10 Doctor Who Characters Who Don't Deserve The Hate
2. The Wire
The Idiot's Lantern technically has two villains: the bullying father, Eddie Connolly, and the formless creature known as The Wire.
While the Connolly storyline forms the heart of the episode, it's hardly Oscar-worthy material. And yet, it's The Wire that receives the bulk of the hate that's directed at this episode.
The premise of an entity manifesting inside TV screens and feeding on viewers' faces is a terrifying concept, especially in an age where we are surrounded by screens. And though the adopted face of The Wire - and its constant whines of "HUNGRYYYYYY" - are potentially annoying, there's also something deeply unsettling about this creature. Maybe it's the polite manner, or the fact that it's an elderly woman - something scary lurking beneath something innocent.
Of course, there are better villains out there, and The Idiot's Lantern is hardly a classic. But The Wire is one of the most unique Doctor Who antagonists ever, and for that creativity alone, writer Mark Gatiss deserves props.