Here are the Daleks in a collection of ripping yarns that draw upon the events and themes of Big Finish’s acclaimed series Dalek Empire.
Here are the Daleks in a collection of ripping yarns that draw upon the events and themes of Big Finish’s acclaimed series Dalek Empire.
SHORT TRIPS: DALEK EMPIRE
Some time ago, I suspended my reviews of Big Finish’s series of short story anthologies because the price had become prohibitive. Now, with the unfortunate announcement of the end of the range, and the corresponding reduction in prices, I have been able to complete my collection, and am returning to my reviewing odyssey. I begin with the 19th volume in the series, a collection of stories related to or based upon Nicholas Briggs’s Dalek Empire miniseries.
Kalendorf — Nicholas Briggs — One of a series of stories that broadens the backgrounds of the characters from Dalek Empire. There’s a brief reference back to “The Sirens of Time,” and we get some insight into the functioning of the Knights of Velyshaa, but for the most part this is here to set the tone of the anthology, and it accomplishes its goal.
Natalie’s Diary — Joseph Lidster — Another type of linking story that runs through the anthology in four parts, this shows a student studying the history of the initial Dalek invasion in anticipation of the next one. In a shocking reversal from Lidster’s usual offerings, this one comes to an optimistic ending, with the actions of the Doctor, Ace, and Hex inspiring hope in the face of insurmountable odds. Expertly presented, with some gripping writing.
Alby — Sharon Gosling — Repeating the hope theme, and getting in some fascinating scenes with a helpless Dalek alongside the enjoyably abrasive Alby Brook. Surprising that this is Gosling’s first published fiction — it’s free of many of the usual hallmarks, and easily captures the essence of one of Dalek Empire’s best characters. Solid stuff.
Private Investigations — Ian Farrington — This seems familiar for some reason: a story told in flashback through assembled news clips and articles, recounting the exploits of the seventh Doctor and companions trying to raise a planet to resist the Daleks. I like the way it’s presented, though: the Doctor as myth, someone for whom there is never enough evidence, who just happened to come along and save the day — essentially a personified vision of hope.
Suz — Sharon Gosling — Poignant, and easily summarizing the horrific choices faced by the main character of the first series, but ultimately this felt like a rehashing of what I’d already heard. The execution scene is powerful, but the rest feels strangely flat.
The Best Joke I Ever Told — Simon Guerrier — I think the use of humor in the face of tragedy is one of the more fascinating debates one can have. Between that, the struggling comedy writer, and his final, climactic push for heroism, there’s a lot to inspire in this story, even if it includes the utterly bizarre notion of Daleks voluntarily participating in a comedy series. The Doctor, like in many of the stories here, seems oddly out of place.
Hide and Seek — Ian Farrington — It never fails: put Pertwee in space, and invariably he’ll be resolving some archetypal conflict of morality. This one’s fairly poignant, for what it is — someone betrays her people out of a desperation to save them — but it’s still preachy, and full of “What is it, Doctor?” questions out of Jo. Pertwee isn’t tough to capture, but I’ve noticed the Short Trips anthologies consistently struggle with making him interesting.
The Eighth Wonder of the World — Simon Guerrier — Wow. Fun, sweeping adventure, with only the most tenuous connection to Dalek Empire, but that doesn’t really matter. The epigraphs neatly tie the story to historical record, while Guerrier has the audacity to have a lone Dalek shoot down the Colossos of Rhodes while pursuing the Doctor through its insides! Mix in a fine turn from Evelyn — who works very well on the page here — and you’ve got a wonderful little story. Great stuff.
Mutually Assured Survival — Justin Richards — It’s decent enough, but I didn’t really enjoy Dalek Empire III at the time, and this story isn’t evn strongly connected to [i]that[/i]. It’s typical Richards: solid prose, decent characterization, and there’s a plot twist, but I don’t feel like it earns sympathy for its characters.
Museum Piece — James Swallow — Astonishing. As clear a reference to the new series as you’re going to get; Swallow expertly pairs an elderly Kalendorf with a clearly haunted McGann, and lets them talk. The Dalek is note-perfect, and its choice of victim is heartbreaking. If this wasn’t the story selected for the “greatest hits” anthology, there’s something wrong.
Return of the Daleks — Nicholas Briggs — The script of the audio drama by the same name. I didn’t read through the whole thing, as I’ve heard the story, but it is interesting to see the scripting style of the audios.
Overall, Short Trips: Dalek Empire is a very impressive collection. You need to hear the various Dalek Empire series to have a hope in hell of understanding this, but at least they’re pretty explicit about that on the back cover. The Doctor seems out of place in many of these stories, but then he felt out of place in “Return of the Daleks” as well. I suspect that’s because the Dalek Empire universe is about humanity finding its own inspiration to combat evil, and having the Doctor around to guide them seems somehow disingenuous. But it’s nice to have more Dalek prose stories, and the final entry by James Swallow is worth the price of admission all on its own.
Recommended.