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  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Sci-Fi Shows

21 Scariest Doctor Who Moments Ever

Features
By sfx published 14 November 2009

We all suspect that after tomorrow "Waters Of Mars" will stake a claim in this list, but in the meantime, to whet your appetite, relive Doctor Who at its creepiest, most terrifying best

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21 Sarah Jane's Face Falls Off
"The Android Invasion" (1975)

Okay, you'd have to have been asleep or absurdly gullible not to work out that the Sarah Jane we're watching isn't the real Sarah Jane, but the sight of her android double falling down, and its face falling off to reveal the circuitry beneath still has a hell of a shock factor. There's something about the disembodied glass eyes, especially, that sticks in the memory. They're downright freaky.
Big screen relatives: The androids in Westworld.

20 Faceless Policeman
"Terror Of The Autons" (1971)

Uptight viewers at the time of this serial had more problems with the devil doll featured in the story, but to be honest, the effects in that sequence are so poor they undermine the effect. Far scarier is the idea that you can be relaxing in the safety of a police car, only to discover that the policeman in the front seat is a faceless, plastic alien entity! A classic cliffhanger. Apparently the police were less than happy that kids spent the next few months trying to rip their faces off, though.
Big screen relatives: The featureless, robot policemen in THX 1138.

19 When Good Companions Go Bald
"Mindwarp" (1986)

Busty companion Peri's fate (or non-fate, as it disappointingly turned out) was so scary, because it was so bleak and uncompromising. You couldn't believe what you were watching. Normally if a companion is told they're going to have donate their body to a dying alien (or whatever), you know the Doctor will rescue them first. Not this time. Instead, the villains succeed. No noble death for Peri. She's just leftovers on the surgery floor. Instead we witness the disturbing sight of a bald Peri now inhabited by the Lord Kiv. Oddly he’s far more scary now than he ever was as a latex monster (all credit to a brilliant performance from Nicola Bryant). What a shame the producer got cold feet and later retconned the whole event so it never happened.
Big screen relatives: There's an unsettling resemblance to fate of the half-formed Ripley clone in Alien Resurrection.

Article continues below

Go to Scariest Moments 18 to 16

More Doctor Who related fun - just click on the links:
The Wafers Of Mars: The Doctor Who Typo Game
The 7 Doctor Who Questions Everyone Is Asking Post-"Waters Of Mars"
Water Cooler Of Mars

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SFX Magazine is the world's number one sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine published by Future PLC. Established in 1995, SFX Magazine prides itself on writing for its fans, welcoming geeks, collectors, and aficionados into its readership for over 25 years. Covering films, TV shows, books, comics, games, merch, and more, SFX Magazine is published every month. If you love it, chances are we do too and you'll find it in SFX.

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