Classic Doctor Who | S25 - Remembrance of the Daleks: Part One | Reaction 

Michael Sheard would have been the headmaster when Ian and Barbara worked there. When they got back to 1965 I wonder if they ever dropped round to check up on him, and what the official explanation was.... Oh, and the Doctor did eventually get that caretaker job.

This is one of the best Doctor Who stories. The characters, the themes, the execution of the plot, and the Seventh Doctor finally comes into his own. It's superb.

You’re reaction to the dalek levitating up the stairs would have been the same as everyone watching in 1988😂 Silver nemesis was made as the actual 25th anniversary episode, but remembrance is sooo much more celebratory with it being set in 1963 at coal hill

Yes it's Michael Sheard in his 6th appearance in the show 🎩💜👍

Nice reaction, MC. You notice how Ace always calls the Doctor, "Professor", but in a moment of concern when she thinks that he may have been injured (or worse!), the mask slips and she calls him, "Doctor". Then, when she realises that he is unharmed, she reverts to type and straightaway calls him, "Professor" again. Nice little bit of writing, in terms of characterisation, that. 🙂

I love remembrance of the Daleks, can't think of one bad thing about it. 10/10 for me.

Andrew Cartmel had been brought on to Doctor Who as a new script editor for season twenty four at rather the last minute. For season twenty five, he had been given more time to plan and think about what the series should be like and the result is the rather wonderful Remembrance of the Daleks. Sylvester McCoy too, had had a kind of epiphany about his performance as the Doctor. Far from being on it's last legs, there's some really great stuff waiting for you in the last two seasons of the original series.

I remember this from when it first came out. It's incredible to me to think that you won't have to wait a full week to see what happens next! Series 25 is where Sylvester's Doctor really comes fully into his own. Enjoy!

This episode showed the rebirth of the series. It was MARVELLOUS!!! From now until the end of McCoy's era the quality os especially high, and shows what could have happened if Michael (spit) Grade hadn't cancelled the show!! Superb!!

I watched this when it was aired and immediately phoned everyone I knew, "Daleks can go up STAIRS!!!" There are some great themes explored in this EXCELLENT story, and they are handled with a surprising subtlety, especially for the time.

I have a very vivid memory of watching this as an eight year old and being thrilled and horrified by the materialising Dalek, and being able to see its inner workings as it appeared: "Mam! I can see its PUDDINGS!"

When this was being filmed in the scrapyard, they didn't tell the authorities about the explosion, which as usual was larger than expected. This was dyring the IRA bombings so the police and fire brigade turned up in force. When they arrived they saw a lot of smoke and then a dalek emerged out. Those watching said that these tough police and fire officers actually shrank back for a moment at the sight of it.

"Listen to me, Brigadier!" Force of habit. 🙂

here we are at the beginning of the best Doctor/Companion pairing of the 80's....maybe let's see

This story is in my opinion the real introduction of Ace as the badass we all know and love! When this story came out it blew everyone's mind with the floating Dalek. Also featuring the late Dursley McLinden that died tragically too young.

I was waiting for this reaction, Dr Who gets amazing again! I was about 19 in 1988 and I remember this well and thinking Dr Who is properly back after several years of slow decline.

One of my own really favourite McCoys. Ben Aaranovich did a cracking story here and such a wonderful intro for Ace's travels with The Doctor . . . five, six, seven, . . . Ace! The Dynamic Duo begins! Wicked!

Welcome to IMO the greatest era of Doctor Who, full stop. It's a magnificent story, and there are more corkers to come. I'm so, so glad you loved this first episode.

this was always one of my favourite stories of the 7th doctor. and the Daleks conquering their biggest enemy, stairs! 🤣

And time to really welcome Seven. Time's Champion. At the time this felt the best story in years, and it still holds up as one of the best classic stories. Did you work out who Bernard at the British Experimental Rocket Group was? Cheeky of them 😀.

I did wonder how you would React to this one with all the Old References. I LOVED them. I could not have asked for more. Great Reactions.

Real Daleks don't climb stairs; they level the building.

It picked-up so much with Sophie and Sylvester together. Loved this one!

Ah yes - my absolute favourite Sylvester story! We also get to see the return regular Who actor and Mr.Bronson from Grange Hill, Michael Sheard, and we also get to meet the very beautiful, Dursley McLinden, the young man who the character Ritchie Tozer from It’s a Sin was loosely based on (if you remember the scene where he’s acting on the set of an imagined Dalek story), RIP to both of these two wonderful actors 💓

Figured that you would like Pamela Salem's character, her costume is basically what Barbara would wear and they even did her hair like her's too.

Love this story. I think it stands up today. Cracking dialogue. Good action scenes. The new script team really start reaching for the sky from here on in... Glad you're enjoying it.

Well some of us grew up on that 4th Doctor line from Destiny of the Daleks serial: " “If you're supposed to be the superior race of the universe, why don't you try climbing up after us?" Well that cliffhanger of that Dalek floating up the stairs blew that stigma away forever.

I remember feeling really unsettled as an 8/9 year old watching this and seeing Mr Bronson from Grange Hill allied with the Daleks

This is a fantastic story. Your reactions were great!

I've been a Doctor Who fan since 1979. I almost quit watching in 1987 after becoming disillusioned by the programme after Davison left. This episode, this story, renewed my faith at the time, and is the reason I'm still a fan today. From the moment The Doctor and Ace walked on screen in this episode, not only did Sylvester's Doctor come of age, it felt like he and Ace had been together forever. Suddenly the show had regained it's magic.

I was born in 1982, and the first piece of Doctor Who I ever saw growing up was this very first cliffhanger. 7th Doctor & Ace for life

"Dangerous things, transmats." As agreed by several famous Star Trek episodes recurring throughout its run, The Fly films, Mel Brooks' Spaceballs, and 1978 dud sitcom Come Back Mrs Noah. And probably more. Teleport machines never will be a safe idea. The tradition of them in fiction is surely to warn ourselves never to invent them in reality.

Actually we've met Omega twice🎩

This is my favorite story of the McCoy era. I just realized, when the Doctor goes to Coal Hill, he's mistaken as an applicant for the position of caretaker. Over fifty years later, he actually becomes the caretaker of the school for a bit.

This si the one that annoyed me in modern Who. They tried to make out that they had Daleks go up stairs for the first time in the ep with Rose. Yet we clearly see that is not true here. EL-E-VATE!

Medusa Cascade is watching Ace. Marie Clare is watching Tegan. The French Revolution book that Ace picks up is the one that Susan is reading in the first episode. These events happen a few days after Ian, Susan and Barbara leave.

To me this is the best story off the 7th Doctors time. I will happily be corrected but I think timeline wise this takes place the morning after Ian and Barbara leave with the Doctor and Susan. That’s why the history book is still in Ian’s class room.

I like McCoy's Doctor. He's not the best actor but nevertheless I really like what he does with the whole characterisation, which is somewhat reminiscent of the Troughton days. In fact his general persona and antics feel very much like a natural progression from Hartnell, Troughton and Tom. He's also the first 80s Doctor with a good outfit.

Awwwww yeaaaah, it's TIME! FIGHT FOREVER, ACE!

Been waiting for this reaction for so long! The feels!

One of my favorites of the McCoy era.

Great Dalek story. Who going back to it's very beginnings and someone spelt Foreman wrong...😂 That said, it's a tremendous story chock full of nods to the programme's roots. Fantastic cast and story, massive explosions, Ace's shifty look when the Doctor asks if she's carrying any Nitro 9.... This is the one I've been waiting for. My joint favourite Dalek story. The other two being Genesis and Revelation. I highly recommend Ben Aaronovitch's novel of this story. If you think the serial's good(it is!) The novel is even better! Very many thanks for another super reaction Medusa. I knew you'd enjoy this one.😊

Medusa watching my all time favourite 'Who' story. 😍😍😍

"This is the best episode in a long time..." Yeah, that was the feeling of the fans in 1988.

Rachel, Alison and "Chunky" Gilmore have their own radio series made in the present with the cast from the 80s, in the style of a 60s Spy Fi show... Doctor Who is weird.

The novelisation mentions the date: this serial starts on Friday 29th November, supposedly a week since Ian & Barbara were last seen. That's how Ratcliffe earned credence - he correctly predicted Kennedy's assassination, courtesy of a Dalek tip off.

An example of the attention to detail in this story. The troops are Royal Air Force, probably Royal Air Force Regiment, who existed originally to guard airfields, but branched out into numerous security, technical support of aircraft in the field (such as the Harrier jet or helicopters). They wear the pre-DPM camouflage uniforms and had been standard Army issue for about ten years since the Korean War, the helmets are the Mark III, which went in service in 1944, in time for the Normandy landings, and were mostly given to Canadian troops then, but became general later. Rifles were the SLR L1A1, the Group Captain has an old .38 revolver, standard issue to RAF pilots and officers in WWII, but not yet replaced by the Browning HP35 automatic. These RAF troops may have been on a special security tasking within London, as support to the investigation of something that had been disrupting RADAR, for example, which would have got their attention. Several RAF bases existed then within London: Northolt, Uxbridge, even a sports ground at Vine Lane.

I've been waiting for this story and the reaction didn't disappoint! This is my favorite 7th Doctor, not least due to the presence of Rachel Jensen, Alison and Gilmore and Michael Sheard making yet another appearance. 😊😊

When I first saw this episode I loved the cliffhanger I mean a Dalek going upstairs and that look of absolute terror on Sylvester McCoy's face is fantastic. It's a shame that Dalek from new who often gets the recognition for first Dalek upstairs moment even though it's Rememberance that is the first. Don't get me wrong Dalek is a fine story and introduced the Daleks to a new generation but it isn't the first to do the Daleks going upstairs thing and the therefore shouldn't get that recognition.

11:15 ❤❤❤❤❤ exactly how every last one of us reacted in 1988. This story started decently despite the typo of "FOREMAN", but the cliffhanger was completely unexpected - more than the awesome pre-credits bit, and conclusively proved the show was loaded with life again. The Daleks levitated briefly before (Revelation) but in this the effect is put to proper use. And this is only part one! 😃

Ah! Mr Bronson (for those who remember Grange Hill) or Admiral Ozzel to Star Wars fans!

Most people think that thi was the first time we saw a Dalek levitate, myself included until it was pointed out to me that it first happened in Revelation of the Daleks. It's where the couple encounter a Dalek materialising and it rises up above them.

The greatest revelation (no, not the previous Dalek story) to come from the cold pre-credits sequence was that Bob Dylan is/was a Dr Who fan. Apparently they were going to use his 'Only a pawn in their game' as part of the soundtrack over the Earth-from-space sequence - with Dylan prepared to let the Dr Who team have it for free!

“ Fire Humans Fire “

Remembrance is my favourite ever Classic series story. Loved your reaction.

Ahh this brings back so many memories from watching it live. Sylvester McCoy was great and his pairing with Sophie Aldred's Ace was very well done. Sylvester brought back a feeling of The Doctor being alien for me, he could be affable and silly and charming, but he could also be mysterious, secretive and see other species from outside. I have a huge soft spot for both of them from the Virgin books New Adventures that carried on with the Seventh Doctor after the show (and many were really excellent with the likes of Paul Cornell, Andrew Cartmel, Ben Aaronovitch, Kate Orman and Andy Lane writing some crackers). Anyway, back to this episode. The callbacks were so well done, not intrusive for those oh my age at the time who weren't fully aware of the very early series, but my parents loved them. I remember laughing at him running up the stairs and thinking hah, that'll screw a Dalek and then it started floating up the stairs and nothing felt safe anymore. It's so great seeing your reaction to these.

An out and out classic, tight script with fantastic characters. Pamela Salem last seen in robots of death is wonderful

One of the greatest cliffhangers of all time in my opinion.

The Seventh Doctor is one of my favourite Doctors and know Ace will be returning in Jodie Whittaker Final episode along with Tegan

Just found your channel. You have my respects for watching old DW, you are much to nice to be subjecting yourself to this 😯

ohh thats belor from into the labrynth....been addicted to dark haired lasses ever since!

Welcome to beginning of the dark Doctor. Sylvester McCoy really finds his feet this series and the writing is great. His relationship with Ace is, for me, one of the best Doctor companion relationships in classic Who. This is not only one of the best stories of the McCoy era but one of the best stories of the 80s and in my opinion the best Dalek story of the 80s.

Watched and taped it when it went out. One of my favourite stories. I've seen this one so many times over the years!

The Daleks final conquering of the staircase is a bit of an exaggeration: they have been seen before using lift shafts alone, by floating up with an anti-gravity device. Whether it's part of the Dalek or the lift is a mystery, but they did it. On that ice-volcano planet.

This was my reaction when I watched the hovering dalek all them years ago 😁. Also silver nemesis was made as the 25 anniversary of the original episode ( the unearthly child ) but this is the 25a of the very first dalek story

This is quite possibly my favorite Classic Who story. I don't think I need to explain why. :D

8:22 - Always suspected Mr Bronson was a Dalek agent

This is the point when Dr Who started to recover from the terrible 'Trial' and following lame season with Bonnie (although I did like her character and performances). There are some really epic stories ahead, can't wait :)

Excellent story... one of the best of all of Classic Who. And Sylvester is just amazing; Top 3 classic Doctor, IMHO. Doctor Who is fun again!

BEST DALEK STORY

My favourite doctor who story of all time

The fact that the Dalek emerges on fire implies that the Dalek was, in fact, content to stay in the shed… Then high explosives were thrown at it and it was set on fire and it became personal…

Love Remembrance. So good.

Oh my Gosh - based on the signage in the background - thats supposed to be the original scrapyard where the TARDIS first appeared in the 1963 original episodes... -The Music Loving Klingon...

Great reaction, your enthusiasm is contagious! Keep up the good work, look forward to seeing you react to episode 2.

Great reaction! Loved the Caretaker reference. It goes to show how much of a fan the future writers were. Subtle be so rewarding you’re watching the classic series for the first time. Loved Ace and it’s great that we’ll be seeing her and Tegan again very soon.

If you’re looking for more Mel, Bonnie Langford has done fantastic work for Big Finish, opposite both Colin Baker & Sylvester McCoy. Can wholeheartedly recommend: The Fires of Vulcan, The One Doctor, Bang-Bang-a-Boom (a send-up of DS9, Babylon 5, & Eurovision), Flip-Flop, and The Wrong Doctors. Enjoy! 🎧

There is a magnificent cast in this , Simon Williams, Pamela Salem , Michael Sheard , George Sewell, Dursley Mclinden .

Until now never realised that Coal Hill was looking for a caretaker

It is a very good story to watch - the Target Books novelisation is pretty good at expanding the story too.

It is a brilliant story. Funny how you seem to forget Omega in Arc of Infinity. 😀

One the top 5 episodes ever made.

To be fair there have been lots of companions we only had for one full season. The one I missed most was Harry Sullivan. The one I missed least was Victoria Waterfield!

My favorite ever episode

have you ever seen the old 70's kids' sci fi , " The Tomorrow People ? " Admittedly, the special effects are kind of hokey, but many of the plots are pretty good . They have done other later remakes of the show too, but that old 70's show is the one that really turned me on to sci fi :)

8:12 - funny the Headmaster should ask, but EVENTUALLY, some 45 years later, the Doctor WOULD take over as caretaker at Coal Hill School (by that time played by Peter Capaldi) What goes around, comes around, eh?

Yay! Season 25! Have a celebratory explosion! KAABOOM! This story is my absolute favourite Doctor Who!

I dipped into Sylvester's Doctor during his first series, decided I didn't like him (or Mel I'm afraid) and dipped back out again. Then a while later I saw an episode of this story and changed my mind about him completely.

I don't want to spoil anything for you, but as you get the warm-fuzzies from the call-backs, there's an unintentional call-forward. Think about this episode in terms of the Last Great Time War. Modern show-runners have mentioned the episode off-screen in that context.

Probably my favourite story.

The last good Dalek story ever made and a far better end than such a joke monster deserved.

I enjoy this story. It’s cool to see how excited you were. Cheers

Initially Mel was supposed to stay with the Doctor and Ace to go off with Glitz. I think it works better this way though. It's nice to have a woman companion who isn't just a screamer.

My favourite story.

McCoy's best story surely.

I fully agree on Bonnie, wish she was there longer!

The Daleks we're following the Doctor in The Chase. With time travel involved, whose to say exactly when or if they stopped?

Such a fun reaction, off to watch the rest...

For me, Remembrance Part One stands in comparison to Season 24 in the same way that Skyfall stands in comparison to Season 11. With the show still struggling, they were determined to pull something out of the bag. And the cliff-hanger (elementary today, you would think) should have silenced the comedians for all time. As it was, I went to bed that night pretty hyped for the rest of the season. Was I right to be?...

mccoys best story