Friday 5 September 2014

Today listened to last episode of I, Davros, Guilt. They show the origin of the word Dalek, from a Dal text where Dalek means Gods. Connection to Hitler invoking Aryan heritage? Peter Miles who originally played Nyder returns for the role as Davros's henchman and we see how he met Davros, saving him when Thals take him hostage and shooting Ral, the scientist who betrayed him. His ruthlessness and efficiency lead to Davros promoting him from Lieutenant to Security Commander. We see how Davros finally becomes too ruthless for the Supremo and Kaled society, as he demands unrestricted access to Kaled children. Over the series the Supremeo has turned from a powerful and ruthless leader to a weak old man while Davros becomes more dangerous, murdering the entire Council and taking control of the Kaleds. Based on Hitler's purge of the Government? With Davros's big ego and insanity Baran claims it's either personal or Oedipal. That explains a bit, like Davros hallucinating the Supremo as Calcula. Even though she is dead, Davros's mother still influences him greatly.

The sound also becomes similar to that in Genesis of the Daleks. And Davros's lab certainly evokes the one in Genesis, with sinister sounds from the mutated children. There is even a chilling scene where Davros decides to feed Ludella, who wants her son back, to the mutants, wondering if she will wake to see how pleased her son is to see her.

And in a nice irony a Thal becomes the first Dalek, with Davros capturing the spy Baran (who is amusingly played by Nicholas Briggs, who voices the Daleks) and transplanting him into the Mark I Travel Machine. Thus I, Davros ends just before Genesis of the Daleks, with the listeners knowing what will happen next.

I, Davros is an excellent series, with good cast, characters and plot. There are elements of I, Claudius certainly, but the ideas are put together in their own fantastic way. The special features CD was a good listen as well, talking about the actors, characters, and making off this series. Gary Russell's last work with Big Finish is a fine piece.

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