After looking atthe Cybermen in a previous article, today we take a look at the Daleks.

Its certainly the most traditional demonstration of their power.

The Daleks are both more and less than that.

Theyre more human than something as ludicrously and terrifyingly efficient as the Raston.

Their purpose isnt ineffable; its based on hatred and tragedy.

Normally, theyre only conquering the galaxy incrementally, rather than something on a universal scale.

The Daleks, the most feared race in the universe, dont make it as far as Orson Pink.

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Someone should tell them that.

Thats their entire reason for existing denied.

Its not textbook ruthless, is it?

So, if youre writing for the Daleks dont write an overly complicated plan.

It works forEvil Of The Daleksand to a lesser extent Resurrection Of The Daleks.

Preferably, though, keep it simple.

Theres radiation, extermination, and a space-faring Dalek Empire.

Plus, obviously, its indebted toFantastic Voyage.

I have a simple theory as to why.

Its because the Daleks are bigger dicks in it.

They kill lots of people.

Even the good Dalek kills two people and then explodes some Daleks.

Theres an element of power and sadism in their actions that viewers want to see.

That this has to be done with a relative lightness of touch is all the more impressive.

Doctor Whohas always been superb at insidious PG horror.

These peoples screams are being due to that.

Yet that isnt always enough.

SoInto The Dalekpacks in the most carnage weve seen sinceThe Parting Of The Ways.

It also doesnt clutter up the place with a complicated question-begging scheme (asVictoryandEvolution Of The Daleksdo).

Its a satisfying forty-five minutes of well-realised slaughter as a backdrop to the Doctors character arc.

In most Dalek stories, to be fair, theres no Lynda with a Y. Theres no Kaled bunker.

Theres no Vulcan colony.

The best Dalek stories need great victims.

If wed never seen Daleks before, thenInto The Dalekwould most likely be thought of even more positively.

So, with that in mind, what else is there to compare and contrast the Daleks to?

Would the show be brave enough to set up a contemporary political allegory?

What aspects of human nature are there that are depressingly Dalek?