While trying to prevent his vision of the future becoming a reality, the Doctor unintentionally makes it happen. It looks as though the Doctor, in a moment of madness, has gunned down the President of the High Council. What makes this cliffhanger gripping is the fact that it isnt based so much on impending peril, but the fact that the Doctor better have a damned good explanation for this!
29. The Time Warrior: Episode 1
The Pertwee era was rather formulaic in its cliffhangers, with the first episode usually revealing the monster. However, this episode set a new bar for monster reveals. The Doctor observes from behind a cart as Linx removes his dome like-helmet and turns to camera, dispelling any illusion that he might look remotely human. Instead, revealing the grotesque pudding shaped head with that lapping tongue. A superb reveal for a great creation.
28. Turn Left
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXcsFUZxGy8 Donna Noble has spent the entire episode in a parallel world with Rose, but never knew her name. As the Doctor starts postulating about whats so special about Donna and who this girl might be, she begins remembering and that she had to give a message to the Doctor. The words, Bad Wolf suddenly erupt everywhere. The TARDIS translates any and all writing into Bad Wolf, even the sign above its own doors, which in itself feels like an invasion of all thats sacred. Has this always been the case, and the Doctor hasnt noticed? Its a brilliantly directed moment by Graeme Harper. Bad Wolf means trouble.
27. An Unearthly Child: Episode 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRsfKK34SFY For long term viewers revisiting the early episodes you may think, the TARDIS lands, so what?. But this is the moment everything changed. The image alone retains a lot of that original magic and evokes memories of the past that in retrospect signifies the beginning of the greatest adventure of all time. Ignore the massive caveman shadow though, of course.
26. Remembrance Of The Daleks: Episode 1
At the end of episode 1, the Doctor deactivates the transmat in the basement of Coal Hill School. Forgetting there might be a Dalek on guard, the Doctor and Ace have to leg it out of the basement. The Doctor makes for the stairs, but while Ace escapes the basement door is slammed in the Doctors face. The Doctor does a double take as he sees a Dalek ascending the stairs toward him, gun and eye-stick trained on the enemy as it cries Exterminate. This is a chilling twist on a standard cliffhanger because it puts a worrying spin over one of the Daleks weaknesses.
My name is Jon, recently graduated media production student. Always on the look out for chances to do what I enjoy and make it count. Writing, filming, animating, editing, radio. My speciality seems to be Doctor Who, years of accumulated knowledge and passion appear to be paying off creatively this being one outlet channel. So thanks for sharing in that with me and offering your support by reading my articles.
