10 TV Fates Worse Than Death

Doctor Who spinoff show Torchwood was a little silly for its first couple of seasons. But all of a sudden in its phenomenal third season, it got properly dark and disturbing. Earth is invaded by an unnerving race of aliens known only as the 456. They promise to leave the planet alone if the world's governments hand over ten percent of every country's children.

This is a terrifying prospect in its own right. Imagine being one of the children to be handed over. Imagine being one of their parents. It's some of the most traumatic television ever aired, but wait until you find out what sickening purpose the children will serve once the 456 have them in their grasp.

It turns out that the 456 have been to Earth before, and they abducted several children at the time. They've brought one with them now, as seen when a brave cameraman enters their isolation tank. The child is hooked up to a series of tubes and machinery, and they're completely unrecognisable as human: a withered grey husk. But they're still alive, and very much conscious.

This is terrifying enough in itself, but when asked what purpose this serves, the 456 reply that it simply feels good. They're using the children to get high: to them, the children are drugs. A horrifying idea, and certainly a fate worse than death for the children involved.