Revisiting the Most Terrifying Episode of Doctor Who's David Tennant Era After 14 Years

Summary

"The Waters of Mars" remains one of the scariest Doctor Who episodes to date, with viewers appreciating its intensity.

Phil Ford, the writer, was given the green light to create a chilling episode of Doctor Who, with one caveat - it must not inflict any lasting harm or fear upon children.

This particular episode leaves a lasting impression, not just because of its bone-chilling creatures, but also because it pushes the Tenth Doctor to his limits, revealing the detrimental consequences of his choices on the entire universe.

Doctor Who writer Phil Ford discusses the enduring scariness of "The Waters of Mars" in an interview with RadioTimes.com, 14 years after its release. Ford divulges why this episode remains one of the show's scariest, showcasing David Tennant's portrayal of the Tenth Doctor. The 2009 special had an impressive cast, including Gemma Chan from Eternals, Shanon Duncan-Brewster from Dune, and Joplin Sibtain from Andor. The story follows the Doctor's arrival at the ill-fated Bowie Base One, prompting him to ponder the limits of his abilities as a time traveler.

As Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary specials draw near, Tennant's imminent return has fans excited. Ford reflects on his contributions to Tennant's original run and delves into the terrifying moments the Tenth Doctor encounters in "The Waters of Mars." When discussing the show's fright factor for audiences of all ages, the writer reveals that countless viewers have expressed their admiration for the episode. Ford also identifies it as a personal favorite, attributing the perfect level of terror to showrunner Russell T Davies' guidance. For Ford's complete explanation, refer to the following.

I'm uncertain if it has strayed far from that, but I am confident that there will be another Doctor Who tale in the future that will be equally if not more terrifying than The Waters of Mars. I have always derived pleasure from frightening children, whether it be in Doctor Who or Sarah Jane [Adventures]... Russell once conveyed to me long ago that it is acceptable to instill fear in children, as long as we do not utterly terrify or harm them!

I have encountered numerous kids at conventions who admitted to being scared by The Waters of Mars, but not to the point of being traumatized! They adored it because it was frightening.

The Waters of Mars always had the potential to be frightening based on my personal taste. The Doctor Who team, both in the past and present, excels in their ability to create compelling content. We have a strong trust in each other's capabilities and understand the boundaries we can push.

Whenever I went too far, I knew Russell would hold me accountable. While he didn't necessarily rein me in during The Waters of Mars, he did challenge me in other episodes, urging me to make them even more terrifying and darker in some instances. This collaboration was fantastic because Russell firmly believed, with his outstanding expertise and vision, that there are no limits to the stories we can tell for children. The key lies in how we choose to narrate those stories.

What Makes "The Waters of Mars" David Tennant's Most Scary Doctor Who Story

Tennant's initial tenure as the Doctor in Doctor Who featured numerous terrifying episodes that are considered some of the most haunting moments in the franchise. These include the chilling introduction of the Weeping Angels in "Blink," the relentless threat of the unseen entity in "Midnight," and the increasingly grim alternate timeline of Donna in "Turn Left." However, "The Waters of Mars" stands out as the Flood virus, which is initially the source of fear, is eventually overshadowed by the Tenth Doctor himself as he begins to lose his heroic nature.

After grappling with his role in the universe, the Tenth Doctor disregards the lessons he learned and alters history by saving them, asserting himself as the only individual capable of altering the Laws of Time. Despite the Doctor rescuing her, Adelaide Brook (Duncan), the captain of Bowie Base One, sacrifices herself knowing that these events were never meant to occur and would affect the destinies of her loved ones. This leaves the Doctor emotionally devastated. "The Water of Mars" is not only a frightening Doctor Who tale due to its monsters, but also because of the extent to which the Doctor descends, showcasing the negative consequences his actions can have on the universe if he succumbs to his darker aspects.

While overshadowed by Tennant's other 2009 Doctor Who specials, "The Waters of Mars" stands out for its relentless pushing of the show's protagonist. Instead of relying on monsters, the Tenth Doctor's excessive actions have a profound impact, breaking the hero and transforming him into a scarcely recognizable figure. It is therefore understandable why Ford and viewers alike continue to regard the Tenth Doctor's penultimate adventure as one of the character's darkest stories.

Source: RadioTimes.com