Revelation of the Daleks

Revelation of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts from March 23 to March 30 1985.

Synopsis

The Sixth Doctor and Peri encounter the Daleks on the planet Necros, where the mercenary Orcini is on a mission to kill Davros.

Plot

The TARDIS lands on Necros, the location of the funeral home and suspended animation centre Tranquil Repose. The Sixth Doctor and Peri have come to visit a deceased scientist acquaintance. On the way, the Doctor points out great numbers of flowers that are similar to the soybean in terms of food versatility. The Doctor is attacked by a mutant, and Peri is forced to kill him to save the Doctor. Before he dies, the mutant tells the Doctor that the Great Healer used him as a genetic experiment and his appearance and hostility were a direct result of the experiments.

At Tranquil Repose, a disc jockey plays songs and chats as a form of entertainment to those who are in suspended animation. He keeps the asleep aware of current events, sometimes pointing out that cures for the afflicted had been perfected decades ago.

A couple, Natasha and Grigory, have illegally entered Tranquil Repose, also looking for the man the Doctor is visiting — Arthur Stengos, Natasha's father. Upon finding his assigned suspended animation capsule, they discover it is empty. Shocked, they continue looking and head downward. They find a dark room filled with pulsating brains and other experiments. The woman, Natasha, discovers that her father's head (the only surviving part of him) is being metamorphosed into a Dalek.

Kara, who owns a company which distributes food throughout the galaxy (though one of many), is a pawn of the Great Healer, who is in actuality Davros. He takes virtually all the money she makes. To dissolve this arrangement, she has hired the mercenary Orcini. She provides a transmitter to Orcini which has a five-button passcode. This must be entered when Orcini enters Davros's headquarters. Orcini accepts the contract solely for the honour of killing Davros. With Davros eliminated, she believes she will have the power and the capital necessary to control the galaxy.

The Doctor and Peri arrive and are greeted by Tasambeker. Intrigued by the DJ's recordings, Peri wants to meet him and the Doctor urges her to do so, despite having Jobel as a companion. The Doctor wants to see the person who erected a statue dedicated to his passing and the Doctor suspects trouble.

Orcini kills a Dalek and Davros is notified. He is certain Kara has sent assassins, so he deploys some Daleks to bring her to him. They arrive, kill her secretary, and take her back.

Peri departs, and the Daleks capture the Doctor. He is thrown into a cell with the Natasha and Grigory who are soon rescued by Orcini as scapegoats. Orcini penetrates Davros's lair but is soon caught. Kara is brought in and he betrays her motives to Davros. Shocked, Kara states that they are both dead. Orcini responds "You before me," and kills her for her betrayal — the "transmitter" was actually a bomb.

The Doctor, via communicator, warns Peri to get back to the TARDIS and hail the President's ship which is on en route carrying the body of the deceased First Lady. The DJ persuades Peri to use his equipment. Overhearing the transmission, Davros orders the DJ killed and Peri captured. The DJ produces a sonic gun weapon which blows up two Daleks as they enter his room, but is killed when a third Dalek enters. Peri is captured. The Doctor overhears the events via broadcast audio and rushes to save her but is caught by two Daleks en route. Both meet back in Davros' laboratory where he reveals that he has a new army of Daleks, hidden in catacombs somewhere underneath his laboratory.

The Renegade Daleks arrive, sent by Lilt and Takis, who now realize what has been going on. The Renegades wish to be taken to Davros. Takis leads the way, and shortly some of Davros's Imperial Daleks appear and the two factions engage in battle. The Renegade side wins and progress toward Davros.

Davros is shocked when Imperial Daleks enter the room and tries to persuade them that it is the Doctor who should be captured. However, the Imperials do not recognize the Doctor due to his regeneration. The Imperials take him back to Skaro to try to execute him for crimes committed against the Daleks.

Orcini wants to explode the bomb before Davros's ship leaves – he hesitates and allows all to leave only because of the Doctor. The Doctor wants to create a timer, but Orcini claims there is no time. They all rush out and Orcini blows the bomb after hugging the carcass of Bostock, who was exterminated by a Dalek a few minutes ago. The Doctor states that Orcini did die for something very honourable: the destruction of Davros's new generation of Daleks.

Peri wants a vacation, so the Doctor agrees: "All right, I'll take you to --"

Notes

1. Guest stars in this serial are William Gaunt – Orcini, Eleanor Bron – Kara and Alexei Sayle as the DJ.
2. This was the last serial shown before Doctor Who entered an 18 month hiatus, before returning in 1986.
3. The Doctor's final word is edited out, he would have said "Blackpool", as the planned story The Nightmare Fair was to be set there.

External links

• Cast and Crew list on the BBC website