10 Doctor Who Endings Nobody Saw Coming
3. The Daleks
There is no greater or more recognisable Doctor Who villain than those loveable, plunger-wielding tin cans, the Daleks.
Straight from the planet Skaro, the Daleks stand for everything the Doctor opposes: war, subjugation, apathy, and hatred. Their iconic design has become a symbol of the show all over the world, and their catchphrase of "Exterminate!" is now part of TV lexicon.
The Daleks' first appearance came in a First Doctor serial from 1963/1964 called, well, The Daleks. The first episode of the serial ends with companion Barbara being accosted by a Dalek in what has been described as one of the series' best-ever cliffhangers.
The Daleks were a revolution, and there is tangible evidence that their appearance led to a spike in interest in the show. They have remained a fixture of Doctor Who for over half a century, and all of their incredible storylines and moments can be traced back to this shocking ending.