1. Genesis Of The Daleks (1975)
Not only the finest Dalek episode of all time but certainly one of Tom Baker's best and a series high point. In terms of Dalek evolution, this is a critical hinge point as its outcome changes the Dalek future by allowing Davros, their creator, to remain alive. This is a crucial distinction because in this new timeline created by the Doctor's actions, the Daleks can never quite be the unified force that they were previously. The presence of their creator causes the Dalek army to splinter into many different factions, both pro and anti-Davros. In this adventure, the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry are sent to Skaro by the Time Lords at the birth of the Dalek Race in order to avert their creation as an end to the long, bitterly fought war between the Kaleds and the Thals. There are obvious parallels to Nazism here as fans see a fascistic state attempting to create an ultimate weapon with the Kaled Scientists costumes and salutes being disturbingly close to those of the Third Reich. Tom Baker's finest moment comes when he literally holds the future of the Daleks in his hands as he contemplates destroying the Dalek breeding chamber and erasing them from history completely. "Do I have that right?" Ultimately, he decides that he does not and hopes that some good can come from their continued existence. That's not a problem that would have forced much soul-searching from the post Time War Doctors. One can easily imagine the Ninth or Twelfth Doctors (or the War Doctor) gleefully destroying the Dalek race in one swift blow. But it is just that moral conundrum that adds a level of previously unseen gravitas to the episode and makes it the best Dalek episode ever as a result.
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