Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: David Tennant, Jane Slavin, Alex Kingston, Terry Malloy, Ajjaz Awad, Nicholas Briggs, Noma Dumezweni, Matthew Jacobs-Morgan, Joseph Millson, Paul Panting, Joe Simms.

A species, a race, dedicated only to the extermination of all others in the universe is terrifying enough a prospect to deal with, add in the one crucial factor that makes it chilling, that recalls all the despotic, the evil, the cruelty and obnoxious malevolence that can only be found in the megalomania and psychopathic behaviour of a mind filled with absolute hatred, and you are either face to face with the foul and wicked presence of the worst of humanity, or you have been captured by the Daleks, and their foul, depraved creator, Davros.

If the epitome of evil can be framed by voice alone in the world of science fiction, then surely Davros is the creature who can bring the person who hears the words of the Kaled scientist, to their knees.

It is in the third Dalek Universe box set, that incorporates the stories The First Son, The Dalek Defence, and The Triumph of Davros, that brings the vicious, ruthless, and domineering heart of the architect of the seeds of tyranny to life, and which concludes the first in the new series of adventures for the tenth incarnation of the Doctor under the Big Finish range of audio plays.

Dalek Universe 3 is arguably verging on a masterpiece, the three progressive and adjoining stories written by Matt Fitton and Lizzie Hopley could have quite easily sat in the television drama range, their use of fear, of damnation, of building terror and revelation is to be admired, and it with overwhelming positivity, that aside from terrific performances from both Jane Slavin and David Tennant in their respective roles, the inclusion of Alex Kingston as River Song and the brilliance, the sheer invincibility of Terry Malloy as arguably the finest version of the ego driven Davros, that makes Dalek Universe 3 the fitting conclusion to the year’s output of this particular range.

It is in trust that we divide our friends from our enemies, without it, life is meaningless, without trust there can be no future, no future except for the grip of the totalitarian state which only ever one human version of the madman from Skaro away.

A superb nine-part series brought to its fitting conclusion, and one that lays the foundation for what is to come.

Ian D. Hall