Famous British science fiction series Doctor Who is home to many iconic villains. The Master, Weeping Angels, Cybermen, The Silence, and more are all prime examples of the excellent adversaries pitted against the Doctor throughout the series’ long, rich history.
Arguably the most famous villains of the show are the Daleks, the cyborg aliens that were partially inspired by the soldiers of Nazi Germany. The Daleks have made countless appearances in Doctor Who, showing up in most seasons and facing off against every incarnation of the Doctor. The history of the title character is also intrinsically linked to the Daleks, making their confrontations seem bound to happen. Ultimately, this means the Daleks will inevitably always return to Doctor Who.
The Daleks first appeared in 1963 with a design that still largely remains the same in the more modern episodes. Their personality has also remained consistent, as these cyborg aliens are clearly reminiscent of the Nazi ideology that they were based on: eradicating everything that isn't like them. They are cold, heartless, and largely emotionless creatures, whose only feelings they exhibit come in the form of anger, particularly with their iconic catchphrase “Exterminate!”
Some of the series’ most popular and beloved episodes have involved Daleks as the center villains. Many regeneration episodes, which often serve as series finales as the show reboots itself with a new lead actor in the role of the Doctor, feature Daleks as the prime threat. Perhaps the best example of this is Christopher Eccleston’s regeneration arc, a conclusion whose plot spans multiple episodes and ends the actor’s short-lived time as the Doctor. Eccelston is often forgotten in many conversations surrounding the show, particularly as the two actors that followed him, David Tennant and Matt Smith, had a longer tenure in the role and were often the beneficiaries of better-written episodes.
Still, Eccleston shines in these episodes, and it’s ultimately a reminder of how much unfortunate it was that he didn’t get more time in the role. These episodes add to the backstory of the Doctor and of the Daleks, providing key information of the events of the past that led these key players to where they are at this point in the timeline.
David Tennant and Matt Smith went up against the Daleks on several occasions too. The latter had a particularly memorable episode, Victory of the Daleks, which features perhaps the most radical redesign of these enemies and, as revealed by the title, their victory (brought on by the Doctor’s obsessive hatred of these cyborgs). The look of the Daleks got sustained criticism from some sections of Whovians, but this episode ultimately remains a unique story, with these long-lasting enemies going up against the Doctor with the backdrop of World War II and the infamous Winston Churchill.
There are also some unique stories featuring Daleks, such as a Peter Capaldi episode that features a Dalek as a protagonist as a result of damage occurred that disrupted its machinery. It’s a unique story that, while it doesn’t have the revelations or monumental impact that some other episodes and arcs do, it highlights the inherent connection between the Doctor and the Daleks and changes the script in a fascinating way.
Jodie Whitaker, the trailblazing current Doctor who is set to leave the series, also met the Daleks several times. One of these was in Eve of the Daleks, which is somewhat reminiscent of The X Files episode First Person Shooter, albeit with very different villains. The video game aspect remain overt throughout both episodes, except Mulder and Scully aren’t given any extra lives as the Doctor is in this episode. In First Person Shooter, if the heroes die, then they die in real life. However, the Doctor is afforded a bit more leeway, earning some extra lives in the event she is shot. This means that the episode features some death, and a fair amount of Dalek horror.
Clearly, the storylines featuring the Daleks have evolved and arguably gotten more creative as the show has gone on, understandably so as these villains have been on fans’ screens for so long and appeared so often. Still, the show isn’t done with them yet, and most likely never will be. As such, creativity is required to keep things fresh, and it’s certainly there in abundance.
Their constant appearances serve as proof that the Daleks are the definitive enemy of the Doctor. As such, it’s inevitable that they will always return. There might be some minor tweaks and slight redesigns, or the adding to of the overarching story, but it seems the Doctor versus the Daleks will be a matchup till the end of time — quite literally.