Doctor Who (TV Series) Genesis of the Daleks: Part Five (1975) User Reviews

Quality throughout, and that cliffhanger!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 23 April 2018]

I always think that the best Dr Who stories are those that can be watched and enjoyed by people that aren't necessarily Dr Who fans, and all the way through this episode there's enough going on, enough excitement, enough engagement for even casual viewers to enjoy.

The fifth part is great the whole way through, but despite all the excellent scenes, it's all about one scene in particular, that brilliant, chilling cliffhanger. Genesis has had excellent cliffhangers at every point, each one has meant something, I'm certain that Tom improvised in this one, as there wasn't one originally scripted, and he got it bang on, one of, if not the best cliffhanger to ever come out of the show, it's scary, and would have left kids in torment for a whole week when originally broadcast.

Dr Who doesn't get better then this. 10/10

Davros the Diplomat...

[Xstal · 9/10 · 21 June 2022]

The creator is conjuring a plan, surreptitiously the flames have a fan, monsters are recalled, an ultimatum is stonewalled while the genocide of the Daleks is begun.

Rightly considered one of the true classic stories in Doctor Who.

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 19 November 2014]

Review of all 6 episodes:

One of the most famous and most loved stories in Doctor Who history, this really deserves the fame and praise it receives. It is a fabulous story with brilliance in every aspect of its production.

The Doctor, Sarah and Harry are intercepted by the Time Lords as they try to return to the Nerva space station via Transmat. The Time Lord who speaks to The Doctor gives him a mission to interfere with the creation of the Daleks as they are considered a threat to the Universe. He is told he can stop their creation or influence their nature for the better. They find themselves in the middle of a war on Skaro between the Thals and the Kaleds. The war has gone on for a very long time and scientist Davros has created the Daleks in order to bring the war to an end. Davros is power crazed and has evil intent for his Daleks to become all powerful creatures. There are adventures as The Doctor seeks to interfere with Davros' plans. Finally when he has the chance to destroy the Daleks, The Doctor has a moral dilemma as to whether to destroy the Dalek race is excusable due to their evil or if it makes him as bad as the Daleks with such a genocidal act.

The script, story and acting are top class throughout. Davros is an inspired creation, a villain of the finest quality and acted amazingly well by Michael Wisher. Baker is on top form and his scenes with Davros and their intellectual duelling is gripping. The scene with the dilemma of conscience for The Doctor trying to decide whether to destroy the Daleks is genius and the story as a whole is exceptionally well written.

One of the most exceptional stories in Doctor Who and therefore television history.

Great Doctor Who story.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 27 March 2007]

Doctor Who: Genesis of the Daleks: Part 5 starts as the Doctor (Tom Baker) is forced to save his friends Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) & Harry (Ian Marter) by telling the evil Davros (Michael Wisher) about future defeats for his Daleks so they can avert them. Meanwhile the military & scientific uprising is gathering pace, however Davros has it all under control as the Doctor has decided to eliminate the Daleks for good...

This Doctor Who adventure was episode 15 from season 12 that aired here in the UK during early 1975, directed by David Maloney this is a top story. The script by Terry Nation has reached a bit of a lull as things have slowed down somewhat over the past couple of episodes but it's still good fun. The plot hasn't really developed that much during Part 5 except the continuing saga about the Kaled revolt against Davros, the moral ethics behind it & the usual padding shots of people running around doing nothing in particular.

The tight budget is beginning to show, there's apparently two massive battles going on, the Daleks cleaning up the Thals & the Kaled infighting, but none of it is shown & you sort of get frustrated as the action is dropped completely in favour of a talky story which has been set up & in place for a couple of episodes now. I think some of this is here just to pad out the six episode time slot which is unfortunate.

Genesis of the Daleks is a great Doctor Who story for sure but Part 5 as a stand alone episode isn't the best of this six parter.