Scary Moments no. 4 - the TARDIS

Scary Moments no. 3: Don't mess with the TARDIS

Doctor Who is over twice my age, and in that time a lot has changed. The cast, the format, the style -even the Doctor himself has gone through ten distinct personalities. One thing has stayed the same, and unsuprisingly it remains the most enduring image of the show. Even when they experimented with "Doctor Who sans TARDIS", Jon Pertwee still spent a lot of time with the box or console, playing around with wires.

Which means it's just not funny when it gets screwed about with. Yes, it hurts when companions are in danger, and it's sad to see Doctors go. But when the TARDIS is in trouble, there's something very basic and primal about the fear factor, and it's more than the fact our heroes are potentially stranded. It's just sick and wrong, in the way that hearing that vworping sound gives you an instant, happy pavlovian reaction. Even if you can be sure this is the one element of the show which will never change.

Here are some which jump to mind:

Edge of Destruction - its a B&W Midnight, and just as creepy. But when the former gains it's power from its criticism of the Doctor's methods, the latter uses little things like the food synthesiser not working to just add the edge to the creepy.

Tomb of the Cybermen - Oh look, the TARDIS just blew up. BLEW UP.

Death to the Daleks - I stand by my belief that the first episode of this is outstanding, even if the rest is a little average. The lights going out here is scary.

Logopolis - the shrunk TARDIS is just bizzare. No, I'm talking about the recursive Russian Dolls as the Doctor and Adric keep walking into darker and darker console rooms.

Enlightenment - an atmospheric episode period, and that begins with the subdued opening in the red TARDIS. There's something horribly threatening about Marriner on the screen too. "Danger...danger...danger..."

The Empty Child - the sound coming through the telephone.

Sound of Drums - that paradox machine, I mean it's just physically painful.

Turn Left - does it twice, dammit. Once gutted by UNIT, and once with those terrifying Bad Wolves. In fact, the Bad Wolf may just be the best all-time example of a screwed-with-TARDIS.

Journey's End - Donna is mentioned, sure. But it's interesting to watch the focus of this scene is more about the TARDIS' danger than hers.

Interferance II - special book mention for the TARDIS console room soaking in blood. Oh dear dear...