Having bashed ‘Delta and the Bannermen’ to hell a few weeks ago, you’ll probably be expecting me, whilst reviewing this, the ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’ special edition DVD, to angrily remove both discs from their case and Frisbee them out of a nearby window. You can, however, relax. This 1988 adventure is the shining jewel in the crown of Doctor Who’s twenty-fifth season. Although it does have faults, ‘Remembrance’ is helped along by a first-class script, some ingenious set design and a stellar cast.

This story marks one of the few occasions during the period on which factors during the production generally gelled. Ben Aaronovitch’s script seems to nail not only the Doctor’s characterisation, but that of most of the other characters, too. There’s a depth to the narrative, an undertone of darkness and manipulation that is sadly misplaced during the course of Ben’s season twenty-six story, ‘Battlefield’. Much like many of the worst Doctor Who stories, ‘Remembrance’ is the product almost of a series of coincidences. The environment in which the series was produced during the late 1980s was rather confused and hap-handed. However, on occasion, the production team would create something marvellous.
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A favourite of many Whovians, this 10-episode epic is so engaging and inventive that it’s almost an affront to scrutinise its technical drawbacks. Watching it for the first time, this reviewer almost forgot about the fact that it marks the second Doctor’s departure from the TARDIS, not to mention that of his two most memorable companions, Jamie and Zoe. Sure it’s long, but its length gives you a chance to stand back and examine the bigger picture, the intricacies of the multiple plot threads that begin to come together tidily towards the climax.

The Script, considering it was completed in a hurry, is top-notch. I’m glad that Malcolm Hulke joined Terrance Dicks for the creation of this venture. Hulke’s stories are well known for incorporating his political views, so it’s no surprise that when given the opportunity to co-write a story about various periods in earth’s military history, he uses this as a siphon for his anti-war views. Unlike many of Hulke’s other ‘Who serials, the views he presents in ‘The War Games’ are more subtly woven into the plot, perhaps due to Dicks’ input. This allows the story to develop around these themes, rather than have them swamp the narrative. The central concept of this adventure is, while perhaps a little far-fetched, rather an interesting one. The systematic abduction of thousands of warmongering humans is an imaginative idea to say the least. It is gratifying that even at such short notice, Dicks and Hulke take the time to create a viable explanation for this bizarre scenario.

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On paper, this story promises much: a refreshingly domestic, historical setting, a fleeting cameo by a well-known star, and plenty of fast-paced action. Having not seen ‘Delta’ since I acquired a copy of the VHS a few years ago, I was optimistic about what lay ahead as I put the disc in the DVD player. The reality is, however, that this is an outrageously shoddy production.

The first thing that struck me whilst watching episode one was the utterly terrible incidental music. This is quite possibly the worst Doctor Who score I have ever heard. Keff McCulloch attempts to ground the story within the 1950s using Rock and Roll riffs and vintage vocals, but fails dismally. It’s so undeniably synthetic and flat that it succeeds only in evoking memories of other 1980s Doctor Who serials. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for electronic and synthesised music, but it really has to be done right; ‘Caves of Androzani’ springs to mind. Just think of how ‘Delta’ would have been improved by a competent and ably executed score.

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