Watching "The Daleks" today, in a generation used to CGI graphics and post-Star Wars aged mentor trauma, it is next to impossible to imagine how those fortunate enough to be young in November 1963 would have seen it. Could it really be any better than it is now? "Doctor Who" visits its first alien world, and there is not a quarry to be seen, the enforced studio setting leading Raymond Cusick to devise a series of truly marvellous sets. From the false perspective Skarosian jungle, to the chilling metal Dalek city- a 'dark reflection' of the warm artificiality of the TARDIS, with an eery, beautiful soundtrack, and inlay effects which, though simple enough, prove that 'enough' is more than adequate in the field of effects, the production of "The Daleks" takes "Doctor Who" to new artistic heights. The scripts are superb, with proper dialogue for Nation's pepperpots, as opposed to the squawking "Exterminate!" of later stories, and sensible, three dimensional characters (even the three main Daleks are all characters). Episode six, the b-movie episode, is the only weak link, but even that is redemmed by the genuine cliff-hanger ending. The first attempt at science-fiction in "Doctor Who", "The Daleks" undoubtably benefits from not having to look over its shoulder at what has gone before. It is unashamedly big-budget in appearance, and could put many a Hollywood blockbuster to shame today, and yet none the less manages to retain an intellectual edge. One of the wonderful things about the first series of "Doctor Who" was its willingness to try anything, willingness to risk falling flat on its face in trying to go beyond its modest resources, and "The Daleks" wonderfully pays this off, demonstrating that you can do anything if you really try. In many ways the template for nearly every story made since, "The Daleks" is far more than just 'the first Dalek story'. It is a brilliant piece of science fiction and quite possibly the best ever Dalek story. "The Daleks" is a real highlight.