10 Shocking Classic Doctor Who Era Cliffhangers
That dreaded moment when the credits roll after something bad happens to the Doctor and co.
There are many iconic elements to Doctor Who, from its theme tune, the TARDIS disguised as a police box, regeneration, or even the very concept of the show's creativity. One that people tend to overlook is the cliff-hanger. This has been a staple of the show's success since An Unearthly Child, when a looming shadow engulfed the TARDIS upon materialising in an unknown location.
A lot of these shocking cliff-hangers are the very reason fans, and audience members alike, have returned week in, and week out, in order to see what happens next. The Doctor's adventures have always been promoted as being fun, explorative ventures into the vast unknown, but even the Time Lord will admit it's not all fun and games.
The cliff-hangers are a clear remainder of this dangerous aspect of the Doctor's existence, and they themselves have been caught within many different horrific situations that leave them, and us, wondering whether they will live to tell the tale. Let us take a look at a few of those moments and summarise just how darkening Doctor Who can get during these fatal sequences.
10. Auton Police (Terror Of The Autons)
If it's one thing that Robert Holmes tried to instil into his scripts, and that's horror themed elements. One could argue that he played a massive part in sending children scurrying behind the sofa, due to the content on screen being too frightening to watch.
Terror of the Autons was a prime example of Robert Holmes taking things a bit too far, incorporating a troll doll that chokes people, a sofa that engulfs its user, and a daffodil that literally murders you. Being the creator of the dreaded Autons, he felt it would be fun to find new ingenious ways to terrify the masses with their sequel outing.
He went as far as having the Autons disguise themselves as police officers. The cliff-hanger is cleverly built up in its intrigue, having the officers rescue the Third Doctor and Jo from a circus riot, but Jo quickly puts two-and-two together that something isn't right. Why were they being driven further and further into the middle of nowhere?
To confirm his suspicion, the Third Doctor proceeds to whip off the police officer's face (which, in itself, would've caused children across Britain to scream in unison), revealing them to be a faceless plastic creature. Parents were then worried they're children would now be frightened of the police force. I wonder why?