10 Shocking Classic Doctor Who Era Cliffhangers

I often feel morbid whenever I proclaim that The Caves of Androzani is my favourite Fifth Doctor story. Essentially, he was at his best when he was on his way out. But, seriously, his final outing was a tremendous achievement, and still stands as a 'classic' amongst Whovians. Once again, Robert Holmes was on top form, generating a serial that incorporated dark themes, sinister characters, and an overall unpleasant tone.

It's unique in that the Doctor isn't there to save the day. In fact, his involvement within the narrative is pure survival. He's simply trying to escape the madness, and keep his companion safe from death. The pressure is added by the fact that they're both poisoned by raw spectrox (the source of all the chaos in the story), ramping up the tension and suspense even further.

In the end, the Fifth Doctor is desperate, with his kinder, more innocent persona being pushed to the absolute limit. But he's determined to do whatever it takes to save Peri from the clutches of Sharaz Jek's, even at the cost of his own life. He defiantly holds back his regeneration, and undergoes a suicide mission all in the name of being 'the Doctor'. A heroic moment, for sure, but shocking all the same.