Has Series 9 Made the Daleks Scary Again?

Guest contributor Kane Andriunas explores whether the pepper pots reign supreme again.

It’s fair to say it’s probably been a long time since many actually hid behind their sofas when the Daleks appear on screen. However, after the Series 9 opener, has Steven Moffat managed to make what some people think are ‘the overused pepper pots’ scary again? Let’s assess and see if my point, which you’ll read at the end of this article, is correct.

In 2005, we saw the return of the Daleks, newly regenerated into a brand spanking new gold colour. Then in 2006 we saw Dalek Sec, a Black Dalek. However, in 2007 we saw Dalek Sec become the first ever Human Dalek. Yes, Dalek Sec transformed himself into half human, half Dalek in an attempt to add emotion and feeling to the Daleks’ power. This however failed. The third time we saw the Daleks and they came in their thousands, with their ruthless creator Davros behind them.

After this, in 2010, we saw the Daleks transform into… let’s just say… the Power Rangers. A brand new set were created, the Dalek Paradigm, and they included every colour in your standard children’s colouring pencil pack. To top it off the Doctor attempted to scare them off with a Jammie Dodger. Scary? I don’t think so.

So then we were greeted with the Series 7 opener Asylum of the Daleks. Now, when I first heard the title I thought, ‘Great! A Dalek asylum is bound to be scary. We could see insane Daleks in a particularly creepy setting’. Were we greeted with such a thing? No we weren’t. The episode featured hardly any scares or thrills. It was more about the Doctor on a mission to save a girl who would turn out to be trapped inside a Dalek shell. A very disappointing episode. From that point onwards I thought, ‘They can’t do another Dalek story because to be honest, they’ve overused them. They’re worn out, there’s nowhere else you can go with them…’

Two years later, I am sitting here proven wrong. Yes, the Daleks ARE indeed scary again!

In the series nine opener, ‘The Magician’s Apprentice,’ the Daleks were back, and they were back in an outstanding episode. Not only were the Daleks back, but so too were Missy and Davros. But instead of myself describing the episode let me refer you to a certain quote…

“See how they play with her. See how they toy. They want her to run. They need her to run. Do you feel their need, Doctor? Their blood is screaming ‘kill, kill, kill’! Hunter and prey, held in the ecstasy of crisis. Is this not life at its purest?”

Yes. I’m pretty sure we all know the specific moment I just quoted. This is possibly the scariest Dalek moment I’ve ever seen in the history of Doctor Who. Seeing Clara standing the middle of a variety of evil metal monsters, her heart beating fast, scared and alone, no Doctor, nothing and running for dear life. What else could she have done?

This really felt like a breakthrough with the Daleks. It felt as if these Daleks were no-nonsense, brutal and ruthless. What they’re supposed to be. Especially having Davros explaining what his creations wanted her to do, whilst having the shot of Clara, trapped, scared and alone.

Then what we see in the second part of Moffat’s season opener is absolutely amazing, the Dalek sewers! Where all the angry, defeated Daleks have gone to die! The sewers definitely bring the scare factor, not only for any humanoids passing through, but to your everyday Dalek. This is the one place you don’t want to end up in!

Another thing which was quite chilling about the second half of the season opener was Davros’ latest evil plan: to pour regeneration energy inside every living Dalek, making them half Time Lord, half Dalek. This is indeed a scary thought. The Daleks having that much power could succeed in destroying the universe, they could change time completely. This was truly frightening, and for a minute, I thought they had succeeded.

So in conclusion, I feel Moffat has successfully made a Dalek two-parter where we can finally realise their true scary side, not only in appearance or in words, but the idea of what’s being said. I also think the Daleks don’t just need themselves to be the supreme beings, but also their ruthless leader Davros! A congratulations to Mr Moffat, especially after his previous failed attempts to bring them back victorious.

But what do you think? Do you agree with me? Do you agree that at that specific point of the episode the Daleks were proven to be the most feared supreme beings in the whole of the universe? Did they make you feel scared? Let me know in the comments!