"Dalek Empire Chapter 1: Invasion of the Daleks" Published in CT Number 287
“Attention all humans! The Dalek conquest of the airwaves has begun! We have already gained control of the Vega System, as well as Big Finish! You will bow down before the Daleks, or be exterminated!”
The Daleks are back, but without the Doctor this time. This first part of their 4-part mini-series is very promising, with its eye-catching retro cover to boot. I liked the historical articles on the back cover, its links to The Genocide Machine and the Apocalypse Element (the Mutant Phase seems to be a stand-alone adventure then), and shows that the Daleks were not defeated in both stories, and they win in this story too.
Basically, the Daleks invade the Vega system and set the slaves to work mining Veganite. The story focuses on how people react to the Dalek invasion with different emotions, and how the Daleks anticipate this and use them for their own purposes.
The “flash-backs” and narration are a but confusing to start with, but are not of much concern with a second listening. The characters are all good too, considering how few there are. Suz provides a good heroine, and shows how fine the line is between good and evil. Suz aids the Daleks, but for the best of reasons. Although a prisoner, she stands up to them and is allowed food and rest for both her and her fellow captives, but the Vega mines will become more productive, thus aiding the Dalek war machine.
Albert Brook is Who’s equivalent of Han Solo- a gruff, almost mercenary figure who decides to do the right thing for the sake of a girl. His cocky banter with the Daleks highlights this further vis-à-vis Solo and Darth Vader. Even Brooks’ final escape from the Daleks is very similar to Han’s in The Empire Strikes Back!
However, as is expected, it is the Daleks who steal the show. The normal Daleks are ruthless and brutal, their working to death of prisoners and robomen is very well done. They conquer first and don’t bother to ask questions, except for two of them. The Emperor and the Supreme Dalek understand the Human Factor, and act almost human in their conversations with each other (re: “You have done well,” a Dalek compliment! Whatever next?) These two Daleks manipulate Suz into helping them, they use Brook and Pellan (a rebel news-reader) to wipe-out resistance, they predict human responses. These Daleks not only understand the Human Factor, they know it better than most humans do! Combined with Dalek might, it seems impossible that they must lose eventually. Or will they? After all they won in the Apocalypse Element, might they not win again? I can’t wait to find out and I’m sure none of you can either. Big Finish are onto a winner here, and the rise of the Daleks is almost complete. I rate it at 91%, and rising! Lone live the Daleks!
By Peter Witney