Unveiling the Darkest Moments: A Shocking Recall from the Capaldi-Era Doctor Who

Summary

In this contemplation, Peter Harness, a former writer for Doctor Who, ponders on the most somber instances encountered during season 9's "The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion" and engages in a conversation about the unexpected permissibility of particular shocking scenes.

Doctor Who has been previously criticized for being excessively somber, particularly during the classic era when Mary Whitehouse accused the show of having a negative impact on children.

Even in the modern era, Doctor Who has encountered complaints regarding Capaldi's first season finale due to a disturbing aspect of its storyline. Nevertheless, the show stands by its inclusion of thought-provoking themes.

Former Doctor Who writer Peter Harness reflects on one of the most gruesome moments in season 9's two-part story "The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion". In Peter Capaldi's second full season as the Twelfth Doctor, he faced the Daleks, searched for Gallifrey, and encountered a prophecy about a powerful being. Building on the events of the 2013 50th-anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor", "The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion" presented a situation where the Doctor was unsure whom to trust as a rogue faction of Zygons threatened to spark a war between humanity and the concealed Zygon population on Earth.

As Doctor Who prepares to return with new episodes packed with monsters and chaos, Harness spoke to RadioTimes about his involvement in season 9 and discussed the series' darkest moments. He specifically mentioned the fate of the reluctant Zygon rebel Etoine (Nicholas Aysbury) as a scene that surprised him because of its ability to make it onto the screen. Read Harness' full explanation below:

Has Doctor Who's Darker Moments Ever Got The Show Into Trouble?

I believe we came remarkably close when the unfortunate Zygon made the decision to electrocute himself, but perhaps we managed to escape scrutiny! It didn't appear to be something that strongly provoked objections from people; instead, they seemed to find it deeply affecting and horrifying. As far as I can recollect, nobody expressed the opinion, 'Goodness, that's rather too dark.'

The Doctor Who series has had its fair share of frightening moments, but it has also faced criticism from various parties. Particularly during its classic era from 1963 to 1989, the show received numerous complaints from Mary Whitehouse, a conservative Christian activist. She believed that Doctor Who, along with other shows, was detrimental to the public due to its portrayal of monsters and the potential impact on children. Whitehouse specifically pointed to the Fourth Doctor's (Tom Baker) adventures, such as "Genesis of the Daleks" and "The Deadly Assassin". Despite Whitehouse's continuous disapproval, the show continued, but her complaints did prompt producer Graham Williams to make the tone of the show lighter.

Despite Whitehouse's disapproval, the modern era of the show has faced accusations of pushing boundaries too far. The season finale of Capaldi's first season as Doctor Who, titled "Dark Water/Death In Heaven," triggered a wave of complaints to UK communications regulator Ofcom. Audiences found the implication that humans can still experience the pain of being cremated even after death deeply disturbing. In response, the BBC issued a statement defending the controversial storyline, acknowledging their careful approach to the topic of the afterlife.

Doctor Who takes audiences on a one-of-a-kind journey to significant moments in human history, providing insights into the potential positive and negative aspects of its future. The show fearlessly addresses mature themes, making them accessible to children. It introduces young viewers to horror and delves into challenging subjects like grief, death, and the growth of fascism. In this context, Harness' response offers a valuable perspective on the challenges of portraying dark stories while staying true to the values upheld throughout the series' impressive 60-year run.