The Best Pre-Title Sequences of the Revival (Part 1)
Guest contributor Sam Glover begins the countdown.
Having written several articles regarding cliffhangers, I thought it only appropriate to go arse-backwards and look at the amazing array of pre-credit sequences. It is difficult to put a finger on what makes for a good pre-credit sequence, and this isn’t helped by the sheer variety of ones leading into various episodes. Some are funny, some are scary, some downright weird and others utterly jaw-dropping. It could be argued that the best yardstick for measuring the quality of a pre-credits scene is on how fast you want to go through the credits to start the episode, but perhaps better are those which leave you incapable of doing so. Laughter, terror and amazement can incapacitate equally in this respect.
What I’m saying is ranking these was hard. Really hard. There have been 117 episodes of Doctor Who since 2005, the vast majority of which have a pre-credits sequence. Obviously those without got pushed straight-away, and those which were only “previously on…” were likewise given the shove. As I originally intended this to be a top-twenty I was a bit brutal on first run through (I don’t think many would argue for the inclusion of “The Unicorn and the Wasp” or “The Lazarus Experiment”, entertaining though they are), and some were ruled out due to similarities to previous sequences (sorry “Flatline”, number 30 on this list sort of beat you to it), but even so I still had over forty remaining. So, with apologies to the likes of The Unquiet Dead, Bad Wolf, End of Time part 1, The Time of the Doctor and The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe let’s delve into a list that I’ll have changed my mind on by time of publication…
30. Fear Her
Given that three of the episodes I just listed later involved regenerations some may be very surprised/annoyed that the first entry on this list is the much-maligned “Fear Her”. So, may this be a reminder that this list is on credits only, and I think a child vanishing and re-appearing nightmarishly on a piece of paper is worthy of its place. The wonderfully creepy kookaburra song that Chloe Webber sings under her breath as an elderly lady frantically warns a father that his children aren’t safe gets right under your skin, and the introduction of our beloved theme music is like a cuddle from a parent.
29. The Girl in the Fireplace
Historical figure, period music, Sophia Myles yelling into a fireplace… what’s not to love? Not the last on this list to benefit from brevity – clocking in at a minute – “The Girl In The Fireplace” is swift in unveiling Miss Myles (calm down lads, calm down) as mistress to the King of France but, more importantly to the viewer, establishes a pre-existing relationship with the Doctor. Her gibberish about the clock on the mantel being broken hints at an interesting alien threat for the episode and the flickering flames, added to the title of the episode, leave a moment of wondering if the Doctor is about to St. Nick his way into view.
28. Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
I will go on record and state that this is probably my favourite episode of Doctor Who in terms of good old-fashioned fun, and the opening scenes set this mood perfectly. With the introduction of Rory’s dad – the frankly marvellous Mark Williams – the episode sees the Doctor scoop up his two best friends, an Egyptian Queen, a game hunter and a thoroughly bemused man with a light bulb and take them to a spaceship issuing a distress call. And then in come the dinosaurs. Apart from the top-notch special effects what really makes this scene for me is the sheer delight etched on Matt Smith’s face; he’s like a toddler with an ice cream.
27. Silence in the Library
The episode that introduced us to River Song begins with a little girl, dreaming of a library. Colin Salmon’s soothing voice is asking her questions, the demeanour of a psychologist radiating from every word but ah- what’s this? Someone’s in her library? I wonder who that could be? There’s something about David Tennant (or any Doctor, in fact) talking directly to a camera that makes me grin from ear to ear. Blink, Family of Blood, Music of the Spheres, Parting of the Ways… no matter how creepy the subject matter the fourth wall semi-breaking is a hoot, and the simple “Okay if we stop here for a bit?” is lovely.
26. The Eleventh Hour
Introducing a new Doctor is tough. Moffat circumvents this issue by having his new Doctor almost get castrated by Big Ben. It’s a ballsy (one hopes) introduction to a man facing the challenge of replacing beloved-Doctor David Tennant. Needless to say, he would succeed, and his debut episode sets the tone with a cheeky action sequence that – for me at least – signalled that all was going to be alright. A plea for an apple a few minutes later sealed the deal.
25. The Impossible Planet
Pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum to “The Eleventh Hour”, this episode heads into its credits with the Doctor and Rose backed into a corner by crystal ball-wielding worm vomiters repeating the words “We must feed” over and over. It’s the first time we encounter the Ood and, as such, have no idea what nature of creature they are, what powers they have and what their temperament is. Combined with the writing the TARDIS can’t translate and the words “Welcome to Hell” it is a scary opening to one of the most underestimated episodes of Doctor Who.
24. Kill the Moon
I was flabbergasted to see that this scene came TENTH in the best pre-credits vote of season eight. (Seriously, it was beneath “The Caretaker” – which was a beefed up “School Reunion”). You disappoint me DWTV voters… Anyway, for me at least, this introduction demonstrates that scenes don’t have to be long to have an impact. Clocking in at about 45 seconds it establishes a threat, a sense of urgency and the bewildering and scary notion that the Doctor, our hero, has buggered off. Why would he do that? Which innocent life is at risk? What on earth is Courtney doing there? And who is Clara talking to? It’s an impressively concise opening for Peter Harness’ only Doctor Who episode to date, and I for one hope he returns. He’s clearly a man who knows what he’s doing.
23. Let’s Kill Hitler
A divisive episode that, following a series recap, begins with the Ponds whizzing around a cornfield in an ancient Mini making crop circles. As entertaining as this – and their reunion with the Doctor (“Permission?” *sigh* “Granted.”) – is, the introduction is made far more interesting by the arrival of a young woman in a stolen red car. Mels is simultaneously a bit all-over-the-place and completely in control. I personally found it a shame to not get longer with her in the episode itself, but her response to the Doctor’s question is lovely: “Well let’s see, you’ve got a time machine, I’ve got a gun… what the hell: let’s kill Hitler!”
22. The End of the World
“This is the year 5.5/apple/26, five billion years in your future and this is the day… hold on… this is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world.” The second episode of modern Who and the first episode to have a pre-credit sequence features an exhilarated Rose Tyler embarking into the brave new worlds with the ninth Doctor. As new to us as to her, this Doctor is cheery, keen to show off and very knowledgeable. It’s also one of our first proper looks at the TARDIS in action and the sight of Eccleston choosing the year based on the spin of a wheel is lovely.
21. The Time of Angels
To anyone who got upset by the appearance of Mike Skinner from The Streets: Dry your eyes mate.
*bows*
Right, with that out of the way, this episode brought back River Song in fabulous style. Apply graffiti to an item of historic importance – not for the last (or, depending on who’s view you take, first) time – River summons the Doctor to a spaceship which she is planning on leaving in a bit of a hurry. Asking for an air corridor whilst gently adjusting her hair, River has clearly been up to no good; and we love her for it. Her squishing the Doctor upon arrival is great, and I heartily recommend seeking out the out-takes from that moment. They’re hilarious.
It would seem appropriate to end with some sort of meta pre-credits joke but I can’t think of – hang on a moment. I’ve got to log off my neighbours Wi-Fi. Thankfully there’s a free one that ╦┐◤︻㍕┻═▄
