The Human Factor

"Gurian rebels are attempting sabotage, but they can never defeat the Daleks!"

Writer: Nicholas Briggs

Format: Audio

Released: August 2001

Series: Dalek Empire 1.02

Featuring: Suz, Alby, Kalendorf

Synopsis 

The Earth Alliance seems powerless to stop the Dalek invasion of the galaxy. 

Enslaved by the Daleks, along with billions of others, Susan Mendes and Kalendorf must find a way to turn the tide against these metallic monsters...

...or the galaxy will be lost forever!

Verdict 

The Human Factor was another great audio adventure to continue along the first series of the Dalek Empire range very nicely. I was intrigued by how far after the previous story, Invasion of the Daleks, this was set. Six months is a long time but it advanced the overall story of the series very well in my opinion. I thought the relationship between Suz and Kalendorf was very intriguing throughout the story and I loved how he challenged her about 'volunteering' to help the Daleks in order to get food and sleep. It was great how unhappy Suz was at being given the credit for the shift pattern that had been in operation since her rousing speech in the previous episode, which was nicely flashbacked to. She hated to be associated with the Daleks but she couldn't lose the tag because she feared death more than anything, which is completely understandable. I was surprised by how little Alby appeared in the audio after having a good introduction and background in the first story but here he didn't really do anything other than fly around in a ship but if the ending is anything to go by however, then it seems like he'll be the main focus of the next story! I'm loving the snippets of the Dalek Emperor in the early days of these audios - the voice gets me every time! It's just outstanding. Morebi was a good character and I enjoyed the story behind him very much and despite the pseudonym, I couldn't believe that Nicholas Briggs voiced him! As if he wasn't doing enough on this range. He only wrote, directed, voiced the Daleks and came up with all the music! And then he gives himself a guest character! Brilliant. The Gurians were depicted interestingly and I liked how they were planning on staging a revolt. Elsewhere, the death of the fifty Robomen was a bit of a shock. After The Dalek Invasion of Earth, I really do love the simplistic horror behind the converted Dalek servants. They're frighteningly good. The way a Dalek was toyed with after a group of humans defeated was interesting as it somehow made me feel sorry for a Dalek! Kalendorf describing just how bad these Daleks were was excellent and really gave them an added fear factor. Suz having the nickname of 'The Angel of Mercy' was fantastic and I liked how she disliked it. She'd given hope to all of the Dalek slaves, and for what? So they could continue to work for their conquerors. Some reward. A thought crossed my mind as to how the Daleks were getting away with a galaxy-wide invasion and takeover. Surely the Doctor would usually show up? I'm intrigued find out if he'll at least be referenced at some point - I do hope so. The Drudger was typically funny but effective as in The Sirens of Time and Destination: Nerva, which weren't directly referenced. The latter would kind of be impossible seeing as it was released a decade after this story was! The ending of this one was emotionally heartfelt. Suz and Alby had finally found each other again, albeit via a tele display but they knew each were alive. And they'd both fallen in love. Will we have a couple leading the range? I'm not sure, as it seemed Alby was shot dead in a brilliant and ambiguous cliffhanger. 

Rating: 8/10