A character in Doctor Who
Played by Arthur Newall
Doctor Who · 1,966 quotes
Most-quoted character in Doctor Who: in 329 of its 1,966 quotes
Most scenes with: Sarah Jane Smith (30), Leela (27), Romana I (21)
I've heard Davros say there is no intelligent life on other planets. So either he is wrong, or you are lying.
We are not lying--
And Davros is never wrong about anything.
Well, he must be exceptional; even I am occasionally wrong about some things!
Well good now he's gone, any chance of a cup of tea?
What?!
Or coffee. My friend and I have had a trying experience — haven't we had a trying experience, Harry?
Very trying, Doctor!
Step into the security scan!
What, no tea?
Let me point out to you that you have no rights whatsoever. I have full authority to torture and kill any prisoner who does not comply absolutely with my orders. That is your first and last warning.
No tea, Harry.
You're not with the military, I assume?
I'm with the Science Division.
Oh, good! Good... Then perhaps we can talk without interruption from rifle butts.
If I didn't know any better, I should have to assume that these [objects] were made by some intelligence on another planet.
If you "didn't know better"...
It is an established scientific fact that, in the seven galaxies, only Skaro is capable of supporting intelligent life.
It is also an established scientific fact that there are more than seven galaxies.
Nothing conforms to any known life on this planet apart from external appearances.
You can't always judge from external appearances.
Who are you? Where are you from?
It's a long story...
Then tell me.
Do you have any inkling of the theory of space dimension correlated to relative time?
They took down reams of note. Every bit of scientific gobbledygook I could think of. Technical jargon that even I didn't understand.
It'll keep their experts tied up for weeks!
Yes. And I learned a great deal more from them than they did from me.
It was [Davros] who told us how to destroy the Kaled dome. His only interest is in achieving peace!
Let me tell you something -- the Kaled government was on the point of stopping Davros's experiments. Rather than let that happen, he helped you to destroy his own race.
You'll never convince my people of that. Davros is a hero!
Yes. For how long, I wonder...?
[The Doctor and Bettan have escaped the Thal base, which has been attacked by the Daleks, and are hiding behind the sandbags]
Oh, there was no need to go that far. When our leaders saw they were beaten they should have surrendered.
Perhaps they did. But Daleks accept no terms. They're programmed to wipe the Thals from the face of this planet.
But there must be some who'll escape, some survivors?
A few, perhaps, but they need to be grouped into some kind of fighting force to strike the bunker.
What?
Well, destroy Davros and you destroy the Daleks.
What chance do we have against them?
It's your only chance. Will you do it?
Yes.
Good girl. I'm going to try and get back into the bunker now.
Alone?
Good luck. [leaves Bettan, who hides as a Dalek passes over the top of the trench, silhouetted against the red sky]
Then my Daleks do go on? They do survive?
Yes. As weapons of hate and machines of war...
Fascinating!
But there's still time to change all that. Why not make them a force for good throughout the universe?
I could do it...
Then do it. Be remembered for that!
[about to torture Harry and Sarah in front of the Doctor] Let me tell you what is going to happen. You will answer my questions. You will answer them carefully and precisely. The instruments to which you are wired are particularly sensitive. They will detect instantly any attempt to lie.
And if I do lie?
If you lie, your friends will suffer. I can create in their bodies all the torments and agonies ever known.
[Davros turn a knob; Sarah and Harry begin to gasp]
Don’t — tell him — Doctor!
Now, you will tell me the reason for every Dalek defeat. With that knowledge, I will program them. With that knowledge, they will know their errors and how to avoid them. With that knowledge, there will be no defeats! We will begin!
[wearily] Davros… If I tell you want you want to know, I betray millions of people in the future. I can’t do that.
But you can! You will tell me! You will tell me! You will tell me!
Now, future errors will be eradicated! Defeats will become victories! You have changed the future of the universe, Doctor!
I have betrayed the future! Davros, for the last time, consider what you are doing. Stop the development of the Daleks!
Impossible. It is beyond my control. The workshops are already fully automated to produce the Dalek machines.
It's not the machines, it's the minds of the creatures inside them. Minds that you created! They are totally evil!
Evil?! No! No, I will not accept that... They are conditioned simply to survive. They can survive only by becoming the dominant species. When all other life forms are suppressed -- when the Daleks are the supreme rulers of the universe -- then, you will have peace. Wars will end. They are the power not of evil, but of good.
Davros, if you had created a virus in your laboratory, something contagious and infectious that killed on contact, a virus that would destroy all other forms of life; would you allow its use?
It is an interesting conjecture.
Would you do it?
The only living thing... The microscopic organism... reigning supreme... A fascinating idea!...
But would you do it?
...Yes... yes... To hold in my hand, a capsule that contained such power. To know that life and death on such a scale was my choice. To know that the tiny pressure on my thumb, enough to break the glass, would end everything... Yes! I would do it! That power would set me up above the gods! And through the Daleks, I shall have that power!
[The Doctor jumps up and grabs Davros' arm, almost fighting him.]
Release me.
No, Davros. [His hand hovers over a small, black button. He is still holding onto Davros' arm.]
[quietly] Don't touch that switch.
Why not?
It controls my life-support systems. I could not survive thirty seconds without them.
[whispering] Order the destruction of the incubator section!
[quietly] Destroy the Daleks? Never!
[The Doctor presses the button. A siren goes off and Davros convulses, going weaker. The Doctor eventually relents.]
[severely] I mean it, Davros. Next time I press that switch, it stays pressed. Now, give the order!
Even if I do this, there will be no escape for you.
I'll take that chance. Now give the order!
Press... the communicator switch.
[The Doctor throws a red switch.]
[loudly] This is Davros! Elite Unit Seven will go to the incubator room. All survival maintenance systems are to be closed down. The Dalek creatures... are to be... destroyed.
Tell them the order cannot be countermanded!
This order... cannot...
[Nyder creeps up on the Doctor and knocks him out.]
This is Davros! This is Davros! My last order is cancelled - repeat - cancelled. No action is to be taken. [turns off communicator]
What do you want done with this?
For the moment, he must be kept alive. He has knowledge that is vital to our future, and I will drain every last detail of it from his mind. And then...he will learn the true meaning of pain.
Well, what are you waiting for?!
Just touch these two strands together, and the Daleks are finished... Have I that right?
To destroy the Daleks? You can't doubt it!
Well, I do! You see, some things could be better with the Daleks. Many future worlds will become allies because of the fear of the Daleks!
It isn't like that!
Well, the final responsibility is mine. And mine alone. You see, if someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives... could you then kill that child?
[pause] We're talking about the Daleks, the most evil creatures ever invented. You must destroy them! You must complete your mission for the Time Lords!
Do I have the right? Simply touch one wire against the other, and it's it? The Daleks cease to exist? Hundreds of millions of people, thousands of generations, can live without fear, in peace, and never even know the word "Dalek"?
Then why wait? If it was a disease or some sort of bacteria you were destroying, you wouldn't even hesitate!
But if I kill, wipe out a whole intelligent life form, then I'd become like them. I'd be no better than the Daleks.
Think of all the suffering there'll be if you don't do it!
[while examining an infected man who's going to be shot by his comrades] The man is sick, he needs treatment!
There is no treatment. All we can try to do is stop the infection spreading!
Sorry, gentlemen, I can't allow it.
You can't allow it?
My colleague is a doctor of medicine and I'm a doctor of many things. If we could examine him-
[interrupting him] Commander, I'm afraid we have to kill these people, too. They brought the plague in here.
Who's the homicidal maniac?
Have you noticed these rather strange scratches, Commander?
Can’t say that I have.
All over the ship. I’ve seen them somewhere before, if only I could remember where.
Is it important?
Everything’s important. Well well well.
What is it?
I’ve just made a third interesting discovery about your plague virus, Commander.
A third?
Yes. One, it scratches metal. Two, it attacks its victims so suddenly that they become unconscious before they can even raise the alarm, and three…
Go on.
It removes tape from radio logs. It must be a very literate and inquisitive virus.
I smell a rat. [The Doctor exits]
[to Sarah Jane] You know, I sometimes wonder if your friend is quite right in the head.
If the Doctor scented a rat, Commander, he'll find one.
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