Revelation of the Daleks is fascinating

A review of the second Dalek TV story to air in the 1980s. This second act of the '80s Dalek trilogy is unorthodox, but thoroughly entertaining nonetheless.
All footage and music is the property of the BBC

[@samueljordan3177]

I think that this is Davros' best story in all of his TV appearances, with the possible exception of Genesis of the Daleks, as he is well fleshed out in this story and is like a devil either watching from afar or whispering into the ears of the unsuspecting. Also got a fascinating Dalek variant in the glass Dalek which is horrifying in its own right. Plus I think the story is about as close to a true horror story as Doctor Who got back in the 80's. I agree with you in that all the characters are fascinating and interesting. My favourite character in this story, aside from Davros, is Orcini. I'd like to see Big finish give him a prequel or a audio series about the organisation he used to be as mentioned in the story.

[@redjirachi1]

Davros is best written when he's convinced that he's reasonable and his insanity has a clear logic to it

[@ardsandlived]

Still one of my all time favourite Who stories of either era.

[@10thdoctor15]

The story treats the Daleks with respect, but the crew didn't, they can't move smoothly and their voice actors weren't taking it seriously.

[@BH-98]

The voice modulation was intentionally made differently for the necros daleks. When the skaro daleks show up it was meant to go back to the normal one but they didn’t for some reason (probably laziness or lack of time)

[@Eddo15878]

That also happened in day of the daleks

[@schragemusik]

@@BH-98 why 'probably laziness'. Do you have some insight?

[@BH-98]

@@schragemusik what’s your point?

[@adamskifresh3098]

I always thought that the difference in the Necros Daleks voices was due to them being more "human" in origin

[@markwardel6751]

This story has a fabulously creepy atmosphere helped enormously by the sinister music score and beautifully atmospheric lighting. Terry Molloy's Davros is the highlight.

[@henryhale4129]

Probably the best music I’ve ever heard from classic who. Created such a sinister atmosphere- perfect for the sinister, horrifying elements of the plot. Used to terrify me as a kid this episode.

[@ayedunno3255]

I think I watched this so so long ago, and I was upset because I was binging all the stories FOR the Daleks, and the Daleks don’t do too much and are pushed aside by Davros, one of my biggest pet-peeves. Thanks for inspiring me to give this one another watch with a different lens!

[@whophd]

One thing it was trying to do was to recapture the end-of-season vibes of Caves of Androzani … an impossible ask, to be sure, and it got halfway there. It only pales in comparison. On its own, it definitely has a deep marinated flavour. It still has a "what were they thinking?" cliffhanger, and more clunky acting, things that Resurrection didn't have, and Remembrance was more-or-less perfection plus ambition. And got lucky with companion timing.

[@HiveFleetOni]

Yes yes yes! Revelation of the Daleks is a dark, horrifying story exploring some of the aspects of sci-fi that don't get a lot of exposure under normal circumstances - how vulnerable a galactic civilisation would be to something as simple as a food shortage. Splash in Doctor Who's typical humour and so.e great acting, and you have got a really unique story. Also, the soundtrack is just plain creepy.

[@rjjcms1]

In the later half of the 80s there was a band called Dalek I Love You,who John Peel played on his show. What could have been the first Dalek stories they saw?

[@jcrossan1351]

Revelation of the daleks was one of the very first classic episodes I watched as a young child back in the days where you could watch full doctor who episodes on KZbin this alongside attack if the cybermen were two of my favourite stories growing up

[@nathanielhoppe9444]

Revelation of the Daleks is the best Dalek story that I like where I do like the Necros or Imperial Daleks while the catacombs of Necros as well as Davros's laboratory and the incubator room is really awesome that I really like and the design for Tranquil Repose and Kara's food factory is good. Over all the characters in this story are great while the civil war between the Renegade and Imperial Daleks is good since it was the first time that I have gotten experienced and seen of it between two different Daleks on Necros even the discussion from both the Doctor and Davros is the best and I did enjoy it.

[@gumdeo]

Davros seemed to have defeated all of his opponents, from Jobel to Kara, and even the Doctor. But then Takis made a call to Skaro... I really like the Necros Daleks, so sleek and elegant. A shame that they only featured in one story.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Revelation of the Daleks is one of my favourite stories from the classic series. A truly dark, violent and sinister episode of Doctor Who.

[@aaronmcmahon7462]

Best story of Colin's era, in my opinion. I first saw this story in 1986, on its first broadcast in Australia, as a 4 part story (all of season 22 was transmitted in 25 minute format). Molloy was brilliant - very much aware hed be a hunted criminal, he set himself up as the spider in the web, creating the basis for the Imperial Daleks. I enjoyed Clive Swift's narcissistic sleazy Jobel - his snark on Colin was superb. And the body horror of the transparent Dalek stayed with me for years until I saw the repeat in 1994 here (and subsequent video releases since then).

[@rhysduross]

I really liek this story, I rewatched it and ressurection a few days ago and i find myself loving this one much much more. Like you said its far more dark and davros is the centre, I think it tells a much more interesting story with how it shows the galaxy and it has davros actioning his plan which who wouldnt want that! I also realised that i prefer destiny over ressurection (which i know is strange) but.. I feel there is just sooo much death in ressurection that it takes me away from the story. At the end basically everyone died and i feel that it could have been different but it does its job in really getting davros' plan moving (which I think destiny does lightly touch on in a few scenes). Rememberance is amazing tho, I love that one so much and perhaps to me it just feels a lot lighter compared to all the death in ressurection.

[@tashirichards5249]

100% gotta be in the top 5 classic dalek stories, only being beat imo by Power, Master-plan and Remembrance (nothing beats remembrance for me though except maybe Heaven Sent lol)

[@josephdavis1995]

This, too, is my favourite 6th doctor story. Good job!

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

It's one of the 6th Doctor's best stories. I really thought the introduction of the Imperial Daleks and their concept was very interesting and unique, there was also the horror aspect of how they were created. I think this is one of the stories that got criticised for its violent content. It also had interesting side characters and I think Graeme Harper's direction is very good. Great script from Eric Saward.

[@paulclow3398]

Imo, probably the best 6th doctor story on TV but some of the big finish audio story's featuring 6 were very good

[@peterjoyfilms]

I love Revelation so much

[@peterbruin5154]

I equate it to Alien 3. Non conventional, dark with great characters. Not everyone's cup of tea, but ends up being one of my favourites in both franchises as a result of doing something different.

[@JSP_1147]

this is the greatest doctor who tv story ever

[@mrwharf2108]

Terry Molloy steals the show.

[@IllusivePrime]

I agree it's a good story. But for me the voices of the Daleks just put me off it. At least in Resurrection they sound more Dalek-like.

[@thomasjohnson8391]

This is now on blu ray and got the necros dalek figure

[@MrSniperfox29]

The funny thing about this episode is the Doctor pretty much does nothing for 99% of it and probably the entire story could have played out without him with minimal difference

[@darkarpatron]

I think Davros is at his best when he's allowed to be what he was in Genesis of the Daleks, a _scientist_ who could socially manipulate. I've always enjoyed him more when he's in the background of events for a plot, rather than the ruling force, loud and proud of his status and less inclined to take the subtle approach. I find it fitting that a character in such a bad physical condition is often at his best when he's on his (non-functioning) backfoot or in the shadows, working on some grand plan of domination through a highly involved and scientific means.

[@rayvenkman2087]

I think this story did more to show the manipulative nature of Davros in greater focus and how he’s able to adapt to his situation. Plus it also showcases how sordid he is by making products out of the dead while neglecting the important details like a corporate businessman running a sweatshop.

[@matthewbolitho-jones]

I like Revelation of the Daleks

[@therealKINDLE]

This story does _not_ pull its punches! There's SO much death in this one. I straight up could not believe that they showed a girl getting stabbed in this! WTF?! How did they get this past censorship?! There's also someone getting stabbed in the heart with a syringe, Peri beats someone to death with a branch, a girl kills her own father.. it's INSANE compared to Nu Hu which is tame by comparison! This story has more deaths than most horrors!!

[@duncanshaw1256]

I have the book version of Revelation of the Daleks.

[@Delirious_Imperius]

Another amazing video, do you have any plans to delve more into the comic side of Dalek stories?

[@Lowehart]

So this might be a side question here. You mentioned that the Sixth Doctor's expanded media is some of the best. With that in mind, what are your top choices for expanded media Sixth stories, even if they don't all contain Daleks?

[@cyberleaderandy1]

The Novel of this is a Target format is very good. Shame it took so long to finally get issued.

[@HomeOfWhomatics]

I always found the music in this episode creepy

[@Suspect-Nineteen-Seventy-Five]

as the first 6th dr story i ever watched (i must of been around 9 or less) it meant that 6 was never a bad doctor in my eyes which may have helped compaired to if my first episode was the twin dilemma when i was older

[@frippp66]

'consumer resistance'

[@grahamturner1290]

All Whiiite. 🐙

[@niriop]

I thought it was a fantastic idea, poorly executed. It’s almost like they shot from the first draft of the script.