Rewatching Doctor Who every day for a year is not just a challenge; it’s an adventure in its own right, akin to stepping into the TARDIS and being whisked away to distant worlds, and now, for day two, we arrive at a monumental moment in the show’s history: The Daleks. This seven-part story, first aired in late 1963 and early 1964, is where the series truly takes off, introducing the titular villains who would go on to define much of Doctor Who’s identity.
While the first adventure, An Unearthly Child, set the stage quite admirably within its very first episode, before dipping in engagement for the final three parts, The Daleks pushes the boundaries of the show’s potential across all seven episodes, taking us to another planet, introducing iconic antagonists, and further exploring the dynamics of the TARDIS crew. Rewatching it today, it’s impossible not to feel both the excitement of the new and the occasional limitations of the old.
A Journey to Skaro
The adventure begins as the TARDIS lands on an alien planet, later revealed as Skaro, a desolate world ravaged by a nuclear war between the Daleks and the Thals. The crew—The Doctor, Susan, Ian, and Barbara—find themselves caught in a struggle between these two surviving factions. The barren, petrified forests and eerie cityscapes of Skaro are brought to life with ambitious set design that, while primitive by today’s standards, evokes a haunting atmosphere.
The Daleks themselves are immediately captivating. Their design is striking: bulky, metallic, and insect-like, with their iconic eye-stalks and exterminating plungers. Their mechanical, staccato voices add a layer of menace, creating villains that feel truly alien. Watching them here for the first time, it’s easy to see why they captured the imaginations of audiences in 1963 and remain enduring symbols of the series.
The TARDIS Team Under Pressure
The dynamics among the TARDIS crew are particularly intriguing in this serial. The Doctor, still in his gruff, somewhat untrustworthy early incarnation, lands the group in trouble by sabotaging the TARDIS, all in the name of satisfying his curiosity about the mysterious city. His selfishness and arrogance are on full display, yet there are flickers of the compassion and ingenuity that will come to define him.
Ian and Barbara, once again, prove to be the moral centre of the team. Their humanity stands in stark contrast to the Doctor’s aloofness and serves as a grounding force for the audience. Ian’s leadership and Barbara’s resilience shine, particularly as they navigate the perilous swamps and confront the Thals. And then there’s Susan, whose shrill panic occasionally grates but also reveals the vulnerability of a young girl thrust into unimaginable situations.
From 1963 to Today
From a modern perspective, The Daleks is a fascinating blend of brilliance and dated storytelling. The pacing is slow by contemporary standards, with the middle episodes sagging under the weight of drawn-out sequences. Yet this slower rhythm also allows for tension to build, making the Daleks’ menace all the more palpable.
The Thals, on the other hand, are less compelling. Their shiny costumes and somewhat simplistic dialogue can feel like a missed opportunity, especially when juxtaposed against the Daleks’ sinister complexity. Nonetheless, their interactions with the TARDIS crew provide moments of drama and moral questioning, particularly around the themes of pacifism and the necessity of action in the face of evil.
Legacy and Reflections
The Daleks marks the beginning of Doctor Who’s transformation into a cultural phenomenon. This story gave the series its first taste of widespread popularity, with the Daleks becoming instant icons. They not only propelled the show into the public consciousness but also established a recurring theme: the battle between good and evil, often framed in allegorical terms.
Watching it today, it’s clear why The Daleks remains a cornerstone of Doctor Who. It combines a sense of wonder with genuine tension, introducing villains who are as memorable as they are terrifying. While its execution isn’t perfect—marred by limited effects and occasionally meandering dialogue—it’s easy to forgive these flaws in light of the story’s ambition and creativity.
Final Thoughts
Revisiting The Daleks, no matter how often you might do so, is a continual reminder of how groundbreaking Doctor Who was in its early days. This serial may show its age, but its impact is undeniable. It’s fascinating to see the building blocks of a series that would evolve, endure, and inspire for over six decades. For all its imperfections, The Daleks is a vital chapter in the story of Doctor Who—a tale of survival, courage, and the first battle against a foe who would never quite go away.
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