Writer: Terry Nation
Original Broadcast Date: 21 November 1964 - 26 December 1964
It hadn't even been a year since the Daleks first appeared on telly screens back in 1963, but their return came no later than in the second story of the second season of Doctor Who, the infamous The Dalek Invasion of Earth.
After the TARDIS is trapped under rubble, Ian, Barbara, the Doctor and Susan discover they've landed in London, but the year: 2164 and the earth has been invaded by everyone's favourite pepper-pot mutations. The first two episodes are absolutely fantastic and incredibly atmospheric, with the build up to the Daleks' appearance in the first episode brilliant and wonderfully chilling. From there it goes down hill, with sloppy action sequences, poor Robomen actors and dull pacing, which hits its worse at episode five. Despite these issues there are some truly brilliant scenes, including Barbara hitting some Daleks with a bus (another reason why Barbara is one of the best companions ever) and the farewell of the Doctor's granddaughter Susan in the final episode.
In these farewell scenes Hartnell is wonderful, performing a speech that remains iconic and spine-tingling to this day, plucking at your heartstrings (I must admit I did tear up). Other than those occasional great moments and the first couple of episodes this story is drawn out too long and in consequence of that is a little dull.
7/10
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