July 18: Genesis of the Daleks Parts Five & Six

These episodes are probably the best of the story -- certainly they're full of memorable moments.  Part five gives us the Doctor's discussion with Davros about the deadliness of the Daleks in the future, with the Doctor likening them to a virus: "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, however, is taken by the idea: "Yes.  Yes.  To hold in my hand a capsule that contains 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, I would do it!  That power would set me up above the gods!  And through the Daleks, I shall have that power!"

Events appear to be moving against Davros, however, with those opposed to him staging a sort of revolution -- a revolution which Davros appears to submit to.  He seems to bow to Gharman and the others' demands (hey, he wasn't lobotomized after all!), asking only that he be allowed to address everyone.  Yet after Gharman agrees to this, Davros begins to crow triumphantly.  "Ours is the victory, Nyder.  We have won!  They talk of democracy, freedom, fairness.  Those are the creeds of cowards.  The ones who will listen to a thousand viewpoints and try to satisfy them all.  Achievement comes through absolute power, and power through strength.  They have lost!" Davros cries.

But while Davros remains fascinatingly watchable, the Doctor is making his own plans to wipe out the Daleks, by setting explosive charges inside their nursery.  But as he comes out, a Dalek mutant is attempting to strangle him...

"Do I have the right?" The Doctor contemplates genocide while
Sarah and Harry look on. (Genesis of the Daleks Part Six) ©BBC
Part six has probably (and understandably) the most well-known scene of this entire story, as the Doctor contemplates going through with his plan and blowing up the nursery:
DOCTOR: Just touch these two strands together and the Daleks are finished.  Have I that right?
SARAH: To destroy the Daleks?  You can't doubt it.
DOCTOR: But I do.  You see, some things could be better with the Daleks.  Many future worlds will become allies just because of their fear of the Daleks.
SARAH: But it isn't like that.
DOCTOR: But the final responsibility is mine, and mine alone.  Listen, if someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil, to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives, could you then kill that child?
SARAH: We're talking about the Daleks, the most evil creatures ever invented.  You must destroy them.  You must complete your mission for the Time Lords.
DOCTOR: Do I have the right?  Simply touch one wire against the other and that's it.  The Daleks cease to exist.  Hundreds of millions of people, thousands of generations can live without fear, in peace, and never even know the word "Dalek".
SARAH: Then why wait?  If it was a disease or some sort of bacteria you were destroying, you wouldn't hesitate.
DOCTOR: But if I kill, wipe out a whole intelligent lifeform, then I become like them.  I'd be no better than the Daleks.
Fortunately for the Doctor, he doesn't have to make the choice, as Gharman comes and tells him that Davros has lost.  The future has been changed.  Well, except it turns out Davros has been stalling for time, waiting for the Daleks to arrive and exterminate all the rebels.  So while the Thals are outside the Kaled bunker, preparing to destroy the entrance and entomb those inside, the Doctor decides to go back and finish the job he started.  That's less well-remembered -- probably because there aren't any interesting speeches the second time around.  But even though he's successful, he's not completely satisfied: "I'm afraid I've only delayed them for a short time.  Perhaps a thousand years."

But the best thing about this episode is watching Davros outmaneuver his opponents, being cool and collected with them, trying to persuade them to join his side before seeing them all cut down by Dalek fire -- only to then have them turn on him as well, as they decide they don't need him.  "We obey no one.  We are the superior beings," a Dalek declares before it exterminates Davros.  And meanwhile, the Thals set off the explosives, trapping the Daleks inside the bunker -- at least for a little while.

And the story ends well too, as the Time Ring sends the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry away from Skaro.  "We failed, haven't we?" Sarah asks.  "Failed?" the Doctor replies.  "No, not really.  You see, I know that although the Daleks will create havoc and destruction for millions of years, I know also that out of their evil must come something good."

Genesis of the Daleks is considered one of Doctor Who's finest stories, and it's not hard to see why.  There's a confidence on display here that carries the whole production, and David Maloney's direction is chock full of good scenes that are stark in their brutality, making the whole thing feel desperate.  And it seems that someone has inspired Terry Nation to rise to the occasion, as he delivers his best script for the show since The Daleks.  There's also something exciting about seeing the origins of the Daleks that shines through, even now.  But even though this is called Genesis of the Daleks, the Daleks themselves are kept largely in the background, only to be unleashed at key moments in parts four and six.  No, this story is primarily about Davros, one of Doctor Who's best villains ever, and Michael Wisher is more than up to the task of carrying the tale.  It's a tour de force performance, delivered inside a wheelchair and behind a (very well done) latex mask.  The success of Genesis lies as much in his lap as in anyone else's.  You wouldn't want them all to be like this, but Genesis of the Daleks carries out its mission in considerable style.
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