"Doctor Who" Daleks in Manhattan (2007)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

James Strong

Writers:

Helen Raynor (written by)
Terry Nation (characters: "Daleks")

TV Series:

"Doctor Who" (2005)

Original Air Date:

21 April 2007 (Season 3, Episode 4)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The Doctor and Martha confront a host of surviving Daleks from the Canary Wharf battle. What are those creatures in the sewers? Who is Solomon? And why are the Cult Of Skaro attempting to create a Dalek/Human hybrid...?

Plot Keywords:

Dalek | Manhattan New York City | Empire State Building New York City | Alien | Time Lord

Cast

David Tennant	...	The Doctor
Freema Agyeman	...	Martha Jones
Miranda Raison	...	Tallulah
Ryan Carnes	...	Laszlo
Hugh Quarshie	...	Solomon
Andrew Garfield	...	Frank
Eric Loren	...	Mr. Diagoras
Flik Swan	...	Myrna
Alexis Caley	...	Lois
Earl Perkins	...	Man #1
Peter Brooke	...	Man #2
Ian Porter	...	Foreman
Joe Montana	...	Worker #1
Stewart Alexander	...	Worker #2
Mel Taylor	...	Dock Worker

Runtime:

45 min | UK:47 min | 45 min (50 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:PG (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The fake newspaper seen on various occasions in this episode has "city" written as "citiy" in the strap under the headline.

Quotes:

Dalek Caan: The conductor must be complete for our plan to succeed.
Mr. Diagoras: Unemployment is such an incentive. It'll get done, don't worry.
Dalek Caan: Daleks have no concept of worry.
Mr. Diagoras: Well. Lucky you.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Doctor Who Confidential: Meet Martha Jones (#3.1)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Happy Days Are Here Again

A strong first part to a new Earth-bound Dalek story

I've always preferred the two-part stories of the noughties "Doctor Who" series. There's more time to breath life into the script, more character development and a less hurried feel to the proceedings. Dare I say it? There is more of a mature "classic" feel to these episodes. "Daleks in Manhattan" is strong on a number of fronts. It avoids the silliness that occasionally creeps into the new stories from time to time, it has a genuinely dark and sinister edge to the tale, a convincing '30s atmosphere and some great performances. On top of this, Helen Raynor's script is excellent.

The Daleks are always a superb villain and they fit the '30s New York setting unexpectedly well. The moment a Dalek glides from an Art Deco lift in The Empire State Building, flanked by pig-men slaves, is unforgettable.

While the episode is mainly a scene setter for the second part, this is a fine viewing experience. New life is being breathed into Dalek mythology and the Cult of Skaro is proving to be an inspired creation. I'm pleased that the Daleks now seem to be a permanent feature of each season. There is clearly a lot of new ground to cover with these metallic dictators and they're not outstaying their welcome.

The cliffhanger is excellent but lacks surprise thanks to the week's "Radio Times" cover!

I genuinely can't wait to see the resolution to this tale.

9 out of 10.