Doctor Who: Season 0, Episode 131 - Doctor Who Extra: Into the Dalek (2014)

The episode begins with a brief introduction to the Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, as he reflects on his recent adventures. He is accompanied by his new companion, Clara Oswald, portrayed by Jenna Coleman. The scene sets a tone of curiosity and excitement as they prepare for their next journey.

The TARDIS lands on a spaceship called the Aristotle, which is in distress. The Doctor and Clara step out to investigate. They quickly discover that the ship is under attack by a Dalek, one of the Doctor's most formidable enemies. The crew of the Aristotle is in a state of panic, and the Doctor learns that the Dalek has gone rogue, exhibiting unusual behavior for its kind.

The Doctor is intrigued by the Dalek's malfunction and decides to delve deeper into the situation. He meets the ship's crew, including a soldier named Journey Blue, who is determined to fight the Dalek. The Doctor, however, is more interested in understanding why this particular Dalek is different. He learns that the Dalek has been damaged and is now questioning its own purpose and identity.

As the Doctor and Clara explore the ship, they encounter the Dalek, which is contained within a secure chamber. The Doctor attempts to communicate with it, but the Dalek is hostile and aggressive. The Doctor realizes that the Dalek's malfunction is linked to its exposure to human emotions, which it cannot comprehend. This revelation drives the Doctor to consider a risky plan: to shrink himself and Clara down to microscopic size and enter the Dalek's body to investigate its inner workings.

The Doctor and Clara undergo the shrinking process and are transported inside the Dalek. Once inside, they are confronted with the Dalek's inner mechanisms, which are both mechanical and organic. The environment is dark and pulsating, filled with the sounds of the Dalek's machinery. The Doctor is fascinated but also cautious, aware of the dangers they face.

Inside the Dalek, the Doctor and Clara witness the creature's memories and experiences, which reveal its hatred for all things non-Dalek. They also discover that the Dalek is capable of feeling fear and confusion, emotions that are foreign to its nature. The Doctor attempts to reach out to the Dalek, hoping to understand its pain and perhaps help it.

However, their presence is detected, and the Dalek's defenses activate. The Doctor and Clara must navigate through the Dalek's body while avoiding its security systems. They encounter various obstacles, including electrical surges and the Dalek's own weaponry. The tension escalates as they race against time to escape before the Dalek can fully regain control.

As they delve deeper, the Doctor realizes that the Dalek's core is damaged, and he formulates a plan to repair it. He believes that by fixing the Dalek, he can help it overcome its hatred. Clara, however, is skeptical and fears that the Doctor is putting them in danger. Despite her concerns, the Doctor is determined to proceed.

The Doctor manages to access the Dalek's core and begins the repair process. He uses his sonic screwdriver to make adjustments, but the Dalek's consciousness fights back, trying to expel them. Clara assists the Doctor, using her quick thinking to help stabilize the situation. The Dalek's internal struggle becomes more intense, and they must work quickly to avoid being detected.

Just as they are about to complete the repair, the Dalek's defenses activate again, and they are forced to flee. They narrowly escape the core and make their way back through the Dalek's body, but the creature is now aware of their presence and is hunting them down. The tension mounts as they race against time, dodging blasts and navigating through the Dalek's inner workings.

Eventually, they reach the exit, but the Dalek is right behind them. The Doctor and Clara manage to escape just in time, returning to the safety of the Aristotle. However, the Doctor's plan has unintended consequences. The repaired Dalek, now aware of its own emotions, becomes conflicted. It begins to question its purpose and the nature of its existence.

The crew of the Aristotle, led by Journey Blue, is eager to destroy the Dalek, fearing it will turn against them. The Doctor, however, argues for its life, believing that it has the potential for change. This creates a moral dilemma among the crew, as they grapple with the implications of sparing a creature that has caused so much destruction.

In a climactic moment, the Dalek, now fully aware of its emotions, chooses to embrace its hatred and turns against the crew. It attacks, leading to a chaotic confrontation. The Doctor realizes that despite their efforts, the Dalek cannot change its fundamental nature. In a desperate attempt to save the crew, the Doctor makes the difficult decision to destroy the Dalek.

The episode concludes with the Doctor and Clara reflecting on the events that transpired. The Doctor is left with a sense of sadness and frustration, grappling with the realization that some beings may never change. Clara, too, is affected by the experience, as she witnesses the darker side of the Doctor's choices. The episode ends on a somber note, highlighting the complexities of morality and the nature of good and evil.

In the ending of "Doctor Who Extra: Into the Dalek," the Doctor and his team successfully manage to defeat the Dalek threat. They save the damaged Dalek, which has developed a sense of goodness, and they escape from the Dalek's interior. The Doctor reflects on the nature of good and evil, and the episode concludes with a sense of hope and the complexity of morality.

As the episode draws to a close, the scene shifts back to the interior of the Dalek, where the Doctor, Clara, and the soldiers are trapped. The Doctor has been working to understand the Dalek that has shown signs of compassion, a stark contrast to the typical malevolence of its kind. The Dalek, which has been damaged and is now experiencing a conflict between its programming and newfound feelings, is at the center of the conflict.

The Doctor, with his characteristic determination, devises a plan to help the Dalek embrace its goodness. He engages in a tense dialogue with the creature, trying to coax out the positive aspects of its personality. Clara, standing by the Doctor, feels the weight of the situation, knowing that the fate of the Dalek and their own lives hangs in the balance. The soldiers, led by Journey Blue, are initially skeptical of the Doctor's approach, fearing that the Dalek's evil nature will prevail.

As the Doctor's plan unfolds, they manage to disable the Dalek's weapon systems, allowing them to escape its interior. The Dalek, now fully aware of its internal conflict, expresses a desire to be good, but it is ultimately unable to reconcile its nature. The Doctor, feeling a mix of sadness and hope, realizes that even a creature designed for destruction can harbor the potential for goodness.

In the final moments, the Doctor and Clara emerge from the Dalek, and the soldiers are relieved to be alive. Journey Blue, who has been a strong and capable leader throughout the ordeal, reflects on the experience, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. The Doctor, however, is left with a lingering sense of unease about the nature of good and evil, pondering the implications of their encounter with the Dalek.

As the episode concludes, the Doctor and Clara share a moment of understanding, recognizing the challenges they face in a universe filled with moral ambiguity. The Doctor's internal struggle with the Dalek's nature serves as a poignant reminder of the thin line between good and evil, leaving the audience with a sense of contemplation about the characters' journeys and the conflicts they must navigate in the future.

In "Doctor Who Extra: Into the Dalek," there is no post-credit scene. The episode primarily serves as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the "Into the Dalek" episode from Season 8 of Doctor Who. It features interviews with the cast and crew, providing insights into the creative process, the challenges of filming, and the themes explored in the episode. The focus is on the development of the Dalek character, the visual effects, and the emotional arcs of the Doctor and his companion, Clara. The episode concludes without any additional scenes or teasers, wrapping up the exploration of the episode's production.

The Dalek's internal conflict is central to the episode, as it grapples with its programming to hate and destroy, juxtaposed against a newfound sense of morality after being exposed to the Doctor. This conflict is visually represented through its erratic behavior and emotional outbursts, showcasing a struggle between its Dalek nature and the influence of the Doctor.

In this episode, the Doctor and Clara's relationship deepens as they face the moral complexities of the Dalek's existence. Clara's concern for the Doctor's darker tendencies surfaces, particularly when she challenges him about the implications of his actions, revealing her emotional investment in his moral compass.

Journey Blue serves as a brave and determined soldier who is initially skeptical of the Doctor. Her character embodies the human struggle against the Daleks, and her interactions with the Doctor highlight themes of bravery and sacrifice, especially when she confronts the reality of the Dalek threat.

The inside of the Dalek is depicted as a dark, mechanical environment filled with wires and glowing lights, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. The visuals emphasize the stark contrast between the Dalek's cold, metallic interior and the human characters' vulnerability, enhancing the tension as they navigate this hostile space.

The Doctor's emotional response to the Dalek's plea is complex; he is initially taken aback by the Dalek's request for help, which challenges his long-held beliefs about the creatures. This moment reveals his internal struggle as he grapples with the implications of a Dalek seeking redemption, showcasing his compassion and the weight of his past experiences.

"Doctor Who Extra: Into the Dalek" is generally family-friendly, but it does contain some elements that may be unsettling for younger viewers or sensitive individuals. Here are a few potentially objectionable aspects:

1. Violence and Conflict: The episode features scenes of conflict and battle, including the Daleks, which are known for their aggressive nature and threats of extermination.

2. Tension and Fear: There are moments of high tension and suspense, particularly when characters are in danger or facing the Daleks, which may evoke fear.

3. Dark Themes: The exploration of the Dalek's nature and the concept of good versus evil can be thought-provoking but may also be heavy for younger audiences.

4. Body Horror: The episode includes imagery related to the Daleks that may be perceived as disturbing, particularly in how they interact with other characters.

5. Emotional Struggles: Characters experience fear, doubt, and moral dilemmas, which could be intense for some viewers.

Overall, while the episode is designed for a broad audience, these elements may require parental guidance for younger viewers.