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Doctor Who: Does The Time of the Daleks resolve the Dalek Empire arc satisfactorily?

By James Aggas

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The Eighth Doctor meets the Daleks for the first time in The Time of the Daleks. Is this a satisfying resolution for the Doctor Who arc Dalek Empire?

The first time I reviewed The Time of the Daleks back in 2016, I mainly looked at it as part of the Eighth Doctor’s second season on audio. But after reviewing The Genocide Machine, The Apocalypse Element and The Mutant Phase, I knew I needed to look at the final story of the Dalek Empire arc once more. Does The Time of the Daleks provide a satisfying resolution?

Well, kind of. There is a key scene – one that’s perhaps far too brief – that’s designed to tie the whole story together. Events from Genocide and Apocalypse are key plot points for Time. (As for Mutant Phase? Not so much.)

It is satisfying to hear how these four different stories connect to each other. And I do like that they still get to act very well as stand-alone stories in their own right. Indeed, The Time of the Daleks is, unsurprisingly, much more focused on the core arc of the season it’s a part of rather than the Dalek Empire arc.

The arc that began with The Genocide Machine is resolved with The Time of the Daleks. Is the Eighth Doctor story a satisfying conclusion?

(Image credit: Doctor Who/Big Finish Productions.

Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)

Deep connections and parallels

Still, I would’ve liked to have seen the links to each of these stories explored in more detail. But, as a key story from the Eighth Doctor’s second season as well as his first encounter with the Daleks, there was a lot to include in this serial. So it’s not surprising that this is more of a low-key conclusion to Dalek Empire rather than a grand finale.

But I have to admit, it’s hard not to be reminded of another story that had to resolve a major arc. One that was also somewhat rushed in its execution. Admittedly, The Time of the Daleks isn’t quite as unsatisfying as The Time of the Doctor. This is mainly because Daleks had far less to resolve than Doctor. But it’s interesting to note the parallels between the two.

As for the story itself, it is enjoyable, particularly when it features the idea of the Daleks quoting Shakespeare. The very obvious nods to The Evil of the Daleks, one of the greatest Dalek stories ever, are also greatly appreciated.

Even more complicated time travel

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But there is a lot crammed into this story. Especially when it comes to the time travel. I mentioned in my review for The Mutant Phase that its story was so complicated that “it makes Steven Moffat’s entire arc involving the Silence seem completely straightforward by comparison”.

And while that’s true, I must admit, it’s even more true when it comes to The Time of the Daleks. There are a lot of time paradoxes in this one, and it’s difficult to keep track of them all. Especially by the time that you reach the final episode, when you really start to find out just how many paradoxes there really are. This does make re-listens rewarding, admittedly. But it’s definitely difficult to keep track of everything the first time you hear it.

The Time of the Daleks is a story that crams in a lot. As part of the Dalek Empire arc, it’s something of a low-key conclusion. As part of the Eighth Doctor’s second season, it’s definitely a key part of it. And as a standalone story, it’s undoubtedly complicated. Worth a listen, but definitely expect to be confused on the first go.

Next. How long after his regeneration did the Ninth Doctor meet Rose?. dark

Have you listened to The Time of the Daleks? Do you like the idea of the Daleks quoting Shakespeare? Or is it a move too far for Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments below.

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