The Single Biggest Mistake Every Doctor Who Series Has Made

Series 5 was the freshest Doctor Who had been since 2005, with a host of updates, redesigns, and revisions. But not all of them went down well.

Fans could take a new Doctor, a new companion, a new TARDIS, a new sonic screwdriver, a new title sequence, and a new arrangement of the theme tune. But the new Daleks were a mess.

Sure, these Skaro Skittles weren’t universally hated, but they also weren’t universally loved. Fans were quick to make fun of their bulkier proportions and colour-coded liveries. When the universe’s deadliest aliens are being compared to Teletubbies, you know you’re in trouble.

So strong was the backlash that the New Paradigm Daleks were retired almost immediately. Some efforts were made to improve the props, with the bulky back section removed and a more metallic colour scheme. But it was too little too late, and the bronze design was reinstated.

No-one has dared to update the Daleks since, with models like the Reconnaissance Scout and Defence Drone presented as one-offs rather than the new status quo.

With a new era dawning, will the Daleks be redesigned again? If so, we can only hope they’re received better this time round.