DOCTOR WHO: REVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS
Droning on and on
UK BBC One, now on iplayer Showrunner Chris Chibnall
Cast Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh,
Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill
Should Who’s festive specials air on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day? Maybe Boxing Day is more appropriate – that’s the traditional time to serve up reheated leftovers.
Okay, needlessly catty, but “Revolution Of The Daleks” is ironically named, given how familiar its beats seem. Partly inevitable, given that it’s a sequel to 2019’s “Resolution”. But with its Daleks repurposed as government “defence drones” and internecine pepperpot conflict, there are strong echoes of “Victory Of The Daleks”. The premise doesn’t make much sense. It’s baffling that seemingly no one in government (beyond Harriet Walter’s PM) recognises the creatures which attacked GCHQ. And it’s a shame little’s made of the concept of the British public actively welcoming more authoritarian measures.
John Barrowman’s return as Captain Jack is the main draw, and while it’s great to have him back, nothing new is done with the character. Also: why would you not demonstrate Jack’s immortality for young ’uns who’ve never even seen him before? Maybe let a Dalek mutant strangle him? Bradley Walsh also feels ill-served, with more effort put into foregrounding Yaz than giving Graham a fitting send-off.
That all said, the idea of human-puppeteering Dalek mutants remains creepy, there’s some thrilling exterminatory action, and while no one was campaigning for Jack Robertson’s return, the businessman’s blithe amorality does amuse. So while decidedly bloated – thanks in part to the continuing habit of having characters sit down to talk feelings whenever the pace threatens to get adrenalising – “Revolution” is accessible, inoffensively entertaining fare.
The “mock riot” was shot in Bristol, on a road abandoned 400 metres into its construction in 1974. Casualty often uses it.