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"The Mutant Phase: A Familiar but Uneven Dalek Adventure"

The Mutant Phase, the third release in Big Finish’s Dalek Empire arc, revisits a classic era of Doctor Who with its mix of time travel, viral threats, and morally fraught decisions. As a remake of a 90s Audio Visuals story, it seeks to build on its predecessor while serving as a sequel to The Dalek Invasion of Earth. Unfortunately, it struggles to fully realise its potential, hindered by a reliance on recycled concepts and a meandering midsection.

The story begins with promise, evoking a nostalgic Dalek Invasion of Earth vibe as the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa arrive in a devastated future Earth. Nicholas Briggs crafts an intriguing mystery surrounding the Daleks’ plight, introducing the titular Mutant Phase virus, a threat that jeopardises even their own survival. This setup teases a morally complex story, where the Doctor faces a potential Genesis of the Daleks dilemma.

However, the script falters as it progresses. The middle episodes lack momentum, bogged down by convoluted ideas and an overabundance of callbacks to earlier Dalek stories. While the Mutant Phase virus concept is compelling, it feels derivative of David Whitaker's The Evil of the Daleks, and the narrative struggles to offer a fresh perspective. The result is a story that feels like a patchwork of familiar tropes rather than a cohesive and original tale.

Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton deliver solid performances, though their dynamic as the Doctor and Nyssa remains underwhelming. Nyssa’s storyline—centred on her being stung early on—feels stretched and ultimately inconsequential, diminishing her role in the narrative.

Mark Gatiss stands out as Karl Hendryk, bringing energy and gravitas to the role despite a strong accent that may divide listeners. Nicholas Briggs impresses as the Dalek Emperor, whose human-embodied form is an intriguing if slightly absurd concept. While the Daleks’ presence remains strong throughout, their menace is undermined by the increasingly muddled plot in the later episodes.

On the technical side, the sound design effectively conveys a ravaged Earth and tense atmosphere, though the story lacks the chaotic energy of The Apocalypse Element or the emotional stakes of The Genocide Machine. The pacing falters in the second act, but the climax regains some urgency as the Doctor attempts to prevent the Dalek Emperor from rewriting history.

📝Verdict: 6/10

Ultimately, The Mutant Phase is a serviceable Dalek story with some intriguing ideas but fails to rise above its influences. While it has moments of tension and nostalgia, the uneven pacing and reliance on recycled concepts leave it feeling like a missed opportunity. For fans of the Fifth Doctor and Dalek lore, it offers some enjoyment, but it lacks the spark to make it a standout entry in the Dalek Empire arc.

Random Observations:

• This story features a Commander Ganatus and a Starship Dyoni, both named after characters from The Daleks.
• We also find references to the TARDIS jumping time tracks (The Space Museum) and activating the HADS (The Krotons; Wild Blue Yonder).