The future of Dalek aesthetics

In this video Tharries and I talk about our favourite and least favourite dalek designs, and about what we think future updates to the design should entail.
Find Tharries here: / @tharries
Find my main channel here: • The Fall of Doctor Who

[@Lenny-ue8hk]

If the government kept using the daleks as police drones, they would totally paint them rainbow for pride month

[@hillson418]

I don't understand how nobody on planet earth noticed that these police drones looked exactly like the daleks, despite them coming to earth on multiple occasions at this point

[@tgoas9142]

@@hillson418 I'm pretty sure series 5 had a few lines about people not remembering Stolen Earth and stuff because of the cracks in time.

[@hillson418]

@@tgoas9142 that does sound like a classic doctor who explanation

[@SpeedstersUnited]

hell naw

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

@@tgoas9142 At the end of Series 5, they reset the universe, which at the time they claimed that everything that happened before didn't actually happen.

[@harrisonrothacher2250]

Jay: “we want a more refined, elegant Dalek design” Daleks circa 2005: “DALEKS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF ELEGANCE”

[@ViperOnRR]

This is obvious

[@lorcan0c]

I can understand the interest in more "Elegant" Dalek designs, but lest we forget: Dalek: "DALEKS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF ELEGANCE." Cyberman: "This is obvious."

[@diegodankquixote-wry3242]

Dalek: "DALEKS HAVE NO STYLE, DALEKS HAVE NO GRACE!"

[@notaninstrument7707]

@@diegodankquixote-wry3242 These daleks have a funny face

[@qwertyuio404]

Dalek Thay, to be specific. They can *“EXTERMINATE”* when they need to, and stretch their plungers out, just for you. Edit: *“ELEVATE”* themselves, just like the balloons. These crazy Daleks just *“EXTERMINATE”* you! *_HUH!_*

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

DAL-EK, DALEK THAY

[@aionicthunder]

“You have identified as Daleks.” “Bugger! That was clever” “The Cybermen are known for their intelligence.” “You have identified as Cybermen.” “…Bugger.”

[@dalekarmy]

With the Paradigm Daleks I 100% guarantee if in Victory instead of rolling out all the colours they had just stuck to one supreme and four red drones (preferably with the chrome gloss from Asylum) they would have been must better received, it's just the rainbow look when they're all together that really kills it

[@linkofvev]

I thought they looked good as the commander Daleks (those have always looked a bit silly), they just needed to tone down the colours. The white one did fit very well though.

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

I feel like they wanted to give the dalek more individualism with their ranks and voices so I see why they made them different colored. Maybe if ever other red dalek that wasn’t supreme maybe had a skaro symbol on their domes? Or had a different tool instead of the standard plunger?

[@artyb27]

You're forgetting those awful hunchbacks. Not only that but how, canonically, were the paradigm daleks superior to the previous design? They were just bigger, right?

[@DakNJaxter]

The biggest thing that bothered my about the New Paradigm Daleks was their smooth plastic-y texture. If they were more metallic, they might have come across better. They certainly could have kept them around as generals. I love the look of the Chibnall Daleks. There's a certain level of inelegance to them, like a kitsch retro robot look, that really suits the Daleks. I hope they're aren't done for once his era ends.

[@nathanielk7415]

as far as daleks go, i think that sec looks brilliant. the shiny black on the time war design just looks great.

[@RipOffProductionsLLC]

Such a shame the Cult of Scarro Darleks are all dead now...

[@caadoesgaming679]

Tharries: i want them to have some more elegance Dalek: DALEKS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF ELEGANCE

[@WoodsAreBeautiful]

This is obvious

[@Marcy53Volkswagen]

@@WoodsAreBeautiful this is murray GOLD

[@friendlyotaku9525]

I would be fine with them keeping the 2005 mould but give them a new colour, I think silver would look good and I am surprised they haven't done anything like that. I really like the Defense Drone design, easily one of my favourites but I get the feeling we won't see them again though I hope I'm wrong

[@charliedawson6318]

I've thought for ages Silver and blue would be a good colour combination for Daleks. Basically, an update of the ones seen in the background at 6:16

[@Pogal]

#NotMyDalek. Jk I don't actually mind what they look like I would just need to get used to a new variation.

[@badwolf66]

For a xenophobic bunch The Daleks are very diverse.

[@ItsButterBean1020]

The Daleks have mad drip

[@MichelleW870]

@@ItsButterBean1020 HOW ABOUT YOU GO GO TRAVEL TO FIND SOME BITCHES DOCTOR?

[@GeorgeTheDinoGuy]

Lmao

[@jamesliu8095]

Actually that's also a problem for them as they keep killing each other for being "impure"

[@rhodrage]

I know I'm in the minority, but I adore the big colourful Daleks from 2010. And wish they'd kept with them and expanded in them.

[@jonathankozenko]

One thing that I really liked about them was they seemed more like something from a modern assembly line, as many things, including modern military hardware, have replaced metal with super-strong plastic, and an emphasis on hydraulics for moving parts, and the 2010 Daleks reflect this well. Like, 1963 Daleks look like a gunner seat in WW2, whereas the 2010 Daleks look like what a gunner seat might look like in 15 years

[@nachochips1458]

Moffat even had a "swiss army" gunstick design planned

[@aidenmorreyvoiceactor]

I didn’t dislike them, I prefer the classic, tanky dustbin look. The Paradigm Dalek had some of the best lines, though.

[@HerohammerStudios]

I liked them because the new designs helped distance them from what came before. I probably wouldn't hate future dalek stories as much if only I were able to more easily distance them from the Time War Daleks in my mind

[@crimsondynamo615]

Honestly those darker metallic colors they had in Asylum made them look great. If they stuck with those colors and kept to their guns sticking with those paradigm Daleks, i imagine discourse might be different regarding them.

[@wrigglenight93]

I'm a big fan of the rougher, riveted look from early NuWho actually. Gives them a bit of a panzerkampf vibe

[@exquisitecorpse__]

Jay needs to stop fat-shaming the Paradigm Daleks

[@cordeliax8972]

she’s getting cancelled !! cancel culture is taking over!!!!! /j

[@ItsButterBean1020]

Those Daleks were thick as fuck

[@GusMcGuire]

The Paradigm Daleks had an uphill struggle. First they came at the end of the same episode that had just introduced the Victory Daleks - a very cool restyling of the 2005 model into a khaki colourscheme, which looked excellent against the WWII background. Then the Paradigms appeared and wiped out their really cool predecessors with a model that literally looked like a product launch in a car showroom. They were completely at odds with the story setting and the tone of the Daleks. Next to the Victory Daleks, the Paradigms looked about as scary as teletubbies and were clearly a rather unsubtle attempt at introducing a toy range. It's a shame they didn't get a chance to develop more but their introduction was very badly handled.

[@MitchCyan]

I’d love to hear a discussion about specific Dalek characters.

[@jonathanskinner7647]

I’ve always thought a slimmed down paradigm with the imperial colours would look really cool, or the Time war daleks with the 1963 colours. I also really wish we had more specialised daleks in personality as well as design. The show has kinda done this in the modern era but except the emperor in 2005 we haven’t had a follower of the dalek code with a personality. The dalek time squad in time lord victorious was one of my favourite things about it, and I would love to see the show lean into that

[@foconut]

i wish we’d just see older daleks come back more. it’s a show about time travel, why would the doctor basically keep meeting the daleks in a linear order

[@louiswright8282]

Why not a episode based on a civilisation that worships Imperial Daleks as God's after their craft crashed.

[@dr.feelgoodmalusphillips2475]

You forget that the Daleks were taken out of time and space during the Time War and then all upgraded to the Time War Mark 3 Armor and they were almost all but extinct. Afterwards the events of the past Daleks are all time locked and there no substantial events he can interfere with.

[@MetalheadSean666]

I agree with everything said about the time war daleks

[@dustinakadustin]

Yeah I'm really sick of seeing them over and over. I would like to see a new colour scheme at least that sticks around.

[@DaiBowie]

14:58 I would love for the classic blue and grey paint to come back like on that time stamp or maybe this static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/28430/1369843-dalek_076s.jpg also bring back the old voice so you have that old connection to the old Daleks but giving it a more modern up to date look and feel like the Cybermen.

[@angrykobold5970]

@@DaiBowie that looks amazing!

[@MrDarthT]

I will say that the new paradigm look better in person. I've seen replicas in a convention, and they are legitimately imposing. I think the biggest problem with the bronze design now is just their age. The props are all either old or second/third generation recasts (moulds taken of parts taken from moulds taken of parts...). I think, even if they keep the overall design, a new set of scratch-built props would be an important investment in their longevity.

[@regiarcher4732]

I was super excited when I first saw the Paradigm Daleks. My first time ever seeing a dalek was in season one episode 6, and I've loved them ever since, but as the show went on they lost that terror that I loved. They ceased to be a threat. the Paradigm Daleks were a way to start again and bring back the terror of the Daleks.

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

@@RandomNameLastName811 the dodgers thing was silly but the paradigm ones weren’t tricked by it, the time war ones were. I’m sure that doesn’t change your outlook on that episode but still, their scheme was pretty cool given the circumstances.

[@LukasOfTheLight]

@@RandomNameLastName811 You know that Mark Gatiss wrote Victory of the Daleks, right? Moffat was busy writing the rest of the best season ever at the time lol

[@theevildalek5425]

My poor Emperor Dalek designs didn’t even get mentioned 😢

[@Huntracony]

The paradigm supreme daleks just look like toys to me. The colors are way too vibrant and their rubber necks look like they'd bounce up and down while making an accordion sound if you'd bonk them on the head with a hammer. I do like that they're bigger, but otherwise they're not for me.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

They look sort of okay from the front, but their side profile is terrible. The hunchback is awful. It wouldnt even look half as bad if the dome was further back and the front sloped more to meet it

[@marxistlynchist]

Best part of the early design was the lens eye. So creepy the way it bulged and refocuses constantly, and when it was replaced with the blue light for The Witch’s Familiar it just looked stupid

[@adamhickey396]

In terms of future designs.... why fix something that isn't broken? With all honesty, I think they should retain the RTD Dalek design with the Jam Jar lights, but change the colour to either the 60s silver and blue, or the Genesis of the Daleks colour.

[@samuelbarber6177]

My favourite Dalek designs are the ones from the Sixties. I just like the simplicity of them, with the eye pieces that would expand or contract. I never liked how they eventually gave them little dots in the centre, just to look like eyes I guess. I’m also actually rather fond of the Defence Drone Daleks from Revolution, though I wasn’t exactly a fan of Resolution’s design. Plus, Remembrance of the Daleks.

[@Ben-wx7kk]

Bring back the Paradigm Daleks but with the black/silver colour scheme

[@mr.countess3610]

Looking back on it, I think something like the paradigm Daleks could have been ok if only the just weren't so freakin' BIG. I just can't take them seriously with them scraping their heads on the ceiling like that, and it kinda looks like they're overcompensating for something... 🤔 The moment Tharries said about current Daleks missing that 'gold-plated' elegance factor, I suddenly realised how much I need this!! Nu-Who has had the Daleks *telling* us many times that they consider themselves to be beautiful, so it would be fitting to give them a new look that actually reflects this part of their character. (although for Daleks, maybe 'elegant' is not quite the word, but rather 'tacky' like a dictator who dresses up in fancy military uniforms and smothers his chest in rows and rows of shiny medals)

[@pouncerlion4022]

Paradigm are my favorite, especially after they got kicked to the curb so fast that we never got to see what they were really capable of. Huh, now I want to design a Dalek based on Paradigm mixed with a Tachikoma as super heavy Dalek..

[@TheCucuyo9779]

I love the cowls. As long as they keep the cowls moving forward, I'll be very happy. 💖

[@bettyswunghole3310]

I think the Supreme Dalek's voice was so compelling because it was haughty and over-confident.

[@Callum_2613]

20:08 I was always bugged about this too. Dalek ships that looked so alien to some random warehouse

[@raptyrn1290]

4:26 Remember when Sec vored a guy? That was hot stuff

[@emperorboss5557]

To be honest i am of the unpopular that the paradigm Daleks were great, loved them in victory and wished they would return at least in a leadership role.

[@someguy4405]

Supreme shows up in the asylum episode.

[@CakeorDeath1989]

The Victory Dalek shows how well the modern era Time War design works in other colour schemes. I think they should keep the design but just change the colour. I'd personally repaint them in the gunmetal grey + black scheme from Genesis.

[@ellti6506]

I feel the restoration empire Daleks from the time lord victorious stories do design very well and I would love to see them in the show I feel they are a good combination of classic and time war daleks maybe bring in a couple more elements of classic daleks in the normal drones like the dalek strategist

[@theboyreach7785]

As a kid I really liked dalek sec. Might still be my favourite

[@KarlDowney]

I love the white & gold Daleks of the late 80's. Would love to see a modern design of them in a new episode.

[@Wanten-the-stormtrooper]

I'd LOVE to see the actual show use Tharrie's idea about using Daleks from different eras of the show to represent actual eras of their history! I actually drew up my own Dalek timeline in chronological order (it took ages, as I included tons of comics and Big Finish audios), and I came up with a similar idea to this, so I'm glad to see I'm not alone!

[@RegularCody]

Have you posted this timeline anywhere?

[@Wanten-the-stormtrooper]

@@RegularCody Sadly not as of yet; I wrote it down in a book somewhere. I'll type it up and share it somewhere once I get the opportunity to do so.

[@samshaw3657]

Would love to see the 2005 ones in matte grey. Shout out to dalek sec for looking pretty swift

[@mycaleb8]

I actually like the New Paradigm Daleks. But I otherwise agree, especially with more diverse Dalek castses. You'd think Daleks caked "The New Dalek Paradigm" would do things differently, but no. They just called their Emperor a PM and called it a day.

[@justanotherglorpsdaymornin5097]

Well off I go searching Dalek pron, thanks Jay & Tharries.

[@DriftPortcreations]

Great vid. My favourite supreme is the Black one from Daleks Masterplan. I think if the New Dalek paradigm Daleks opened up in a later episode and inside was a brand new design like a Russian Doll kind of way. That would have been cool. Been a nice way to reintroduce the 60s classics.

[@Ben-wx7kk]

I prefer the time war daleks, but it was time for a change and the chibnall daleks are not a bad change.

[@Irrev77]

Agreed! While the stories might not be perfect, Chibnall's redesigns of both the Daleks and Cybermen were brilliant in my opinion.

[@obiwankenobi687]

@@Irrev77 although his redesign was only temporary. He’s bringing the time war Daleks back, they’re the fan favorites he’d be foolish to get rid

[@williamcollett2216]

I always liked the KZbin chanel Davis idea for a dalek candidate. Five daleks that were so superior the rest of the daleks were made obsolete. A new direction to develop them as a species

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

For the standard drone look I do appricate the grey color schemes of the rebel and genesis daleks. And any variations of the egg beater and plunger always appeals to me, (Dalek executioner is my current favorite Dalek individual.) Something I never hear people mention about the paradigm is how friggin cool their eyes are! The lense is reminds you that they are in fact organic life forms and it seems predatory as well!

[@user-ez5pz3un7p]

for me, its the restoration daleks, the silver and blue color scheme on the time war design just sells it for me

[@jasonlescalleet5611]

For fan designs, I am partial to the Android Arts Dalek redesigns. They wouldn’t work in a live action show (they are basically always flying) but they are cool and different enough while still being recognizably Daleks. There are ones that look to be basically based on the Paradigm Daleks, as well as Imperial and Renegade ones.

[@justsignmeup911]

"Doctorin' the Tardis" Daleks. You can see the sneakers underneath them. It's charming.

[@adamhickey396]

Out of Supreme Daleks, I love the Supreme in Planet of the Daleks; part of the Dalek Council. I love the gold/black colour, with the 60s movie design and the flashing eyestalk.

[@ryanzerda]

I know this ain't a dalek design but the ones where they like, have taken over a human, and there's a dalek eye coming out of their skull and a dalek gun coming out of their hands, that looked absolutely ridiculous

[@marxistlynchist]

I’m guessing the idea was like an upgraded version of the Robomen from Dalek Invasion of Earth- but yeah the Dalek Tasha Lem shit might’ve been the worst part of Matt Smith’s last episode

[@ryanzerda]

@@marxistlynchist probably yeah. And yeah same, I don't mind Smith's last episode but that also irritated me. I feel like this was just a cool visual someone thought of and insisted it be in the show

[@Myne1001]

"Ok we need to convey these people are under control by the Daleks, and I mean ACTUALLY controlled, not just being forced into working with them "Uh, how about a mini eyestalk pops out of their head?" "Genius"

[@theguywithsomething8634]

While admittedly ridiculous looking, I can't deny I'm unable to think of a non-goofy way to make it immediately, visibly clear that someone is entirely, completely under the control of the Daleks (so you shouldn't feel bad about killing them).

[@superspicy8740]

9:46 I really like their design because they have the red light showing that they are no longer drones but are now Daleks & just imagine being in a dark alleyway & seeing that slowly come towards you

[@royhay5741]

I've always wanted the time war and paradigm Dalek designs to be blended. Same height and skirt as a bronze Dalek but looks kind of like a paradigm Dalek. If they were just to recolour the bronze Daleks I'd like to see them in dark blue with black details

[@musicgarryj]

"Daleks have no concept of elegance"...... direct quote from Dalek Thay (Cult of Skaro)

[@DoctorWhoAdventures]

Really interesting discussion! :D I wonder if they will repaint the 2005 Daleks in future :o

[@MetalheadSean666]

The supreme dalek from Remembrance is my favourite supreme Dalek

[@JAM92]

I miss the Silver+Blue Daleks, I miss the Grey Daleks and I really miss the Special weapons Dalek. I feel like the Daleks lose something crucial to them when they're mostly the same colour, there was a good sense of a Militaristic Society where the colour of a Dalek indicated it's rank and position. Sometimes the colour could help indicate in what point in the Dalek's timeline the Doctor has encountered them in.

[@TheKingMgee]

My brain is full of worms, and I've come round to really liking the Paradigm Daleks. Although Jay, absolutely perfect observation about how botched their introduction was.

[@GeorgeRadcliffe]

No mention for dalek sec? That black respray was sexxyyy

[@EthanTheDinoNerd]

After that 5 hour long video on the New Doctor who I'm always excited for you to talk about anything Doctor who related.

[@EthanTheDinoNerd]

Also I like the Dalek designs from the 8th Doctor era....the Audio book

[@GooseTheDumbassCat]

‘More elegant, more refined’ The Daleks, 2006: “DALEKS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF ELEGANCE” The Cybermen, 2006: “this much is Clear”

[@thomasjohnston9795]

My wish is for more standard red daleks, like alpha Dalek from the comics. I like to imagine Paul mcgann era daleks were the classic drone design but all red

[@kieran4669]

Cool discussion! I just love the Time Lord Victorious Emperor Dalek, with the massive balloon dome on its head. It's just fun mix of time war style, with a colour and shape we've not seen explored much.

[@generalbutterscotch4887]

Me, waiting the whole time for somebody to bring up Sec's design: ;-;

[@TheWeepingDalek]

i like how in daleks invashon of earth. you had the sauser commander and the supreme. simply because they didn't finish painting it in time.

[@mattevans4377]

Special Armour Daleks, or SAD for short ;)

[@monosupreme1]

I like to think I subconciously inspired Tharries' Paradigm hot take at the end ;)

[@minecraftrotisseriechicken]

I highly suggest taking a look at James Johnson's dalek designs. He goes by @ the_Prydonian on Instagram. Specifically his 'purified dalek' design.

[@rhodriwilliams2599]

The chibnall Daleks remind me of the K-9 television show with the sort of soft edges and lights. Just feels like a kids show’s version of Daleks. Even though Doctor who is a kids show? I don’t know what I’m talking about

[@uncreativename2979]

The paradigm daleks could have worked if they were less hunchbacked and used more neutral colours, keep the supreme white, that looked good. Have the drones use the gunmetal scheme from Genesis or Remembrance. If you want to keep some form of ranking; make the non-drones black or silver. Also make them have the glossy finish from Asylum so they don’t look as plastic

[@amaas211]

Love how the top comments and the video forgets 'The Emperor of The Daleks'

[@TheWeepingDalek]

i like the idea of different daleks having different designs to identify different roles. like have scientist daleks be a different colour to drones. but also make it about rank.

[@gooper3644]

I also liked the paradigm, but I never got their roles. Like what does the eternal dalek do? Supreme makes sense since they’re the leader, what’s with eternal. That and the fact that one had black bulbs while the rest have silver, looks a bit weird

[@empressofvibes]

I'm loath to defend Resolution but as to "what was in that bag", I'm fairly certain the episode has the dalek-while-inhabiting-that-woman steal shit from the Black Archive, that's where it got all that stuff

[@pretsal4955]

I think Paradigm White and Paradigm Red look pretty good. They could've introduced the other Paradigms with, like, a gimmick each. It coulda worked? Mind control? Stealth? Heavy artillery? Beeeeees??

[@_nebula4308]

I heard the reason the paradigm Daleks look so weird is there was confusion between metric and imperial

[@tombaker6483]

Would you two be able to rank dalek fan art?

[@millievariants]

A small part of me dies when people forget the time lord victorious daleks exist.

[@QueenStodge]

My favorite Supreme Dalek is the gold Dalek from Day of the Daleks, but I think Remembrance is a close second

[@hopelessedgelord]

5:19 The issue with those one I always found was they were a bit to round the base was to big and the big bridge that holds the gun and brain sucker I really like the design from the neck up

[@murraymint8599]

My favourite design of dalek is the black dalek from revolution of the Daleks

[@Jackson-ub1uv]

The Supreme Paradigm Dalek would be good if it was on its own amongst the normal ones.

[@Roggoll]

what about the dalek emperors we need a part 2

[@ConroNorock]

I wouldn't think a post-Time War Dalek would bother to change to a different chassis if they didn't have to, Daleks don't exactly have a peacetime...

[@gregbaker3995]

I think one of the few things chibnall did right was introducing the daleks. Because he made the scrap dalek that everyone could be like... its okay that's not the real dalek then when they came back in resolution of the daleks they felt some what familiar

[@cameronjosephvideos5942]

Have you seen concept art of the paradigm Daleks. They look way better given a more metallic look with more muted colours.

[@sword4005]

you should have a look at fan designs, there loads on youtube in fan animation some with wacky designs

[@jamiebowler4693]

Renaissance daleks

[@ollytomlinsonmusic]

Ever since I saw the 60s Daleks, I fell in love

[@deepspacedruid7673]

What about the ones with the weird round head?

[@fastertrackcreative]

2:06 "Daleks have no concept of el-e-gance!"

[@beejamjam]

would love to see you finding and rating dalek fan art

[@clod2529]

I have those remote control daleks!

[@MetalheadSean666]

My favourite looks are the evil of the daleks & The chase daleks.

[@queenbee2769]

I'm gonna be real, I love the paradigm daleks for their colors

[@fletcherhamilton3177]

OK . . . I admit, when I first saw the promotional stuff for the ‘Paradigm Daleks’, I liked them, but I came to _dislike_ them with time and seeing them in action. With the ‘Defense Drones’ in _Revolution,_ I instantly disliked them when leaked images emerged . . . but in the end I came to quite like their aesthetic (though it’s not without tiny adjustments I’d make to improve the flow of their profiles a little).

[@tom_4615]

14:06 hot dalek summer

[@jackgurchove5212]

My favorite Dalek period is the restoration empire Daleks

[@JRHainsworth]

8:19 That would be me

[@danielcox3152]

I'd like Time War Daleks in 60's colours

[@Philiptanzer]

Can't beat the gold & white Imperials.

[@crimsondynamo615]

Unironically my favorite Dalek design are those Peter Cushing Movie Daleks