Doctor Who: The 10 Most Pathetic Plans Put Forward By Villains

7. Destroy Everything...Well, Except Us

A lot of smaller-scale genocide happens in the Whoniverse. In fact, it seems all species are either destined to make war, or be warred upon. Considering the high propensity of even the human species to destroy itself as well anything in its way, it is not altogether surprising that some species are willing to take things even further. For the Daleks especially, universal ethnic cleansing is their stated objective and Davros took this goal even a step further declaring he would destroy everything, just for the momentary satisfaction of being the one to do so. The Time Lords too, were not above complete annihilation. They had created the Ultimate Sanction, a device that when activated would bring about the end of time itself, thereby destroying all of reality where they alone would ascend as beings of pure consciousness, as Rassilon once informed the Doctor. What Makes This Pathetic? Unlike in the last case, this one is not pathetic by design. If the Daleks are to remain a truly powerful enemy, we have to operate under the assumption that they can achieve complete domination, but simply have not chosen to yet. Similarly, despite not having done so in End of Time, I have to believe the Time Lords could have activated the Sanction with relative ease. My argument then is one that wonders about their plan had they come to fruition. The Daleks' self-declared 'Emperor' has been driven mad by his time alone in the dark. While the Daleks have always maintained that their supremacy would lead to a period of universal peace, one has to wonder what would the Daleks do? How would they stave off madness, while floating in the voids of space€”or if some chunk of the universe is left standing€”driving about on these barren lumps of rock? Do they simply cease to function, hibernate in their own eternal suspended animation? Seems a terrible plan. But then I am not a Dalek. Granted, I am not a Time Lord either. But Time Lords have human-like emotions. They suffer from similar vices, have comparable desires, and they get bored. They get very bored. From renegades, to those out in Gallifrey's wilderness, to the most devout of the High Council, no one in the Gallifreyan population gives the impression that they could give up bodily life so easily and merely think. There is a multitude of potential logistic problems, even from a group that is presently on board with that plan. But perhaps most importantly, could the Daleks really appreciate victory if there is nothing around to witness it? Are the Time Lords really exacting punishment€”on anyone other than themselves€”if there is no one else around to bear it? Both the Daleks and the Time Lords are supposed to be super-intelligent races. I would hope such great minds could see the foolishness in such of a course of action. And speaking of great minds...