Dalek City

Lore & Background

Hailing from the irradiated planet Skaro, the Daleks retreated into this city after a nuclear war with the Thals rendered their previous existence untenable. The environment inside was defined by a strict dependency on static electricity; without it, they were unable to leave their confines. This isolation fostered a culture of pure hate and total conformity to the will of the Dalek authority. Within these walls, they lacked any emotion other than hatred and sought only to destroy any beings they encountered. The city functioned as a militant base where strategies for universal conquest were formed. It was here that the Doctor's companion Susan Foreman attempted to negotiate peace, a mission that failed as the Daleks sought only the Thals' extermination. The architecture supported their nature: a place of little culture, dedicated entirely to survival and the elimination of 'impure' life.

In Their Own Story

In 1963, the First Doctor, his granddaughter Susan Foreman, and their companions found themselves trapped within this city on Skaro. Susan attempted to negotiate peace between the Daleks and the Thals, but the Daleks refused, seeking only to kill the other native species. The Doctor then staged an uprising against them. The climax of this conflict occurred when the static electricity power supply was knocked out, seemingly killing the Daleks as they could no longer function or leave their city. This event marked the first major victory for the Time Lord against his archenemies. The story established the Daleks' reliance on external power and their ruthless intent to exterminate any other forms of life found within or outside their metallic walls.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Dalek City, one must recognize its location deep beneath Skaro's surface, shielded from the planet's irradiated environment. Access is strictly limited by a dependency on static electricity; without this power source, the Daleks are immobilized and unable to exit their stronghold. The city features metallic corridors and chambers designed for their specific casing dimensions, prioritizing function over comfort. Visitors or intruders face immediate threats from the Dalek manipulator arm, capable of crushing a human skull with an intense vacuum of focused energy, and the gunstick weapon that fires lasers. Navigation requires avoiding these lethal defenses. Historically, the city was the site where the Thals seemingly killed all Daleks after the power supply failed, though this proved to be only a temporary setback for the race.

Did You Know?

• The Daleks could not leave their city in the serial The Daleks because they were dependent on static electricity for power.
• In their debut appearance, a Dalek uprising was staged by the Doctor and his allies when the city's static electricity supply was knocked out.
• The Daleks are described as having little in the way of culture, viewing hatred as beautiful.
• The Dalek manipulator arm can use an intense vacuum of focused energy to crush a human skull.
• The city was the setting where Susan Foreman attempted to negotiate peace between the Daleks and the Thals.