10 Doctor Who Endings Nobody Saw Coming

3. The Daleks

Doctor Who Amy Pond The Almost People
BBC Studios

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.

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Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.