In one of Doctor Who's most iconic and atmospheric pieces of storytelling, Terry Nation recreates the origins of the Daleks and gives them a father figure in Davros.
Story: 11
This story has a mysterious beginning, seeing the Doctor land on Skaro on a mission for the Tims Lords. After that, they engage in some rafter suspenseful traversing if a battlefield. It's the best beginning to a serial Nations has written since Death to the Daleks. The atmosphere of neverending war, sinister plans being made and stakes being raised sky-high looms string in the serial from its first opening minutes.
This story introduces Davros, who from now on will feature in every Dalek story until the end of the classic series. This is also the story that greatly contradicts Nations earlier story, The Daleks, which gave a different explanation to the genesis of the Daleks. But it is the incredibly well-depicted atmosphere, the great characterisation and acting and the mythos-building narrative that makes this story stand out.
The script contains fascinating dramatic tensions between different fractions of people, who believe in different things in terms of the war between the Thals and the Kaleds. There's the question of where the Daleks should be allowed to have a moral compass or not. The Doctor is faced with the biggest moral dilemma of his life, as he has the opportunity to commit genocide and prevent the birth of the Daleks.
This story isn't about the Daleks themselves, which is why they appear only briefly. It's about Davros, the war between the Thals and the Kaleds and the moral dilemmas present after the war. And it's about Davros' grand plan firing back at him (literally).
Despite everything great, Nation also fills his script with his typical elements of random creatures thrown in to flesh out the runtime as well as pointless running back and forth between two places.
Acting: 10
All regulars are amazing. Tom Baker, in particular, shows what his Doctor is capable of when saved with his biggest enemies. He a given some great lines, all of which he delivers with great condition. This is also one of Elisabeth Sladen finest performances in terms of emotional depth.
Peter Miles is phenomenal as Nyder. He's part of the reason this serial works so well because he's such an enjoyable crook. He's different from Guy Siner's arrogant and oftentimes overly energetic Ravon and Dennis Chinnery's calm and relatively moderate Gharman.
There's no Davros actor like Michael Wisher. He has previously appeared in minor roles throughout Doctor Who as well as the voice of the Daleks since Frontier in Space. But Davros is his most successful role, and he outs his heart and energy into it.
The Doctor: 12
This serial has some of the best moments for not only the Fourth Doctor but the character in general. The scene between him and Davros in Part Five is legendary and the monologues the Doctor holds are iconic. He struggles with his moral dilemma, trying to overcome it in different ways, finally realizing it's not possible.
The Companions: 9
I like it that Harry is paired with the Doctor initially, while Sarah is out leading the mutos into an uprising. She has a pretty rough time but is admirably strong and brave.
The Monster/Villain: 12
Davros is the epitome of a mad scientist, with a mind twisted by war and fear, and with the overarching desire to survive everything and anything. He is a brilliant scientist and strategist, but mad as a hatter and filled with anger.
There's been a long time since the show has presented a villain so memorable, cold and ruthless as Nyder. Played by Peter Miles, whose previous track record in the show consists of two half-baked villain roles in Jim Pertwee serials, this is something completely different. Nyder is the Snape of Doctor Who.
The Daleks once again they out to be ruthless killing machines, particularly in the second half of the story, once the massacre begins. And by the end, they show no mercy or emotional and kill even their creator.
Production: 10
The production is effective in terms of costume design, some of the set design and visual effects. The determination effects are beautiful and the serial uses slow-motion and freeze frame to a great effect. This serial also has some very good cliffhangers. The music us some of the best in the series.
Pacing: 11
For a six-parter Genesis of the Daleks has admirable speed l, mostly thanks to the uniquely dark atmosphere. There are some slight padding and repetition in the middle, but that doesn't largely affect the finished product.
Atmosphere: 12
This is one of the more constantly intense, scary and dark experiences in Doctor Who. I can easily see the children hiding behind the sofa when seeing Sarah cling onto dear life or Davros announce his intentions.
You can see from the haunting imagery, the violence and dark tone, how Doctor Who has matured over 10 years.
Impact: 12
There is hardly a story as important and iconic as Genesis of the Daleks. Its place in the series legendarium is indisputably influential and it is constantly referred to as one of the shows greatest achievements.
Replay Value: 12
Despite its six episodes and slight padding issues, Genesis of the Daleks is one of the finest pieces of Doctor Who to rewatch over and over again.
Random Observations:
The way Davros appears at the end of Part One, testing his new creation, is both creepy and very memorable. It's an effective cliffhanger, and Sarah's reactions make it so much better.
What makes this entire serial fascinating is the fact that the Time Lords and the Doctor seem intent in changing the future, despite the show teaching us that you cannot do that. And if course, the Doctor ends up not changing anything.
The Doctor mentions the Dalek invasion of Earth in the year 2000. But that invasion happened sometimes in the 2100s...
The Twelfth Doctor later meets Davros as a child in a story inspired by the Doctor's question about whether Davros would kill a ruthless dictator as a child to save the lives of millions.
Isn't it funny how the total destruct button is a big red button with the label "total destruct" printed next to it?
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2020-06-22T14:57:41Z
In one of Doctor Who's most iconic and atmospheric pieces of storytelling, Terry Nation recreates the origins of the Daleks and gives them a father figure in Davros.
Story: 11
This story has a mysterious beginning, seeing the Doctor land on Skaro on a mission for the Tims Lords. After that, they engage in some rafter suspenseful traversing if a battlefield. It's the best beginning to a serial Nations has written since Death to the Daleks. The atmosphere of neverending war, sinister plans being made and stakes being raised sky-high looms string in the serial from its first opening minutes.
This story introduces Davros, who from now on will feature in every Dalek story until the end of the classic series. This is also the story that greatly contradicts Nations earlier story, The Daleks, which gave a different explanation to the genesis of the Daleks. But it is the incredibly well-depicted atmosphere, the great characterisation and acting and the mythos-building narrative that makes this story stand out.
The script contains fascinating dramatic tensions between different fractions of people, who believe in different things in terms of the war between the Thals and the Kaleds. There's the question of where the Daleks should be allowed to have a moral compass or not. The Doctor is faced with the biggest moral dilemma of his life, as he has the opportunity to commit genocide and prevent the birth of the Daleks.
This story isn't about the Daleks themselves, which is why they appear only briefly. It's about Davros, the war between the Thals and the Kaleds and the moral dilemmas present after the war. And it's about Davros' grand plan firing back at him (literally).
Despite everything great, Nation also fills his script with his typical elements of random creatures thrown in to flesh out the runtime as well as pointless running back and forth between two places.
Acting: 10
All regulars are amazing. Tom Baker, in particular, shows what his Doctor is capable of when saved with his biggest enemies. He a given some great lines, all of which he delivers with great condition. This is also one of Elisabeth Sladen finest performances in terms of emotional depth.
Peter Miles is phenomenal as Nyder. He's part of the reason this serial works so well because he's such an enjoyable crook. He's different from Guy Siner's arrogant and oftentimes overly energetic Ravon and Dennis Chinnery's calm and relatively moderate Gharman.
There's no Davros actor like Michael Wisher. He has previously appeared in minor roles throughout Doctor Who as well as the voice of the Daleks since Frontier in Space. But Davros is his most successful role, and he outs his heart and energy into it.
The Doctor: 12
This serial has some of the best moments for not only the Fourth Doctor but the character in general. The scene between him and Davros in Part Five is legendary and the monologues the Doctor holds are iconic. He struggles with his moral dilemma, trying to overcome it in different ways, finally realizing it's not possible.
The Companions: 9
I like it that Harry is paired with the Doctor initially, while Sarah is out leading the mutos into an uprising. She has a pretty rough time but is admirably strong and brave.
The Monster/Villain: 12
Davros is the epitome of a mad scientist, with a mind twisted by war and fear, and with the overarching desire to survive everything and anything. He is a brilliant scientist and strategist, but mad as a hatter and filled with anger.
There's been a long time since the show has presented a villain so memorable, cold and ruthless as Nyder. Played by Peter Miles, whose previous track record in the show consists of two half-baked villain roles in Jim Pertwee serials, this is something completely different. Nyder is the Snape of Doctor Who.
The Daleks once again they out to be ruthless killing machines, particularly in the second half of the story, once the massacre begins. And by the end, they show no mercy or emotional and kill even their creator.
Production: 10
The production is effective in terms of costume design, some of the set design and visual effects. The determination effects are beautiful and the serial uses slow-motion and freeze frame to a great effect. This serial also has some very good cliffhangers. The music us some of the best in the series.
Pacing: 11
For a six-parter Genesis of the Daleks has admirable speed l, mostly thanks to the uniquely dark atmosphere. There are some slight padding and repetition in the middle, but that doesn't largely affect the finished product.
Atmosphere: 12
This is one of the more constantly intense, scary and dark experiences in Doctor Who. I can easily see the children hiding behind the sofa when seeing Sarah cling onto dear life or Davros announce his intentions.
You can see from the haunting imagery, the violence and dark tone, how Doctor Who has matured over 10 years.
Impact: 12
There is hardly a story as important and iconic as Genesis of the Daleks. Its place in the series legendarium is indisputably influential and it is constantly referred to as one of the shows greatest achievements.
Replay Value: 12
Despite its six episodes and slight padding issues, Genesis of the Daleks is one of the finest pieces of Doctor Who to rewatch over and over again.
Random Observations:
The way Davros appears at the end of Part One, testing his new creation, is both creepy and very memorable. It's an effective cliffhanger, and Sarah's reactions make it so much better.
What makes this entire serial fascinating is the fact that the Time Lords and the Doctor seem intent in changing the future, despite the show teaching us that you cannot do that. And if course, the Doctor ends up not changing anything.
The Doctor mentions the Dalek invasion of Earth in the year 2000. But that invasion happened sometimes in the 2100s...
The Twelfth Doctor later meets Davros as a child in a story inspired by the Doctor's question about whether Davros would kill a ruthless dictator as a child to save the lives of millions.
Isn't it funny how the total destruct button is a big red button with the label "total destruct" printed next to it?
Score: 111/120