How Hammer Horror Led To Doctor Who’s Most Popular Episodes

The Fourth Doctor era was nothing short of unique within the show. Its style and influence stands out as some of the most challenging and different in Doctor Who’s history, for better or for worse. Whilst it’s far from perfect, with some works being shunned for their off-the-era racist values (see Talons of Weng Chiang), these episodes never failed to value the spirit of Doctor Who.

In fact, the disturbing storylines and macabre imagery may have been exactly the sort of shakeup that the show needed to avoid becoming formulaic, bland, and predictable for audiences, and helped to remind them that the stakes are real for the characters. The Doctor could die at any moment throughout their adventures, even in brutal and unceremonious ways.

The villains of the era were allowed to demonstrate just how far they would go for success, and how nasty the consequences of their actions would be should they succeed. It’s fair to wager if you have a conversation with someone familiar with the Classic Series, the monsters they’ll want to talk to death about are Sutekh the destroyer or the maniacal Davros, not necessarily your Chumblies and Myrkas.

These serials allowed for variously successful Horror staples to influence the Doctor Who universe and inspired memorable episodes that have stood the test of time in terms of their popularity with audiences. They were responsible for reminding audiences of the stakes, and enticing viewers to watch science-fiction retellings of universally renowned masterpieces, with Doctor Who tropes sprinkled throughout. Hinchcliffe’s era of the show is responsible for some of the most beloved stories, including serials which have repeatedly topped fan polls for the best episodes of the Classic Series - and even the franchise overall!

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