Doctor Who: Jubilee

Big Finish: Monthly Range #40

by Robert Shearman, Colin Baker (Narrator), Maggie Stables (Narrator)

Hurrah! The deadly Daleks are back! Yes, those loveable tinpot tyrants have another plan to invade our world. Maybe this time because they want to drill to the Earth's core. Or maybe because they just feel like it.

And when those pesky pepperpots are in town, there is one thing you can be sure of. There will be non-stop high octane mayhem in store. And plenty of exterminations!

But never fear. The Doctor is on hand to sort them out. Defender of the Earth, saviour of us all. With his beautiful assistant, Evelyn Smythe, by his side, he will fight once again to uphold the beliefs of the English Empire. All hail the glorious English Empire!

Now that sounds like a jubilee worth celebrating, does it not?

Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures, The Trial of a Time Lord and Time and the Rani.

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Media Tie In, Time Travel, Fiction, British Literature

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Shearman has worked as a writer for television, radio and the stage. He was appointed resident dramatist at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter and has received several international awards for his theatrical work, including the Sunday Times Playwriting Award, the World Drama Trust Award and the Guinness Award for Ingenuity in association with the Royal National Theatre. His plays have been regularly produced by Alan Ayckbourn, and on BBC Radio by Martin Jarvis. However, he is probably best known as a writer for Doctor Who, reintroducing the Daleks for its BAFTA winning first series, in an episode nominated for a Hugo Award.

His first collection of short stories, Tiny Deaths, was published by Comma Press in 2007. It won the World Fantasy Award for best collection, was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Prize. One of the stories from it was selected by the National Library Board of Singapore as part of the annual Read! Singapore campaign. In 2008 his short story project for BBC7, The Chain Gang, won him a Sony Award, and he provided a second series for them in 2009.

He is now at work on his first novel.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sixth doctor adventure with Evelyn Smythe as his companion and is #40 in the Big Finish main range.

The Doctor and Evelyn experience a strange event in the TARDIS that makes it seem like they're landing in two different places at once; like they're being ripped apart. The TARDIS appears in London in 2003 but it's a very different place than they're expecting with the Empire of England ruling the whole world after a failed Dalek invasion in 1903. The current President of England and his wife seem very strange and they have a single surviving Dalek prisoner that they've been torturing for a century, and there's another more mysterious prisoner as well, someone in a wheelchair.

This is an amazing story. One of the best I've heard from Big Finish, and I've listened to a lot outside their main range. It's also very much a Rob Shearman story, and if you're at all familiar with his copious short work, then you'll know that means it's horrific, fundamentally disturbing and extremely profound.

It's also the basis for the Ninth Doctor TV episode "Dalek" and there are clearly several scenes lifted directly from this to put in the TV episode, which is definitely one of the darker Doctor Who episodes. This one is darker. Much more so. And definitely not for younger listeners (particularly ones that aren't going to react well to dismemberment played for horror). Both the President and his wife are barking mad, but in positions of power that make that go from eccentric weirdness to absolutely terrifying. And of course there's Daleks exterminating people all over the place.

Interestingly there are also key themes from this one that have seen reuse in the modern TV series as well, including the Twelfth Doctor's question "Am I a good man?" and the oft-cited contention that the Doctor turns his companions into soldiers (something that both the Twelfth and Tenth Doctors were accused of).

The Dalek is, like the TV episode, the real star of the piece with it's constant plaintive request for orders. It's such a stark cry for meaning that you can't help but feel for it, even beyond the century of torture it had suffered. And it's final fate is even more profound that what happens to the Dalek in the TV version. Some of the characterization is a little off: no Dalek has ever appeared this philosophical in the show, but it's worth the inconsistency.

If you're at all familiar with classic Who and you have an opportunity to listen to this, then I strongly recommend you do. It's a dark masterpiece.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You’re still my dearest friend. Still the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The places you’ve taken me, the wonders you’ve shared. I know that whatever happened to me along the way, even death, it was worth it."

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was totally amazing! The best of the main range Big Finish audios I've ever heard. Such a brilliant story, a fascist English setting brought about by defeating daleks, and all sorts of questions and moral delimmas about good and evil and when you have free will. The portrayal of the dalek was just heartbreakingly good. It was such a good drama but also had some really hilarious moments, such as the trailer at the start, "Would you like to hear our dalek song?" "Dalek will you marry me" and "You've taken something totally evil and merchandised it".

Evelyn remains one of my favourite audio companions. She was SO good in this and Colin Baker was particularly superb. Particularly as the Doctor in the Tower. I can't recommend this one high enough!

On 2nd listen,
So the "Dalek ultimate adventure" trailer at the beginning of Jubilee is exactly like a Dalek adventure in new who, down to omnipotent Doctor sending Daleks to hell and flirty companion!

And the dalek respecting Evelyn was brilliant!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jubilee" is probably best known as the inspiration for the instant classic episode, "Dalek."

And while the two stories share the same starting point and a couple of story beats, there are enough differences to make enjoying both versions of this story a worthwhile experience.

Once again, Big Finish provides evidence that the sixth Doctor's era could have been a classic if it had better scripts. Colin Baker's work here is nothing short of superb, especially given that he's allowed to play two distinct versions of the Doctor over the two-plus hours the story runs.

The Sixth Doctor and Evelyn become trapped in a parallel world -- one where the Doctor led a major battle against the Daleks a hundred years before. Now, England is a world superpower and celebrating the anniversary of overthrowing the Daleks. But there are dark secrets hiding not only in an addition to the Tower of London but also the upper level of the Tower itself.

Rob Shearman's script for "Jubilee" is simply gorgeous. Well, at least it is for three episodes before going a bit sideways in the final installment. (I'm not saying anything here Shearman himself hasn't admitted in other forums). The idea of a lone Dalek being held prisoner and tortured into talking in here. If you've seen "Dalek," odds are you will suss out the first cliffhanger fairly easily (even if you haven't and just look at the cover, you will), but that's part of the point of the story. Shearman toys with our expectations for Dalek stories from the classic era here all the while having bit of fun by subverting those expectations time and again.

The story makes some fascinating commentary on the commercialization of the Daleks (I find it ironic that they bring up that slapping a Dalek on something makes it a best-seller given the sheer amount of Doctor Who merchandise I keep seeing today) as well as really making us look at how close the Daleks we can and sometimes to become. The sharpest barbs resonant through with the President of the British empire (superlatively played by Martin Jarvis). Indeed, you may find that some of the observations and actions of this character have become scarily more pertinent now than they were when this story was originally produced.

And yet, it all goes a bit sideways once we get to episode four. Honestly, the first three episodes set such a high bar that it would be difficult for any conclusion to do it all justice.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writer Rob Shearman used this story as a basis for his TV episode "Dalek" but other than a lone Dalek held prisoner there are very few similarities. "Jubilee" is much stranger and much much darker. Set in an alternate timeline where the Doctor helped the British defeat the daleks at the turn of the 20th century. It's not quite as odd as "Holy Terror" but the characters are still brilliantly twisted. It goes very timey-wimey at the end but it's a wonderfully constructed story that deserves multiple relistening.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've tended to be lukewarm about the Daleks' appearances in this series, but this was brilliant. A truly creepy alternate English Empire, stunning performances by the supporting cast, playing some very unhinged characters, a legitimately tragic Dalek, and all sorts of twists in time! Top quality stuff, well written, acted and produced.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

DALEKS. DO NOT. SING

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 Alphabet Challenge - The Letter J

I listened to this audiobook, not just because it began with the letter J which for some reason I was really struggling to find a book for and then found two in the space of five minutes, but because I'd listened to Shearman's other audiobook The Chimes Of Midnight and watched his TV episode Dalek, and I really enjoyed both of them, so I was really hopeful for this book, even though I'm not the greatest fan of the Sixth Doctor. It was definitely worth the read, and Shearman is just fantastic at storytelling. There's not many Doctor Who writers that can make me sympathize with a Dalek, but Shearman has managed it twice now, which is incredible.

The plot of this novel, I did struggle to get into to begin with, but I got into it around 20/25%, and then I was hooked, and I had to know about this society that grew overconfident after defeating the Daleks, and the realizations that this lone Dalek came to after suffering at the humans hands for 100 years, and what happened to the Doctor during those years as well.

I actually really like Evelyn Smythe. I've listened to a couple of the Sixth Doctor stories with her, and honestly, I think she's one of my most liked companions, and her little speech to the Doctor near the end of the audiobook was so heartwarming, I actually awwwed out loud walking across the streets of Birmingham.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok story.

This story isn't the best that has been created by Big Finish, it certainly isn't the worst but it is a bit boring. It was obviously good enough for it to be adapted for television with the episode 'Dalek' however the adaption is better than the original creation. However it is an enjoyable audio adventure with the great audio companion Evelyn

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The original story that inspired Dalek back in 2005.

Anything by Rob Shearman is a masterpiece and utterly Doctor Who. I am glad to have finally got round to this and boy, this was everything I expected it to be.

Nigel and Miriam really do make your toes curl with their old fascists views of the world and Britain. Outstanding performances from all members of the cast, especially from Maggie Stables in this audio who really gave it her all. She's quite easily being one of my favourite companions alongside Bernice Summerfield.

The corny bits are necessary to the plot, especially when Nigel talks about the shows but it is worth the push.

[Patrick Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, compelling audio drama starring the Sixth Doctor. It may not be as good as the 2005 episode it inspired (“Dalek”), but it’s more than worth your time.

[Frank Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great but certainly strange. I was standoffish with the plot initially because it tries really hard to make us emphasise with the Daleks! Or at least with one in particular. Look the story does eventually do some things that I can imagine will upset the die-hards but I became ok with it. It's fun, it's all just fun. And the overall message is a good one.

It starts with an in-story advertisement for a Dalek themed show which I didn't realise was fake until the second time I started the audiodrama 😆

[Taksya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Durante una innocente visita alla Torre di Londra, il sesto Dottore e Evelyn Smythe si ritrovano bloccati a metà tra due diversi tempi storici: il 1903, alla vigilia di una invasione dei Dalek, e il 2003, poco prima dei festeggiamenti per il centenario della vittoria dell'Impero Britannico sui malvagi Dalek.
Le due diverse linee temporali divergono dalla Storia che il Dottore ed Evelyn conoscono e i personaggi che incontrano nel 2003, a partire dal Presidente dell'Impero e da sua moglie, sembrano essere sull'orlo della follia.
Durante le quattro parti della vicenda scopriamo che il Dottore, come capita spesso, fu il salvatore dell'Impero durante la guerra del 1903, spiegando in parte il paradosso che stanno vivendo.
Ma non è il solo superstite di quella guerra.
Un solo Dalek, separato dai suoi simili da 100 anni di storia ed un paradosso temporale, privo di ordini e più folle del solito.
La sua figura è stata chiaramente di ispirazione per l'episodio omonimo della prima stagione nel New Who del 2005, oltre che un buon spunto per Rusty, il Dalek nemico dei Dalek del 12mo Dottore.
Ma questo audio della Big Finish riesce a superare entrambi gli episodi video, regalandoci una avventura gustosa e complessa, con la solita ottima interpretazione di Colin Baker.

[Darek Pilař · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nejlepší audiopříběh a zároveň nejlepší příběh s Daleky a jeden z nejlepších příběhů Doctora celkově!
Tenhle příběh prostě nemá nejmenší chybu!

Doktor se dostane na planetu, kde jsou Dalekové již dávno paražení a nyní si z nich v podstatě dělají merchandising (Džusík, mýdlo...) s Daleky se natáčí sitcomy...
A uvnitř toho všeho, je však po léta uvězněný a mučený jeden jediný Dalek...

Příběh "Dalek" s 9 Doctorem jsem považoval za jeden z jeho nejlepších příběhů... teď už, ale vím, že je to jen ubohá napodobenina tohohle příběhu! Proti tomu, co se děje tady, je Dalek v podstatě jak hodně nepovedený trailer!


Příběh je velice temný, avšak, když už do toho padne nějaká hláška, tak to stojí za to:
CHCETE SLYŠET NAŠÍ DALECKOU PÍSEŇ?

"Copak mi to neseš hezkého? Jééé, to je lidská hlava."

DEJ MI ROZKAZ, NEBO TĚ ZABIJU!!!

Pokud byste si měli pustit jediný audiopříběh Doctora Who, tak by to měl být tenhle!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your average Whovian offering (not that there's anything wrong with an average Whovian offering, especially executed by Big Finish) As others have said, some of the elements were promising but underdeveloped (the prohibition of word contractions for example) and the timey-wimey stuff is inadequately resolved (well, I didn't understand it if it was) For all the quite explicit moral warnings (I thought the dim giggly women in bed by midnight especially interesting), this was all about relationships - Evelyn and the Doctor, the President and his wife, the President and the Doctor, Evelyn and the dalek... you get the picture... Hang on a minute, Evelyn and the dalek.... relationship??? Dalek singular???? Yes.

Your best chance of shedding a tear for a dalek.

[Michael Legge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shame he dies in the end.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

この物語がドクター・フー S1第6話「ダーレク 孤独な魂」のオリジナル版となっている。




Part1

　ドクターはターディスを1903年のロンドンに着地させるが、ターディスが勝手に作動し、移動しようとする。ターディスが異常作動する中、ドクターはイブリンに外に出るよう叫ぶ。ターディスの外に出たイブリンがドクターを呼ぶと、ドクターが出てきてターディスは落ち着いたのでもう安全という。

　イブリンとドクターは自分達がいるのがロンドン塔の中だと気がつく。しかも展示品がホコリを被っていて随分長い間観光客も訪れていないような様子だった。2人がターディスに戻ろうとすると、ターディスが二人を残して勝手に移動してしまう。

　しかもドクターの様子もおかしくなり、自分達はとんでもない危険の中にいるとイブリンに言ったっきり気を失ってしまう。

　数分後ドクターは目を覚ますとイブリンの顔をみて“2度と会えないかと思った”とイブリンを不審がらせる。

　消えたターディスを探すことにするが、イブリンがステンドグラスの中に描かれたターディスに気がつく。すると恐ろしい苦痛に満ちた悲鳴がきこえ、ドクターとイブリンはそちらに向かう。

　悲鳴が聴こえてきた部屋の扉を叩くと。中からでてきた男は2人に銃を突きつけてきた。ドクターが名乗ると男達はひどく動揺し大統領に連絡する。どこの国大統領に連絡するのかと尋ねると、英帝国の大統領だという。

　英帝国のナイジェル・ロッチェスター大統領のもとに連行されたドクターとイブリン。大統領はドクターにそのコートをどこでみつけたのかと尋ねる。大統領はドクターを偽物だといい、正直に答えないとイブリンを殺すと脅してくる。しかし、ドクターがあくまでも自分は本物だと主張すると、ナイジェルはドクターをとある部屋にいれる。ドクターがそこで見たものはダーレクだった。

Part2

　武装解除されていたためダーレクはドクターを攻撃することはできなかった。ダーレクの反応からナイジェルはドクターを本物と認める。ドクターはダーレクを捕虜にするのは危険すぎるとナイジェルに警告すると、明日の記念日で処刑する予定と言われる。　

　ナイジェルによると100年前にダーレクが地球に突然侵攻を開始し、そこにドクターとイブリンが到着し、ダーレクの侵攻を止めたという。

　捕虜になっているのはダーレクの最後の生き残り。ドクターとイブリンにはダーレクの地球侵攻を阻止した覚えはまるきりなかったが、ドクターはダーレクが地球を侵攻してくるイメージが断片的に蘇ってきて困惑する。

　また意識を失いかけたドクターに気つけ薬がわりとしてダーレク・ジュースが振舞われるが、ドクターもイブリンも口をつけない。その他にも、ダーレク侵攻阻止100周年記念にそなえてダーレクに纏わる商品がたくさん売り出されているときかされる。

　ナイジェルはドクターとイブリンを記念式典に是非出席してほしいと招待し、妻のミリアムとイブリンに寝るように言い、ナイジェルはドクターともう少し話をしたいと誘う。

　その間イブリンはミリアムに頼んでダーレクと対面する。ダーレクはイブリンのことを知っていた。100年の捕虜生活でダーレクは命令を受けることに飢えていた。イブリンはダーレクが捕虜となり100年もの間拷問を受けていることにショックを受ける。

　部屋に戻ってミリアムにその怒りをぶつけるイブリン。するとナイジェルの非道を止める手伝いをして欲しいと頼まれる。ミリアムはドクターがダーレクと同じく100年前に捕らえられているといい、イブリンを連れて行く。

Part3

　100年前にダーレクの侵攻を止めた後ドクターは逃げないように両足を切断され、牢に監禁されていた。ドクターは正気を失いかけており、イブリンが助けると言っても“死なせてしまってすまない”と謝り続けるばかりだ。

　ミリアムはイブリンを人質にしてダーレクに大統領に対するクーデターを手伝うよう脅し、ダーレクが応じたのにイブリンは驚く。

　式典の日、ドクターはダーレクの軍団が空から攻撃をしかけてくるのを見る。しかし、ドクターはまた意識を失っていたことで再び幻かと思いかけるが、観客の中に1人死人が出ており、ダーレクの武器で殺害されているのをみて、ドクターはダーレクが再び攻撃をしかけてくることを確信する。

　クーデターを手伝うように見せかけてダーレクは監禁されているドクターの元に行くことに成功する。ダーレクはドクターに自分のリーダーとなり命令して欲しいと頼むがドクターが頑なに断ったため、ダーレクはドクターを殺す。

Part4

　ついに式典の中でダーレクの処刑が行われることに。ナイジェルはダーレクに最期の言葉を述べさせようとするが、ダーレクは言葉を発しない。そこでナイジェルは話さなければイブリンを殺すとダーレクを脅し、ダーレクはナイジェルの望み通り話す。

　続いてナイジェルはドクターにも話すように言う。ドクターは群衆の前で人類の悪について話す。ミリアムはドクターの演説利用してナイジェルを悪の権化としてダーレクに処刑させようとするが、ダーレクが拒む。するとミリアムはこんどはダーレクに求婚する。自分の夫となり皆のリーダーになってほしいというのだ。

　とても正気とは思えないと呆然とするイブリンの横でドクターが苦しみだす。イブリンに自分のせいで1903年と2003年を繋げてしまったというと、次の瞬間1903年に地球に進行してきたダーレク軍団が2003年に出現し、地球を攻撃しはじめる。

　混乱の中、ドクターとイブリンと処刑を待つばかりだった最期の生き残りだったはずのダーレクはダーレクに捕まり、母艦に連行される。







雑感

　ダーレクの侵略から人類をすくった英雄であるはずのドクターとイブリンが、その後、地球の権力者に協力することを拒んだため、ドクターは両足を切断されてロンドン塔に監禁され、イブリンも牢の中で餓死するまでほうっておかれる。捕虜となった最期の生き残りの《ダーレク》は100年間拷問され続け、あげくにはクーデターを企む一派の手先として利用されそうになる。

　100年間、上官から命令を受けられなかった《ダーレク》は命令を受けることに飢えきっていて、他にダーレクがいないなら、自分に命令できるのはドクターしかいないとドクターとの面会を望み続ける。

　命令がないので、何をしたらいいのかがわからないことで100年苦しみ続けた《ダーレク》はイブリンと会話をかわすうちに、これまでのダーレクではない反応をみせはじめる。最初のうちはダーレクは変われない、信用できないの一点ばりだったドクターだったが、やがてイブリンのいうことにも一理あることに気がつきイブリンと《ダーレク》に謝る。しかし、《ダーレク》自身はドクターは自分に対する判断を間違えておらず、自分はダーレクとしてダーレクが生き延びることしか考えていないと言い張る。しかし最終的にはダーレクではなくなってしまっている自分をみとめ、イブリンに自分を殺してほしいと頼む。

　ドクターは《ダーレク》に、もしダーレクが望みどおり宇宙を支配したらどうするつもりだと訊ねるが、 は答えられない。そんな《ダーレク》にドクターは、ダーレクが宇宙を支配したらどうなるかを話す。ダーレクはダーレク以外のものの存在を受け入れないが、しかしダーレクしか存在しなくなれば、何かしら理由をつけて互いを殺そうとするだろう。例えば見た目の違い、言葉遣いの違い、生まれた場所の違い、なんでも理由を見つけて殺そうとする。人類がこれまでの歴史の中でしょっちゅうやらかしているのと同じように。そしてダーレクは最期の一人になるまで違いを殺しあうことをやめないだろうと。

　それをきいた《ダーレク》は、ダーレクの存続のためにはダーレクは完璧に勝ってはいけないという結論に達する。必ずいつもどこかで負けなければならないと。ダーレクが存在し続けるためには宇宙を支配できるほどには強くなってはならないのだ。そう悟った《ダーレク》は地球に侵攻してきたダーレク軍団を殲滅する。

　結果、ダーレク侵攻は歴史上おこらなかったこととなり、ドクターとイブリンが目撃した2003年の悪夢のような世界に至るタイムラインは消えたはずなのだけれども、それでもドクターとイブリンの中には人間に投獄され餓死に追い込まれたり、足を切断された恐ろしい記憶が残ったままになっていた。

　それは今後の人類の歩み方次第で現実に変わってしまうかもしれない悪夢。

　元にもどったタイムラインでドクターとイブリンは観光客としてロンドン塔を訪れていたミリアムとナイジェルに出会う。

　心臓発作で倒れたナイジェルを抱き起こしたドクターをみて、ナイジェルはドクターのことを覚えていた。ないはずのもう一つのタイムラインを記憶を持っていた。

　そしてナイジェルはいう。

　Doctor, I want to be a good man. That's all I've wanted. It would be easier for me now.
それに対するドクターの言葉は、

That's your decision. not mine.
　恐れと憎しみ、力と支配欲が人にどれほど恐ろしいことにかりたてるのか。 それを発端として起こった悲劇は枚挙にいとまがない。 歴史から学びとって、いつでも肝に銘じておかなければならない。それはとても見極めにくく、巧妙に心に入り込んでくる。 あのドクターでさえ、その狭間で揺れているのだから、人類はなおさら注意��なければならないと、イブリンは歴史家としてあらためて歴史から学ぶことの重要性を考える。



　この作品が「Dalek」のオリジナル版だ。 ダーレクが捕らえられていて、何か話せと尋問され、そこにドクターが連れてこられてというくだりと、ダーレクがダーレクでない何かに変貌してしまうという点はほぼ一緒。

　ダーレクがダーレクではない考え方を持ってしまった時の不幸と、ダーレクに対しての憎しみがドクターの目を曇らせ、変化をなかなか受け入れられないという点も共通。 　ショッキング度合いではオリジナルに軍配があがる気がする。

　物語としての意味合いはどうだろう。 オーディオは何よりも人間の醜さ恐ろしさをあぶり出したけれど、TV版はそれも描いていたけれど、慈悲がもたらすものの大きさ大切さ...の方が強かったかな。オーディオもイブリンがローズの役割をになっていたけれど.....。

　考えてみればあのときのローズはまだダーレクとの間になんの確執もなかったんだよな。イブリンはダーレクの恐ろしさを十分すぎるぐらい知っていて、尚且つダーレクの言葉に耳を傾け、ダーレクの変化を正確に見抜いたんだから、憎しみに惑わされない目を確実に持っていると言って良さそう。


　全然余談だが、この作品（Jubilee）の中で、アミューズメント化されたダーレクと本物のダーレクが遭遇して、アミューズメント化されたダーレクがダーレク・ソングを歌うと「真のダーレクは歌わない」といって本物のダーレクに処刑されてしまうっていうシーンがあり、そのダーレク・ソングが頭にのこってしょうがない症状に見舞われる可能性があります。でもアミューズメントVer. ダーレクはなかなか可愛いので、それだけでも一聴の価値ありかも。

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Doctor Who came back in 2005, I recall everyone stating that the episode Dalek was going to be loosely based on this audio drama. At that time, I never got around to listening to Jubilee, but here we are 17 years later and I’m finally listening to it. This one is always fondly recommended alongside Spare Parts (or at least back then), which I absolutely loved, and is perhaps my favorite audio drama up to this point – how will this one fare? At surface level I was initially confused, as it starts out pretty different to that story, but slowly but surely I saw what folks were talking about. Some of the more pivotal bits of dialogue in the TV episode are basically lifted from here. Don’t fret, however, there should be no surprise as Robert Shearman is the writer for both!

The setting for this episode is The English Empire, an almost Handmaid’s Tale-esque patriarchal fascist state that has arisen after a pivotal battle where The Doctor apparently led an offensive against an invasion of Daleks in 1903, defeating them once and for all. Now, in 2003, The Empire rules the world with an iron fist and celebrate the day The Doctor vanquished the Daleks with huge commemorative statues, parades, and an almost obscene amount of streamer flags taped to almost every surface. This year, however, it appears there is a VERY special program for Jubilee – the execution of the LAST Dalek!

With how rough the last Dalek story we got was, I was somewhat apprehensive going into this, but thankfully, this was pretty well done. Much in a similar way as the aforementioned TV episode, this story is basically a “what if” scenario of what would happen to a Dalek if you take everything away from it that makes it a Dalek. In both cases, the answer is that it grows mad by virtue of growing as a creature – almost having a sliver of compassion. In this case a remnant from a way band of invading Daleks is taken alive and tortured for over 100 years. It becomes the source of numerous marketing cash-ins, festivals, and grotesque food products. After all this, all it wants is release from its life.

I’ve stated many times that The Sixth Doctor and Evelyn Smythe are perhaps my favorite “team” in the entirety of these stories, and this story is no exception. My favorite thing about Evelyn is that she commands authority due to her age and zero-F’s given attitude. If The Doctor tells her to stay somewhere and be still, you better believe that she will be immediately ignoring that and doing her own thing before he leaves the hallway. Maggie Stables plays a amazing companion as Evelyn, and I was pretty sad to discover she had passed away in 2014 – not too long ago.

I honestly feel like this story is too long, it naturally climaxes at one point towards 3/4 of the way into the story, and keeps rolling on into more story. Having a sole Dalek that changes through years of torture, isolation, and the inability to be what a Dalek is supposed to be, get orders, or exterminate others almost makes you feel bad for the little guy. It’s almost as of he has grown a conscience to a degree. However, this is upended a bot when a Dalek fleet shows up at the very end and takes the whole story over. Yes, we get to see how different this Dalek is compared to a “normal” one, but I feel like it somewhat takes the wind out of the story a tad.

I also felt the “alternate timeline” aspect of the story was unneeded. Due to your everyday Tardis shenanigans, The Doctor and Evelyn have been warped into a parallel dimension. The story somewhat never really sufficiently explains this, nor does it seem necessary. I know this trope was pulled about because we see an alternate version of The Doctor in the play, one that has been locked away in The Tower of London for 100 years. Legless and aged, The Doctor has been driven mad by Evelyn withering away before his eyes and the only thing keeping him going is his clinging to his past unsure of it’s reality. I still think it could have been better without it.

That said, I enjoyed this story quite a bit, although it’s not one of my favorites. I can see why a lot of people like this story as much as they do, but I think some of that is probably because of the TV episode elevating everyone’s opinion a bit. Overall, its well above average for a Big Finish play, but hardly the instant classic that some make it out to be. It’s well-acted, has great sound design, interesting Dalek writing, and a great setting. Highly recommended despite its few flaws.

https://arcadiapod.com/2022/02/06/rev...

[Reggie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dalek” before Dalek, and by the same author. As you can guess, it’s incredible.

While I ultimately prefer the episode to the audio, it’s a fascinating listen. Figuring out which parts made it to the show, watching the plot itself unfold in a way alien to what I was familiar with, it was an extremely fun listen.

Shearman was really back at it again: the ideas presented were handled in a really intriguing way, and the English Empire was a fun if eerie setting. The President was particularly magnetic to me as a one off character.

This story was effective at presenting its themes, and Evelyn was stunning as the emotional core of the whole sordid mess. The fact that you can listen to this whole thing for free on Spotify absolutely rules.

What brings this story down a star isn’t anything that is this story’s fault. It’s just, well, “Dalek”. When listening to this, it’s impossible not to think of “Dalek”.

Colin Baker did a FantasticTM job voicing the Doctor in this one— he’s got a specific charm that’s hard to nail down but one I really enjoy— but it’s impossible not to compare him to Eccleston anytime there’s a moment where both actors had similar scenes; especially during the Dalek’s initial reveal. The in universe circumstances being as wildly different as they are call for extraordinarily different emotional responses, but due to that very situation Nine’s monologues are given more weight. There’s a desperation to both Doctors but there’s a heartbreaking rawness to only one.

That said, the setting of the English Empire and the layers of fascism permeating it are extremely good. The detail that the Doctor is considered a hero there, but that his ugly coat has been replaced in the mythos because leadership thought it was embarrassing is an extremely funny touch. Miriam and Nigel’s twisted relationship was a highlight and utterly enthralled me.

This story is awesome. The faults I have with it are due to the very same author of it essentially revisiting its themes and doing them in a way I liked better. I’m absolutely certain that there are folks out there who have the opposite opinion, preferring Jubilee to “Dalek”. Either way, you’re in for a treat with this one.

[Mikes Dw Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non spoiler:
Fans use the term genus about writers/showrunners alot nowadays but Rob Sherman is that, he's a very honest, in depth and creative writer that every doctor who media I've seen from him has left me feeling and thinking about it, which is what a good writer/art should do rather than make you except technobabble or try and fill the plot holes. Jubilee is by far the most in depth, creepy and honest character piece youll probably ever see for the Daleks. The Dalek makes you feel sorry for him and the relationship between it and Evelyn is so innocent it's work much better than rose did in Dalek, it's still a Dalek but Evelyn is the only person it has respect for.

I also like this answer to the old question "what happens when they've killed everything"?. Jubilee also has a ton of messages/political statements but uses them in a very clever way to show how both sides are just as and how victory can you make you a big head or monster like the ones your fighting. It's a perfect blend of patriotism, fear mongering, exploiting and I do love the way Dalek merchandise and movies are fitted into the story. It can be an overwhelming story but it definitely something you should check out. Downside is it makes a lot of Dalek stories look weak. I love Robs adaption of this to Dalek, both are very bloody good but this is far more in depth and darker than it could be. I'm not saying any is better because there different takes on elements of the story. Both are great but only one is Jubilee.
Rating: 5/5 10/10

Spoilers
I won't spoil everything but Jubilee has some of the darkest and messed up stuff I've seen with the Daleks. I loved how people would make Dalek drinks from his blood and keep one alive to please the crowds of the story of when humans defeated them. The Dalek is so creepy in this, from the determination to not scream or talk and it's longing for orders. I loved the scene in which the Dalek showed someone what power meant, making him stab the other in the heart. There's many great moments and twist and a interesting timeslip plot.

[Nicolas Lontel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je comprends comment cet audio est devenu un classique et pourquoi il a été choisi pour être (très) réécrit pour l'épisode intitulé Dalek avec le Neuvième Docteur. La comparaison entre les deux n'est toutefois pas nécessairement très pertinente toutefois, on va dans des directions scénaristiques très différentes même si les questions sur le "bien", le "mal" et l'autoritarisme (voir le fascisme) se complètent bien.

C'est quand même aussi fou à quel point cet épisode ne date pas quand au regard sur le fascisme contemporain (et surtout le fascisme des incompétents et narcissiques) tout en réussissant à garder, pas un espoir nécessairement, ni même une lueur d'humanité, mais un regard réaliste sur ces personnes consommées par la haine et le pouvoir.

Un épisode très intelligemment crée, autant au niveau de l'action (j'étais scotché tout le long oubliant complètement tout ce qui se passait autour de moi) que des réflexions qu'il apporte. Un épisode qui force à regarder en face des réalités plus dures à accepter que d'autres. Il y a aussi un humour assez noir qui complète très bien le ton de la tragédie présentée.

[Craig Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent audio that, for the first three chapters is unapologetically a 6th Doctor work. The dark, unfolding, violent world he navigates is realised perfectly in a very well scripted story of paradoxical alternate worlds.

It is the final act that puts the brakes on that, a Dalek having an existential crisis after becoming an overwhelmed by the humanity of Evelyn. Stopping an invasion to debate the nature of Dalekness. All are the results of earlier references, but the slow burn becomes the sole focus.

That aside there is much to enjoy here, Miriam is a captivating villain, her weak ineffectual and thoroughly British husband is a decent foil for both herself and the Doctor in the most sinister way possible.

The leads are, as always, brilliant. This time though they are not caring anything. Everything and everyone works

[Finlay O'Riordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite being much loved by the rest of the fandom, and also paving the way for the Daleks return in the 2005 series, I always thought "Jubilee" was a pretty weak and messy story. I think it's a strange setting to put a Dalek in, and when the dwarves show up it just quickly starts to feel seriously ridiculous. Part 4 gets pretty confusing and sadly takes the story back into generic Dalek apocalypse territory rather than sticking to its guns to try something new.

Decades later, this audio drama is getting a novelisation, so hopefully in prose format, some of the confusing structure can be ironed out after all this time.

[Sara Habein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong Doctor Who story in that it demonstrates the differences between the Doctor and the enemies he fights, but also shows how fine a line it is between "good" and "evil," and how without pausing to examine why we do the things that we do, and how those things/help or hurt, we can just as easily become those against whom we fight.

Also, I like Evelyn Smyth as a companion, but I haven't listened to enough of her yet!

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In many ways the Dalek is the father of us all."

Very clever, witty, self-aware, engaging, and layered. Reads better if you are familiar with the place of Doctor Who in pop culture during the "wilderness years", but Shearman as usual can do no wrong. From what I hear, the post-2005 Big Finish output gradually becomes more generic and less risk-taking, which is a great shame. Those early years sure were something.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is decent but what elevates it to 4 Stars is the performance of Colin Baker as the 6th Doctor. I really love that Big Finish has given his version of the Doctor another life away from the ugly coat and whiny companions (although he clearly is still wearing the coat in this story). Evelyn Smythe's maturity and intellectual curiosity are the perfect foil for the Doctor, and in Jubilee, she really shines as a match for the Doctor's sense of ethics and morality.

[J.E. Remy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robert Shearman would later use themes of this story to write the television episode, Dalek. And, frankly, to much better effect. The story of Evelyn and the Dalek is fantastic. Using an alternate history to present a Dalek alone after a great war is clever. The mad President and First Lady of the English Empire plot, however, fell flat as comedic relief, was unnecessarily sexist (in a but-that's-the-joke way), and generally took away from the better elements of the story.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book showed a different side of both the Daleks and the Doctor. The doctor, insane, tortured, and leg less. The last Dalek, insane, tortured, and weaponless. The dalek killed its race, to save it. And the doctor refused to leave his cell. It was bigger on the inside, he says. It was quite good.?

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was highly engaging. Kind of “Dalek” before “Dalek.” Really got into the psychology of a Dalek who is in a more vulnerable position. And the perception of The Doctor in cheesy reenactments is hilarious and pre-dates Community’s similar portrayal with the American version of Inspector Spacetime.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I was only following orders."

A motif revisited by Doctor Who often but this story embodies that quote. Also one of the darkest Who stories. Also Evelyn being here helps ground the story and shows why Evelyn is one of the greatest companions of all time. Required for any Big Finish Doctor Who fan. Easily one of the greats.