The Mutant Phase

"Victory for the Mutant creatures will mean the end of history."

Writer: Nicholas Briggs
Format: Audio
Released: December 2000
Series: Main Range 15

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa

Synopsis

In the 22nd century, the Daleks have occupied planet Earth. By the 43rd century, only a handful of humans survive. Still further into the distant future, a Thal scientist must choose whether to betray his heritage, or see the universe destroyed.

When the Doctor and Nyssa find themselves trapped in this deadly chain of events, they must decide who their real enemies are. What is certain, however, is that no matter where the Doctor turns... his arch enemies, the Daleks, will be waiting for him.

What could possibly be worse than that? The Mutant Phase...

Verdict

The Mutant Phase was an absolute joy and pleasure to listen to. My favourite audio adventure yet! I just loved everything about it; the plot, the guest cast and the setting! I adored the fact that part of the adventure, and the reason for the rest of it, was heavily based on events that would be concluded in The Dalek Invasion of Earth. The fact that the Daleks didn't recognise the Doctor and seemed confused by the word 'TARDIS' was just outstanding. The Doctor knew who the Daleks were, of course, but they'd no idea of who he was. They hadn't met the Doctor prior to their return in the TV series, chronologically that is, and it was a wonderful concept. The usage of the wasp, to both sting Nyssa and ultimately cause the devastating Mutant Phase was extremely clever! There were a lot of shocking moments in the story; you had a Thal working for the Daleks, the Doctor contemplating helping his arch enemies and a point blank extermination of Delores prompting the surrender of the Doctor. Hearing a Roboman once again was just wonderful, even if it was brief. And then came my favourite Dalek - the Emperor! A great little reference to The Evil of the Daleks, I just adore the Dalek Emperor in Classic Who. We didn't get a lot of TV adventures (just the one that I can recall) with the Emperor during the original run but the audios with Classic Doctors allows numerous returns. The superb villain appeared in The Genocide Machine but here he was dominant. He had an incredible plan as well! Using the mind of Ganatus, implanting his own into him to ensure the Doctor carried out his orders was brilliant. The confusion it provided for the first generation Daleks was excellent. He told them, in human form, that he was the Emperor and he was the one who ordered the invasion. He told them their own plans of replacing the Earth's core in Bedfordshire, and that the Doctor would stop him. I loved here how the Daleks referred to time travel as impossible which was just great - although they weren't far from mastering it themselves as the TV run would soon show. Nyssa was a tremendous companion here and her referencing to Earthshock and Adric's death was saddening, as she didn't understand why the Doctor could now change history to prevent the Daleks from mutating into the Mutant Phase. The comical reference to The Land of the Dead was also good. The climax was fantastic and it must've hurt the Doctor though. Yes, he'd defeated the Mutant Phase but would have to depart in the TARDIS leaving the Daleks as occupants of Earth - something he'd defeat four bodies earlier and 9 years later.

Rating: 10/10