06/25/13 - Genesis of the Daleks

Picture from PaulHanley's DeviantArt page

So, to continue what I'm calling Doctor Who month, today I thought I'd look at the follow up to last time's I, Davros, the classic Fourth Doctor serial Genesis of the Daleks. This is probably the signature Dalek episode of Tom Baker's run as the Doctor, and is just amazing in so many ways, not the least being the first actual appearance of Davros. So, where to begin?

The episode begins with the Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry being grabbed by the Time Lords and dropped on ancient Skaro, in the final days of the 1000 year war between the Kaleds and Thals. They tell the Doctor that they have predicted the Daleks to be their ultimate threat and want the Doctor to either eliminate the Daleks or alter their development to make them less aggressive. Now, most Whovian "scholars" consider this the first official shot in the current series' Time War. Which means that for a change, the Daleks didn't shoot first. 

"YOU REALLY DROPPED THE BALL, CARL!"

Now, this in itself is fascinating, because up until this moment, the Time Lords hadn't really taken an active role in galactic threats. And this episode is responsible for 99% of the current run of Doctor Who: The Time War, the Ninth Doctor's actions, the resurrection of the Master,

This? Maybe?

But the highlight of the episode is really the creation of Davros. Davros is one of the most chilling villains ever created for science fiction. How chilling is he? Here is one piece of dialogue between the Fourth Doctor and Davros:

The Doctor: Davros, if you had created a virus in your laboratory, something contagious and infectious that killed on contact, a virus that would destroy all other forms of life; would you allow its use?

Davros: It is an interesting conjecture.

The Doctor: Would you do it?

Davros: The only living thing... The microscopic organism... reigning supreme... A fascinating idea.

The Doctor: But would you do it?

Davros: ...Yes... yes... To hold in my hand, a capsule that contained such power. To know that life and death on such a scale was my choice. To know that the tiny pressure on my thumb, enough to break the glass, would end everything. Yes! Iwould do it! That power would set me up above the gods! And through the Daleks, I shall have that power!

Now, normally I know the whole point of this blog is for me to spoil the shit out of stuff, but the plain fact of Genesis of the Daleks is that I don't want to ruin it for you. If you have any interest in Doctor Who or the Daleks, you need to watch this episode. Like I said, without this episode, most of the plotlines of nuWho wouldn't happen. Please take the time to enjoy it, savor it like a fine wine, then join me next week for the next installment of Doctor Who Month!