Loosetooth's Tardis Chronicles: The Ordeal

An exploration of Doctor Who one episode at a time, Now it’s time for episode ten, The Ordeal, otherwise known as part six of The Daleks

Previously on Doctor Who:

The Doctor and his companions have arrived on a planet occupied by two races, machinelike city-dwellers known as Daleks and humanoid famers known as Thals. Long ago they were both at war, and while The Thals are now peaceful The Daleks hold a serious grudge.

The Doctor, his companions and the Thals have joined forces, with Ian, Barbara and a handful of Thals making their way through a treacherous swamp so they may enter the Dalek citadel from behind. Meanwhile The Doctor, Susan, Alydon and the others formulate their own plan of attack.

…and now, The Ordeal

The Daleks come to the conclusion it will take too long to construct another neutron bomb, so begin to look for another way to increase the planet’s radiation levels, which they have recently realised is essential for their continued existence. Wiping out the Thals in the process is also a bonus.

Having navigated the swamp with only a single casualty eaten by an off-screen swamp monster the expedition split up. Barbara and a Thal named Ganatus search a network of caves looking for a way into the Dalek city. After finding a number of dead ends they stumble upon a further series of tunnels.

The Daleks are beginning to get paranoid about the increased Thal activity outside the city. One such activity is The Doctor and Susan tampering with an electrical box, believing it to power the antenna which provides the Daleks with all their intel. However while The Doctor is busy congratulating himself for being so clever he and Susan are once again captured by the Daleks.

The Daleks tell their captives that the Thals will soon be exterminated after they bombard the atmosphere with radiation from their nuclear reactors.

(It’s been previously stated the inspiration for the Daleks came from the Nazis, and it’s never been clearer to this point. After divulging their plan to become the master race they all raise their plunger arms into the air in a Nazi style salute.)

Meanwhile Ian, Barbara and the Thals have been taking it in turns to jump a ravine. Gantatus’ brother is the last to jump, Ian, with a rope around his waist throws the other end. Antodus ties it around himself and jumps, but doesn’t quite make it falling off the edge. Ian desperately hangs on to the rockface, but he’s clearly losing his grip.

ROLL CREDITS

It’s quite evident in this episode that the show was being broadcast live, with a ‘just carry on’ attitude. There’s a moment when Ganatus pulls off part of his costume and quickly puts it back, while never breaking eye contact with Barbara, and then there’s another moment when the expedition are jumping the ravine where one of the Thals bangs his head on the scenery while trying to get his run-up.

Next Episode: The Rescue