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“INVASION OF THE DALEKS: A SOLID, IF UNSPECTACULAR, BEGINNING”

Dalek Empire marks one of Big Finish’s earliest attempts at a Doctor Who spin-off, building upon the Dalek-centric arcs from the early Main Range audios. Invasion of the Daleks kicks off the series by diving straight into the action, with the titular villains launching a devastating assault on the peaceful human colony of Vega VI. Nicholas Briggs sticks to the tried-and-true Terry Nation blueprint, focusing on the Daleks’ sheer destructive power and the human struggle to survive their tyranny.

After an initially chaotic and sound-heavy opening, the story settles into a more focused narrative, wisely keeping the human perspective at its core. We experience the invasion through the eyes of Susan Mendes and Alby Brook, a couple enjoying a quiet moment together before their world is ripped apart. The sudden arrival of a crashing starliner, followed by an ominous Dalek transmission, adds a creeping sense of dread before all hell breaks loose. The invasion itself is swift and brutal, immersing the listener in the terror of a full-scale Dalek attack.

SUSAN MENDES: THE VOICE OF THE ENSLAVED

Once the dust settles, the story shifts its focus to Susan’s imprisonment and forced labour under the Daleks. Alongside her fellow captive Kalendorf—a Knight of Velyshaa (a deep-cut reference to The Sirens of Time)—she endures the horror of the Daleks’ slave camps, where prisoners are so mistreated that they beg for extermination. Sarah Mowat gives a strong performance as Susan, portraying her as both defiant and pragmatic. Her transformation into an intermediary between the Daleks and their slaves, convincing them to improve working conditions in exchange for efficiency, is a compelling thread. Her exchanges with the Dalek Emperor offer some of the best character moments, highlighting the stark contrast between Dalek logic and human resilience.

ALBY BROOK: A MAN BROKEN BY LOSS

Alby, meanwhile, drowns his sorrows, believing Susan to be dead. While initially a charming and carefree character, he quickly spirals into despair before being thrust back into action alongside Gordon Pellan. Their attempts to escape the Daleks aboard a spaceship provide some of the audio’s most exciting moments, injecting much-needed energy into an otherwise bleak and oppressive story.

THE DALEKS: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD (OR BAD) THING?

As expected from a Dalek Empire spin-off, the Daleks themselves have a significant presence, often conversing among themselves or barking orders. While their sheer brutality is well-realised, the excessive use of ring-modulated screeching does wear thin after a while. At times, the story risks overindulging in Dalek dialogue, which—without the Doctor’s usual wit to offset it—can become grating rather than engaging.

VERDICT: A DECENT, IF UNSPECTACULAR, START

Invasion of the Daleks does a serviceable job setting up the characters and premise for the series. The atmosphere is suitably oppressive, the action sequences are effective, and Susan’s evolving role adds an intriguing dynamic. However, the story itself feels fairly standard, with little to truly surprise or elevate it beyond the expected Dalek invasion template. It’s not a mind-blowing opener, but the cliffhanger is strong enough to make continuing onto the next chapter an easy decision.

📝7/10