The Mutant Phase

Something’s wrong here, something’s very wrong. I get the distinct feeling that things are not as they should be.

The Fifth Doctor

Synopsis

In the 22nd century, the Daleks have occupied planet Earth. By the 43rd century, only a handful of humans survive. Still further into the distant future, a Thal scientist must choose whether to betray his heritage, or see the universe destroyed.

When the Doctor and Nyssa find themselves trapped in this deadly chain of events, they must decide who their real enemies are. What is certain is that no matter where the Doctor turns, the Daleks, will be waiting for him.

What could possibly be worse than that? The Mutant Phase…

Review

This is the third Dalek story I’ve reviewed this year, and we’re only mid-way through February! There are a couple more coming later this year too – 2026 seems to be the year of the Dalek. The Mutant Phase gives us a first meeting between the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and the Daleks, taking place well before Resurrection of the Daleks in Season 21, by which time Nyssa had long left the TARDIS. Big Finish have, of course, subsequently given us more Fifth Doctor and Dalek stories set before they encountered each other on television.

Let me persuade him. He’s not going to listen to you. You’ve got all the persuasive powers of a food dispenser.

Professor Ptolem

The Mutant Phase is a story that has a rather slow start, but really hits it’s stride in the final two parts to nail the landing. It has a really compelling opening, with a universe devoid of life and an enormous swarm of creatures who seem to be destroying all life in the universe. It is a story that is beholden to the First Doctor’s era – the first place that the Doctor and Nyssa land in their TARDIS is in Kansas in 2158, during the Dalek occupation of Earth. The Doctor’s rather humble about his role in the eventual defeat of the Daleks in The Dalek Invasion of Earth, and we have the Dalek Emperor, acting through the Thal Commander Gannatus, explaining the events of that story to Daleks to try and convince them of his identity later in the story. Nicholas Briggs has written a slow burn of the story, although the cliffhangers of both the first two parts are really solid, especially the surrender of the Doctor to the Daleks. When the story does hit it’s stride, it is a really fun ride, with time paradoxes, the Dalek Emperor and a mutation that doesn’t just threaten the Daleks but the whole of existence. There’s some lovely sound design here too, not least when a Dalek gets infected with the mutation. There’s a serious level of squelching that really captures what’s happening to that Dalek in a viceral fashion.

Professor Ptolem and Commander Gannatus are both interesting characters. Both are Thals, and as the Doctor states, they are one of the most peaceful races in the universe, but these two are working for the Daleks. Ptolem is the scientist tasked with trying to find the Doctor and a cure for the Mutant Phase, whilst Gannatus eventually has his mind taken over by the Dalek Emperor as he tries to ensure Dalek supremacy is restored. Christopher Blake and Jared Morgan make their relationship feel lived in. We learn late on in the story that they have both known each other for some time, but that Ptolem feels that the relationship has drifted, which really helps explain their dynamic throughout the story. Mark Gatiss is in this story, although if I hadn’t known it was him, I would have been none the wiser. There are also Sara Wakefield and Andrew Ryan playing Delores and Albert respectively, who are a bit nondescript, and the story does get rid of them quickly when they don’t serve any further purpose.

You better hope you never become surplus to requirements, Professor.

The Fifth Doctor

The Mutant Phase is a story that explores what terrifies the Dalek race. Having recently written about Asylum of the Daleks, another story which sees the Daleks seek the Doctor’s help, this feels similar but distinct. In Asylum, they are seeking to kill two birds with one stone, taking out the risk of insane Daleks and their predator, the Doctor, in the process. In The Mutant Phase, they are being tormented by a mutation that not only makes them impure, but also makes them into indistinct killing machines. The simplicity of how the mutation started – a damaged Dalek being stung by a genetically modified wasp – is a really good method of mutation, which reminded me of the downfall of the invading aliens in War of the Worlds. There’s a great variety of Dalek voices here, which includes the usual grunt Daleks, all the way up to the Emperor, who booms with imperial majesty.

This is a really strong outing for the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa. With this story set in between Time-Flight and Arc of Infinity, it expands and strengthens the dynamic between this Doctor and companion team, and gives us more insight in what life could have been like had Janet Fielding not rejoined the TARDIS in the opening story to Season 20. It’s a story that isn’t afraid to have these characters front and centre of the story. During the Fifth Doctor’s era on television, the Doctor would usually be shunted to one side and his companions off exploring elsewhere. Here, the Doctor and Nyssa are together for the majority of the story, and it works really well. It’s plain to see why Peter Davison likes Nyssa as a companion so much; she doesn’t know as much as the Doctor, but knows enough that he doesn’t have to explain too much to her. She is also much less argumentative than companions like Tegan and Adric. It also allows the Doctor to take control of the story, something else which Davison was not really allowed the opportunity to do on television, and he really shines when allowed to perform like this. Equally, Sarah Sutton is really good as Nyssa in this story.

Verdict: Despite a slow start, The Mutant Phase develops into an enjoyable and strong Dalek story. 8/10

Cast: Peter Davison (The Doctor), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Christopher Blake (Professor Ptolem), Jared Morgan (Commander Ganatus), Andrew Ryan (Albert), Sara Wakefield (Delores), Mark Gatiss (Professor Karl Hendryk/Roboman), Alistair Lock (Dalek voices/Technician), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek voices/Dalek Emperor) & Jason Haigh-Ellery (Lieutenant).

Writer: Nicholas Briggs

Director: Nicholas Briggs

Music and Sound: Nicholas Briggs

Producers: Gary Russell and Jason Haigh-Ellery

Parts: 4

Main Range Release Number: 15

Release Date: 18 December 2000

Behind the Scenes

• The last Main Range story to be released on cassette.
• This is a remake of an unlicensed Audio Visuals story, an early example of Big Finish publishing a non-original release.

Cast List

• Andrew Ryan also appeared in The Bad Penny and Planet of the Drashigs.
• Mark Gatiss has written books, audio stories and television stories for Doctor Who. He has also appeared in The Lazarus Experiment and in Big Finish stories such as Phantasmagoria, Storm Warning and the Unbound Master.
• Alistair Lock has appeared in several Big Finish audio plays, including Invaders from Mars, Spare Parts and The One Doctor.
• Jason Haigh-Ellery is the executive producer of Big Finish. He has also appeared in Red Dawn.

Best Quote

TARDIS? What is TARDIS? Answer!

TARDIS, well, it’s a sort of cake really, covered in hundreds and thousands and we’re feeling rather peckish, you see, that’s why I said get ready to run.

Dalek and the Fifth Doctor

Previous Fifth Doctor review: Winter for the Adept

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