9 Unforgettable Moments From Doctor Who

Summary

Doctor Who has had its fair share of cringeworthy moments throughout its long history, with lines that either didn't age well or didn't land as intended.

Some examples include outdated slang, sexist undertones, size comparison jokes, and inappropriate innuendos.

Breaking the fourth wall and forcing sentimental moments also fell flat.

Doctor Who is well acquainted with campiness, but there are unfortunate instances where certain scenes end up being cringeworthy. Since its inception in 1963, Doctor Who has captivated audiences from different eras with an array of fascinating characters and storylines set in various times and places. The show's longevity, however, means that there are moments when lines don't quite hit the mark as intended by the writers or appear outdated by today's standards.

A cringeworthy moment can have a redeeming quality, of course. Some can even be hilariously unexpected, while others may carry a profound message. Occasionally, there are moments that were intended to be serious or amusing, but due to the way they are written or delivered, they fail to achieve the desired effect. Consequently, numerous cringeworthy lines from Doctor Who's past remain memorable.

9. "That's So Gay" - "Aliens Of London"

"Aliens Of London" marked the first on-Earth episode of Doctor Who after its 2005 revival. After bringing Billie Piper's Rose back to her London home, thinking she had been gone for only 12 hours, the Doctor was shocked to discover that she had actually been missing for 12 months. Due to his piloting mishap, Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor became an unfortunate target of Jackie Tyler's slap. Naturally, Rose found this amusing and later, while discussing it with him on a rooftop, jokingly remarked, "That's so gay." Although this was commonly used British slang at the time, nearly 20 years later, it would be considered cringeworthy and inappropriate by a modern audience.

8. First Doctor Misogyny - "Twice Upon a Time"

"Twice Upon A Time" featured Peter Capaldi's final portrayal as the Twelfth Doctor and introduced David Bradley as the First Doctor within the Doctor Who universe. Despite the passage of many years since the First Doctor's canonical presence, his return unfortunately brought forth the sexist undertones associated with William Hartnell's interpretation. The First Doctor's remark to Bill while observing the malevolent Glass Lady, "Well, don't all ladies possess a certain fragility, in a way?" remains notably cringe-worthy.

7. Time Lord Dick Jokes - "The Day of the Doctor"

In the 50th anniversary special episode of Doctor Who, titled "The Day of the Doctor," the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors encountered each other for the first time, alongside the War Doctor portrayed by John Hurt. Throughout their various regenerations, the Doctor has always carried a sonic screwdriver, a device that has undergone multiple design changes over the years. The contrasting appearances of the sonic screwdrivers used by the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors led to a series of size comparison jokes, such as the humorous remark, "Compensating... Regeneration - it's a lottery." While these jokes may have elicited a chuckle at first, they ultimately did not portray either Doctor in a favorable light.

6. "Quite The Screamer" - "The Impossible Astronaut"

The Doctor's future - and sometimes past, depending on the episode - spouse, River Song, was known for her tendency to make inappropriate comments and jokes throughout her time on the show. This was no different in "The Impossible Astronaut," where River's mischievous behavior continued. By now, the Doctor had grown accustomed to her lively antics and would often playfully respond to her advances. However, during their search of an abandoned warehouse, River proceeded to descend into the underground and teasingly reassured the Doctor, saying, "Don't worry, I'm quite the screamer." Much like the frequent sonic screwdriver penis jokes, Doctor Who and innuendo did not always flow naturally together.

5. What's Wrong With Musical Theater? - "Daleks In Manhattan"

In "Daleks In Manhattan," the Tenth Doctor embarked on a journey to 1930s New York, oblivious to the existence of the Cult of Skaro looming in the shadows. This episode witnessed Freema Agyeman's character, Martha, forming a friendship with the enchanting and glamorous showgirl named Tallulah. Tallulah became intrigued by Martha's supposed relationship with the Time Lord, mistakenly assuming that the Doctor's interest in musical theater signified his homosexuality. Her cringe-inducing comment, "He's into musical theater, huh? What a waste," added multiple layers of discomfort.

4. The Sixth Doctor's First Words – "The Caves of Androzani: Part Four"

After journeying together for a while, Peri witnessed the Fifth Doctor's transformation into the Sixth Doctor, portrayed by Colin Baker. Although their chemistry was initially lacking, they eventually regained their harmony and Peri accompanied the Doctor until her departure in "The Trial of a Time Lord." Interestingly, the Sixth Doctor's second spoken line occurred during the concluding moments of "The Caves of Androzani: Part Four," where he directly addressed the audience, stating, "Change, my dear, and not a moment too soon." This remark blurred the boundaries between fiction and reality, as it not only failed to make an impact but also became less relevant as Doctor Who approached cancellation.

3. "Smacked Bottom" - "The Dalek Invasion of Earth"

The Doctor's inaugural companion was his granddaughter Susan, portrayed by Carole Ann Ford. They departed Gallifrey together in the TARDIS. Eventually, Susan developed romantic feelings for a human, and as she matured, the Doctor made the difficult decision to leave her behind on Earth in the 2160s, with David Campbell. However, prior to her departure, Susan sustained an ankle injury. Concerned about her self-care practices, the Doctor playfully mentioned that she deserved a "jolly good smacked bottom." This reference reappeared in "Twice Upon A Time," where the Twelfth Doctor humorously acknowledged the absurdity of the phrase.

2. Breaking The Fourth Wall – The Daleks' Master Plan

"The Daleks' Master Plan" is Doctor Who's longest story, spanning five hours and twelve episodes. In a noteworthy concluding scene, William Hartnell's Doctor directed his gaze towards the camera, breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly. With a heartfelt sentiment, the Doctor wished the viewers at home a joyous Christmas. While this moment resonated with the young audience of the 1960s, it now feels somewhat contrived and out of sync with the show's essence, especially when viewed in modern times where such a gesture would be deemed unthinkable for Doctor Who.

1. Elton & Ursula's Love Life - "Love and Monsters"

In "Love and Monsters," an episode from Season 2 of Doctor Who, a group of humans sets out to find the Doctor. However, their mission takes a dangerous turn when they are infiltrated by the Abzorbaloff. Elton, a member of the group called LINDA, manages to escape the clutches of the Abzorbaloff and, with the Doctor's assistance, successfully rescues his friend Ursula. Towards the end of the episode, Elton concludes his story by speaking directly to his camera, revealing Ursula's unfortunate fate of having her face trapped in a paving slab. Removing the TARDIS' cringe-dampeners, Elton then humorously informs viewers that their group even has a bit of a love life.