Doctor Who review: The Time War begins again in Restoration of the Daleks

The Time War is renewed with a vengeance as the Time Lords, the Daleks and Davros collide in the final episode of Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor: Time War 4.

After taking a bit of a break from the conflict with Dreadshade, the Time War begins again in Restoration of the Daleks, the final episode of this month’s Doctor Who box set for the Eighth Doctor. Following his resurrection in Palindrome, Davros – in the villainous form that we all love to hate – has helped to restore the Daleks to full force. But do they need him anymore?

There’s a lot that goes on in this episode. Which is to be expected – in some ways, it’s what this entire box set has been building towards. Particularly the return of the Daleks’ creator to our universe. While Palindrome focused on him being gradually brought back in another universe, this is Davros’s first chronological appearance in the Doctor’s universe since Terror Firma. Naturally, the character takes a major role in this one.

Once again, as with Palindrome, Terry Molloy is absolutely fantastic as the Doctor’s old enemy. In the opening story, we got to explore a more humane and kinder version of the character that gradually became more monstrous over time. Here, in the closing episode, he’s very much back to his old villainous self.

Unsurprisingly, Molloy has a lot of fun with the part, never shying away from the bigger aspects of the villain’s personality. At the same time, he doesn’t shy away from the subtler aspects either. Especially during his scenes with McGann’s Doctor, which he sadly gets very few of in this story. But that’s because the Doctor is rather distracted by another Dalek threat…

The Eighth Doctor is up against several enemies in this episode – including Davros and the Dalek Time Strategist!

Image Courtesy Aaron Rappaport/BBC

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Dalek conflict

Dalek fans are sure to love this episode, particularly since Davros isn’t the only major antagonist. The Dalek Time Strategist also returns, and he gets to share many scenes with the Doctor in this one. There are several continuity nods to both the past and the future during these moments, which are fascinating to hear.

But what’s really exciting is getting to hear what these two enemies really think of each other. One’s a huge part of the war, the other’s a conscientious objector. There are some great moments during these scenes that explore these two very different characters, and Paul McGann and Nicholas Briggs are both fantastic to listen to.

The end of the story feels extremely fitting, especially when another major player of the Time War arrives. It’s predictable, but satisfying, and feels like a natural conclusion to Davros’s role in this box set. Overall, Restoration of the Daleks wraps up Time War 4 in an extremely satisfying way and feels like one of the biggest episodes of the series yet. Especially when you reach its final moments…

Are you glad that Davros has finally shown up in the Time War? Do you think he should feature in more stories, or – like Derek Jacobi’s Master – even get his own Time War series? Let us know in the comments below.