Good and bad cliffhangers

[Nyki]

The cliffhanger was a vital part of the classic series, sometimes done brilliantly, sometimes... not so brilliantly.  Let's have some thoughts about the best and the worst.

A couple of my contenders for best:

Episode 1 of The Daleks - just for sheer classicness, you can't beat that view down the eyestalk of Barbara cowering from the still-unseen menace.

Episode 1 of The Caves of Androzani - brilliantly written.  We actually see the Doctor and Peri killed, yet the solution doesn't feel remotely like cheating.  Everything's been set up, so when it's revealed it seems inevitable.

And for the worst, I give you the cliffhanger that goes from The Rescue into The Romans, with the Tardis toppling over the cliff.  Then... nothing.  We don't see any effect it has on the Doctor or his companions, there are no consequences and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the story that follows.  Huh?

[Peri-Peri]

I would definately agree with you about The Rescue/The Romans. Its like they just forgot what they had filmed.

Love your 'Caves' one too. One of my favourites from when I was a child and thought it was the end of everything, despite having seen later episodes, was the one between The Dominators and The Mind Robber where they are in the lava.

[TheDoctorDonna]

I loved the first one with the Daleks where you see the stalk coming at Barbara and her screaming up against the wall.

[Nyki]

Yes, the Dominators/Mind Robber one was great because it actually played a vital part in both stories, making them much more joined up than the stories usually were.

[thefifthdoctor]

Ooh, good one!
Like this thread, but it's gonna need some series thought for a minute....

Best: Ok, it's tough, but let's see what you think
Episode Two of Tomb of the Cybermen - with the Cybermen all thawing out & breaking free. Tremendous cliffhanger, tremendous story.
(honorary mentions to The Curse of Fenric when Judson/Fenric is revealed, Caves - but ep 3 with a dying Doctor setting a collision course)

Worst: Hmmm, either Dragonfire ep 1 (a literal cliffhanger!) or - despite featuring Peri - Revelation of the Daleks, with the stupid cut off mid sentence ending.

[Vampyros Adric]

Can I just say I agree with everything everyone has said - this is an excellent OP as well

Time to go into bat (once again) for the Twin Dilemma. Ep 2 where Edgeworth's base on Titan 3 blows up and Peri starts sobbing.

Also, not quite as heavy-impact but something deeply powerful was ep 3 of Logopolis where it ended with The Doctor and the Master shaking hands saying 'Together...One last hope'. I can't explain why but that made a real impact on me. Sombre, solemn and set up a cracking last ep.

Worst.. Hmmm, have to think about that one.

[thefifthdoctor]

Also, not quite as heavy-impact but something deeply powerful was ep 3 of Logopolis where it ended with The Doctor and the Master shaking hands saying 'Together...One last hope'. I can't explain why but that made a real impact on me. Sombre, solemn and set up a cracking last ep.

Awesome addition there, mate! Puts me in the mood for watching the New Beginnings box set again!