10 Times Doctor Who Got Way Too Dark For A Family Drama

7. The Doctor Dilemma

Also implicit in the concept of family drama is that the younger viewers will be able to rely on their hero. The Doctor has always had a dark side, from Doctor One being happy to kidnap teachers and stone injured cavemen to Doctor Twelve leaving the fate of humanity on the shoulders of his young friend, yet we can recognise that he is a hero, just one who sees a bigger picture sometimes. However, this was decidedly not the case when the Sixth Doctor was introduced in The Twin Dilemma. Mid-1980s Doctor Who was in a mess with a producer and script editor who disagreed on nearly everything and a BBC who were already sharpening the axe. Colin Baker's Doctor Who, especially the early part, is an odd mix of juvenile plots and nasty violence that makes it unsuitable for a younger audience and uncomfortable viewing for their parents. In the Twin Dilemma we have a Doctor that is cowardly, nasty and in one infamous scene attempts to strangle his companion. Yes, this may be owing to post-regenerative trauma but, even when stabilised, this is a Doctor who constantly verbally abuses his female companion. A hero who treats his friend as a verbal punch bag is no hero and no role model for a family audience.