10 Dumbest Things That Have Ever Happened In Doctor Who

8. You Can Trap A God By Beating Him At Chess

The Sylvester McCoy era arguably hit its stride in Season 26 with the apex widely seen as The Curse of Fenric, a tale of World War II subterfuge and the futuristic undead. But while the four parter scored highly on production design and character, the arrival of embittered god Fenric opened a can of slow-witted worms. What happened between him and the Doctor was enigmatically revealed in retrospect. The gist appeared to be that the pair had engaged in a game of chess, whereby Fenric lost and was trapped somewhere called the Shadow Dimensions. Quite how the Seventh Time Lord wangled this isn't clear, though apparently he whittled playing pieces from the bones of the desert sands. Why he didn't just use a handy travel edition, or why losing the match meant the mighty figure had to go and sit in a flask for several centuries, is a matter for the ages. When the Doctor sets another challenge, it transpires the solution is that the black and white sides join forces rather than fight, a move that makes absolutely no sense in the context of chess. Also, you'd think after what occurred last time Fenric would simply destroy McCoy on the spot. So, if you're menaced by a Norse superbeing, why not dig out your old board games? A few skilfully-played rounds of Buckaroo will send him back to the item of pottery he sprung from!