen, if you will. Cybermen once more reasonable and simply carry on with it. endeavour to attack Unrequited love fits the bill as well. The problem exists from the Earth through a the very beginning. In remote location with a Irrationality mangles reason and murders their debut adventure, small, isolated group of common sense. Like a distorting mirror, it the Cybermen are in multinational humans, blurs and befuddles reality, the faulty and a desperate bid for and are once again the foolish substituted for the linear and the survival, intent on It is a derangement which sees the Cybermen defeated. logical. draining the Earth of its locked into a mechanical repetition of their energy and abducting its past actions — and failures. Their first The recurrence of certain tropes in the I’d like to suggest that irrationality is central human population for reappearance witnesses the survivors of Cybermen stories — a bleak and sterile to the development of the classic era Cyber-conversion. But the now-destroyed Mondas attempting to situation, conquest by stealth, a race (namely, Cybermen. Yes, I readily admit that they are all is not plastic and metal where Mondas’ eliminate humanity by way of the moon-based the Cybermen themselves) on the brink of framed as logic-driven and largely uniform cybernised population is concerned. The Gravitron device and its weather-controlling extinction — is patent. Again and again these cyborgs, free of the intellect-curtailing Cybermen are credited with names: Krail, powers. There is a deterministic shape to this codes are fed into the Cybermen’s narrative emotions associated Talon and Shav. This nomenclature denotes objective, as though the Cybermen are re- software, creating a still larger, all-embracing with creatures of flesh a differentiation which is more than just enacting their earlier efforts at the South Pole loop, which folds back on itself, as if the and blood. But I think practical, since numerical designations would Space Tracking Station, albeit this time with remnants of Mondas are caught up in some this representation is surely suffice. Are these distinctive monikers, mind-controlled humans to assist them (a kind of cybernetic Sisyphean labour. This is a mistake, although hangovers, then, from their pre-Cyber- strategy they will also reuse time and again). where their Jekyll and Hyde conflict is at its an understandable conversion days? Or something else? An echo But there’s a crookedness to this scheme, as most stark. The Cybermen appear little more one. Unlike the Borg, of a deeper psychological craving, perhaps? well. The controlled humans aren’t needed than organo-clockwork puppets, endlessly the cybernetic villains A craving which points to an internal conflict to operate the Gravitron, the Cybermen are acting out the very same moves, regardless of the later Star Trek betwixt natural and synthetic selves; a sort perfectly capable of managing the device of scenario. series, the Cybermen of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde scenario, where the for themselves — but at the tracking station - 32 - - 33 - Intriguingly, there is an echo here within the behaviour must stem from an intellect which Could it be that the destruction of Mondas friends (see Revenge form of cybernetics. Broadly speaking, this holds as much emotional content, however lies at the dark heart of these dreadful deeds? of the Cybermen, is the science of communication processes suppressed that content may be, as it does An emotional loss on a planetary scale which Earthshock, Attack in organisms and machines, which includes rational. locks the Cybermen into a bitter cycle of of the Cybermen how feedback within a given system alters revenge? There is certainly a twisted logic to and Silver Nemesis), both the system and its environment. In it. The repetition which appears throughout not to mention the the case of the Cybermen, maybe it’s this many of the Second Doctor’s encounters, desire to make the feedback procedure which has come to bind for instance, and which continues in fits and Doctor “suffer for our them into an ever tighter logico-emotional starts in later adventures, points to as much. past defeats” (see Earthshock), only knot from which there is simply no escape. goes to emphasise how these creatures It would indeed be ironic if the very science The marked exception is The Invasion, in relish the grief of others. Their hand-crushing which was intended to lift them beyond the which, although it features a secret incursion torture of Lytton is surely the most disturbing limits of the flesh was in point of fact their and an insecure alliance with a human instance. The earlier Moonbase stratagem gaoler. traitor, the Cybermen’s plans are rational and comes into play here, too. The Cybermen concise. Accordingly, this adventure takes could have simply punctured the dome, place a number of years prior to The Tenth suffocating the crew and taken control of the The Cybermen’s treatment of Earth is a further Planet and so predates the onset of their Gravitron themselves. Instead, they opt to example of their logical and emotional sides deep-seated trauma. terrorise the humans, killing and enslaving colliding. In both Earthshock and Attack of the them one at a time, then manipulating their Cybermen their core impulse is destructive, But, I would argue that zombified victims to destroy the surface the former involving the elimination of a there is more to it. I of the Earth whilst forcing the rest of the galactic conference aligned against them, think that insofar as the humans into the role of impotent witnesses. the latter to destroy the Earth and prevent loss of Mondas may be The Cybermen’s treatment of the humans it causing the death of Mondas. Yet, logically, presented as the trigger manning the The Wheel in Space is equally it’s obvious that even if they had succeeded, for the Cybermen’s later elaborate, murderous and controlling. Who There is, it should be said, a deviation of crashing Halley’s Comet into the Earth would actions, it is a reactive else but sadists could author such vicious sorts in The Tomb of the Cybermen, where never have been enough to atomise it, so sensation which comes plans? the locational and human elements follow Mondas would still have been destroyed by out of the core emotion fuelling their survival the same pattern, but it is the Cybermen the energy exchange, leaving the Cybermen instinct: sadism. It is clearly not the who step out of their usual active role and in another ‘no-win’ scenario. machine aspect within become, initially at least, passive agents. To perpetuate themselves, the Cybermen the Cybermen, which However, there is still the repetition of To go in search of rational purpose here must convert other living beings into pilots their obscene needless complexity. The Cybermen have misses the point. There is no logic behind Cybermen, violating and mutilating the actions, but rather the entombed themselves, but there appears to these actions because they derive from an bodies of their victims in the most awful organic component. This be no specific purpose behind their actions, emotional bias. The desire to destroy for the fashion. During the original series of Doctor is the element which bar energy saving. The human explorers are sake of it comes from a proclivity for wanton Who, Cyber-conversion is rarely seen. In demands voice and killed by accident, and despite the Cyberman violence which has little basis in rational Attack of the Cybermen we catch terrible expresses itself through the most senseless Controller’s proclamations that the tomb thought. Rather, it’s the product of feelings. glimpses of the process, most notably in and repetitive of schemes. Reliving the loss of was a trap, this doesn’t fit the facts. Any In the Cybermen’s case, we may presume the tragic figure of Lytton, whose partial Mondas through an endless loop of copycat of the human explorers could have died in the suppression of that passion only makes conversion is the most graphic. Here we see failures, unleashing pent-up psychological the process of unsealing the tomb, which their fury greater; a fury which demands that it is a practice performed whilst the frustrations through a brutality framed as dismisses the notion that it is designed to lure the destruction of subject is conscious – one cannot even begin universal improvement, the Cybermen are and then trap those who are physically and whole worlds. Their to imagine the degree of mental and physical anything but the race of emotionless pseudo- intellectually suited to Cyber-conversion. It centuries-long pursuit agony it entails. robots which has come to define them. Rather also begs the question of how a purely logical of Voga in Revenge of they are schizoid cyborgs, irrationality posing race would wager its survival on indefinite the Cybermen is a like In the face of such evidence, it’s difficult to as reason, teetering on the brink of madness entombment, and their release from said case: purely harmful deny the view that a species that survives by as their emotional content rages against its entombment on the unthinking curiosity of and with little genuine inflicting the most severe pain on other beings cybernetic caging: the very process which sufficiently intelligent explorers! It’s almost objective beyond raw is intrinsically sadistic. Inducing emotional Mondas’ finest clinicians imagined would as if the Cybermen were circuitously seeking vengeance. distress in the Doctor is yet another example. stave off extinction and become the ultimate their own demise, but most importantly, the The Cyber Leader’s manipulation of the form of life, but whose purpose, and reason ability to conceptualise that sort of reckless Time Lord’s sensibilities by threatening his to be, evaporated with their home planet.  - 34 - - 35 - .