N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!
British rural horror meets Doctor Who in The Dæmons. There’s witchcraft, demons, satanic rituals, a village in thrall to a new arrival and, most terrifying of all, traditional English folk dancing. All it’s missing is a couple of buxom twins and Peter Cushing.
“‘Close your eyes, my darling. Well, three of them, at least'”
The Doctor, The Dæmons: Episode Three
I should love it. And at times it is very good. Unfortunately at other times, it’s not so very good.
Benton’s flooring by the Master’s cloak is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in Doctor Who. I’d forgotten all about it. I had to rewind the DVD a couple of times to watch it over in order to appreciate it in all its ludicrous laugh-out-loud glory. Added to that, Jo Grant exhibits symptoms of Bill Filer Syndrome with a coherent fever, the story’s plot resolution is a bit limp and the Doctor’s constant criticism of and rudeness towards Jo becomes quite irritating by the end.
What lifts The Dæmons is how much fun everyone is having. Take this exchange in Episode Two:
YATES [off-camera]
Yes, sir. I know it sounds a bit wild.
Generally the dialogue sparkles, especially the Brigadier’s.
“Chap with the wings there. Five rounds rapid!”
The Brigadier, The Dæmons: Episode Five
Whether he’s lamenting that he doesn’t work in a bank or telling Yates he’d prefer a pint to a dance or issuing bonkers orders to his UNIT troops, the Brigadier is on top form throughout. It’s all the more impressive since he spends most of the story isolated from the rest of the regulars behind a heat shield. (In so doing, The Dæmons borrowed from John Wyndham the idea of trapping its protagonists under a dome – neither Stephen King nor The Simpsons got there first!)
The Dæmons has all the ingredients of a great story: a nice setup and backdrop, good performances from the regulars and guests and an interesting idea for a monster having shaped and become a part of Earth’s ancient history (even if Azal is admittedly a VERY SHOUTY villain!). I just wish it were better.
One final thing: if you have the DVD and haven’t done so already, do watch the Remembering Barry Letts extra on the second disc. It’s a lovely tribute to someone who comes across as quite possibly the nicest person ever to work on Doctor Who.
"In this series I found out that Jo doesn't like being taken away from the action. In The Dæmons the Doctor finally lets her come with him (into the dig site)"
"I like that there is pretend witchcraft in this story. Even the Master is doing it as well. It's not real witchcraft because the Dæmons aren't gods – they're aliens."
"The Master again !?! Why? Why? Why?"
