The Daleks (TV story)

The TARDIS arrives on the planet Skaro, a seemingly dead world. When the Doctor sees a technologically advanced city in the distance he is determined to investigate, and is even willing to sabotage the TARDIS to get what he wants. While in the city though the crew are captured by the Daleks, a race of scientists who have been mutated into creatures who must encase themselves in a metal body to survive. Before long the travellers are suffering from radiation poisoning.

After managing to escape the city they encounter another race living on the planet, the Thals. In contrast to the Daleks, the Thals are a race of physically perfect pacifists. After a dangerous journey Ian is able to lead the Thals to victory and destroy the Daleks. (Click here for an extended synopsis)

Cast

 * Dr Who - William Hartnell
 * Susan Foreman - Carole Ann Ford
 * Ian Chesterton - William Russell
 * Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill
 * Dalek Voices - Peter Hawkins, David Graham
 * Dalek Operators - Robert Jewell, Kevin Manser, Michael Summerton, Gerald Taylor, Peter Murphy
 * Temmosus - Alan Wheatley
 * Alydon - John Lee
 * Dyoni - Virginia Wetherell
 * Ganatus - Philip Bond
 * Antodus - Marcus Hammond
 * Kristas - Jonathon Crane
 * Elyon - Gerald Curtis
 * Thals - Chris Browning, Katie Cashfield, Vez Delahunt, Kevin Glenny, Ruth Harrison, Lesley Hill, Steve Pokol, Jeanette Rossinni, Eric Smith
 * Uncredited Thal Double - Frans Van Nordo
 * Double for Antodus - Peter Diamond
 * Double for Alydon - Chris Browning

Crew

 * Writer - Terry Nation
 * Directors - Christopher Barry (parts 1,2,4,5), Richard Martin(parts 3,6,7)
 * Producer - Verity Lambert
 * Script Editor - David Whitaker
 * Designers - Raymond Cusick, Jeremy Davies
 * Assistant Floor Manager - Jeremy Hare, Michael Ferguson
 * Associate Producer - Mervyn Pinfield
 * Costumes - Daphne Dare
 * Film Cameraman - Stewart Farnell
 * Film Editor - Ted Walter
 * Incidental Music - Tristram Cary
 * Make-Up - Elizabeth Blattner
 * Production Assistant - Norman Stewart
 * Special Sounds - Brian Hodgson
 * Studio Lighting - Geoff Shaw, John Treays
 * Studio Sound - Jack Brummitt, Jack Clayton
 * Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer

Influences
To be added

Myths

 * Terry Nation named the Daleks after seeing the spines of a set of encyclopaedias (He made up the name but invented this as a story to tell the press)
 * There was a transmission fault at the start of the first episode that meant the opening moments were in negative. (This was intentional on the part of the production team who wanted to create the impression of heat)
 * This story was intended to feature a Glass Dalek, but this was changed due to budget constraints (The idea of the Glass Dalek was created by David Whitaker for his novelisation of the story)
 * Electronic interference on the original tape meant that the first episode needed to be remade (The first episode was remade but this was because instructions being relayed to the studio from the control gallery were clearly audible on the original recording)
 * Raymond Cusick based the shape of the Daleks on pepper pots (The inspiration for the Daleks was a man sitting in a chair. He did however use a pepper pot to demonstrate how he envisaged the Daleks moving)

Continuity

 * This is the first time the TARDIS food machine is seen
 * This is the first time the fault locator is seen
 * The TARDIS fluid link uses mercury
 * The Doctor reveals that there is a large age gap between him and Susan
 * The Doctor reveals that he was once a pioneer amongst his people
 * The Daleks are growing food with artificial sunlight which would suggest that the Daleks still eat food. No evidence of this is revealed in later stories
 * The History of the Daleks as revealled here differs from the account provided in Genesis of the Daleks. A suggested explanation for this can be found in War of the Daleks

Quotes
The Doctor: [Speaking to Alydon] - "You wanted advice, you said. I never give it. Never. But I might just say this for you. Always search for truth. My truth is in the stars, and yours... is here."

Discontinuity

 * The Dalek Geiger counter has the word danger written on it in English
 * The Dalek cell in which the main characters are held contains a bed something the Daleks would have had no need for
 * It is originally stated that the Thals have travelled for 4 years but this is later reduced to 1 year
 * Ganatus is aware of the cultural conventions existing in England in the 1960's "We won't use one of the customs of your planet: "ladies first"".
 * Ian waits for Temmosus to finish his speach before warning them that the Daleks plan to attack
 * Despite having turned off the power the Thals are able to leave through the electronic doors

More Info

 * Story Synopsis


 * Story Transcript


 * Story Novelization


 * Story Statistics


 * Story in the Media