I, Davros - Corruption

As the war against the Thals rages on, the Kaled people retreat underneath a massive dome that covers what is left of the city. With the help of his mother, Davros continues to gain influence and notoriety to the point where he is the subject of an attempted kidnap by Thal soldiers. Davros' focus has gone beyond the creation of weapons, though, and all his energies are put into the survival of the Kaled people, a fact that stays his execution long enough to warrant as escape. But Davros' life is about to change - a rogue Thal shell will alter his life forever and make him into the man the Doctor will encounter time and again in the future.

The Big Finish team once again deliver a fine chapter in the life of Davros, evoking a creeping air of desperation as the war against the Thals drags on longer and longer, and bigger weapons are brought into play. Resources are starting to dwindle, and the heightened parinoia amongst the Kaleds results in an even deeper divide between Davros' surviving family members. Davros' own egotism will cause him to turn on a close ally, recreating events alluded to in Davros, not so very long ago.

The thing about this adventure series is you don't actually miss the Daleks. There is a requisite exchange between Davros and a Dalek at the start and finish of the CD as a reminder that Davros is on trial, but after that it's right into the war on Skaro where extinction is the price of pride. Just as with Spare Parts and the origins of the Cybermen, the story of survival on Skaro is fascinating and definitely warrants the length of examination across 4 CDs, building towards the climax that will lead into Genesis of the Daleks.

But before we go there...

NEXT EPISODE : THE REAPING