Agent of the Daleks

"Time does not forget."

Writer: Steve Lyons

Format: Audio

Released: March 2025

Series: BBC Audio 28

Featuring: First Doctor, Vicki, Steven

Synopsis

On a radioactive moon on the outskirts of the Fourth Sector, the occupants of a besieged power station try desperately to hold the Daleks at bay. To this end they have apprehended a saboteur, spy, and traitor to the human race. His name is Steven Taylor. When the Doctor, Vicki and Steven first landed on the station, they little suspected the chain of events that would lead to Steven's arrest. Now he must convince a young nurse, Chayla, and the station's brutal Security Chief, Finn, that his intentions are honourable. But with every second wasted, the Daleks are gaining ground. With the Doctor and Vicki seemingly powerless in the TARDIS, Steven must prove once and for all that he is not an agent of the Daleks. Can anything be done to prevent the Doctor's old enemies totally exterminating everyone on the station?

Verdict

Agent of the Daleks was a great BBC Audio original! There’s always something special about the First Doctor encountering the Daleks and whilst they were relegated to a more minor status, their presence was still very much felt. I like that Steven in particular has a significant history with the Daleks and there was some good linking back to The Chase with the proximity of this very space station both in time and physical space. That was really good and it allowed for some more background to Steven as a character, not that we really need it in 2025! But I’ll absolutely take it. He’s such a strong companion and he just continues to shine. He isn’t afraid to challenge the Doctor which is quite rare in this first incarnation, so the age old battle of meddling with history came into fruition in a strong way here which made for fascinating listening. Steven’s knowledge of events at the power station meant to them they were fixed and the Doctor was in full The Aztecs mode from there on in. Not one part of history could be changed despite that meaning the occupants of this station would all perish at the hands of the Daleks. I think doing a Dalek story in space feels big and the futuristic setting just adds to the dark atmosphere. Kudos also must go to the cover art for the story as that really helped with the atmosphere and tone. That’s important and the black is striking in establishing what kind of adventure this would be. I thought Maureen O’Brien did a wonderful job with the narration for the story and whilst she certainly sounds a little older than her character Vicki at this point in time with it being stated she was fifteen, she did a magnificent job in her impressions of the First Doctor and Steven. It really didn’t feel like there was just one actor performing which is credit to the actress. I was mightily impressed. I thought Finn was a typical hard knocks kind of character as the Security Chief whilst Chayla was a little calmer despite her accusations that Steven was an agent of the Daleks. The way the title played into the episode’s events was fun as Steven did admit to sabotaging the station’s force fields, but he was far from aiding his old foes. His acting under strict instructions from the Doctor was terrific. I thought the format of the story with the flashbacks worked pretty well and would have been well suited if this was a Companion Chronicle. The little flashback sound effect was a nice little quirky bit of fun. I thought the use of a Dalek robot was marvellous and the reveal of who that was didn’t come as a huge surprise as there was only a small pool of potential culprits, but it was still a nice moment. I think it’s fun that after the events of the Daleks chasing the Doctor and his companions around space that the Time Lord had created an override if the situation ever arose again. The Doctor’s comments about the likeness not being all that was a fun bit of tongue and cheek! The essence of William Hartnell was brilliantly injected into the writing. I thought the action in the story was good and whilst it didn’t feel like there was any new Dalek dialogue and it all being archive sound, it was great to actually get their voices. They perhaps didn’t sound authentic of the era but that’s no major issue. I loved the idea of Steven prying and pondering on the possibility to contact his younger self, but alas he would resist. I liked how Steven managed to impact some form of history in defeating the Daleks and therefore saving people whilst keeping history on course and therefore the Doctor was happy. Overall, a great little listen! Massive thanks to Gemma for the Audible credit. 

Rating: 8/10