Here’s what we can tell you. Inevitably, that façade doesn’t last too long once the Doctor arrives on the scene, but it’s interesting, logical and well executed as to the reasons why they are in this particular part of time and space. Their current plan also gives Matt Smith – and let’s face it, he’s really looking comfortable in the role – the chance to channel just a bit more of Patrick Troughton. We’re liking that a lot. What’s also interesting is that aside from the main, very well contained story of the week (the bit we’re not telling you about!), there are clearly more and more threads being put in place to explore over the coming weeks. One of them actually becomes apparent right at the start of the episode, when the Doctor realises that Amy doesn’t actually know who the Daleks are, but there are further considerations too. You can’t help but feel there’s a wealth of backstory work that’s going on before your eyes here, even if it’s not quite clear how it’s going to pan out just yet. There’s a Jammie Dodger in the episode, too. It’s a not a Jelly Baby, but it’ll do. Victory Of The Daleks wasn’t, ultimately, quite what we thought we were going to get, and it suffers just a little when it needs to wrap a few things up. But here’s the thing: as a standalone Dalek episode, it’s really, really enjoyable, and deserves mention in the same breath as Rob Shearman’s Dalek. Victory isn’t quite that good, but Mark Gatiss can nonetheless add to his CV one of the most interesting and enjoyable Dalek stories of recent times, and one that’s not shy of a bit of blockbuster action either. Just to ice the cake, let’s not forget too what’s returning to Doctor Who next week either. It really is a great time to be a Who fan…
