Doctor Who: Genesis of the Daleks (1975)

By CinemaSerf

The "Doctor" (Tom Baker) is diverted from his galactic ambling by a messenger from the Time Lords who demands that he go to the planet "Skaro" where he must thwart the aspirations of a megalomanic scientist. Reluctantly, he, "Sarah Jane" (Elisabeth Sladen) and "Harry" (Ian Marter) set off and soon find themselves in a militaristic society ruled by "Davros" (Michael Wisher). He's paralysed below the waist, has only one hand, one eye and moves around in a motorised chair supported by his menacing aide "Nyder" (Peter Miles) - and he has only one aim. To develop his Mk 3 travel machine into an all conquering species of heavily armed creatures called "Daleks". The "Doctor" realises that not everyone supports this domination goal, though, and soon he is the pivot for a rebellion - but will he be able to stop "Davros" in time? I love a good baddie and in television terms, they don't come a lot better than the exterminating "Dalek". Add to that a solid story from Terry Nation that shows us the joys of a delusional and obsessed character whilst also adding just an hint of a moral dimension to his deliberations as the "Doctor" must wrestle with his conscience whilst facing certain death! It was originally transmitted in six parts, with exciting cliff-hangers at the end of each and Baker is on jovial form keeping his performance entertainingly mischievous to complement the conceited "Davros. Not quite the best, but still a great watch.