Doctor Who: 15 Most Disastrous Stories Of All-Time

3. Timelash

Timelash is just an awful script, played out by an awful cast, regulars excluded and is pretty much inexcusable. Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant as the Doctor and Peri really struggle to keep a terrible story going. It's like watching people drown. There are only two guilty pleasures. The first of which is the Borad, as a physical creation is actually one of the best designs and make up jobs throughout the 80's. There is just nothing to substantiate it narratively. The second guilty pleasure is the guest appearance of 'Blake's 7' actor Paul Darrow, having the time of his life gatecrashing the rival programme, gnawing at the scenery and it is infectious. But the script is still absolute drivel. Timelash was originally submitted by 'Casualty' writer Glen McCoy as a story featuring the Daleks. Script Editor, Eric Saward requested the Daleks be removed, and the script resubmitted. The result is a story that barely holds together, with multiple scenes of waffling dialogue. In addition, the climax has a massive plot hole that simply can not be explained. Rather the writer chooses not make an effort to explain it opting for the smug 'I'll explain later' explanation. Oh yes H.G. Wells is in this as well, and he's an irritating little twerp and a disappointing use of such a potentially interesting character. Did I mention that there is also deadly tinsel in this story and one of the key antagonists is a sock puppet. Yup! The execution of Timelash is just dire and represents all that was bad about late 80's Doctor Who.