The time warrior: Sontaran removes his helmet for the first time Dramatic turn to camera Potato boi starts sticking his tongue for no reason : p OWEEEEEOOOOOOOO Credits
@@justwobert9850 And that is really one of who's biggest problems - spoilers. Series 11 did something I thought was going to be great - it was very secretive. A lot didn't like this as there wasn't a lot to go on or talk about. Yet they wasted it by not giving us any surprises. The whole point for me about a show being secretive is to surprise us - imagine if half way through the series a classic or even new who monster returned and we'd heard nothing. Just felt a wasted opportunity to me
It was impossible to keep Simm's return secret due to leaks popping up on Galifrey Base. Even without them, the fanbase would lock onto who it was playing "Razor" during the airing of "World Enough and Time" and it would be slapped over the media the following day
Oh, yes! I had no idea that was even going to be a thing when I started listening to it, so it came as a complete surprise. And it fit in with the story and the characters. To this day, it remains one of my favourite audios.
Weakest cliff-hanger I can randomly think of, off the top of my head - Sarah Jane trips and falls down a small slope at the end of Part 1 of 'The Five Doctors' (when shown in it's repeat/international format). "Oh no, will she keep on rolling down? Will she maybe bruise her knee slightly?" Truly the stuff of nightmares!
nightowl again, it’s the deescalation! It’s a completely real visual threat, with a sci-fi twist! I love the shot of the Doctor looking just lost in the smog. It’s not something we see a lot.
To be fair, they only realised when editing the episode that the intended cliffhanger (the Daleks apparently trapping the Doctor and Bellal outside the city) appeared far too early to leave a decently long episode, so they did just have to find *something* during the next few minutes that could function as even a vague cliffhanger!
What about that cliffhanger from the two doctors (part two I think) where one character says "of course, just this way" politely and THEN it just hops into the credits
Earthshock has a good and a bad cliffhanger good cliffhanger: the reveal of the Cybermen. Bad cliffhanger: that crew member telling the doctor they execute murderers.
I like the trial of a timelord cliffhangers , but I see what you mean, with it just ending on colin's face. But remember that face of shock and horror was burned into the minds of children for weeks when it was the 80s
*look out! It's a floor!!* is a brilliant joke but my god it's even funnier that with the end theme on it cause I really thought that was just a joke and not legitimately what happened
Even as a wee young lad, the excitement of cliffhangers was not "The Doctor's gonna die!" but more a matter of "how are they gonna get him out of this one?".A lot of cliffhangers falter on the resolution, but it is always interesting to see how they affect what happens next
I've always seen cliffhangers as an essential part of the show and was disappointed in the lack of them in Series 11. Never gave much thought in how they've developed over the years been utilized and they certainly have changed in the modern era
but then they just repeat it and the penultimate story of series 12. Like: Episode 1 cliffhanger: "Oh no! It's the master!" Episode 9 cliffhanger: "Oh no! It's the master... again!"
@@shortangel333 yeah, but that shouldn’t remove the power of the first one... and anyway there was more to the second cliffhanger, for example the return of Gallifrey.
@@samuelbarber6177 Again, the doctor went to Gallifrey in episode 2, proving she could've gone there whenever in the series. I think episode 9 falls flat with its cliffhanger there, like episode 1's cliffhanger is cool, but the Series 12 master does raise a lot of questions. Mainly, why is he kinda hot?
Cliffhangers in the Jodie era now. The way they kinda work is that no matter what the episode was about before once the cliffhanger hits that's all the episode was about now even if it was just a couple minutes
I rather like An Unearthly Child's cliffhangers, particularly episode one, the very first cliffhanger in the entire show. The TARDIS lands on mysteriously barren land as an ominous shadow hones in to view. Okay, it's rather basic nowadays but back in the sp60s, that was the first confirmation the audience had this mysterious blue box standing in some junkyard can travel anywhere in time or space.
I think a good cliffhanger is dependent on its resolution. The Ark in Space and Genesis of the Daleks, through both fantastic stories, have two cliffhangers that are resolved terribly. A wirrn jumps out of a doorway, only to fall down dead. Sarah Jane falls off a gantry, only to land safely on a platform. The one where the Doctor willingly lowers himself down for no reason, hanging on to his umbrella, though, has to be the worst in the history just for sheer pointlessness. I am still partial to the ep three cliffhanger from the War Machines. Though not one of the best stories (but still above average), the moment the war machine approaches, everyone runs for cover, but the Doctor bravely steps forward to face his foe, is simply masterful.
Caves has two of the best cliffahngers in all of who imo, episodes 1 and 3. Since this is a regen story and it's just been so harsh and brutal up until that point, the execution in the first episode hits so hard. And then of couse there's the doctor fighting back his regen about to crash into the surface of androzani recognising that he's past the point of no return and just wants to hang on a little longer to save peri. Truly epic stuff, and one of the many reaons caves is the legenday story it is.
Great video! I can’t necessarily think of THE worst cliffhanger, but I can remember some very bad ones. I remember one with Tom Baker in which they were supposedly going to execute him. This trope was actually repeated many times, and, just like you mentioned, it’s quite silly because we know the Doctor is going to escape. Some people have defended these cliffhangers, saying that it’s “how the Doctor’s going to escape” that builds the tension. But most of the time, it’s just someone randomly saying “wait!” that saves him. That’s not suspense. That’s lazy writing. Other bad endings include reveals of monsters that look laughable. I know the effects are old, and the budget was low, but I don’t know if that quite excuses using those low-budget costumes as a supposed cliffhanger. Other story elements can be much better as cliffhangers. One of the best cliffhangers was in The Ambassadors of Death, when Pertwee yelled “cut it open!” That didn’t require any monster, but it was so damn effective. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I CAN think of the worst cliffhanger that I’ve seen. Colin Baker’s Doctor getting shot and being supposedly “dead.” Anyone who knows anything about television programming would know he isn’t dead. And I don’t buy the excuse that it’s “for children” that some people parrot, because it’s perfectly possible to write compelling stories for children and adults alike. What do you think about these examples?
I find ambassadors of death to probably be my favourite serial and highly underrated and I don't know why. Its long but now when I watch it its over too soon. Its probably because its a mix of my favourite stuff 3rd doc, unit, government conspiracy stuff etc. It basically sums up the 3rd doctors era minus the master. I also like the fact that the villain doesn't want to take over the world and has a very understandable reason for what he is doing. One question though. How did the doctor magically vanish the tape
I don't believe the "its just for kids" BS as well. Whilst Doctor Who was airing, a similar children's show Blake's 7 was airing. And in the last episode ends with EVERYONE BEING SHOT! Every main character you have loved over the past 2-4 years is just massicared. Kids shows can have gore and death and they can be great (see Earth shock 4 ending)
Blakes 7 was never intended as a children's show as such , it was shown about 7pm in the evening. Too much snogging in it for a children's show for one thing.
The cliffhanger at the end of The 1st Doctor story "The Dead Planet" is simultaneously a great and a terrible cliffhanger. In 1963: WHAT IS THAAAAAAT????!!!!!! WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BARABARA????!!!! In 2019: Really??? Our first ever glimpse of a dalek is a first person view of its plunger??? Though, for me, the simplicity of this cliffhanger makes it more endearing.
Do cliffhanger resolutions. My favourites: WW3: actually resolves the cliffhanger within the previously, when the tension is highest, rather than after some fade out or the title sequence. The Doctor Dances: Same, but funny. The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone: Gives the Danger. Then gives the Doctor some Idea. Followed by having him enact that idea. And then having the next episode explain how they got out of it.
I’m really glad that the video about cliffhangers has a “Whoa! Scary monster!” type of cliffhanger ending to it. It’s a small touch that most don’t notice (because they’ve already clicked away), but it’s a very much appreciated one from me at least.
Worst? It's just gonna be a 'Kill him now!' cliffhanger, always is. But with the best there are so many goddamn great ones. Buying Time is particular favourite, and so is Human Resources where 8 basically fucks up everything
I rag on The War Games a lot, but that one is at least shot nicely and fairly early on into the show's tenure. It's when the 'execute him immediately, he's a SPY' shtick is still happening with Davison and McGann that you have a problem.
Silence in the library/forest of the dead has my favorite cliffhanger as I actually remember it really well. Not only is it the best cliffhanger but also my favorite story in ALL of Doctor who.
Whoa whoa whoa, did you just insult the Shuttle landing in Remembrance? And you didn't mention the Dalek elevating up the stairs in episode one? THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF CLASSIC WHO!! Also, Earthshock episode one? Masterpiece.
I looove the shuttle landing. Probably one of my favourite moments of classic Who. The staircase scene also got me as a kid (but as one who had already seen Dalek)
All of the worst cliffhangers are the ones in Dalek Stories, where at the end of episode 1 they reveal The Daleks!! But, every Dalek story (Except the chase) is named after the Daleks. I could guess that there was going to be Daleks.
Right. I'm not gonna give you a bad cliffhanger but one that is brilliant (in my opinion). Kinda 1. There is no villain per say in the episode. Throughout the episode, one of the characters (forgot his name oops) is put in his place constantly and is slightly nervous. The doctor mentions how he could have a mental breakdown. At the end, he is put in charge and the doctor and Adric need to go get Tegan from the forest. However, the boys are stopped by the now broken character holding a gun. And yes, I know a man with a gun doesn't sound so good but, it is a mentally unstable man so he WILL kill them. The last words from him where "Don't you understand? I have the power of life and death over ALL OF YOU!" its great
Death to the Daleks episode 3 (I think) is a famous instance of--"Oh, we mucked up the pacing, so stop now before you step on this tedious under-explained floor puzzle and die". The actual cliffhanger was planned to be later, but they didn't have the material.
I would say “face it Tegan, he’s drowned!” Is the worst but that’s also so funny it can’t be bad because I’d be laughing so much I’d have to come back next week just to see if anything else like that happened
Have u seen the re-edits of season 22 in which they had to split them up from 2 parters to 4 parters? They are so funny. “Why don’t we try over here.” Ooooh weeeee oooooooh
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the "Master reveal" cliffhangers of the Classic era, due to it being used in almost every story featuring the Master and being treated as a huge twist every time. My favorite cliffhanger is in episode 1 of "The Daleks". The POV camera, the menacing music, the unfamiliar (at the time) monster arm, and Barbara's bone-chilling scream just work together absolutely perfectly.
Weakest cliffhanger ( at least other than Death To The Daleks 3 and Dragonfire 1) I would suggest is Time Monster 2 - the Atlantean high priest (who we've already been introduced to) is transported into the present day by The Master , who we know is tampering with time. So no element of surprise , shock or danger, just a bloke with long hair appears.
3:40 I remember actually seeing on the news, folks being like "Oh! I guess he's changing again? Who do YOU wanna see?" Dunno if they actually bought that he was getting swapped out now or if they were just feeding the machine.
Lord love Bonnie Langford as a person and an actor, but that first cliffhanger in Time and the Rani, I couldn't make up my mind if the potential bubble-trap blast was awful in implication, or awesome because the screaming would *stop*.
I think my favorite cliffhanger of all time was when Amy turned out to be a Ganger in "Almost People" from series 6. The Doctor arriving to Gallifrey at the end of "Heavent Sent" is a second one.
Where is the obligatory 'flying dalek' cliffhanger in Remembrance of the Dalek's episode 1? Such a great moment, followed by the terrifying creepiness of episode 2 where three Dalek's screaming for Extermination in unison boils into this banshee-like wailing of terror that would instantaneously make all nearby nappies wet.
Cliffhangers are partly why I want all revived series stories to be two-parters (I also feel 90 minutes is more time to slow down and tell a proper story). Having said that, I don't then require every story to be an epic universe-saving one. :)
Could imagine if the cliffhanger to any other story was the villain climbing up a flight of stairs? Just Darth Vader walking up some stairs and that's where the movie ends.
The doctor asking Ace if she does or does not want to enter the Psychic Circus followed by a sudden cut to credits in episode one of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.
For me, the 3 doctor story, the mind(?) Of evil, where a gun is pointing at the doctor However you here a gunshot Although I knew the doctor didn't die here (I had already watched the 3 doctor regeneration by that point) The fact that I heard that unexpected gunshot killed my little 12 year old heart.
Could you imagine any other show, where the cliffhanger is the villain walking up a flight of stairs? Like at the end of a Star Trek ep, it's just the Klingons walking up the stairs.
Samuel Davis 😩😫🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 well I had my headphones in at full volume then all of a sudden at the end you shout “what’s that?” and the roar came along and I actually jumped🤣🤣💀 Loved the video obviously❤️
Some of my favorite cliffhangers are Deadly Assassin, Caves of Androzani, Empty Child, Utopia, Silence in the Library, Pandorica Opens.......... ill stop
The worst cliff hanger still has to be last episode of second doctor "War Games"- where the camera literally ends with Troughton standing in front of a green screen, making faces and going "ooh, er - I don't like this, stop it!"
Really? Never heard that opinion before. Most people seem to love it because it’s kinda scary seeing one of the more childlike and friendly Doctors being thrown into a void to be executed by his own people as he tries to desperately protest to no avail. That’s pretty brutal for a kid’s show and It’s one of the few times the Doctor hasn’t died on their own terms come to think of it. But still it is kinda let down by the usual 60’s who budgetary problems
Best New Who Cliffhanger: Sontaran Strategem, Rise of the Cybermen Worst New Who Cliffhanger: Dark Water (scene felt cheap and unrealistic, I felt like I knew the skeletons were Cybermen right away, and my problems w Missy go beyond this episode but the reveal didn't save the rest of the scene for me.) Best Classic Cliffhanger: Caves of Androzani Episode 3 Crash Landing Worst Classic Cliffhanger: Spearhead From Space Episode 2 or 3 (when an Auton which we already know can walk comes alive and attacks a character that has little to no relevance to the story)
Series 11 does have a cliffhanger at the end of episode 1, where they are just stranded in space. It's pretty terrible because it's so rushed and is basically ignored next episode.
Hi Sam, I was wondering if you could recommend the best DW audiodramas to listen to? I've got to the point where I want to give Big Finish a go, where should I start?
I always say that 'Davros' with the 6th Doctor is a really strong start for fans of the TV series. Then you can (mostly) just zoom around the Spotify page for some great O and free big finish. The early 8th doctor ones are best watched in order of release, but other than that you're good to go. I fully recommend New Monsters, Classic Doctors vol.1 (it's a great starter kit) and maybe the 10th Doctor Adventures with Donna.
@@SamyulDavis Blimey, I purchased and listen to Davros just now. Fantastic recommendation. Outside of Genesis, this is the best exposure to Davros I have ever had, and I also never knew I would enjoy the medium so much. Thank you! If you ever consider doing so, I would love to watch a video where you compile a list of your favourite audio dramas, or a watch order list for top tier stories that form nice arcs. As a veteran scholar of exciting Who stories your knowledge must not go to waste! Also just listened to Exhausted Supplies as per your video recommendation (fab!), off to get some New Monsters, Classic Doctors.Thanks Sam! Keep the videos coming :D
It's actually bizarre I haven't made that video already. I'll get on it once Pertwee Retrospective is done and i've seen all the other audios people are always talking about! Davros is brilliant. Exploring nazi-sympathisers via comedy is just something you wouldn't get away with in any other medium. All of early Big Finish is about pushing the bar...and it quite often gets carried away with itself into pure abstract surrealscapes. It's a bit of a long climb to stories like Zagreus & Neverland, but once you're settled into them and the arc...it's basically unmissable to see what can be done to Doctor Who. New Monsters, Classic Doctors vol.1 is slightly stronger IMO, but Scherzo is the best Who story ever made, audio or otherwise.
@@SamyulDavis Blimey, Scherzo that amazing? That's a bold claim! And exactly why I'd love a video on that, as I would otherwise have never known! I've been doing a TV series re-watch and just hit the S7pt2 brain-drain episodes, so I'd love something fresh and avant-garde like Scherzo. But before Zagreus and Neverland I need to have seen others? Yeah...I'll wait until your video before I tackle that particular mountain... As per your advice, I've listened to both Storm Warning (fantastic 8th intro) as well as The Holy Terror (gotta have me some more 6) which made me laugh more than any TV episode of Who ever has. Its story was so strange and different, I loved it. I totally see what you mean by 'pushing the bar' and they should! Doctor who is at it's best when this happens. (Also, it felt like Moffat perhaps took a small number of ideas from this for Heaven Sent? The castle, timeloop etc.. [Me and my tinfoil hat.]) There seem to be other Audio arcs that look interesting (but have no idea where to begin), such as the 'Project: Lazarus/Twilight/Destiny' or 'The Gathering/Reaping/Harvest'. Needless to say, I'm excited, and would watch a video of you reviewing/guiding any of these. Thanks again, mate. I look forward to your Pertwee Retro vid.
I mean, if you've listened to Charley's intro, then you're pretty much good to go on Scherzo and Chimes of Midnight. There's still many arcs i'm not in the loop with. The Torchwood BF output for instance is another language to me. But I like this idea! Trying to make it as simple as possible should be a nice challenge.
There were some weak Pertwee ones. My understanding is that the cliffhangers were written but there were problems with the pacing of the episodes , and the episode often had to be cut at the wrong point, hence the don't step on the floor cliffhanger in the video.The best period for cliffhangers overall was the early Tom Baker period with Hinchcliffe and Holmes in charge.
For me, the worst cliffhanger is Human Nature. The best cliffhanger is Poison Sky. Reason being… Everybody loves human nature, and the majority of people really don't like poison sky.
I'm still waiting for this one. The only new big thing left for the show at the moment IS a surprise regeneration or a regeneration mid-story. Can't wait for when one happens for real. The big event out of revealing the new Doctor is an unnecessary farce.
A Dalek goes up a flight of stair and the episode ends. What the fuck was that ending? XD Like would Darth Vader going up a flight of stairs and the movie ending be a jaw dropping revelation? I’m dying xD
Though if McCoy had died during Dragonfire, it would've been a better ending for his Doctor than what he eventually got. I love the TV Movie. I love Paul McGann. I love Eric (my favorite Master) Roberts. But I do agree that Seven got a terrible send-off in that movie. It would've been nice to see him die more as a hero. That and the fact that they brought McCoy to Canada to spend most of his time lying on a table or hospital bed with his eyes closed.
I actually think his ending is kinda fitting when we take into account how his character developed in the expanded media. His doctor became so obsessed with fighting gods and using people for his own ends that he eventually ended up alone and companionless, before proceeding to die unloved and unmourned in a situation that was completely out of his hands. And it was then confirmed in the Big Finish audios that 7’s death was the reason that 8 was so jovial, fun loving and nowhere near as scheming, he didn’t want to die alone and miserable like that ever again.
@@EditedAF987 I believe the Doctor can somehow influence it, though. Look at the ending of Twice Upon a Time, where Capaldi delivers this speech of what the Doctor should be and then Jodie turns up and has these qualities.
@@timrob12 that’s what I meant by subconscious reaction. Besides it would’ve been really hard for 7 to have consciously and thoroughly planned out how his next incarnation would be given that he was already dead before he regenerated.
The time warrior:
Sontaran removes his helmet for the first time
Dramatic turn to camera
Potato boi starts sticking his tongue for no reason : p
OWEEEEEOOOOOOOO
Credits
Lucas Moran what’s he licking
We just don’t know
the (John Simm) Master return in series 10 would have been one of the best if they did not spoil it in the trailer
Or the newspapers
My problem was everyone and their dog knew. Otherwise that would have been a fantastic ending.
@@justwobert9850 And that is really one of who's biggest problems - spoilers.
Series 11 did something I thought was going to be great - it was very secretive. A lot didn't like this as there wasn't a lot to go on or talk about. Yet they wasted it by not giving us any surprises. The whole point for me about a show being secretive is to surprise us - imagine if half way through the series a classic or even new who monster returned and we'd heard nothing. Just felt a wasted opportunity to me
It was impossible to keep Simm's return secret due to leaks popping up on Galifrey Base.
Even without them, the fanbase would lock onto who it was playing "Razor" during the airing of "World Enough and Time" and it would be slapped over the media the following day
@@Tehgoat not really if it hadnt leaked they could have avoided stuff, maybe put a fake name on or something. There are ways to do it
Best Cliffhanger, Doctor Who and the Pirates:
Evelyn: Oh no you are going to sing!
6th Doctor: Yes, I am!
Lol! Haven't listened to that 1, yet! :)
Iconic 😂
Oh, yes! I had no idea that was even going to be a thing when I started listening to it, so it came as a complete surprise. And it fit in with the story and the characters. To this day, it remains one of my favourite audios.
Oh I cannot wait to listen to this story,
Its on spotify
I don’t care:
The best Classic Who cliffhanger was remembrance of the Daleks part 1 where the Dalek went up the stairs for the first time
They’re all really good in that story! Ace being cornered is another childhood highlight.
Actually, the Daleks were able to fly in Revelations of the Daleks but the special effects for it didn’t get that visual across properly.
@@rayvenkman2087 yes indeed! Although, Remembrance marks the first time a dalek goes up a flight of stairs rather than hovering if I'm correct.
Weakest cliff-hanger I can randomly think of, off the top of my head - Sarah Jane trips and falls down a small slope at the end of Part 1 of 'The Five Doctors' (when shown in it's repeat/international format).
"Oh no, will she keep on rolling down? Will she maybe bruise her knee slightly?" Truly the stuff of nightmares!
legend has it she's still rolling
The Poison Sky's cliffhanger is seriously underrated.
I rewatched that episode recently.
It terrified me.
Seeing all that gas everywhere, it felt a bit too real.
nightowl again, it’s the deescalation! It’s a completely real visual threat, with a sci-fi twist! I love the shot of the Doctor looking just lost in the smog. It’s not something we see a lot.
To be honest, I was more concerned about whether Wilf would live.
Great cliffhanger, not the best resolution in the following episode
@@jamesdunne8504 sounds like a lot of NuWho stories, to be honest.
The who had great cliffhangers considering they were just a band
Well, there has got to be a Twist!
LOOK OUT.... IT'S A FLOOR!
That gag got me pretty good XD
When you step on the floor
LOOK OUT FOR THE FLOOR!!!!! AhHhHhHh
Bobdog 7 It may be one of the worst cliffhangers, but undoubtedly one of the most memorable
To be fair, they only realised when editing the episode that the intended cliffhanger (the Daleks apparently trapping the Doctor and Bellal outside the city) appeared far too early to leave a decently long episode, so they did just have to find *something* during the next few minutes that could function as even a vague cliffhanger!
I really like the cliff hanger at the end of turn left, with the bad wolf reveal.
BONG
"It's the end of the universe..."
What about that cliffhanger from the two doctors (part two I think) where one character says "of course, just this way" politely and THEN it just hops into the credits
Best Cliffhanger? STOP, DONT MOVE!
Death to the Daleks is a guilty pleasure of mine haha
@@gpt02 definitely, I love it!
Earthshock has a good and a bad cliffhanger
good cliffhanger: the reveal of the Cybermen.
Bad cliffhanger: that crew member telling the doctor they execute murderers.
I like the trial of a timelord cliffhangers , but I see what you mean, with it just ending on colin's face. But remember that face of shock and horror was burned into the minds of children for weeks when it was the 80s
The actual cliff hanger. The only cliff hanger
There was one cliffhanger in series 11, at the end of The Woman who fell to Earth and it’s one of my favourites.
True
It's a shame, if they'd carried on with a continuous adventure like that for a bit it would have been more interesting.
JO Co - I agree. I would have loved that serialised feel to it. With a couple of gaps to fit the expanded media stories in narratively
*look out! It's a floor!!* is a brilliant joke but my god it's even funnier that with the end theme on it cause I really thought that was just a joke and not legitimately what happened
Even as a wee young lad, the excitement of cliffhangers was not "The Doctor's gonna die!" but more a matter of "how are they gonna get him out of this one?".A lot of cliffhangers falter on the resolution, but it is always interesting to see how they affect what happens next
I've always seen cliffhangers as an essential part of the show and was disappointed in the lack of them in Series 11. Never gave much thought in how they've developed over the years been utilized and they certainly have changed in the modern era
One of my favourites of classic who hangers is the cybermen reveal in Tenth planet. It scares me as you can see their eyes through the masks briefly
I love the cliffhanger of Spyfall Part One, whenever it's the Master, it's always a big cliffhanger
but then they just repeat it and the penultimate story of series 12. Like:
Episode 1 cliffhanger: "Oh no! It's the master!"
Episode 9 cliffhanger: "Oh no! It's the master... again!"
@@shortangel333 yeah, but that shouldn’t remove the power of the first one... and anyway there was more to the second cliffhanger, for example the return of Gallifrey.
@@samuelbarber6177 Again, the doctor went to Gallifrey in episode 2, proving she could've gone there whenever in the series. I think episode 9 falls flat with its cliffhanger there, like episode 1's cliffhanger is cool, but the Series 12 master does raise a lot of questions. Mainly, why is he kinda hot?
@@shortangel333 I guess the Master picks his/her bodies wisely, they’ve often been described as “satanically handsome.”
@@EditedAF987 The new master is kinda hot.
1:15 Sam answer me honestly now.. is that a joke or an actual video you're planning?
Please, Say: 'No.'
Please, say: ‘yes.’
Ben Warburton it better be✌🏼
Please say yes I will watch the shit out of that video
If I may be permitted by UA-cam to post a link:
fuckofferino.wiki/wiki/Timedick
Carnival of Monsters episode 1 had such a great plot-twist cliffhanger, despite how crappy the graphics looked on it.
Carnival of Monsters is one of my favourites, it kinda reminds me of Rick and Morty
The first episode of the last series ended on a cliffhanger
Cliffhangers in the Jodie era now. The way they kinda work is that no matter what the episode was about before once the cliffhanger hits that's all the episode was about now even if it was just a couple minutes
Best Cliffhanger: That one scene in Revelation were the cliffhanger is a stone falling on the doctor's head.
I rather like An Unearthly Child's cliffhangers, particularly episode one, the very first cliffhanger in the entire show. The TARDIS lands on mysteriously barren land as an ominous shadow hones in to view. Okay, it's rather basic nowadays but back in the sp60s, that was the first confirmation the audience had this mysterious blue box standing in some junkyard can travel anywhere in time or space.
I think a good cliffhanger is dependent on its resolution. The Ark in Space and Genesis of the Daleks, through both fantastic stories, have two cliffhangers that are resolved terribly. A wirrn jumps out of a doorway, only to fall down dead. Sarah Jane falls off a gantry, only to land safely on a platform.
The one where the Doctor willingly lowers himself down for no reason, hanging on to his umbrella, though, has to be the worst in the history just for sheer pointlessness.
I am still partial to the ep three cliffhanger from the War Machines. Though not one of the best stories (but still above average), the moment the war machine approaches, everyone runs for cover, but the Doctor bravely steps forward to face his foe, is simply masterful.
Caves has two of the best cliffahngers in all of who imo, episodes 1 and 3. Since this is a regen story and it's just been so harsh and brutal up until that point, the execution in the first episode hits so hard. And then of couse there's the doctor fighting back his regen about to crash into the surface of androzani recognising that he's past the point of no return and just wants to hang on a little longer to save peri. Truly epic stuff, and one of the many reaons caves is the legenday story it is.
Great video!
I can’t necessarily think of THE worst cliffhanger, but I can remember some very bad ones. I remember one with Tom Baker in which they were supposedly going to execute him. This trope was actually repeated many times, and, just like you mentioned, it’s quite silly because we know the Doctor is going to escape. Some people have defended these cliffhangers, saying that it’s “how the Doctor’s going to escape” that builds the tension. But most of the time, it’s just someone randomly saying “wait!” that saves him. That’s not suspense. That’s lazy writing.
Other bad endings include reveals of monsters that look laughable. I know the effects are old, and the budget was low, but I don’t know if that quite excuses using those low-budget costumes as a supposed cliffhanger. Other story elements can be much better as cliffhangers. One of the best cliffhangers was in The Ambassadors of Death, when Pertwee yelled “cut it open!” That didn’t require any monster, but it was so damn effective.
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I CAN think of the worst cliffhanger that I’ve seen. Colin Baker’s Doctor getting shot and being supposedly “dead.” Anyone who knows anything about television programming would know he isn’t dead. And I don’t buy the excuse that it’s “for children” that some people parrot, because it’s perfectly possible to write compelling stories for children and adults alike.
What do you think about these examples?
I find ambassadors of death to probably be my favourite serial and highly underrated and I don't know why. Its long but now when I watch it its over too soon. Its probably because its a mix of my favourite stuff 3rd doc, unit, government conspiracy stuff etc. It basically sums up the 3rd doctors era minus the master. I also like the fact that the villain doesn't want to take over the world and has a very understandable reason for what he is doing.
One question though. How did the doctor magically vanish the tape
Peter Thompson I KNOWW. i’ve always wondered that! Surprised Steven Moffat didn’t invent an entire Doctor to explain that.
@@strumdynastygaming7217 maybe just a magic trick? I know Liz Shaw thought he had sent it into the past. Just for the serial seems a bit random
I don't believe the "its just for kids" BS as well. Whilst Doctor Who was airing, a similar children's show Blake's 7 was airing. And in the last episode ends with EVERYONE BEING SHOT! Every main character you have loved over the past 2-4 years is just massicared. Kids shows can have gore and death and they can be great (see Earth shock 4 ending)
Blakes 7 was never intended as a children's show as such , it was shown about 7pm in the evening. Too much snogging in it for a children's show for one thing.
The cliffhanger at the end of The 1st Doctor story "The Dead Planet" is simultaneously a great and a terrible cliffhanger.
In 1963: WHAT IS THAAAAAAT????!!!!!! WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BARABARA????!!!!
In 2019: Really??? Our first ever glimpse of a dalek is a first person view of its plunger???
Though, for me, the simplicity of this cliffhanger makes it more endearing.
Do cliffhanger resolutions.
My favourites:
WW3: actually resolves the cliffhanger within the previously, when the tension is highest, rather than after some fade out or the title sequence.
The Doctor Dances: Same, but funny.
The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone: Gives the Danger. Then gives the Doctor some Idea. Followed by having him enact that idea. And then having the next episode explain how they got out of it.
I was wearing headphones and the noise at the end of this video scared the SHIT out of me dude
I’m really glad that the video about cliffhangers has a “Whoa! Scary monster!” type of cliffhanger ending to it.
It’s a small touch that most don’t notice (because they’ve already clicked away), but it’s a very much appreciated one from me at least.
BYEEEEEEEW!
LOL at 'object permanence'. As I spend my staycation binging classic Who this video was a great find as are all your Who releases.
Worst? It's just gonna be a 'Kill him now!' cliffhanger, always is. But with the best there are so many goddamn great ones. Buying Time is particular favourite, and so is Human Resources where 8 basically fucks up everything
Worst cliffhangers? The War Games, oh no the Doctor is a prisoner in WW1 again.
I rag on The War Games a lot, but that one is at least shot nicely and fairly early on into the show's tenure. It's when the 'execute him immediately, he's a SPY' shtick is still happening with Davison and McGann that you have a problem.
Silence in the library/forest of the dead has my favorite cliffhanger as I actually remember it really well.
Not only is it the best cliffhanger but also my favorite story in ALL of Doctor who.
Look out it’s a floor!
*Cue the credits*
Whoa whoa whoa, did you just insult the Shuttle landing in Remembrance? And you didn't mention the Dalek elevating up the stairs in episode one? THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF CLASSIC WHO!!
Also, Earthshock episode one? Masterpiece.
I looove the shuttle landing. Probably one of my favourite moments of classic Who. The staircase scene also got me as a kid (but as one who had already seen Dalek)
@@SamyulDavis I luckily got it the other way around; Remembrance then Dalek
All of the worst cliffhangers are the ones in Dalek Stories, where at the end of episode 1 they reveal The Daleks!! But, every Dalek story (Except the chase) is named after the Daleks. I could guess that there was going to be Daleks.
Right. I'm not gonna give you a bad cliffhanger but one that is brilliant (in my opinion). Kinda 1.
There is no villain per say in the episode. Throughout the episode, one of the characters (forgot his name oops) is put in his place constantly and is slightly nervous. The doctor mentions how he could have a mental breakdown. At the end, he is put in charge and the doctor and Adric need to go get Tegan from the forest. However, the boys are stopped by the now broken character holding a gun. And yes, I know a man with a gun doesn't sound so good but, it is a mentally unstable man so he WILL kill them. The last words from him where "Don't you understand? I have the power of life and death over ALL OF YOU!" its great
Death to the Daleks episode 3 (I think) is a famous instance of--"Oh, we mucked up the pacing, so stop now before you step on this tedious under-explained floor puzzle and die". The actual cliffhanger was planned to be later, but they didn't have the material.
I would say “face it Tegan, he’s drowned!” Is the worst but that’s also so funny it can’t be bad because I’d be laughing so much I’d have to come back next week just to see if anything else like that happened
I hate the cliffhanger in Visitation where the Doctor is getting decapitated... for the second time in the same season
Best
Tomb of the cybermen part 2
Caves of androzani part 3
An unearthly child part 1
Worst
Death to the daleks part 3
Tombs of the cybermen part 3
Nancy being cornered by the empty child is my favourite and the one that has stuck with me the most from my childhood as the defining Who cliffhanger.
I find your doctor who content so gripping
As a City Of Death fan you've got to admit those cliffhangers are pretty good, especially episode 2.
Have u seen the re-edits of season 22 in which they had to split them up from 2 parters to 4 parters? They are so funny.
“Why don’t we try over here.”
Ooooh weeeee oooooooh
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the "Master reveal" cliffhangers of the Classic era, due to it being used in almost every story featuring the Master and being treated as a huge twist every time.
My favorite cliffhanger is in episode 1 of "The Daleks". The POV camera, the menacing music, the unfamiliar (at the time) monster arm, and Barbara's bone-chilling scream just work together absolutely perfectly.
the worst i would say dragon fire: there is no reason for that one cliff hanger
the best i am going with the sound of drums
Weakest cliffhanger ( at least other than Death To The Daleks 3 and Dragonfire 1) I would suggest is Time Monster 2 - the Atlantean high priest (who we've already been introduced to) is transported into the present day by The Master , who we know is tampering with time. So no element of surprise , shock or danger, just a bloke with long hair appears.
These videos of yours are great.
Just realised the Doctor has perfect aim for someone who never carries a gun.
Can imagine if the doctor missed the orb at the end of The Time of Angels, that would've been incredibly anti-climactic lool
About that... ua-cam.com/video/uNuHV-iLBRw/v-deo.html
Gosh, that floor cliffhanger in Death to the Daleks got me rofling.
10:00 LOOK OUT! It's a *FLOOR*!
Had me dying. xD
3:40
I remember actually seeing on the news, folks being like "Oh! I guess he's changing again? Who do YOU wanna see?"
Dunno if they actually bought that he was getting swapped out now or if they were just feeding the machine.
We had a cliffhanger right on series 11’s first episode! I was downright worried for The Doctor’s safety.
Lord love Bonnie Langford as a person and an actor, but that first cliffhanger in Time and the Rani, I couldn't make up my mind if the potential bubble-trap blast was awful in implication, or awesome because the screaming would *stop*.
I think my favorite cliffhanger of all time was when Amy turned out to be a Ganger in "Almost People" from series 6. The Doctor arriving to Gallifrey at the end of "Heavent Sent" is a second one.
My favourite is the End of Time part one
Where is the obligatory 'flying dalek' cliffhanger in Remembrance of the Dalek's episode 1? Such a great moment, followed by the terrifying creepiness of episode 2 where three Dalek's screaming for Extermination in unison boils into this banshee-like wailing of terror that would instantaneously make all nearby nappies wet.
Worst Cliffhangers in DW:
Series 10, Oxygen: the doctor is still blind
Series 10, The Monk story: Bill let the Monks win
Human Nature has the upper hand due to its origins as a Seventh Doctor novel.
Cliffhangers are partly why I want all revived series stories to be two-parters (I also feel 90 minutes is more time to slow down and tell a proper story). Having said that, I don't then require every story to be an epic universe-saving one. :)
So glad you mentioned trial of a timelord 12 episodes of starring from colin Baker on scream from Bonnie Langford at the ending oh Carrot Juice
Stevie B those poorly timed, forced cliffhangers are about the only thing keeping the patchy Frankenstein plot together!
@@SamyulDavis That's very true im that old enough watching it originally and the age of 10 back in 1986 i thought it wasn't the greatest
Could imagine if the cliffhanger to any other story was the villain climbing up a flight of stairs? Just Darth Vader walking up some stairs and that's where the movie ends.
Darth Vader is naturally terrifying though so he’d be able to pull it off
The doctor asking Ace if she does or does not want to enter the Psychic Circus followed by a sudden cut to credits in episode one of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.
I'm trying to think of some of the worst cliffhangers, but you covered all the big ones.
For me, the 3 doctor story, the mind(?) Of evil, where a gun is pointing at the doctor
However you here a gunshot
Although I knew the doctor didn't die here (I had already watched the 3 doctor regeneration by that point)
The fact that I heard that unexpected gunshot killed my little 12 year old heart.
In the two doctors when the 6th doctor says I hope it is not too late and walks of with peri and Jamie and cliff hanger
Greatest show in the galaxy part 1 cliffhanger is the worst
Parts 2 and 3 make up for it though.
My favourite cliffhangers are the ones where either
a) 3 has an aneurism
Or
b) 5 looks mildly confused
Could you imagine any other show, where the cliffhanger is the villain walking up a flight of stairs? Like at the end of a Star Trek ep, it's just the Klingons walking up the stairs.
I always liked the missy reveal cliffhanger
The ending of the video actually shit me up😩
Multiple people are saying this! I didn't mean to make a jumpscare! What is it about it that made it freaky?
Samuel Davis 😩😫🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 well I had my headphones in at full volume then all of a sudden at the end you shout “what’s that?” and the roar came along and I actually jumped🤣🤣💀 Loved the video obviously❤️
Best cliffhanger has to be from “The Empty Child”. 10 people shouting “mummy” is just funny, what can I say?
Turn left has one of the best. It's just like... WTF is this!?
7:27 HOLY SHIT that actually exists i thought my mum and brother were going insane.
Some of my favorite cliffhangers are Deadly Assassin, Caves of Androzani, Empty Child, Utopia, Silence in the Library, Pandorica Opens.......... ill stop
There weren't enough cliffhangers in modern who. Id like one to take on the face of evil episode 3
The sea devils episode 1 or 2 (not sure) when the doctor just says 'Watch out'
Can you do the most satisfying Doctor Who episodes.
(like Husbands of River Song)
Martha is a OG
I was watching doctor who at 3 years old
I first started watching when Jon Pertwee was the Doctor!
The worst cliff hanger still has to be last episode of second doctor "War Games"- where the camera literally ends with Troughton standing in front of a green screen, making faces and going "ooh, er - I don't like this, stop it!"
Really? Never heard that opinion before. Most people seem to love it because it’s kinda scary seeing one of the more childlike and friendly Doctors being thrown into a void to be executed by his own people as he tries to desperately protest to no avail.
That’s pretty brutal for a kid’s show and It’s one of the few times the Doctor hasn’t died on their own terms come to think of it. But still it is kinda let down by the usual 60’s who budgetary problems
I don't think there are any bad cliffhangers, I mean if everyone hates it, then it's art.
Best New Who Cliffhanger: Sontaran Strategem, Rise of the Cybermen
Worst New Who Cliffhanger: Dark Water (scene felt cheap and unrealistic, I felt like I knew the skeletons were Cybermen right away, and my problems w Missy go beyond this episode but the reveal didn't save the rest of the scene for me.)
Best Classic Cliffhanger: Caves of Androzani Episode 3 Crash Landing
Worst Classic Cliffhanger: Spearhead From Space Episode 2 or 3 (when an Auton which we already know can walk comes alive and attacks a character that has little to no relevance to the story)
Utopia's. its too good.
Series 11 does have a cliffhanger at the end of episode 1, where they are just stranded in space. It's pretty terrible because it's so rushed and is basically ignored next episode.
Dooweewoo di di di
Hi Sam, I was wondering if you could recommend the best DW audiodramas to listen to? I've got to the point where I want to give Big Finish a go, where should I start?
I always say that 'Davros' with the 6th Doctor is a really strong start for fans of the TV series. Then you can (mostly) just zoom around the Spotify page for some great O and free big finish. The early 8th doctor ones are best watched in order of release, but other than that you're good to go.
I fully recommend New Monsters, Classic Doctors vol.1 (it's a great starter kit) and maybe the 10th Doctor Adventures with Donna.
@@SamyulDavis Blimey, I purchased and listen to Davros just now. Fantastic recommendation. Outside of Genesis, this is the best exposure to Davros I have ever had, and I also never knew I would enjoy the medium so much. Thank you!
If you ever consider doing so, I would love to watch a video where you compile a list of your favourite audio dramas, or a watch order list for top tier stories that form nice arcs. As a veteran scholar of exciting Who stories your knowledge must not go to waste!
Also just listened to Exhausted Supplies as per your video recommendation (fab!), off to get some New Monsters, Classic Doctors.Thanks Sam! Keep the videos coming :D
It's actually bizarre I haven't made that video already. I'll get on it once Pertwee Retrospective is done and i've seen all the other audios people are always talking about!
Davros is brilliant. Exploring nazi-sympathisers via comedy is just something you wouldn't get away with in any other medium. All of early Big Finish is about pushing the bar...and it quite often gets carried away with itself into pure abstract surrealscapes. It's a bit of a long climb to stories like Zagreus & Neverland, but once you're settled into them and the arc...it's basically unmissable to see what can be done to Doctor Who.
New Monsters, Classic Doctors vol.1 is slightly stronger IMO, but Scherzo is the best Who story ever made, audio or otherwise.
@@SamyulDavis Blimey, Scherzo that amazing? That's a bold claim! And exactly why I'd love a video on that, as I would otherwise have never known! I've been doing a TV series re-watch and just hit the S7pt2 brain-drain episodes, so I'd love something fresh and avant-garde like Scherzo. But before Zagreus and Neverland I need to have seen others? Yeah...I'll wait until your video before I tackle that particular mountain...
As per your advice, I've listened to both Storm Warning (fantastic 8th intro) as well as The Holy Terror (gotta have me some more 6) which made me laugh more than any TV episode of Who ever has. Its story was so strange and different, I loved it. I totally see what you mean by 'pushing the bar' and they should! Doctor who is at it's best when this happens. (Also, it felt like Moffat perhaps took a small number of ideas from this for Heaven Sent? The castle, timeloop etc.. [Me and my tinfoil hat.])
There seem to be other Audio arcs that look interesting (but have no idea where to begin), such as the 'Project: Lazarus/Twilight/Destiny' or 'The Gathering/Reaping/Harvest'. Needless to say, I'm excited, and would watch a video of you reviewing/guiding any of these. Thanks again, mate. I look forward to your Pertwee Retro vid.
I mean, if you've listened to Charley's intro, then you're pretty much good to go on Scherzo and Chimes of Midnight.
There's still many arcs i'm not in the loop with. The Torchwood BF output for instance is another language to me. But I like this idea! Trying to make it as simple as possible should be a nice challenge.
There were some weak Pertwee ones. My understanding is that the cliffhangers were written but there were problems with the pacing of the episodes , and the episode often had to be cut at the wrong point, hence the don't step on the floor cliffhanger in the video.The best period for cliffhangers overall was the early Tom Baker period with Hinchcliffe and Holmes in charge.
For me, the worst cliffhanger is Human Nature. The best cliffhanger is Poison Sky. Reason being… Everybody loves human nature, and the majority of people really don't like poison sky.
How cool would it have been if at the end of the stolen earth, Tennant actually regenerated and for once the finale was done with a new doctor
I'm still waiting for this one. The only new big thing left for the show at the moment IS a surprise regeneration or a regeneration mid-story. Can't wait for when one happens for real. The big event out of revealing the new Doctor is an unnecessary farce.
3rd Doctor and weird Exxilon... thing walking down corrridoor and its all fine until
STOP DONT MOVE
*FLOOR*
OOOOWEEEOOOOOOO
Only just got object permanence at 10 years old? Piaget was well off
A Dalek goes up a flight of stair and the episode ends.
What the fuck was that ending? XD
Like would Darth Vader going up a flight of stairs and the movie ending be a jaw dropping revelation? I’m dying xD
skajaquada01 you just wasted your fucking time to write an essay. you are making yourself an example for the doctor who fandom.
AGGAHGGA what's the music towards the end??
Though if McCoy had died during Dragonfire, it would've been a better ending for his Doctor than what he eventually got. I love the TV Movie. I love Paul McGann. I love Eric (my favorite Master) Roberts. But I do agree that Seven got a terrible send-off in that movie. It would've been nice to see him die more as a hero. That and the fact that they brought McCoy to Canada to spend most of his time lying on a table or hospital bed with his eyes closed.
I actually think his ending is kinda fitting when we take into account how his character developed in the expanded media. His doctor became so obsessed with fighting gods and using people for his own ends that he eventually ended up alone and companionless, before proceeding to die unloved and unmourned in a situation that was completely out of his hands.
And it was then confirmed in the Big Finish audios that 7’s death was the reason that 8 was so jovial, fun loving and nowhere near as scheming, he didn’t want to die alone and miserable like that ever again.
@@EditedAF987 So, he even planned how his next regeneration would be. That is so typically Seven.
@@timrob12 I doubt it was a Masterplan. Each Doctor seems to be a subconscious reaction towards the previous incarnation.
@@EditedAF987 I believe the Doctor can somehow influence it, though. Look at the ending of Twice Upon a Time, where Capaldi delivers this speech of what the Doctor should be and then Jodie turns up and has these qualities.
@@timrob12 that’s what I meant by subconscious reaction. Besides it would’ve been really hard for 7 to have consciously and thoroughly planned out how his next incarnation would be given that he was already dead before he regenerated.
how about the Cliffhanger at the end of the Shakespeare code. I don't remember if they ever cleared that ending up. Did they?
Day of the Doctor :)