Dalek Empire - The Original Big Finish Doctor Who Spinoff with its Creator, Nicholas Briggs

Brief Summary

The Sirens of Audio podcast discusses Big Finish's original spin-off, Dalek Empire, with its creator Nicholas Briggs. They explore the recent Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding tour in Australia, and preview upcoming events with Matthew Waterhouse. The hosts share their personal experiences with Dalek Empire, its unique narrative structure, and the impact it had on the Doctor Who universe. Briggs provides insights into the creation of the series, character development, and the philosophical themes explored.

• The podcast features an interview with Nicholas Briggs, the creator of Dalek Empire.
• The hosts discuss their experiences at recent Doctor Who events in Australia with Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding.
• They preview upcoming events with Matthew Waterhouse in Australia.
• The episode includes a detailed discussion of Dalek Empire, its characters, and its impact on the Doctor Who universe.

Intro

John Leon introduces a new strategy for the podcast involving black and white visuals and stretched-out episodes, but is met with skepticism from his co-host.

Podcast Intro

Dwayne and Phillip introduce the episode, focusing on Big Finish's original spin-off series, Dalek Empire, and an interview with its creator, Nicholas Briggs. They mention recent in-person meetups and the beautiful weather in both Sydney and Tasmania.

Recap of Recent Events with Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding

Dwayne and Phillip discuss their recent tour across five Australian cities with Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding. They highlight the large turnouts and positive fan interactions. Janet Fielding joined them in Melbourne and Adelaide, while Sylvester McCoy completed the entire tour. They share anecdotes about Sylvester's energy and engagement with fans, including a VIP dinner that extended due to his enthusiasm. They also mention the presence of various Doctor Who podcast representatives at the events.

Upcoming Events with Matthew Waterhouse

Phillip announces that Matthew Waterhouse will be touring Australia for events in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. They encourage fans to book in advance to help with organization, as they are not a formal organization and rely on accurate attendance numbers. They recount near-misses with venue capacity during the previous tour, emphasizing the importance of early bookings.

Dalek Empire Series 1 Trailer and Initial Impressions

The hosts introduce Dalek Empire with a trailer and share their initial impressions of the series. Phillip recalls purchasing the series as a complete set and listening to it in a binge session. He admits he initially had low expectations due to the absence of the Doctor and his limited interest in the Daleks. However, he was quickly captivated by the characters, particularly Sarah Mowat and Gareth Thomas, and the grand scale of the story.

Discussion of Dalek Empire's Narrative and Characters

Dwayne and Phillip discuss the narrative structure and characters of Dalek Empire. Dwayne appreciates the series for portraying the Daleks without the Doctor's intervention, creating uncertainty about the outcome. He notes the initial focus on the romance between Alby Brook and Susan Mendes, which evolves into a larger story involving secret agents and Project Infinity. Phillip highlights the manipulation of Susan by the Daleks and the increasing importance of the character Klandorf.

Praise for Nicholas Briggs' Work on Dalek Empire

The hosts express their admiration for Nicholas Briggs' work on Dalek Empire, praising his writing, directing, music, and sound design. Phillip describes the series as a timeless tale that he enjoyed even more upon re-listening. Dwayne emphasizes that Briggs set a high bar for himself early in his Big Finish career with this series. They also note the interesting titles of the episodes, which are taken from various Doctor Who stories.

Interview with Nicholas Briggs: The Genesis of Dalek Empire

Nicholas Briggs discusses the origins of Dalek Empire, revealing it was the first spin-off Big Finish did for the Doctor Who series. He initially wanted to start with a Dalek story but didn't have the rights. After obtaining the rights, Gary planned three Dalek stories for the main range. Briggs wanted to adapt the old Dalek Book annual but found it too unscientific. He pitched the idea to Jason, and they put it on the website while Gary was away.

Creating the Story Episode by Episode

Briggs shares that he wrote and recorded Dalek Empire an episode at a time, reacting to the actors' performances as he went. Gareth Thomas had some complaints about his character, Kalandorf, so Briggs adjusted the role to keep him happy. Sarah Mowat was cast because she was Briggs' favorite actor. Jason asked Briggs to stop killing people off because they needed another series.

Daleks Without the Doctor

Briggs discusses the difference in writing Daleks without the Doctor. He wanted the audience to feel that characters they had invested in might die. He felt that Doctor Who stories should focus on the Doctor, but Dalek stories allowed for more focus on the Daleks. Russell T Davies referenced the way the Daleks spoke to Susan Mendes in Dalek Empire.

Character Development and Plot Twists

Briggs addresses the sudden disappearance of the reporter character, explaining it was not intended to be the same character as the American police officer. He admits he doesn't remember why the reporter disappeared. He confirms that the Knights of Alicia were created for Sirens of Time and incorporated into Dalek Empire.

Themes and Influences in Dalek Empire

Briggs discusses the themes of vastness and personal interactions in his storytelling, influenced by his love of history documentaries. He aims to create a feeling of realism within the fantasy world. He also touches on the philosophical questions explored in the series, such as hope and survival, influenced by his personal experiences with depression and anxiety.

Episode Titles and Emotional Investment

Briggs explains the reasoning behind the episode titles, which are plays on existing Doctor Who titles. He shares his deep emotional investment in Evil of the Daleks, which influenced his decision to use "The Human Factor" as a title. He also recounts a disagreement with script editor John Ainsworth over terraforming Jupiter, which Ainsworth deemed too unrealistic.

Legacy and Impact of Dalek Empire

Briggs reflects on the scale and characterizations in Dalek Empire, praising the cast and their performances. He notes that the series prompted ideas that the TV series later adopted. Russell T Davies was a fan of Dalek Empire. Briggs emphasizes that his storytelling is driven by gut instinct and that he has been fortunate to tell his stories his way.

Dalek Empire Series 1 Trailer and Closing Thoughts with Nicholas Briggs

The hosts thank Nicholas Briggs for sharing his memories and insights about Dalek Empire. They express their enjoyment of the discussion and look forward to future projects with Briggs.

Recommendations: The War Master and Once and Future: Coda

Phillip recommends the new War Master set, "Future Phantoms," praising the ghost stories and Derek Jacobi's performance. Dwayne recommends "Once in Future: Coda," featuring the War Master and the Fugitive Doctor, noting interesting hints about the Fugitive Doctor's identity.

Outro and Social Media

The hosts thank Nicholas Briggs and the listeners, encouraging them to like, comment, subscribe, and join their social media groups. They acknowledge Phillip's exhaustion and thank him for joining the discussion.