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In their debut episode, Barbara Wright has that iconic scene where she's intensely afraid of them, yet, she's supposed to not know who they are. So many others either have no reaction, or the complete opposite reaction the first time they see a Dalek. See, Rose Tyler.

So, why was Barbara so frightened, aside from the Behind the Scenes reason of setting the Daleks up as a 'big bad'.? Maybe its not the first time she met them, yet doesn't remember her previous interactions due to wibbly wobbly timey wi-- DAMNIT TENTH!

Maybe she has a fear of giant talking, mobile saltshakers?

The one Rose first encountered was well chained up, and far from the first alien she'd encountered - the later applies to most of the Doctor's companions. Barbara was new to the Tardis, had never encountered any alien life, and the Dalek was moving rapidly towards her. That she reacted poorly is unsurprising,

Captain Seafort wrote:The one Rose first encountered was well chained up, and far from the first alien she'd encountered - the later applies to most of the Doctor's companions. Barbara was new to the Tardis, had never encountered any alien life, and the Dalek was moving rapidly towards her. That she reacted poorly is unsurprising,

Pretty much this. Toss in that she just went through An Unearthly Child, and I can definitely see her being on edge.

I know, it's just kind of an odd (naturally, Over The Top) reaction. I mean, I could get those who know what the Daleks are having an intense reaction. but, well. Salt Shaker! Plunger! Oh, was she afraid of her pipes getting .... unblocked?