Daleks in Manhattan

Episode aired Jul 27, 2007
TV-PG
45m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

7.8K

YOUR RATING

Adventure Drama Sci-Fi

The Doctor and Martha travel to New York in 1930, where people have been mysteriously vanishing from the streets, and an old enemy resurfaces.The Doctor and Martha travel to New York in 1930, where people have been mysteriously vanishing from the streets, and an old enemy resurfaces.The Doctor and Martha travel to New York in 1930, where people have been mysteriously vanishing from the streets, and an old enemy resurfaces.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

7.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Steven Moffat was originally going to write this serial. However, he was busy with Jekyll (2007), and so offered to write the Doctor-lite story Blink (2007) to compensate.

Goofs
The Empire State Building can be seen from Liberty Island (where the Statue is). But the view seen by the Doctor and Martha looks like they are across from Midtown Manhattan rather than the Financial District, as it should be.

Quotes
Tallulah: Hey, you're lucky, though. You got yourself a forward-thinking guy, with that hot potato in the sharp suit.
Martha Jones: Oh, he's not - We're not - together.
Tallulah: Oh sure you are! I've seen the way you look at him, it's obvious.
Martha Jones: Not to him.
Tallulah: Oh! I should have realized. He's into musical theatre, huh? What a waste.

Connections
Featured in Doctor Who Confidential: Meet Martha Jones (2007)

Soundtracks
Rhapsody in Blue
(uncredited)
Written by George Gershwin

User reviews24

Featured review

9/10

A strong first part to a new Earth-bound Dalek story

I've always preferred the two-part stories of the noughties "Doctor Who" series. There's more time to breath life into the script, more character development and a less hurried feel to the proceedings. Dare I say it? There is more of a mature "classic" feel to these episodes. "Daleks in Manhattan" is strong on a number of fronts. It avoids the silliness that occasionally creeps into the new stories from time to time, it has a genuinely dark and sinister edge to the tale, a convincing '30s atmosphere and some great performances. On top of this, Helen Raynor's script is excellent.

The Daleks are always a superb villain and they fit the '30s New York setting unexpectedly well. The moment a Dalek glides from an Art Deco lift in The Empire State Building, flanked by pig-men slaves, is unforgettable.

While the episode is mainly a scene setter for the second part, this is a fine viewing experience. New life is being breathed into Dalek mythology and the Cult of Skaro is proving to be an inspired creation. I'm pleased that the Daleks now seem to be a permanent feature of each season. There is clearly a lot of new ground to cover with these metallic dictators and they're not outstaying their welcome.

The cliffhanger is excellent but lacks surprise thanks to the week's "Radio Times" cover!

I genuinely can't wait to see the resolution to this tale.

9 out of 10.