Series 3, Episode 4 | 2 parts | First broadcast: 21 April 2007 | Writer: Helen Raynor | Director: James Strong
Cast
- David Tennant as the Doctor
- Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones
- Miranda Raison as Tallulah
- Ryan Carnes as Laszlo
Summary
Arriving in Depression-era New York City, the Doctor and Martha investigate mysterious disappearances of homeless people from Hooverville, tracing the trail to the top of the newly constructed Empire State Building, where a small surviving faction of Daleks has been secretly conducting monstrous genetic experiments. As the desperate Cult of Skaro’s plans to merge Dalek and human DNA reach a horrifying climax, the Doctor must confront the last of his oldest enemies while a tragic new hybrid creation struggles with its dual nature.
Interesting Facts
- This story is the first Dalek appearance since the Cult of Skaro’s introduction in “Doomsday,” continuing their storyline as a small group of surviving Daleks.
- The episode uses the real Empire State Building’s construction history as a backdrop for the Daleks’ secretive genetic experiments.
- The Pig Slaves, human-pig hybrids created through Dalek experimentation, are among the most unusual monster designs of the revived series.
- Writer Helen Raynor set the story specifically during the Great Depression to explore themes of poverty and desperation alongside the Dalek threat.
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