What stories have surprised you most?

The Ark In Space

This is the only story in the entire history of the show that has given me nightmares. That vision of Noah pulling his hand out of his pocket (I was 6, ok?!) and seeing it transformed has stuck with me for years. Likewise, the transformation scenes in...

The Seeds Of Death

... have stuck with me for similar reasons. In fact the cliffhanger in which Sarah is strapped down as the Krynoid seed cracks open still grips me.

Warrior's Gate

For those of a certain age, you might recall a "type" of children's SF/ Fantasy on TV. It was often very clever, earnest, used special effects very sparingly and relied on a particularly "stage-y" sort of performance which was often not very convincing or relied heavily on foreshadowing, calling back or metaphor to make its point. Warrior's Gate reminded me of that except it was entertaining, clever and fun. It's never struck me as a very difficult story to "get" but it's definitely a case of someone trying to make a victory of style over substance and - thankfully - not quite succeeding.

Remembrance Of The Daleks.

After the disappointments of Seasons 23 and 24 - not debating: I didn't think it was very good television compared to a lot of contemporaneous stuff (although I love the opening of Episode 1 of ToaTL) - it felt like I was watching a different show. And I loved it!

The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances

When 9 suddenly appears from nowhere at a dinner table asking questions of the kids sitting around it I knew the show was in pretty good hands: it was a scene that could have had nearly any other incarnation of the Doctor in it and I was finally convinced that we were back in business properly.

Silence In The Library/ Forest Of The Dead

Just superb in every way.

Day Of The Doctor

"I don't know where he gets it."

"It should've been locked."

"No, sir: all thirteen!"

"You know, I really think you might."

World Enough And Time

When you start the episode by killing the second lead and then bring back a monster styling that we haven't seen in 50 years and manage to make them even scarier AND THEN follow it up with a reveal that makes you squee and squeal in equal measure - and in an episode that uses the sonic screwdriver as a sharpie! - then things are going ok.

Well, in general, I am surprised how much I ended up liking the show in general after giving it a chance. I basically went from someone vehemently refusing to join my Whovian flatmates to go and see the 50th anniversary on the big screen to a bit of a fan who now deeply regrets having missed out...

As for the most surprising episodes...

The Two Doctors
This should not work. The story is non-sensical and it is basically an accumulation of head-shake moments. But I absolutely love and adore it. Everybody plays it with such infectious enthusiasm you cannot help but smile.

The War Games.
A VERY long story full of repetition (when you look at it on paper). But somehow it works and is kept fresh and it makes for a entertaining and captivating story. Plus that shocking ending- I was very surprised they did show the summary execution of the hero in a "kid's" programme.

City of Death.
The first classic Who episode I saw. I was not sure if I would like Classic at all. I am glad I tried this one, since I enjoyed it VERY much and made me try out more.

The Eleventh Hour.
The first New Who episode I watched with the intention of getting to know the show (as to opposed to being forced to watch episodes, very often out of order, by my ex-flatmates... if your very first ever Who episode is "Daleks in Manhattan", this can leave a mark on you and can leave you forming certain misconceptions; they tried to entice me with "Blink" later on, but the damage was done). I watched it and somehow was hooked. I actually thought "Uhm... this is not so bad after all."

Day of the Doctor.
Wow.
I LOVE it. I even have a painting by an artist friend in my living room of 10, 11 and War pointing their screwdrivers. I must have already watched it a dozen times.
And I have kicked my own bottom repeatedly that I had refused to see it at the anniversary out of stubbornness and defiance and, let's face it, ignorance and stupidity.

Basically most of Series 10.
I thought that each series of New Who got better and better and I could not imagine Series 10 beating that. And it did. Down to the fantastic finale.
A finale that was pretty much the SAME story as the finale of Series 8. This should not have worked.
But somehow it was much improved. The bad bits, mistakes, plot holes and weird stuff were taken out, some awesome ideas added, and this was shaped into the best series finale we had in New Who so far.

As for things outside the TV series-
I am very surprised how much I enjoyed the 8th Doctor comics. Destrii quickly became one of my favorite adversaries/ companions. What an amazing character! And these comics are not at all the kiddie stories I expected, but well-crafted, often shocking and emotional.

Big Finish-
Uhm.... how did it happen that I now somehow have more than 100GB of BF audio plays on my hard-drive?
Seriously?
This might be the most surprising of it all.
And it all started because I loved River Song and enjoyed her first audio set...
and made the mistake (?) of checking out Dark Eyes.

Dark Eyes- I seriously had not expected that. A wonderful dark, emotional and ADULT story that was on a whole different level from what I was used to from the TV series. I had expected something more along the lines of the River Song or the TV adventures and just did not imagine it could captivate me that much.
Was I in for a surprise.
What a story. What a performance.
And from there, it only got better.

Enemy of the World, the audio reconstruction just seems so bland. But it pops on TV.
The Daleks, my first introduction to it was via Peter Cushing, the TV version was lacklustre in comparison.
Marco Polo, people rave. I yawned and gave up.

Positive (ish):
- The Armageddon Factor. I was led to believe that this story was considered one of the worst. I found it to be meh.
- Black Orchid. FAVOURITE TELEVISED DAVISON STORY!

Negative:
- Genesis of the Daleks. While I am appreciative of its addition to Dalek mythology, I found it a real bore to sit through.
- Series 5.