Doctor Who: What Would a Fifteenth Doctor Dalek Story Look Like?

Highlights

• The Daleks were rested during Series 14 but it’s only a matter of time before they return to terrorize the Fifteenth Doctor, and actor Ncuti Gatwa is ready.
• With a history almost as long as the Doctor’s, the iconic enemies are likely to return bigger and bolder than ever in the Disney era.
• Doctor Who‘s classic and modern eras, as well as a minisode broadcast in 2023, hint at what might happen when the Daleks return.

As a longtime Whovian who’s seen the Daleks evolve from their humble beginnings to the monstrosities they are today, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation at the prospect of these pepperpots making a grand return under Chibnall’s tenure.

2024 saw an entire season of “Doctor Who” unfold without a single sighting of the Daleks, as the Time Lord known as The Fifteenth Doctor has been engrossed with dealing with divine entities and mythical creatures instead. However, if history has shown us anything about this series that spans over six decades, it’s that the most formidable cosmic peril never truly vanishes completely.

In an unexpected twist at the end of Series 14, he may have inadvertently preserved the Daleks by reversing Sutekh’s universal death sentence. However, it’s safe to say they won’t be expressing their gratitude. These hate-driven, armor-clad creatures have been a recurring menace since the Doctor’s earliest adventures, and it’s only a matter of time before they pose another threat to the universe in future episodes of ‘Doctor Who’.

Doctor Who And The Daleks

For the very first time Earth’s viewers witnessed the TARDIS departing, it touched down on Skaro – marking the Doctor’s initial, tragic encounter with the Daleks. Surrounded by their metallic city and propelled by energy-powered walkways, the Daleks were under the impression that their world was the only habitable one until they encountered those adventurers. Not long after this meeting, they embarked on a cosmic crusade, targeting any life forms unlike their own. The Daleks’ victories were so numerous that the Time Lords foretold a future where they would become the dominant life form in the universe.

In the tale of “Genesis of the Daleks,” the Doctor was sent by the Time Lords to Skaro to prevent a future catastrophe, marking the initial skirmishes of the Great Time War – a colossal battle between the Time Lords and Daleks that came close to wiping out both races. For some time, it appeared that only the Doctor had survived this conflict. This is why the Time Lords gave him nicknames like “Oncoming Storm” and “Dalek Hunter.” Except for his most recent form, every incarnation of the Doctor has faced the Daleks.

When Did The Daleks Last Appear?

The previous appearance of the Daleks on screen was a trip to their ancient history, titled “Destination Skaro”. This mini-episode was aired during the BBC’s charity event for children, Children in Need, before the three special episodes celebrating the 60th anniversary. It was a comedic skit that transported the newly regenerated Fourteenth Doctor to the time of the Daleks’ creation, where he unwittingly contributed to their distinctive design.

Previously, in “The Power of the Doctor,” a special episode marking the end of the Thirteenth Doctor’s tenure, we witnessed an unusual alliance between the Daleks, the Cybermen, and the Master. Their joint mission was to annihilate Earth by triggering volcanic eruptions. At this stage, the Daleks had returned to their well-known bronze forms, a change from their earlier appearances that caused trouble for the Thirteenth Doctor in multiple New Year specials.

1. In the episode “Resolution,” The Thirteenth Doctor initially encountered a reconnaissance drone made of scrap metal which rebuilt itself. Contrastingly, in “Revolution of the Daleks,” this design was refined into sleek, menacing Defense Drones that oddly disregarded human commands and followed their own deadly agenda.

For the past five years, we haven’t experienced the grandeur of storylines that were common during Russell T. Davies’ initial tenure from 2005 to 2010. By the conclusion of Series 1, a massive Dalek saga culminated in the Ninth Doctor’s regeneration. In Series 4, the Daleks devised their most ambitious scheme yet – moving Earth to create a bomb that would destroy an entire solar system. However, Davies didn’t continue this narrative thread. Instead, the Daleks were absent during Series 14. During a press screening for the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials, the returning showrunner expressed that he felt a break was necessary: they needed some rest.

Luckily, the Doctor shares a similar relentless spirit with the Daleks. By spring 2024, Ncuti Gatwa expressed his displeasure to Entertainment Weekly over the rumors involving Daleks.

Crucial Components Of A Fifteenth Doctor And Dalek Clash

In this more expansive, bold, and vibrant phase of “Doctor Who”, we can expect that Gatwa need not fret. After all, history has shown a confrontation between the Fifteenth Doctor and the Daleks is inevitable. But what might this conflict look like in this new era?

A Dalek Onslaught

Typically, you’ll find two categories of Dalek narratives, each just as lethal: major and minor. While they may seem menacing in larger numbers or individually, Daleks have demonstrated their intelligence and potential for danger even within a small group. The story “Dalek” from 2005 served as a compelling reboot and enhancement of these fearsome beings, highlighting their extensive arsenal of deadly abilities and the significant threat posed by a solitary drone. Similarly, “Resolution” offered another reintroduction that underscored the extreme danger one Dalek can pose under extreme conditions.

On the contrary, you’ll find the massive Dalek forces from episodes such as “The Parting of the Ways,” “Journey’s End,” and “Day of the Doctor.” With the unique partnership between Disney and the BBC, “Doctor Who” has never been more expansive. It’s likely we’ll witness a Dalek army on an unprecedented scale. Regardless of their frequency, these Disney-era Daleks will be conspiring to create mayhem on a grander scale than ever before.

A Different Davros

In the popular series Doctor Who, Davros, the inventor of the Daleks, has long been recognized as a distinctive antagonist. However, the showrunner has announced that this character will undergo a significant transformation permanently. This shift was first introduced in the minisode Destination Skaro, and at the time, the creator Russell T. Davies emphasized that the traditional image of the disfigured, wheelchair-bound villain is no longer applicable. He stated that “time, society, culture, and taste have evolved.”

Davros isn’t always present: there have been more Dalek stories without him than with him since his debut in 1975. However, after his introduction, the creator significantly influenced serials involving his creations throughout the classic era. He has made two significant comebacks in the modern era, both times portrayed by Julian Bleach, who also plays Davros before the accident.

Davis’s remarks are strong yet unclear, leaving room for various scenarios in potential future episodes. It’s possible we might see a pre-“Genesis” version of Davros, or maybe the event causing his injury will be erased from history. Both options suggest as many restrictions as opportunities if he confronts the Fifteenth Doctor. Alternatively, “Destination Skaro” may hint at a return to the Daleks’ origins, implying their near future could involve a step back to their beginnings.

The Tried And Tested Bronze Armor

Over the past six decades, Dalek designs have undergone numerous transformations, but among the latest trends, I find myself particularly drawn to the bronze models that made their entrance in 2005. Known throughout the cosmos as Type VIII Daleks, these are the standard designs that contemporary Daleks seem to favor returning to.

Previously, during “Resolution,” The Thirteenth Doctor encountered a homemade Dalek known as a Scrap Dalek. However, before this encounter, the most significant change in Dalek design occurred when the New Paradigm was introduced in “Victory of the Daleks” from Series 5. These colorful yet large drones became less frequent after the bronze prototype reappeared. As Russell T Davies created this lasting design, it’s likely that we will see this look again to scare the Fifteenth Doctor.

A New Type Of Dalek

Instead of sticking to their traditional design, Daleks’ history has been marked by peculiar departures and twisted crossbreeds. This seems unusual for an alien race fixated on maintaining their genetic integrity, but paradoxically, these deviations have proven to be a significant flaw in the hands of tyrants, yet they have also provided the series with numerous intriguing storylines.

David’s work has significantly expanded the lore of the revamped Daleks. He reintroduced a human-descended race and another breed directly connected to Davros’ genetics. He rescued them from oblivion, introduced a half-human, half-Dalek in “Daleks in Manhattan,” and pushed Dalek Caan to the brink of insanity. When David reintroduces the Daleks, be prepared for unexpected turns that will guide the pepperpots into uncharted territories.

UNIT Versus The Daleks

It’s been some time since the UNIT team clashed with the Daleks, a situation that is regrettable given the exciting potential of their historic confrontations, such as “Day of the Daleks.” Unfortunately, their encounter in “The Stolen Planet” didn’t end favorably for them; this marked the Daleks’ final, full-scale invasion on Earth.

In recent times, the Doctor has grown particularly close to UNIT and its leader, Kate Stewart. Given this relationship, it’s not surprising that UNIT might find itself entangled in any fresh Dalek invasion. It’s exciting to imagine how the new UNIT headquarters, first seen in “The Giggle,” would fare against a full-scale Dalek attack force.

An Emotional Fight

As a devoted fan, I must say that the Fifteenth Doctor stands out as the most emotionally expressive incarnation yet. Instead of hiding his feelings, he openly wears his empathy on his sleeve, making him all the more relatable. And when those pesky Daleks reappear, they’re bound to return with a vengeance. However, be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster as their return promises high-stakes situations that will tug at our Time Lord’s heartstrings.

In numerous aspects, the character of the Doctor and the Daleks often mirror each other, becoming almost indistinguishable at times. For instance, in the 2005 series “Dalek,” the Ninth Doctor was surprised when a solitary Dalek remarked, “You could be a Dalek.” As the Thirteenth Doctor has elevated emotional depth, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the Daleks will respond by becoming more menacing and dangerous than ever.

Something Fans May Have Heard Before

The television series Doctor Who boasts a vibrant and widely appreciated extended collection of books, audiobooks, comics, and other media. In 2005, Russell T Davies oversaw the comeback of the Daleks by commissioning Robert Shearman to adapt “Dalek” from an earlier audio play he’d penned for Big Finish Productions.

Through numerous tales spanning the Doctor’s long-standing struggle with the Daleks, even during the intense Time War, there might be hints that the plot for their return in this current phase has been penned down already.

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2024-08-08 23:04