Doctor Who Diaries— Genesis of the Daleks Part 1

The Time Lords send the Doctor on a mission to destroy the Daleks (Image: Genesis of the Daleks)

Tom Baker is the most popular and well-liked of the Classic Doctors. He held the role for the longest time and for the most stories, but more than that he was fun and eccentric, and many of his stories were real crackers! Perhaps his most popular and influential story of all time though was one of his earliest, “Genesis of the Daleks”.

Most Dalek-orientated stories in the classic series were worth watching, but this one stands out for a number of reasons: most especially the acting and the well-written story, both of which are excellent. “Genesis of the Daleks” also stands out because:

• This is the origin story of the Dalek race! You don’t get more epic than that!
• This is the first introduction of Davros, the Dalek’s creator. He would go on to reappear in many Classic and Modern-day stories.
• It is a sequel (or prequel) of sorts to the first Dalek story: “The Daleks”, which was the second serial story of the William Hartnell era.
• The moral dilemma faced by the Doctor and his eventual decision is one of the best Dr Who moments, ever!

We’ll begin with part 1, with a fictional account from the Doctor. He’s unexpectedly found himself on ancient Skaro, just as the Daleks are about to be born!