Doctor Who: A Dalek flies for the first time - Remembrance of the Daleks

[@fragglet]

I've always loved how the transmat effect gives you a peek at the Dalek's insides. The production team didn't have to do that but they went above and beyond to give that extra bit of world building

[@tardistime6857]

I know it’s really cool

[@RopeDrink]

The funny thing is, that sort of thing would be pretty cheap to do in the modern age of effects, but back then, it's one of the things that probably ate most of the shows extremely limited budget. Granted, most of the old Who effects are very dated now, but Remembrance still looks pretty good overall. Having them fly, showing their insides (in various different ways), the shuttle landing, the mothership, the Dalek vision, the new extermination effect (etc) - all very cool.

[@Scripture-Man]

It's weird how the Dalek's internal vision has a Doctor Who logo in the corner!

[@HiveFleetOni]

Classic Who really went all in on the world building at times, and it really adds something special

[@p.a.5148]

Can I just say: Keff McCulloch's incidental music could be jarring sometimes, but it was the perfect fit for Remembrance. And he absolutely nailed this cliffhanger.

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

Yeah. He didn't always nail it, but I think he did a lot of good work

[@RopeDrink]

Indeed. The "doo-di-doo-di-doo-di" stab is a bit cheesy, but the droning synth and slowly rising drumbeat really suits the danger of the Daleks, and they even timed it so Ace gets a knee in the crotch at the same time as an orch-stab. Music is always subjective - and in this case, polarizing - but I have no shame admitting that Happiness Patrol, Curse of Fenric, Remembrance, and various other stories of this era have some of my favourite Doctor Who tunes.

[@halopro8958]

2:15 That is the look of total fear, and rightfully so. I'd imagine the audience at the time looked something like that too.

[@Cyberbeagle1000]

Still remember it! I was 9 years old at the time of aired.

[@timaustin2000]

I was at primary school when this aired. I Distinctly remember how excited I was the next day at school, talking to the teachers about the Dalek going up stairs. Amazing memories. Brilliant story.

[@matthwe3468]

It's a shame that most people forgot this cliffhanger in 2005, but I'm glad the classic series caught on to levitating Daleks before RTD did. 😋

[@DemetriusSorvo]

It's a shame that most people forget that the first time we actually see a Dalek fly is in Revelation of the Daleks with Colin Baker.

[@thedestiny326]

@@DemetriusSorvo that was davoros

[@RocketHarry865]

@@DemetriusSorvo Of course when Revelation of the Daleks was shown it was during the late 80's when the classic Doctor Who series had fallen into a terminal period of low viewership so only the most die hard doctor who fans would have been watching so most people would not have seen this. Mainstream audience would not witness this particular capability of the Daleks until the New Series 2005 episode Dalek

[@TheEdo789]

​@@DemetriusSorvo Actually I think the first time we see a Dalek fly was in Planet of the Daleks with Jon Pertwee. Although in that one I think the Daleks used a separate device to fly rather than a built in hovering mechanic.

[@minicle426]

In the Chase you have a Dalek rising out of the sand.

[@JohnGabrielUk]

The Doctor: telefragging before it was cool.

[@englishgiraffe2124]

I have no idea why, but I've always viewed McCoy as the first Modern Doctor (instead of Eccelston). The Cinematography, the explosive storylines, the companion having development as she goes on, the orchestrated music, it all fits within NewWho's standards. Not saying that as a bad thing, as I love Seasons 25 and 26 and most of NewWho.

[@TheSkully343]

Seasons 25 and 26 I feel are the best gateway seasons into Doctor Who for people who want to get into the Classic Series. Modernish and with enough familiar elements that most people know about so that the kiddies won't feel so alienated by the Classic Series but at the same time with solid scripts and good writing that came with McCoy's era. That and they're introduced to Ace... Nothing more to be said. Is it flawed in places? Yeah, but I think there's so much fun to be had in these seasons that their flaws can be overlooked.

[@CharlesFiddler]

English Giraffe I think it's because this doctor never said "my dear" like all the others with that antiquated way of speaking.😂

[@RopeDrink]

It's no secret that McCoy's era is undoubtedly the largest inspiration for what later became 'NuWho'. I still regard Remembrance of the Dalek's as the best bridge between Nu & Classic, purely because McCoy is not the 'last classic', but the first 'modern' Doctor, at least in terms of S25 onward (S24 is still the experimental 'buffoon' phase). The stories became multilayered, the themes started darkening, the Doctor becomes the darkest incarnation we've had to date, the companion was her own character (not a sound-board) complete with her own progressing story-arc (and happened to be a lovable bad-ass), and despite the stigma of being 'children's TV', adults could appreciate many things about the way Doctor Who was going at this point. Just a shame about the behind-the-scenes politics to kill it off.

[@GiratinaofFury]

There was a lot more experimentation being done around this time, with greater mysteries and intrigue being set up. Sadly, the show was seeing declining numbers, largely due to cut budgets, competition from shows like Coronation Street being aired at the same time, and a large number of network executives seemingly having it in for the show.

[@Cloud-xw8nk]

The cinematography? The final years of the show in the 80s were about as cheap and cheerful as it gets.

[@robadams8057]

Quite a cliffhanger.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Rob Adams And one of the best ones at that.

[@Kazavop]

Or a stairhanger ...

[@robadams8057]

:-)

[@robadams8057]

I wish I knew how to knock someone unconcious with a knee to the gut.

[@Kazavop]

Why did I comment that... 😆

[@jamieolberding7731]

2:11 Imperial Dalek: "You are the Doctor! You are the enemy of the Daleks! You will be exterminated! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!" (best line ever in this episode!)

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Jamie Olberding R.I.P Roy Skelton.

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

I do hope you mean the episode, not the story. Nothing beats unlimited rice pudding

[@thedestiny326]

@@michaelpuglisi6767 yes

[@Jon19p]

"Dangerous things, transmatters.." [pats machine]

[@oswaldthedalek8532]

something very creepy about the backshot of the dalek hovering towards the doctor

[@sheenufilms]

I think seeing the Dalek Mutant inside the Dalek when it's about to be transmitted is the most creepiest thing ever.

[@Althalus2010]

Yup, that's a lovely touch and some VERY impressive compositing for 1989.

[@JoesAnimationHub]

@@Althalus2010 1988 actually... Remembrance was the season opener for the 25th Anniversary year... ironically in many fans opinions it should've been the 25th special itself and not "Silver Nemesis" with the Cybermen (which had very little beyond the Cybermen being in a chrome silver finish).

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Another great Dalek role from the late Roy Skelton.

[@Tlaloc1]

Possibly the best cliffhanger in the series.

[@Semisonic56]

The dread on the Doctors face as the Dalek hovers towards him.

[@futskipper9960]

They fly now! They fly now? *THEY FLY NOW*

[@dr.feelgoodmalusphillips2475]

Please no references to a shit movie.

[@MichaelFreckelton]

Even though I knew what was coming, this scene still scared me when I was a kid. Love this story

[@robadams8057]

Michael Freckelton That's why they had a Doctor Who exhibit called "Behind the Sofa." :-)

[@RopeDrink]

Yup - even after all this time, I still consider this to be one of the best ever cliffhangers of the franchise. Side note, whenever I think of the word "Dalek", I think of this exact Dalek voice (Roy Skelton).

[@TGM_Productions]

The Dalek waits for the 7th Doctor to realise, that it exists. Even when, it could had stopped the doctor from destroying the transmit machine.

[@braddsfx8921]

I like to think the Dalek is deactivated until it’s needed, which is likely we’ll unlikely. So when the doctor breaks the transmitter it is activated and realises he’s fucked up the machine

[@pressureworks]

@@braddsfx8921 the dalek was obviously on a bathroom break and pondering over it's purpose in life, etc. Or just may have been goofing off.

[@myriadmediamusings]

I can only imagine how first time viewers must’ve felt seeing the lone Dalek finally conquer and overcome the long running 25-year joke and weakness and it leading to the cliffhanger with rising music.

[@benmiller3252]

It's a bit of a Shame that both Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy's Era only lasted a short time

[@plonkersbro]

Should have tried firing some of the writers first rather firing Colin and ending the show like they did

[@JustAnotherBuckyLover]

God, I absolutely DESPISED Colin Baker's doctor as a kid. And I know it's not Colin's fault, and that he seems to be an absolutely charming man... but I am NOT sad that his era was so short. Sylvester's, on the other hand, I really enjoyed. But I watched all the way from Tom Baker, and Five is without a doubt who I regard as "my" doctor, followed by Seven (for Old Who).

[@royhay5741]

The first time a Dalek flew was actually in Revelation of the Daleks, and so did Davros as well

[@MrSniperfox29]

I remember Davros "flying" (well really floating) but I don't recall a Dalek doing it.

[@royhay5741]

@@MrSniperfox29 it's very unclear in the episode, however, in the catacombs when a Dalek confronts the two bodysnatchers and blows up, that Dalek is actually levitating and red light can be seen illuminating the Dalek's lower half.

[@thedestiny326]

@@royhay5741 the glass dalek

[@swag-a-dellaman6555]

i miss roy skelton. he, before nicholas briggs, was the best dalek voice actor in the world.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Swag-A- Dellaman He’s certainly my top 3 Dalek VA along with Peter Hawkins & Michael Wisher.

[@RopeDrink]

I can't read the word "Dalek" without Roy Skelton's voice going through my head. He's the definitive Dalek voice to me.

[@shockwaves8150]

The best OF the best from the McCoy era.

[@warwickbull5559]

A lot of people often forget that this is the first time a Dalek hovers up the stairs on screen and not the episode Dalek in 2005.

[@DemetriusSorvo]

Up the stairs, yes. Fly/Hover, no. A lot of people forget that the actual first time a Dalek flies is not this episode, but the Dalek story before it, Revelation of the Daleks with Colin Baker.

[@warwickbull5559]

@@DemetriusSorvo Oh yes I think Davros's Chair hovers in Revelation of the Daleks aswell.

[@DemetriusSorvo]

@@warwickbull5559 Davros isn't a Dalek. An actual Dalek flies in Revelation when it exterminates the body snatchers in the catacombs.

[@warwickbull5559]

@@DemetriusSorvo What I meant was that Davros did hover in revelation of the daleks, as well as that Dalek that you mentioned in the same story.

[@DemetriusSorvo]

@@warwickbull5559 Sorry, rereading your comment now, that's clear to me. 🤪

[@thomasstevens2746]

By far my favorite story of all time

[@aaronstallings4996]

great choice of music for this cliffhanger. both terrifying and epic

[@di4241]

So that's where my wooden door knobs went..

[@theremoteanater]

The best dalek voice

[@finb]

Procrastinate! Procrastinate! Procrastinate!

[@prof.evilpictures8696]

Travis Elliot what I am doing now!

[@GigaPlaya]

@@prof.evilpictures8696 Maybe you aren't doing anything. There's no point in putting off procrastinating!

[@calicodavis1511]

I feel personally attacked. 😂

[@animationfanatic2133]

HEY! Oh wait

[@robotx9285]

Oh shit, Davros will have my arse if the Doctor escapes. EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMIN-(Gets blown to hell by Ace)

[@GiratinaofFury]

Did they honestly not think that the Daleks would now be able to climb stairs seeing as how the transmat is downstairs?

[@pandaphil]

One of the few McCoy stories that I really liked.

[@Clavinovaman]

Yep, the rest were shite.

[@SpectrumStorms]

@@Clavinovaman McCoy's stories were great. This, Happiness Patrol, The Greatest Show In The Galaxy, Battlefield, Ghost Light, The Curse of Fenric, and Survival are all classics. If you want to talk about a doctor that had shite stories, Davison's your guy.

[@Clavinovaman]

@@SpectrumStorms Happiness Patrol? I'm assuming you are joking. Political inspired garbage. Davison had Visitation, Earthshock, Androzani. I think you are mixing 'classic' with 'classic era', although I accept Survival and Fenric are reasonable.

[@SpectrumStorms]

@@Clavinovaman 1. I'm not joking. The Happiness Patrol is actually good. If it wasn't for Silver Nemesis, I'd consider McCoy's second season perfect. 2. While it is true that Davison had Visitation, Earthshock, Androzani, and The Five Doctors, let's be honest, those are the only standouts of his era. His era had some of the most underwhelming stories in all of Classic Who. Are we forgetting such classics like Four To Doomsday, Time-Flight, Arc of Infinity, Terminus, The King's Demons, and Warriors of the Deep?

[@Clavinovaman]

I'd just like to highlight to you my original comment. It was about the McCoy era, but I wasn't suggesting that it was better or worse than Colin's or Peter's. The Happiness Patrol tries to be clever with its anti-Thatcher sentiment, but must stand as the most embarrassing moment in Dr. Who's 'classic' history. Let's face it, political views aside, Thatcher was far more successful as Prime Minister than Graeme Curry has been a writer. TV producers, script editors or writers who watched Happiness Patrol, which was shameful garbage, were hardly likely to be rushing to commission Curry for anything as a consequence. That was, and indeed, _continues to be,_ the case today. However, it is quirky. Its only redeeming feature. And there are those of all ages, sexes, backgrounds - whatever - who are drawn to quirkiness.

[@alexaraines3917]

Still believe this to be the 2nd best cliffhanger of Doctor Who ... ... ... it was a shock back then, okay?!

[@brigadier-tc8565]

Wait, what's the first? (It's Earthshock Episode One, isn't it?)

[@loneassassin1015]

brigadier-tc The Caves of Androzani Episode Three where the Fifth Doctor is preparing to crash Stotz’ ship back onto Androzani Minor so he can save Peri

[@tardisglitch547]

An honourable mention must go to part four of the invasion of time, just about the only redeeming feature about the story, as well as a sontaran crashing into some lawn chairs...

[@josephryan362]

I love remembrance of the daleks I have it on dvd and have now watched it alot because it is my favourite seventh doctor story

[@donnaali4829]

2:18 when everyone else has done ur homework expect you :

[@doctormcflyer8975]

This scared the hell out of me.

[@ZLScratch]

Everybody gangsta until the Dalek flies.

[@DalekPrimeProductions]

ACE OPEN THE DOOR!!!!!

[@tardisglitch547]

2:07 AYCE! OHPHEN THE DHOOR! AAHHEE! OHPHEN

[@firstlast5499]

One of the best cliffhangers of the classic era.

[@Medeirostai]

Wait, and in Planet of the Daleks?!

[@The_doctor_who_channel]

This is the day history was made

[@davidmcdonnell2598]

This is done so much better here than in the new series because they didn't use CGI.

[@ariaflame-au]

What CGI was available at the time?

[@TheMoonRover]

@@ariaflame-au They started using CGI on Doctor Who in 1987, though it was pretty basic at the time. The 7th Doctor title sequence was a pretty good example. There is some CGI used in this scene (from 1988) but actually flying the Dalek up the stairs was accomplished by several crew members lifting metal poles.

[@CarterGonzalez]

Ace: The Operator? Doctor: Yes, the Daleks usually leave an operator on Station in case of any malfunctions. Ace: and that would be another Dalek? Morgan Freeman: It was at this moment he knew, he’d fucked up. Doctor: *Looks at Ace with Horror.* Yes.

[@Scripture-Man]

With all due respect to Murray Gold, who's an amazing musician, the modern music just is nowhere near as terrifying as it was back then! This is such an exciting cliffhanger!

[@DemetriusSorvo]

The first time a Dalek flies is in Revelation of the Daleks. It's a common misconception that it's this scene.

[@Foebane72]

That was Davros, not a Dalek.

[@robotx9285]

@@Foebane72 During the moment when those grave robbers were killed, that Dalek was flying. The issue was the special effect looked like crap and it was poorly communicated what was happening. So Remenberace and Dalek are commonly considered the first times Daleks flew.

[@DemetriusSorvo]

@@Foebane72As Robot X said. You should watch the DVD with the new CGI FX on. It makes this moment much clearer.

[@KarlDowney]

Ace getting knocked out by a knee to the groin 🤣

[@Wing-Zero-si1eu]

This scene still gives me goosebumps.

[@Dalek-Galvo]

The Daleks have conquered their greatest enemy…STAIRS!

[@salvatoreamico5391]

Bring back the cliffhangers. Much better than single episodes. The credits and music were better too!

[@queenpig]

When I was a kid I hated daleks in fact in was terrified of them. So when I saw this guy scale the stairs I freaked out haha. My mother's response. Linda don't be so bloody stupid

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

It doesn't fly, it rises by anti-gravity. And it was first done in episode 3 of Planet of the Daleks where a Dalek rose up a shaft after Pertwee and some Thals on an anti-gravitational disk. And Davros did the same hover/levitation in his Dalek casing wheel chair when he zapped Orcini in Revelation of the Daleks. So this is technically the third such hover/levitation in a Dalek story.

[@pressureworks]

They may be referring to this particular Dalek flying for the first time.

[@scottpeacock5492]

Doctor ; Ace Ace open the Door, Ace Open. Dalek You Are the Doctor, You Are the enemy of the Daleks, You will be Exterminated Exterminate Exterminate Exterminate Exterminate Exterminate Exterminate.

[@TheUlitimateFoe]

I know it's not a Dalek but we did see Davros fly (or at least float ) before this

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

Tom May in Revelation of the Daleks, I think?

[@Trev359]

Yes, and a Dalek did in that story too.

[@Kryojenix]

Didn't a Dalek have a hoverboard in Planet of the Daleks? (I only read about it, han't seen it yet)

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

Kryojenix it was more of a magnetic elevator thingy, it wasn't the actual Dalek flying on it's own

[@theponydalek7923]

I believe it was also presumed a dalek flew up some stairs to chase people down in the dalek invasion of earth

[@JustAnotherBuckyLover]

God, I loved this storyline so much. I am still always weirded out that the headmaster (the one that locked the Doctor in and knocked out Ace) was the same guy who played Mr Bronson in Grange Hill. A crossover I never expected to see as a preteen. LOL

[@Ishtarru]

It took them all the way to Doctor #7 to give the Daleks this ability?

[@gumdeo]

Davros could hover by the time of Doctor #6.

[@CountScarlioni]

They were always meant to have the ability to hover but it was never on screen for budget reasons. However they have been seen to have vertical abilities before this. In 1960s stories one is season rising up from a river, another seen climbing vertically up out of a sand dune. In the 1970s a Dalek is seen to float (using an antigrav disc) directly up a heat vent to pursue people. They were meant to be seen in flight in the 1985 6th Doctor story "Revelation of the Daleks". As is often the case with Doctor Who, money and time ran out. In the end one Dalek is seen to hover in that story, in a single, poorly executed FX shot near the end. As a result Remembrance of the Daleks is the first time they are seen in flight as a normal ability. The problem with the Dalek prop is that it was designed as a one off villain for 1963 and no thought was given to it being a recurring menace at the time. In their first story Daleks lived in a self contained city that met all their needs. Having the cumbersome bulk of the Daleks somehow conquer the rest of time and space has been an ongoing struggle for the show ever since!

[@Jack-hr9xw]

Stay where you are do not move

[@jaredwilson5505]

I’m scared of daleks

[@danshull1331]

They fly now!?

[@sortijadelmilenio9877]

El dalek imperial se violo al Doctor hasta el amanecer del otro día (el Doctor no volvio a ser el mismo)

[@LordVanOskuro]

The elevate scene was more intimidating

[@stevenhibbert5565]

Elevate

[@jellyii8886]

This isn't the first time they actually fly, they actually flew in 'Revelation of the Daleks' briefly, but it wasn't well developed.

[@brigadier-tc8565]

I know, for years I thought it was growing, it wasn't until I re-watched Revelation with the CGI effects that I realised what was happening

[@robotx9285]

@@brigadier-tc8565 Ya, that effect sucked Gun Grey Arse.

[@zoiberg316]

Second time. They did it in planet of the daleks

[@sillygoose635]

Nope.

[@1d10tcannotmakeusername]

@@sillygoose635 My arch-nemesis (on youtube that is,) we meet again.

[@sillygoose635]

@@1d10tcannotmakeusername i am only getting stronger.

[@1d10tcannotmakeusername]

​@@sillygoose635 But your power level is still at SCH-55 (Pronounced Schfifty Five) You still need to find the 7 infinity Daleks.

[@steampunkd1701]

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