'The Daleks' (Ep 7 'The Rescue')

Musings on Ep 7;

• "Lily-livered Antodus redeems himself with noble self-sacrificial suicide" or "clearly traumatised individual with severe anxiety dies to prove he was a coward before, but isn't now".
• I shouldn't have given him such a hard time last episode.
• His death almost gives the pointless padding of the cave journey a dramatic purpose...almost.
• "We may be farmers, but have we forgotten how to fight?"; Alydon tries to inspire the troops with rallying cry that purports to be unyielding broadsword, but is more wilted rhubarb.
• The Doctor seems genuinely prepared to sell out all the TARDIS and time travel secrets to the Daleks. Never again was he so willing to offer such a bargain. It's in keeping with Hartnell's 'selfish wanderer', but not the gravely responsible 'citizen of the universe' Doctor that emerges later on in the series.
• "Stop it please" (a solid bit of desperate pleading from Hartnell), "Nothing can stop the Daleks" (pleasing pure egotist bitchery from the aforementioned).
• The Dalek radiation countdown??? in English numerals...and at about one-third speed? Maybe it's in Dalek Rels (sic)...which are of course counted in English in Earth numerals don't you know! ok, ok, how would we know if it was getting close to zero so we know when to wet our pants any other way? yes, ok, you win.
• Dreadful chaotic scene in the Dalek base when the Thals bust in; lots of confusion, hiding in plain sight, people standing in clear shot of dopey Daleks who don't fire. Ropey and amateur looking and utterly confusing. Yes, I admit, very hard to direct in one take with multiple cast members coming from all angles, several sight-restricted Daleks and a slew of not so special effects, but it's the final grand set-piece after 7 weeks for crying out loud!
• What exactly does The Doctor do to drain the power? It's not very well (if at all) explained and it seems he just shoves a huge magnet on the floor which 'drains off the power' and gives one Dalek a major rigarmotic eyestalk boner. Please explain?
• And while we're at it, back to bagging the cave spelunking stuff; why the tedious climb and cave traverse when others pretty much come in through the front door without raising too much of a sweat. Silly pfaffing about really.
• Some lovely bits of Doctor charm; "you wanted my advice, I never give it" and the "my truth is in the stars" monolouge. Well pitched by Billy.
• Silly stuff with Diony's coat and the clunky all-smiling-walk-down-wrap-up after death, dread and destruction. Aaah, what sappy sitcoms are made of!
• Cute bit of business from the Doctor with the handshake; "your hand sir"
• Wow! Barbara gives Ganatus quite the smooch on the cheek after his chaste peck on her hand. It even looked like it caught a bit of Ganatus' pouty lip. I had completely forgotten that bit.
• A tiny TARDIS set, clearly smaller than usual, set up as afterthought in the studio corner for a brief end of episode interior TARDIS scene.
• Hartnell does a nice semi-balletic spin-fall when the TARDIS goes haywire.
• Despite lots of rushed ropiness, there was still plenty enough to enjoy in Ep 7.
• Overall, the first 3-4 episodes of 'The Daleks' are strong and involving, 5 through 7 stretch credibility and set the mould for overlong Doctor Who story padding, but the bloody-minded determination and 'sweaty invention on a shoe string' from the fledgling Who team get an overly ambitious epic well and truly over the line.