Do I Have The Right? | Genesis of the Daleks | Doctor Who

[@blackielawless8702]

Now I understand what the 10th doctor meant by saying "sometimes a time lord lives too long" Now I can see the difference between Tom baker's "do I have the right" and eccleston's "I made it happen"

[@josephperkins4857]

Yep

[@xxrocketshark216xx4]

Funnily enough when the Ninth Doctor decides not to activate the Delta Wave in Parting of the Ways this is the scene I immediately thought of. "Coward...any day." reminded me immediately of this.

[@jimmy2k4o]

Wisdom of age

[@God-xd1wr]

You kind see where the roles flip in the episode ‘Dalek’. In this episode, Sarah is telling the Doctor to destroy the Daleks once and for all while the Doctor upholds his moral values on life, in ‘Dalek’, the Doctor wants to destroy the last Dalek once and for all and Rose has to uphold that moral value so the Doctor doesn’t become like the Daleks. (It’s one of the reasons Season 1 is the best season in the franchise)

[@ChaosPod]

@@God-xd1wr That was the first time Rose saw a Dalek, so she was unaware of their true nature. Later, in the Parting of Ways, she didn't hesitate to destroy the whole Dalek fleet.

[@bojurie]

Sometimes, the only choices your have are bad ones. But you still have to choose.

[@YSOFTWARE]

He was young. He didn't want to take the responsibility :)

[@YSOFTWARE]

Cryer24597 there is no right and wrong if you think about it. Both would be good and bad in some ways. And he didn't actually make the choice, he just went with the flow.

[@iLikeTheUDK]

Jamie Mathieson is a far better writer than Moffat ever was in the last 5 years.

[@ejcmoorhouse]

Cryer24597 But he wouldn't have changed history, he would have made history, there are some moments which are fixed and some which aren't, this wasn't a fixed moment.

[@ejcmoorhouse]

Cryer24597 No i don't think it was a fixed time, I think the time lords saw that this was the only moment where anyone stood a chance of stopping the Daleks. The Doctor didn't do it and therefore fixed it in time, Although he did delay the Daleks rise.

[@stomyn]

And all I could think of is how easy it would have been to touch those two wires together by accident

[@TheCastellan]

A dalek, chasing the Doctor, answers your question. ;)

[@cameronjosephvideos5942]

That says a lot about how close the Doctor was to doing it. I kept wanting Sarah to just jog his elbow then BOOM!

[@DalekTheSupreme]

​@@TheCastellan That's actually kind of a neat touch. The Doctor, though mostly good at heart(s), is a deeply flawed being who has made mistakes and in some situations (and especially so in some incarnations) can manipulate even his/her friends to further a greater good, but the Doctor isn't like the Daleks and can't bring him/herself to commit genocide. In this moment, he refuses to sink to their level and he and his companions are the only characters who survive the story more or less unscathed. The Dalek has no qualms about ending life and in its single-minded pursuit of the Doctor simply because it cannot tolerate a living being that is different to it, it destroys itself and a bunch of other Dalek creatures. Intentional subtext or unintentional coincidence, it does serve to show how multifaceted and deeply layered Genesis of the Daleks is.

[@oliverasensio9429]

“Do I have that rig”- BOOM!!!!!!

[@tomblah]

Harry trips over the wires, making them touch together....curb your enthusiasm music starts playing...

[@MisterKargar]

Then you realise the throwback as Capaldi meeting Davros as a child and considering leaving him to die. Such a good throwback.

[@KaitainCPS]

Callback?

[@Sanguiluna]

People consider the Doctor to be the "best Time Lord" ever. I say the opposite: the Doctor is a terrible Time Lord, but a great man, greater than anyone else of his kind, because while any other Time Lord would've carried out the task without any hesitation, the Doctor has a strong enough conscience to make him think about what he's doing instead of just blindly following orders.

[@jrsiv4462]

Sanguiluna Ironically the Doctor is a great human more than a great Time Lord

[@christianalanwilson434]

The Time Lords were always defined as keepers of the status quo, meaning they had an agenda and stuck to it no matter what. Usually, that was good. Against a foe like the Daleks, which possessed similar technology, they ould only expect a stalemate. Which is why they resurrected more bloodthirsty Timelords from bygone eras, like Rassilon to end the war. The Doctor (and even the Master) were always the rogue elements of this agenda, sometimes helping, sometimes hindering. The Doctor more on the constructive (helping) side, the Master more on the destructive (selfish) side. Each were often manipulated until the Time War drove the Doctor to his extreme which was ending the war at all cost, where the Master's goal was escaping the war at all cost.

[@etazeta674]

Ironically, that decision resulted in uncountable casualties in the time war. Imagine how much pain he could have avoided if he just pressed two little wires together.

[@user-sd7qo7qe4v]

He was essentially a F student. And really was considered a sad time-lord.

[@cja5612]

@@user-sd7qo7qe4v nah more like a D student. He still passed but not convincingly

[@DalekTheSupreme]

Absolutely brilliant scene. It was a big risk doing something like this this early in Tom Baker's run, but you can tell he's putting his heart and soul into his performance. He really paints a huge picture of the decision he has to make, and does so brilliantly. It's obvious why he's such a fan favorite.

[@colinmcphan]

Perfect summary of this scene, Tom's incredible performance so early in his run and Tom's effect on generations of Doctor Who fans. He is my favorite as well. Love this man.

[@DalekTheSupreme]

Thank you. Tom Baker isn't my most favorite Doctor, but I'd be crazy if he wasn't close. There's no denying he's also the most iconic Doctor.

[@richardclarke376]

Unbelievable that at one time a children's show would tackle issues like this at this level. Blew my mind at the time (1975 ) and still does.

[@CMacK1294]

Children's show shouldn't be seen as a derogatory. By looking down on children and 'children's programming' we belittle the future of our own society. Only by showing children these things at the appropriate time, by respecting them enough to believe that they will accept the correct message do we set a future where they grow into functioning adults. Baby talk, sunshine and rainbows all the time nonsense will invariably raise children to be poorly prepared for reality. Wavering, listless, following whatever the social trend is without any strongly-engrained moral compass, without the background in the sort of philosophical basis that our ancestors paid in blood, tears, tragedies and hard sweat of the mind to acquire. The great benefit of the human race is our ability to pass these hard-learned lessons on to future generations without having to put them through the same centuries of hardship to reacquire it, but only so long as we are willing to strive for our successors to be our betters. So long as we respect our successors enough to grant them the tools, training and knowledge to continue on our legacy, we will thrive. But our attempts to shield them long beyond when they should be maturing does us little good. Without strong virtues and hard questions put to them throughout life, they will, undoubtedly, find themselves falling short of life's great challenges where otherwise they shouldn't. Such unnecessary failure embitters children and adults alike, making them cold and callous, or robbing them of the appropriate, healthy confidence they need to stand up to tyranny, oppression and all the wrong things the world might throw at them. By babying our children, we doom them to the quiet contented slave-life of domestication. Rather than making them peaceful, we make them harmless. Or worse, they backlash against it and become a source of power un-tempered by the wisdom of ages and the compassion of humanity. Even if all of that does not occur, their compassion can be misdirected, misguided, turning them into useful fools willing to commit genocide if they believe they will reach 'utopia'. The 20th century is written in the blood of those who stood in the way of a tyrant's vision of utopia and their actions unhindered by morality and philosophy. This sort of thing should, quite honestly, be a cornerstone of children's programming. If children's programming is to serve any purpose at all, let it be one that strengthens our children, imparts upon them wisdom, and asks them questions they might spend years pondering to find the answer. Only thus is mankind's potential fulfilled.

[@andrewsmart4491]

Made by the drama department and shown on Saturday Evening, created as a bridge between Juke Box Jury and Grandstand, a Family show maybe, not a children's show.

[@leo-unddieAnderen]

Some children's shows are very important. A lot of you paint children's shows as something to look down upon. Why? I like the children shows like certain ones in the states such as Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. And others from my own remembered childhood. Reading Rainbow also comes to mind and others would if I gave it more thought and time. Adults should never patronize children. They are strong and intelligent and dear beings who should be respected and protected. Reply

[@CNYTE]

The Doctor mentioning a child who would become evil was really good accidental forshadowing for when the 12th Doctor met Davros as a child.

[@Arver4065]

I mean, that episode Is totally inspired in this serie, so thecnically it's all a great argumental arc

[@malmalfactor3544]

Also, seeing as this came out in the 70s, probably an allusion to people who were saying they would kill baby Hitler if they got a time machine

[@simeonyves5940]

There is a Reason for that, TMA/TWF is the *official sequel* to Genesis of the Daleks, I mean they even filmed parts of TMA/TWF on the *same sets* , as some of them had actually Survived! (it should also be Mentioned the "Heavy Weapons Dalek" seen in Action was also the *Original Prop* from Remembrance of the Daleks!) it is why Several Remastered Scenes from Genesis were also used within TMA/TWF, it is the Official Sequel to Genesis of the Daleks and answers the Questions the Doctor Asked. Good way to lead New Who Fans into Classic Who I think! Big Finish Audio did the Hypothetical Virus in "Terror Firma" However.

[@shawnjoseph4009]

@@simeonyves5940that sounds really cool but can’t find much online to back it up. Have a source?

[@RantingThespian]

One of Tom Baker's finest moments.

[@xdev9538]

Yeah one of his best.

[@TheWeepingDalek]

RantingThespian one of doctor who's finest moments

[@colinmcphan]

One of many fine moments by Tom during his reign as THE DOCTOR.

[@evonneokafor]

RantingThespian One of many...

[@xsailor85]

A magnificent performance.

[@whitenerdymoonwalker]

Y'see, this is what Doctor Who is about. Epic speeches and moral decisions.

[@whitenerdymoonwalker]

Orlando Soto Leyton By far.

[@coloradobrad6779]

As is all epic science fiction. Journeys through space and time but also an exploration of humanity. “You are capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares.” - Contact

[@Hunpecked]

It's been a long time and my memory is hazy, but later in this episode doesn't he end up trying to destroy them anyway, but only delays their rise?

[@demon_hawkeye5269]

@@Hunpecked Yes, because eventually he has no choice

[@Hunpecked]

@@demon_hawkeye5269 I don't disagree, but what changed? As a Time Lord he already knows all the bad things the Daleks will do. So why would hesitate the first time but try to destroy them later in the show?

[@BadwolfGamer]

This scene is now more relevant then ever.

[@LivingStoneWriter]

+BadwolfGamer Amen to that.

[@pinoypizza]

+BadwolfGamer Definitely. My inner fanboy did brighten up though upon seeing and hearing scenes from Genesis, Resurrection, Revelation, Remembrance, and The Stolen Earth.

[@gregofcanada4494]

+BadwolfGamer Beat me to it! lol.

[@Izanami037]

The whole episode and every appearance of Davros becomes hugely relevant. But yes, there was a reason Davros played him saying that first part. And the Doctor's decision not to mirrors "Witches Familiar". It's a circle that starts and ends with the Doctor and Davros.

[@GagsAnimation]

I'm curious. Do you mean relevant to Doctor Who or relevant to the world?

[@mikedbz8530]

4th Doctor: Do I have the right? *7th Doctor: Blows up the Daleks home planet and causes the time war* Me: Looking at the future Pal no you don’t.

[@LewysC]

@KVAcedo27 It's never actually been revealed what specific event, if any, caused The Time War. I think The Daleks and Timelords have just hated eachother for a very long time and The Hand of Omega incident was just another thing to add to the list. The entire reason The Daleks wanted the hand was to create an energy source capable of time travel, which blew Skaro up instead. I'm assuming after that happened they found an alternative means of time travel. It would only have become a 'time war' when both sides had access to time travel after all! So it doesn't really matter who started the conflict, as the other side can simply go back further in time and attack first meaning the original battle never even happened.

[@dca-Letsplay]

@@LewysC the Daleks had time travel years prior though in The Chase and the Daleks Masterplan even had trans dimensional technology like a TARDIS

[@LewysC]

@@dca-Letsplay Very true. The Timelords were in charge of preventing anyone (other than themselves) from altering the timeline so The Daleks obviously overstepped this line many times before they had enough and The Time War itself broke out

[@shamsham1229]

@@LewysC I’m pretty sure that some Doctor Who writers have said that Genesis of the Daleks + what the 7th Doctor did were the beginning of the Time War. The catalyst, in a way

[@harogenkitnsg2474]

I see a lot of people bringing up that 7 blew up Skaro but the novel War of the Daleks retconned that so that 7 actually blew up Antalin, a decoy planet of Skaro which is where Destiny took place on. I know that piece of information coming from a novel makes it a little shaky in terms of canon but the revival seemed to follow that retcon and state that Skaro was destroyed in the time war.

[@misterbubbles6389]

I wonder if the doctor was thinking about this moment when he was confronting the Dalek Emperor in The Parting of Ways. "Then prove yourself, Doctor! What are you? Coward or killer?" "...coward. Any day."

[@MediumRareOpinions]

" i watched it happen, I made it happen! "

[@gohanmoreno7]

+ChaosSandwhich This is a younger and hopeful Doctor, Ninth is the result of being The Warrior for hundreds of years...

[@MisterKargar]

Remember that Dalek also begged for mercy but he was so enraged he simply wanted to kill it.

[@tezmard3003]

Stefano Pavone the valeyard should definitely come back

[@davidh7088]

No More.

[@Kwint0n]

@@gohanmoreno7 Nah. This is a well written doctor, Ninth is the result of bullshit lore-breaking story that ruined the show.

[@what0080]

0:33 Remember this for later... This WILL be important.

[@shadowofbosstown]

fan service done right.

[@yeezusyhrist]

Damn.

[@mr.h4ck3rm4n4]

i don't get it?

[@shadowofbosstown]

Watch the show

[@mr.h4ck3rm4n4]

mike grossi I haven't in a long time. Can someone just explain it to me so I don't have to grog through episodes, please?

[@DalekTheSupreme]

Going back and re-watching this clip, I feel like in any other story, Garman (I definitely didn't spell that right) coming in and interrupting the Doctor's dilemma would be a cop-out, but the sheer relief the Doctor feels for not having to make the choice to become no better than the Daleks is conveyed fantastically enough by Tom Baker here that I too feel relieved for the Doctor.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

I remember watching this and being like, "I'd have the same problems if I were in that position". In stopping genocidal monsters before they have the chance to become so by destroying the entire threat in infancy, do you become the monster? That's the wonderful thing about Doctor Who: it gets down to what makes us human, even when every episode deals with aliens. And God I miss Elizabeth Sladen. She was such a great actress and Sarah Jane was a great character. Maybe someday we'll be lucky enough to see Luke and Sky Smith again. Maybe even on the Tardis.

[@KnightRaymund]

Maybe, maybe not. But it would be worth it. In the words of the great Ben Sisko: "I think I can live with it"

[@gamingjoins]

In fighting monsters, make sure that you yourself do not become a monster; for when you stare into the void,the void stares back at you.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

gamingjoins Where have I heard that before?

[@KnightRaymund]

gamingjoins billions, trillions of lives. Best to take the chance.

[@DarkAdonisVyers]

And against my better nature, enjoy it. Be known everywhere as Goblin Slayer... Dalek Slayer, I meant Dalek Slayer.

[@pinoypizza]

The Daleks are inhuman monsters to be sure, but pre-genocide just isn't the way to do it. On the other hand, Davros didn't exactly play fair. So...yeah. I have to wonder if, every time the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, War, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors faced the Daleks, he wonders or regrets ever not touching those two strands together and finishing them for good.

[@SunniestAutumn]

Doctors 8, War and 9 probably did, more than the others. 10 and 11 were just fannying around with them, barely concerned. 5 also, as he almost brought himself to kill Davros in Resurrection. 6 kind of seemed to treat them like any other villain, while 7 actually made Davros destroy Skaro.

[@geniusmp2001]

I think the Doctor is full of regret, for uncounted things, including this. And I think that, given the choice, he wouldn't do it any other way. 10 had his moment of trying to take the reins of time into his own hands; it didn't go well.

[@Mr_Bunk]

KevServo Never existing isn't the same as being developed in a lab.

[@SunniestAutumn]

DalekTheSupreme Fast forward to Steven Moffat's episodes... I mean, Eleventh Doctor even gets shot by one! Still, in Asylum, he's just clowning about.

[@SunniestAutumn]

***** You seen... heard the Next Life?

[@skenksnfmela2749]

Harry just stands there with a blank expression on his face...

[@skenksnfmela2749]

Cryer24597 who doesn't. "No tea Harry"

[@biilyedwards5344]

As always...

[@emerodiste7099]

let's be honest though we all would.

[@DalekTheSupreme]

To be fair, unlike the Doctor, he wasn't facing an extremely complex dilemma that would leave its mark on him forever, and unlike Sarah, he hasn't had any prior experience with the Daleks and isn't able to make as compelling a case for the Doctor to destroy them.

[@havoc697]

I'm so glad that this eventually got uploaded! It's one of the best scenes of Doctor Who. I'm still annoyed that the fans voted that scene with Rose on the beach with Ten over this gem.

[@colinmcphan]

I agree.....this is easily a better scene and Tom Baker was a phenomenal Doctor!

[@thenonsenseguy2364]

Seriously absolutely hate the romance between rose and The Doctor , In my opinion the doctor should not be into romance

[@thenonsenseguy2364]

@KVAcedo27 also Rose is like 19 in series 1 , which makes it soo weird. Like why would a wise ancient being ever fall for a stupid whiney ( sorry rose fans she was abysmal in series 2 ) teenage girl.

[@thenonsenseguy2364]

@KVAcedo27 Tom was born to be The Doctor.

[@thenonsenseguy2364]

@KVAcedo27 also good to see a fellow whovian and a ben ten fan

[@azapro911]

This is a bloody great piece of writing, one of the first times in Who history that life was presented with difficult shades of grey.

[@madanotap6492]

One of my favourite things about this scene is that with all the different times it gets referenced throughout the future of doctor who, not all versions of the doctor actually agree with 4 here. 8 even once actively called 4 out by saying ‘have I that right? Yes! Yes I do!’. It gives the issue way more moral complexity than if it was a hard and fast rule within the doctor who universe that everyone agrees with 4 on this incredibly complex issue

[@Saltybuher]

Love the way this ties into 12 saving child Davros.

[@50Calabyte]

0:12 "Yup" *Bumps his hands together*

[@UnconundrumNet]

and he gets them that close together he's lucky they don't spark across the gap anyway. "Do I have the right?" ~Zzap~ "Oh whoops."

[@brs121094]

It's kinda funny how he just throws them on the floor at the end. As if that's perfectly safe...

[@TheFatesBack]

brs121094 Well it seemed that he pulled the wires out of whatever they were attached to on the wall before turning and leaving~

[@johnpark4650]

brs121094 yup and when he came back to destroy the Daleks (after knowing that there are already plenty of active ones outside), he had to go inside to rewire everything.

[@matthewdhewlett]

Unconundrum That would happen in Smith's series.

[@Tardisius]

" Even the Sonic Screwdriver won't open this door." The 4th Doctor in: 'Genesis of the Daleks' April, 1975 =))

[@shoogamoogaman]

Nope. Not this one

[@feeno1188]

The tenth Doctor in "The End of Time, part 2".

[@Tardisius]

In part 6 of 'Genesis of the Daleks' just after The Doctor destroys the tape with the Dalek gun he tries to open Davros' office door and says it.=)

[@bssnplayer]

Brandon Hudson The Invasion of Time line goes "Not even the sonic screwdriver can get me out of this one"

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

And now it's a magic wand.

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

This was one of the defining moments for me when I realised how different dr Who was compared to other sf series I'd seen before. Truly the heart of what makes the Doctor.

[@StyleLePelt]

My favorite Doctor. I love Tom Baker and when he came back in the 50th Anniversary, I was so shocked and happy. Never forget the 4th Doctor.

[@NightBeast12]

This is my favorite 4th Doctor episode of all time. The beginning of the Daleks, first appearance of Davros, where it all started for them, and then the Doctor making that big decision to kill them or spare them.

[@Mintlicious]

"YOU WOULD MAKE A GOOD DALEK."

[@DarkAdonisVyers]

Be a goblin to the goblins.

[@robertjackson6056]

I love how Peter Capaldi’s run references this when he originally decided to leave young Davros in that hand mine field

[@RuinQueenofOblivion]

Every time I think about this scene, I wonder if the Doctor ever regrets this hesitation.

[@Drp_br_]

Now this is were the Doctor’s compassion really shows

[@cameronpearce5943]

If only he knew...man you gotta feel bad for the doctor and the horror this one act of mercy would unleash

[@WobblesandBean]

Meanwhile, sometime in the future, Clara Oswald is eating a souffle and going "Thanks a lot, Doc."

[@colinmcphan]

I totally agree! This really is Doctor Who at its best! Couldn't of had a better Doctor and actor in Tom Baker delivering this speech!

[@lukacsgergelics1339]

But if the doctor have killed the daleks at this point we never woud have met clara and had her later be a companion so...

[@anonymystical4413]

Lukács Gergelics and the time war wouldn’t have happendd

[@lukacsgergelics1339]

@@anonymystical4413 paradox

[@petersenior5432]

@@anonymystical4413 well even more Clara wouldn't have scattered herself in the doctor's time stream as his companions past present and future

[@ANP4158]

There is an audio where this doctor becomes the War Doctor and it was about this

[@danielwilliamson6180]

This scene is without a doubt one of the best scenes in Doctor Who and it's Doctor Who writing at it's best. Such a well written scene with great acting by Tom Baker. The Doctor begins to question his mission to destroy the Daleks and if he has the right to kill an entire species. The Doctor has a moralistic side and he questions if what he is about to do is right or wrong and The Doctor is right to question his task given him to be the Time Lords.

[@kkhohoho1]

FOURTH DOCTOR: But if I kill, wipe out a whole intelligent lifeform, then I'll become like them. I'd be no better than the Daleks. SEVENTH DOCTOR: So long, Davros. It hasn't been pleasant. Funny how a few extra lifetimes can change someone

[@Wapak95]

And then more...

[@harryunderwood9387]

And even later on he steals the man's chair. Wonders will never cease

[@LukSter18998]

@@harryunderwood9387 wheeeee

[@CinemaBiohazard]

I like to think that Cho-Je's assistance with the Doctor's regeneration into the Fourth Doctor made him who he truly was, and that's why we get these moments of the Doctor questioning the morality of this act. It's really a beautiful moment where you get a true sense of the Doctor's values and morality, and in his hearts he's really a person that tries to do as much good as he can. Even if it's the Daleks under the knife, he's scared about having that much power. You can see it again when he faces off against the Black Guardian: the Doctor hates having that much power, and rightfully so. It is pretty terrifying.

[@keychainere]

😂😂

[@ede9177]

And then Galifrae is destroyed, the Doctor is the last of his kind, and the Daleks destroy their way across the universe. Can you imagine the guilt he must feel for hesitating here? Just one simple act and he could have prevented all of that.

[@GiratinaofFury]

I think that Harry in this scene feels a bit superfluous, but you can see just how seriously he takes the situation. He has travelled with this man for only a few short trips prior to this moment, many a time he's proven his worth or tried to keep up with this man, often seeing someone who is somewhat joking and flippant, but for the first time he sees terror. Harry has no frame of reference with the Doctor until this point; if someone who has barely known the Doctor, an alien who supposedly can change his face, has two hearts beating within him, can travel in time and space, and has knowledge that dwarfs his own, can recognise the fear in their actions when talking of the Daleks, it just goes to show just how dangerous these monsters are.

[@athanasiosklidaras9490]

who just watched The Magician's Apprentice?

[@jasonwainwright486]

series 9 has just revisited this question... well we'll see next week

[@FrankNFurter1000]

+Jason Wainwright - And nothing paid off

[@metalmugen]

+George Reid lol

[@gmoney66]

You know, if you put the Silence next to the subscribe button like that, we might just forget to do so.

[@Gada101]

yes but we'll do it anyway because of post hypnotic suggestion. Like when Canton straightened the Doctors bow tie.

[@ΓιώργοςΜπουρτζής-τ7ξ]

One of the best in the show! What a test of morality!

[@awesomederpyspider2366]

4: Do I have the right? 8: yes. 9: absolutely. 10: please. 11: do it! 12: without hesitation. 13: go on!

[@almighty7621]

Ah...but then the time war starts instantly, that is what happened in Doctor Who Unbound

[@wizardstumpt4467]

12 literally saved kid darvos

[@PipeAndSmokingJacket]

To me, that is THE classic Doctor Who scene.

[@tomdumb6937]

The dalek rolls over the wires at the end and sets it off anyway, so it really didnt matter. Watch the episode.

[@jill5681]

One of the most powerful moments in the whole show, in my opinion.

[@swiftbird4846]

Such an iconic moment. Perfectly crafted!

[@daveofyorkshire301]

This is the antithesis of the Doctor. A huge alien intellect that questioned his very existence in the involvement he had during his travels. He went everywhere but never sought conflict or change, it was always coincidental or accidental that things changed, he always fought to extract himself from a situation, not impose his morality or judgement upon them. This scene was truly symbolic of his very existence and belief system...

[@DarkXaven]

And every Doctor since then has regretted that decision. Well, I don't know if the Sixth and Seventh Doctors have expressed regret at not destroying the Daleks, but I know the Fifth and Eighth Doctors have. And, of course, the War, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors remember the Time War.

[@colinmcphan]

That's why Tom Baker's Doctor, at this point, was better written. He had a moral compass and saw the good that came out of the Daleks in terms of the Universe banding together against them.

[@elwoodjacobs4353]

Every time one of the classic Doctors (especially the 4th) goes into a stupid "Oh, if I kill them, I become them" & "They're beings too, so I don't have the right" spiel, I think of Eccleston's _wonderful_ declaration, *_"& then, just to finish off, I'm gonna wipe eVeRy LaSt STINKING dAlEk OUT OF THE SKY!!!"_*

[@Xoncron]

It's scenes like this that make Genesis of the Daleks one of the greatest Doctor Who stories to this day.

[@Harambae613]

0:33 Steven Moffatt: WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!

[@thekeeperofrecords3041]

And from this exact point in time, the first shot of the Last Great Time War was fired. From this moment forward, Gallifrey and Skaro and millions of others sealed their fate. Billions would die, and whole races would perish. Gallifrey would fall, and Skaro would become a wasteland, two all-mighty races pitching all of time and space against each other to gain an advantage that would never come. Heroes would rise, and heroes would fall. Until one man decided, No More.

[@allistairlethbridge-stewar163]

Well said

[@juliusbossman7280]

Fun fact: There are audio books called Genesis that explore what happened if Sarah Jane convinced the Doctor to exterminate the Daleks and it does not go well. When he dies, he changes his name to the Warrior and the Skaro races band together to start the Time War

[@abioticspy9449]

This is one of the reasons Tom bakers doctor is so beloved

[@warblerab2955]

The Time War puts this scene in a new light.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

A thousands times better of a Dalek moment than Asylum of the Daleks.

[@novecentodb]

Orlando Soto Leyton Indeed. Other than the divorce subplot, Asylum was a quite nice Dalek story. Journey's End flat out made a joke of them.

[@hollh003]

novecentodb The Daleks were made a joke of throughout the Moffat era. I mean, a Dalek begging for mercy? That's ridiculous.

[@Lythgoemania]

And Doomsday. And Daleks In Manhattan. And Victory Of The Daleks. And Into The Dalek. Need I go on?

[@Lythgoemania]

Orlando Soto Leyton It's funny how your only defence for any criticisms against the Smith era is "at least it wasn't as bad as in the RTD era". Every time.

[@novecentodb]

Robert Lythgoe Talking for me, it's not. I just stopped caring. When an RTDfag comes saying Moffat's era sucks, I already know there is no way I'll convince him he's wrong. Therefore I go straight to the facts: RTD's era was terrible. It's so much easier to destroy than to build.

[@StanleyYork]

who can remember the last few seconds of that video... I can't, no matter how many times I watch it!

[@itsandre4594]

This scene is a moral debate that changed the future of the show. There are accounts that this is how the Daleks became aware of the Time Lords and time travel and that THIS was the first strike that started the Time War

[@pleonic]

The scene that addicted me to the Doctor forever. At its best there's just no other show like this.

[@davidfalkner6282]

Listen to this scene at thirty seconds in. Then fast forward to Peter Capaldi saving Davros’ life. Holy shit.

[@Izanami037]

I was looking for somebody to mention that speech and how it fits perfectly with Twelve’s experience with child Davros

[@SHINOBI-03]

Yes! One of my requested moments!

[@telsutton]

I remember watching very episode of Genesis as a six-year old kid, and I still consider this to be the greatest moment in all of Who.

[@richmotroni]

For me, the best scene in Doctor Who history. In a way, it brilliantly sums up the Doctor's morals and ethics.

[@chriscotgrove9674]

This entire serial was a work of writing genius by Terry Nation. This scene perfectly parallels the scene with the Doctor asking Davros about releasing a virus as an act of universal genocide. It shows the Doctor is a hero because he consciously makes the calculated choice for good, while Davros is a villain because he makes the conscious calculated choice for evil. The Doctor knows that if he wipes out the Daleks completely, then it might cause more suffering overall. Davros simply doesn't care, he just sees the power of being able to make the choice as his birthright, as a way to achieve godhood.

[@darroth42]

Absolutely love that most of this scene has no music whatsoever.

[@l.salisbury1253]

At this point you expect a second Tardis to appear. You expected the War Doctor, 9th, 10, or 11th to get out, GRAB the wries and say "You not only have the right, Mate, you have the OBLIGATION!" then touch those wires together!

[@Dim4323]

This episode is a masterpiece

[@adrimare1]

And because he never touched those two wires early enough (or found some way of de-evil-ing the Daleks and taking out Davros so he can't make more evil ones), the entire universe suffered via the Time War, and even the Doctors' sort of fix left lasting damage all across the universe. Nice Job Breaking It, Hero.

[@dudemeister257]

The Doctor may be from Gallifrey but this scene shows his humanity and confirms his homeworld is Earth.

[@SamuelBlack84]

His hearts belong to humanity

[@noutram1000]

Having just re-watched this scene I realise its one of the few Doctor Who bits I actually remember from almost 50 years ago and as a child introduced me to the concept of a 'moral dilemma'...

[@mrmentality8456]

Honestly, if I were the doctor, I would of done it. Committing one genocide for save the entire universe it absolutely worth it.

[@TheBadassLemon]

They really need to put a subscribe thing at the end of the videos.

[@guidingkeyblade7834]

It's always amazing to compare pre-war Doctor to post-war Doctor. A big part about what made 9, 10, 11 and 12 so interesting is that through their acting, you could see the scars that the time war left on them.

[@debbierobinson3690]

4th Doctor is right my future is finally coming for me

[@marcosvfilho8687]

Imagine If a time lord victorious event happened, and the Tenth Doctor returned to this moment?

[@buhe1]

They used a part of this scene in a 12 Doctor episode which Davros showed him. That the 12th Doctor hadn't yet decided whether or not to save Davros when he was a boy which was still his future to his point of view.

[@alijoe2173]

Doctor who is the only show that can make the whole show better with one scene this one scene completely changes your outlook on the rest of doctor who gallifrey would never have been destroyed rose would never have been trapped in a parallel universe and donna would still have her memories as well as thousands of worlds and civilisations would have been saved but it would not have been the moral this to do

[@BaronVladHarkonnen]

“But if I kill, wipe out a whole intelligent life form then I become like them. I’d be no better than the Daleks” “The Daleks have failed! Why don’t you finish the job and make the Daleks extinct? Rid the universe of your filth! Why don’t you just DIE?!” *You would make a good Dalek*

[@sallyowen8822]

this is a iconic moment for a iconic episode

[@coachgoltzbizpro23]

He couldn't destroy his mortal enemy... Wow...Shows how much of a conscience the man has. Especially the Fourth Doctor.

[@MollyRose04]

THIS SCENE IS SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

*Doctor:* Well I don't need this anymore. *Drops the wires and both connect.* Oh F***!!!

[@Thatguyisme1999]

He ripped it from the connection point

[@trevormcguffee3922]

Almost 10 more regeneration later, this is probably one of the Doctor's greatest regrets.

[@IllusivePrime]

If he did do it, the Time War would of never have started. Or, since the Doctor(Capaldi) saved young Davros, that could of change the course of history, could of made a different Davors that still created the Daleks but this time, a force for good rahter than evil. I hope that is explored now that RTD is coming back! Since that episode with Capaldi, we never got to find out the future of Davros and the Daleks since the Doctor changed history.

[@Controband420]

And you see the thing is when I first watched this episode years back I didnt realise what would happen until the day of the doctor. Just think, if he did wipe out the daleks there would be no time war

[@julianwalch3567]

I remember acting this out with my friend Judith the day after it was on the T.V.- great memory.

[@JamesTobiasStewart]

One odd detail I found sticking out in a way it hasn't before, is that Harry get's nothing to do in this scene. He doesn't offer a single comment to all this, he never voices his opinion on this situation, he just watches and listens.

[@zionleach3001]

The 'Time War' was so traumatic that newer regenerations wouldn't even hesitate.

[@madnightguard6296]

Comparing this to Nu Who really shows how much the Doctor has regressed as a character, though I don't really mean that in a bad sense. It's been really interesting having to the Doctor go from seeing the Daleks as a necessary evil that do still bring some good to the universe to viewing them as an opponent he's actively willing to break his rules about violence when facing against them.

[@vacuumgaze5277]

Next Thursday could you do the chess game for humanity from Curse Of Fenric?

[@rollmeister]

The Dalek's must be victorious.

[@danielgertler5976]

I've never been able to find much classic who here in Canada, but I wish i could watch some of these bigger name serials , this is one i want to see.

[@Seussenshmirtz]

"Back when Doctor Who was good." -Someone in 1982

[@robertbeisert3315]

My answer to the conundrum has changed over time. For most of my life, I have been struggling alongside the Doctor with such a question, but I now perceive one false premise: Preventing evil is not, itself, an act of evil. If the Daleks were instead effectively lobotomized, such that they could no longer exterminate, would that be evil? If they were deprived of weapons, so that they still desired to destroy but could not, would that be evil? In either case, the beings we know as Daleks would cease to exist as surely as if the Doctor had touched the wires.

[@pokemaster123ism]

I wonder if the Doctor ever thought back to this moment during the Time War and thought ‘I could have prevented this whole thing if I just touched those two damned wires together’

[@RustyShackleford101]

But how many of those planets living in peace would go to war with each other without the Daleks to fight against?

[@colinmcphan]

Doctor made a great point!

[@pheebeetwo]

Yeah, but, if he did destroy them. Daleks wouldn't exist. The Timelords wouldn't be concerned about the Daleks. Thus, they wouldn't send the doctor back to destroy them. Wouldn't this just make a major paradox.

[@Here_is_Waldo]

They were at the height of their power at this time. They could have just snapped their fingers and fixed the paradox, while keeping the changes.

[@Silverwind87]

What's the point of time travel if you can't change history.

[@mrgobrien]

baker and sladen answered that question in another episode - it turns out in dr who that if you change the past you do change whatever future that change brought about, the future is different when you travel to it after, and that the dr does know that all along (sladen only learns it when he demonstrates - but I don't know if that episode was before this one)

[@cairosilver2932]

How can you time travel if you don't step out of your previous chronology? If he killed the Daleks then went back and the timelords didn't know about it because for them the daleks never existed, okay, fine. But how do you imagine someone time travels and yet is still beholden to the chronological causality they left behind?

[@jewel8482]

The timelords saw the future of the daleks.the destruction they would create. The daleks hadn't yet done it. So they just sent the Doctor to stop the daleks from causing the foreseen future.

[@hannahmcburney6438]

(0:33) this was played in the magicians appreciate so that became important