Doctor Who (TV Series) The Escape (1964) User Reviews

Another pretty faultless episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 10 September 2015]

Susan has made it back to the TARDIS and runs into the Thaals. She discovered that far from being mutated and monsters they are actually trying to help. The Daleks hatch a plan to draw the Thaals to the City. The TARDIS crew hatch a plan to escape from their own Dalek prison.

I've watched this episode with an ultra critical eye trying hard to find faults, I really can't find many. Maybe the fact they have a Geiger counter and a stationary cupboard. The Daleks look so good, I think I think I still prefer the original battered ones to the zipped up new ones.

It's another very well made episode with some excellent elements, even then they made the inside of a Dalek a mystery, without giving too much away. Part 3 is very very good.

The Escape

[guswhovian · 9/10 · 4 May 2020]

Susan meets a Thal named Alydon. The Thals are the other inhabitants of Skaro, and desperately need food. Alydon convinces Susan to talk with the Daleks on the Thals behalf. The Daleks agree to help them, but the Doctor and Ian suspect the Daleks have different motives and plot an escape attempt.

"The Escape" introduces the Thals. They are annoying, and are badly written by Terry Nation. Virginia Wetherell gives a terrible performance as Dyoni. However, the escape attempt by the Doctor and co. is very entertaining and well done.

The Daleks Episode 3: Brilliant Sci-Fi Classic

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 29 June 2014]

Review of all 7 episodes -

This story is what really established Doctor Who in the public consciousness with the introduction of the fantastic and iconic metal cased monsters, the Daleks. Thank goodness they did this as it lead to 50 years and counting of TV magic!

The whole story is excellent and innovative. The acting and direction are good and the story and concepts throughout capture the imagination.

Whilst certain aspects of all the old Doctor Who episodes are dated these small issues are at an absolute minimum here. The only things such as Daleks using paper printouts and pen written letters are totally forgivable in what is still an impressive and impactful production. Things such as low ceilinged corridors, perfect for Daleks rather than designed for humans show thought and add believability that the impressive Dalek City was really built by Daleks for Daleks.

Overall the whole story is brilliant. Admittedly the Thals are not nearly as interesting as the Daleks and there are occasional flaws like the explanation of Thal/Dalek history in episode 4. Episode 6 is slightly less impressive than the rest but not so much as to drop below a very high standard. The more filler like episodes towards the end are in fact very exciting and still include a lot more character development than almost any modern day TV show.

A must see TV classic!

My Ratings: Episodes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 - 10/10, Episode 4 - 9.5/10, Episode 6 - 9/10

Overall: 9.79/10