Doctor Who: 5 Best Dalek Stories

1. Genesis Of The Daleks (1975)

The Time Lords send the Doctor to Skaro before the Daleks are created in order to stop their development. It€™s hard to put into words how truly incredible this story is. Acting as an origin story for the Daleks, it sees Doctor Who get dark, gritty, and surprisingly political. There is no black and white morality here. Only shades of grey. The Nazi-esque themes woven into the story through both the visuals and story really helps to play up the atmosphere of two species that have completely lost their sense of morality. The conceit of the Kaled and Thal (Skaro€™s native species) war going on for so long that their technology begins to regress is an ingenious one and, for once, the exterior scenes being filmed in a quarry actually works as it€™s completely believable as a landscape ravaged by a nuclear war. Thirty-eight years on, the sets and creature effects look pretty ropey (especially that god-awful giant clam) but the atmosphere that Terry Nation€™s script and the performances of both the regular and supporting cast creates is a truly marvellous thing to behold. Particularly of note is the story€™s climax where the Daleks execute Davros after responding to his begging for pity by telling him that they don€™t understand the word as it was never registered in their vocabulary. But, without doubt, the best part of this story is Michael Wisher€™s show-stealing performance as Davros. The face prosthetics, wheelchair, and use of only one arm don€™t limit him one bit as he perfectly nails the sheer insanity of Davros. The scenes between Wisher and Tom Baker are incredibly gripping as Baker underplays the Doctor in contrast to Wisher€™s wonderfully psychotic performance. The entire thing is simply a joy to watch. It€™s no wonder that this is officially Doctor Who€™s third greatest story of all time. Best Quote €œToday the Kaled race is ended, consumed in the fire of war. But, from its ashes, will rise a new race. The supreme creature. The ultimate conqueror of the universe. The Dalek!€ €“ Davros Useless Trivia Until the 2008 episode Midnight, this was the only story to not feature the Tardis in any way. Think I€™m wrong? Want to exterminate me? Leave a comment below.