Cliffhanger

A cliffhanger is a standard device of serial fiction. It involves the heightening of dramatic tension at the end of an episode to such a degree that the viewer is made anxious about the fates of the protagonists. This, the producers of the work hope, will inspire viewers to return for the next episode, so that they can see how — or if — the protagonists survived.

Cliffhangers were included at the end of almost every episode of the 1963 version of Doctor Who. Most typically, the only episode free of cliffhangers was the last one in a serial, although there were periods — such as most of the 1960s and season 19 — where even these episodes had at least mild cliffhangers.

The device is still used in the BBC Wales version of the show for multi-episode storylines. A cliffhanger has also been a nearly-universal feature of the the last episode of a series, in which it serves to point to that year's Christmas special.

Cliffhangers are less prominent parts of Torchwood narratives, although each episode of Children of Earth used them. Conversely, The Sarah Jane Adventures regularly employs cliffhangers, in a style that directly echoes so-called "classic" Doctor Who. SJA stories universally have cliffhangers between parts one and two. Series-ending cliffhangers are much less common in the spin-off series. Only the Torchwood series 1 finale ends in a cliffhanger that is directly resolved in a later episode. Unusually, this cliffhanger resolves in both DW: Utopia, and TW: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, and it is not strictly necessary to have seen Utopia to understand its Torchwood resolution.

Season One - 1963-64

 * An Unearthly Child Episode 1 - The Doctor kidnaps Ian and Barbara and The TARDIS is sent to 100,000 BC.
 * The Cave of Skulls Episode 2 - The Doctor and his companions are chased into the Forest of Fear by Za and Hur.
 * The Forest of Fear Episode 3 - Kal and his tribal warriors stops The Doctor and his companions reaching the Tardis.
 * The Firemaker Episode 4 - The Tardis detects readings of Dangerous Radiation.
 * The Daleks Episode 1 - Barbara is cornered by a Dalek.
 * The Survivors Episode 2 - Susan collects the Anti-Radiation drugs in the Tardis and prepares to go back to the city.
 * The Escape Episode 3 - The Doctor,Susan,Barbara and Ian (Disguised as a Dalek) try to escape the Dalek City.
 * The Ambush Episode 4 - Ian leaves an empty fluid link in the Dalek City and it must be retrieved.
 * The Expedition Episode 5 - Elyon is killed by creature in the Lake of Mutations
 * The Ordeal Episode 6 - Antodus falls down a abyss and Ian (who is holding his rope) is dragged towards the edge.
 * The Rescue Episode 7 - The Tardis Console explodes and the Tardis crew fall to the floor.
 * The Edge of Destruction Episode 1 - As The Doctor works on the Console he is grabbed by the throat.
 * The Brink of Disaster Episode 2 - The Tardis materializes on a cold,snowy area with a giant footprint on the ground.
 * The Roof of the World Episode 1 - Lord Tegana buys a poison to use on the Caravan's water supply.
 * The Singing Sands Episode 2 - Tegana is sent to find desperately needed water, finds an Oasis but doesn't send any water back.
 * Five-Hundred Eyes Episode 3 - The Doctor,Susan and Ping-Cho go to a cave where they find that a painting of eyes are moving.
 * The Wall of Eyes Episode 4 - Ian tries to escape the Caravan and finds a dead guard.
 * Rider from Shang-Tu Episode 5 - Tegana holds Susan hostage.
 * Mighty Kublai Khan Episode 6 - Tegana threatens Ping-Cho
 * Assassin at Peking Episode 7 - None.
 * The Sea of Death Episode 1 - Arbitan is killed by a Voord.
 * The Velvet Web Episode 2 - The Doctor's allies try to find the second key of Marinus.
 * The Screaming Jungle Episode 3 - None.
 * The Snows of Terror Episode 4 - Vasor is killed by the Ice Soldiers
 * Sentence of Death Episode 5 - Susan is kidnapped and The Doctor is threatened to stop investigating the murders.
 * The Keys of Marinus Episode 6 - None.
 * The Aztecs Episode 1 -
 * The Aztecs Episode 2 -
 * The Aztecs Episode 3 -
 * The Aztecs Episode 4 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 1 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 2 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 3 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 4 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 5 -
 * The Sensorites Episode 6 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 1 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 2 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 3 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 4 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 5 -
 * The Reign of Terror Episode 6 -

Season Two - 1964-65

 * Planet of Giants Episode 1 - The Doctor,Barbara and Susan (Micro-Sized) are attacked by a Cat.
 * Dangerous Journey Episode 2 - The Doctor and Susan nearly drown in a drainpipe.
 * Crisis Episode 3 - None.
 * World's End Episode 1 - The Doctor and Ian are surrounded by Robomen and are shocked to see a Dalek rising out of the River Thames.
 * The Daleks Episode 2 - The Resistance prepares to fight the Daleks.
 * Day of Reckoning Episode 3 - A firebomb is placed near the Doctor,Susan and David Campbell's hideout.
 * The End of Tomorrow Episode 4 - The Slyther attacks Ian and Larry Madison.
 * The Waking Ally Episode 5 - Ian's hiding place is prepared to be dropped down a mine shaft.
 * Flashpoint Episode 6 - None.
 * The Rescue Episode 1 -
 * The Rescue Episode 2 -
 * The Slave Traders Episode 1 - Ascaris prepares to Assassinate the Doctor.
 * All Roads Lead to Rome Episode 2 - Ian and Delos are forced to fight Lions.
 * Conspiracy Episode 3 - Nero forces Ian and Delos to fight each other to the death.
 * Inferno Episode 4 - The Tardis is sent off course.
 * The Web Planet Episode 1 - The Doctor finds the Tardis is missing.
 * The Zarbi Episode 2 - The Doctor confronts Animus.
 * Escape to Danger Episode 3 - Ian and Vrestin fall into a tunnel.
 * Crater of Needles Episode 4 - Barbara is attacked by the Zarbi.
 * Invasion Episode 5 - None.
 * The Centre Episode 6 - None.
 * The Crusade Episode 1 -
 * The Crusade Episode 2 -
 * The Crusade Episode 3 -
 * The Crusade Episode 4 - The Tardis loses power.
 * The Space Museum Episode 1 -
 * The Dimensions of Time Episode 2 -
 * The Search Episode 3 -
 * The Final Phase Episode 4 -
 * The Executioners Episode 1 - The Doctor and Barbara find a Dalek in the Aridian desert.
 * The Death of Time Episode 2 - The Supreme Dalek vows to seek revenge on the Doctor.
 * Flight Through Eternity Episode 3 - None.
 * Journey into Terror Episode 4 - The Daleks create an Android double of the Doctor with orders to 'Infiltrate and Kill'.
 * The Death of Dr Who Episode 5 - The Doctor and his companions are met by a Mechanoid.
 * The Planet of Decision Episode 6 - None.
 * The Watcher Episode 1 - The Monk imprisons the Doctor.
 * The Meddling Monk Episode 2 - None.
 * A Battle of Wits Episode 3 - Steven and Vicki find the Monk has a Tardis and is the same species as the Doctor.
 * Checkmate Episode 4 - None.

Season Three - 1965-66

 * Four Hundred Dawns Episode 1 - The Doctor discovers the planet he is on will be destroyed in two days.
 * Trap of Steel Episode 2 - None.
 * Air Lock Episode 3 - None.
 * The Exploding Planet Episode 4 - The Doctor and his companions travel to Kembel and find Jeff Garvey.
 * Mission to the Unknown - Marc Cory is exterminated by the Daleks and they form an alliance to conquer the Sol system.
 * The Myth Makers Episode 1 -
 * The Myth Makers Episode 2 -
 * The Myth Makers Episode 3 -
 * The Myth Makers Episode 4 -
 * The Nightmare Begins Episode 1 - The Doctor and his Tardis are surrounded by Daleks.
 * Day of Armageddon Episode 2 - Bret Vyon tries to leave in his ship and abandon the Doctor.
 * Devil's Planet Episode 3 - Katarina finds Kirksen.
 * The Traitors Episode 4 - Sara Kingdom orders Borkar to find The Doctor and Steven.
 * Counter Plot Episode 5 - The Daleks defeat the Invisible Creatures and the Doctor faces the fact that "the Daleks have won."
 * Coronas of the Sun Episode 6 - The Tardis arrives on Kembel (which now has a poisonous atmosphere).
 * The Feast of Steven Episode 7 - None.
 * Volcano Episode 8 - The Daleks chant for victory.
 * Golden Death Episode 9 - Sara and Steven are attacked by a Roman soldier and a Mummy awakens.
 * Escape Switch Episode 10 - The Tardis Console flashes and the Directional Control burns out.
 * The Abandoned Planet Episode 11 - Mavic Chen hold the Doctor and his companions prisoner.
 * The Destruction of Time Episode 12 - None.
 * War of God Episode 1 - The Abbot of Amboise is revealed to be the Doctor's exact double.
 * The Sea Beggar Episode 2 - None.
 * Priest of Death Episode 3 - Steven is framed for murder and is chased by a mob.
 * Bell of Doom Episode 4 - None.
 * The Ark Episode 1 -
 * The Ark Episode 2 -
 * The Ark Episode 3 -
 * The Ark Episode 4 - The Doctor mysteriously vanishes from the Console Room.
 * The Celestial Toymaker Episode 1 -
 * The Celestial Toymaker Episode 2 -
 * The Celestial Toymaker Episode 3 -
 * The Celestial Toymaker Episode 4 -
 * The Gunfighters Episode 1 -
 * The Gunfighters Episode 2 -
 * The Gunfighters Episode 3 -
 * The Gunfighters Episode 4 -
 * The Savages Episode 1 -
 * The Savages Episode 2 -
 * The Savages Episode 3 -
 * The Savages Episode 4 -
 * The War Machines Episode 1 - The hypnotised Dodo is ordered to bring the Doctor to be hypnotised by WOTAN.
 * The War Machines Episode 2 - Ben is cornered by a War Machine
 * The War Machines Episode 3 - The Doctor confronts a War Machine.
 * The War Machines Episode 4 - None.

Season Four - 1966

 * The Smugglers Episode 1 -
 * The Smugglers Episode 2 -
 * The Smugglers Episode 3 -
 * The Smugglers Episode 4 -
 * The Tenth Planet Episode 1 - A group of soldiers sent to investigate the Tardis are killed by Cybermen.
 * The Tenth Planet Episode 2 - The Radar Technician in Snowcap detects a Cyber-Fleet heading for Earth.
 * The Tenth Planet Episode 3 - The Countdown for the Z-Bomb launch reaches Zero.
 * The Tenth Planet Episode 4 - The Doctor Regenerates into a new form.

Season Four - 1966-67 (continued)

 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 1 - The Doctor discovers a couple of dormant Daleks.
 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 2 - The Dalek is revived and announces "I AM YOUR SERVANT!"
 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 3 - The revived Dalek revives the other two Daleks.
 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 4 - The Dalek army is being rapidly produced
 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 5 - The Daleks chant "DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY!"
 * The Power of the Daleks Episode 6 -
 * The Highlanders Episode 1 -
 * The Highlanders Episode 2 -
 * The Highlanders Episode 3 -
 * The Highlanders Episode 4 -
 * The Underwater Menace Episode 1 -
 * The Underwater Menace Episode 2 -
 * The Underwater Menace Episode 3 -
 * The Underwater Menace Episode 4 -
 * The Moonbase Episode 1 - A Cyberman appears in the medical bay of The Moonbase.
 * The Moonbase Episode 2 - A Cyberman threatens the Doctor and his Companions
 * The Moonbase Episode 3 - The Cyber-Fleet land on the Moon.
 * The Moonbase Episode 4 - The Tardis scans a Macra claw.
 * The Macra Terror Episode 1 -
 * The Macra Terror Episode 2 -
 * The Macra Terror Episode 3 -
 * The Macra Terror Episode 4 -
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 1 - A Chameleon is revealed.
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 2 -
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 3 -
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 4 -
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 5 -
 * The Faceless Ones Episode 6 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 1 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 2 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 3 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 4 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 5 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 6 -
 * The Evil of the Daleks Episode 7 -

Season Five - 1967-68

 * The Tomb of the Cybermen Episode 1 - A Cyberman kills Peter Haydon.
 * The Tomb of the Cybermen Episode 2 - The Cyberman thaw the Cyber-Controller.
 * The Tomb of the Cybermen Episode 3 - None.
 * The Tomb of the Cybermen Episode 4 - None.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 1 - A Yeti advances on Jamie and Victoria.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 2 - The control sphere of a Yeti comes to life.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 3 - A Dormant Yeti is revived and menaces Victoria.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 4 - Victoria sees Padmasambhava.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 5 - The Great Intelligence grows stronger.
 * The Abominable Snowmen Episode 6 - None.
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 1 -
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 2 -
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 3 -
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 4 -
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 5 -
 * The Ice Warriors Episode 6 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 1 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 2 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 3 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 4 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 5 -
 * The Enemy of the World Episode 6 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 1 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 2 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 3 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 4 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 5 -
 * The Web of Fear Episode 6 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 1 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 2 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 3 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 4 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 5 -
 * Fury from the Deep Episode 6 -
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 1 - The Doctor falls unconscious.
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 2 - The Cybermen come out of their pods.
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 3 - Two humans are taken over by Cybermen and are made to send two crates (containing Cybermen) to Space Station W3.
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 4 - The Doctor and Jamie are cornered by a Cybermen
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 5 - Meteorites approach the Earth.
 * The Wheel in Space Episode 6 - None.

Season Six - 1968-69

 * The Dominators Episode 1 -
 * The Dominators Episode 2 -
 * The Dominators Episode 3 -
 * The Dominators Episode 4 -
 * The Dominators Episode 5 -
 * The Mind Robber Episode 1 - The Tardis explodes and the Doctors companions are left floating in nothingness.
 * The Mind Robber Episode 2 - A Unicorn charges at the Doctor and his companions.
 * The Mind Robber Episode 3 - Zoe tries not to look at Medusa.
 * The Mind Robber Episode 4 - Jamie and Zoe are cornered by White Robots and become trapped in a book.
 * The Mind Robber Episode 5 - None.
 * The Invasion Episode 1 - The Cyber-Planner is revealed.
 * The Invasion Episode 2 - The Doctor and Jamie are captured by Packer.
 * The Invasion Episode 3 - Jamie faces an Automated Cocoon.
 * The Invasion Episode 4 - A Cyberman emerges from its Cocoon.
 * The Invasion Episode 5 - Jamie,Zoe and Isobel encounter an insane Cyberman.
 * The Invasion Episode 6 - A signal is broadcast causing people across the world to collapse, the Cybermen come out of the sewers of London and swarm the city.
 * The Invasion Episode 7 - The Cybermen plan to use a Megatron bomb to destroy Earth.
 * The Invasion Episode 8 - None.
 * The Krotons Episode 1 - The Doctor is attacked by a Kroton.
 * The Krotons Episode 2 - Jamie is given a Mental Probe by the Krotons.
 * The Krotons Episode 3 - A massive Rockfall is caused.
 * The Krotons Episode 4 - None.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 1 - Locke is killed by an Ice Warrior.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 2 - A Rocket carrying the Doctor and his companions has its homing beacon cut off.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 3 - Slaar T-Mats a Seed down to Earth Control in London.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 4 - An Ice Warrior advances on Zoe.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 5 - The Doctor is attacked by a fungus.
 * The Seeds of Death Episode 6 - None.
 * The Space Pirates Episode 1 -
 * The Space Pirates Episode 2 -
 * The Space Pirates Episode 3 -
 * The Space Pirates Episode 4 -
 * The Space Pirates Episode 5 -
 * The Space Pirates Episode 6 -
 * The War Games Episode 1 - A World War One firing squad prepare to shoot the Doctor.
 * The War Games Episode 2 - The Doctor and his friends are attacked by a group of Roman soldiers.
 * The War Games Episode 3 - The Doctor and Zoe are trapped in side a SIDRAT.
 * The War Games Episode 4 - Zoe is held at Gunpoint by Carstairs.
 * The War Games Episode 5 - Jamie and a group of resistance soldiers are shot down.
 * The War Games Episode 6 - The SIDRAT's dimensions shrink on The Doctor and Jamie.
 * The War Games Episode 7 - The Doctor is captured by a War Lord squad.
 * The War Games Episode 8 - The Doctor betrays Jamie,Zoe and the rest of the Prisoners to the War Chief and the War Lords.
 * The War Games Episode 9 - The Doctor and his companions are captured by the Time Lords.
 * The War Games Episode 10 - The Time Lords exile the Doctor to Earth and force him to Regenerate.

Season Seven - 1970

 * Spearhead from Space Episode 1 - An erratic Third Doctor is shot at by a UNIT soldier and collapses.
 * Spearhead from Space Episode 2 - An Auton advances on John Ransome.
 * Spearhead from Space Episode 3 - Scobie is attacked by his Auton duplicate.
 * Spearhead from Space Episode 4 - None.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 1 - The Doctor is attacked by a Dinosaur.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 2 - Liz is knocked unconscious by a Silurian.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 3 - John Quinn is killed by his Silurian Captive.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 4 - Morka attacks the Doctor with his Third Eye.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 5 - Baker dies in Hospital as a result of the Silurian Virus.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 6 - The Doctor finds a cure for the Virus but is captured by Silurians.
 * Doctor Who and the Silurians Episode 7 - None.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 1 - Bruno Taltalian threatens the Doctor and Liz with a Gun.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 2 - The Doctor opens the Craft.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 3 - Reegan's henchmen chase Liz.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 4 - The Doctor is approached by an Alien Ambassador.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 5 - An Alien spaceship is sent on a Colision course to Recovery Probe Seven and the Mars Probe.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 6 - General Carrington pulls a gun on the Doctor.
 * The Ambassadors of Death Episode 7 - None.
 * Inferno Episode 1 - The Doctor is attacked by a Primord.
 * Inferno Episode 2 - The Doctor and Bessie vanish into thin air.
 * Inferno Episode 3 - The Doctor is threatened by the Alternate Benton.
 * Inferno Episode 4 - The Doctor is held at gunpoint by Director Stahlman.
 * Inferno Episode 5 - The Doctor is attacked by a Primord.
 * Inferno Episode 6 - A wall of lava rushes towards the hut where Petra,The Doctor,Greg,Liz and The Brigade-Leader are hiding.
 * Inferno Episode 7 - None.

Season Eight - 1971

 * Terror of the Autons Episode 1 - A hypnotised Jo Grant tries to open a crate containing a bomb.
 * Terror of the Autons Episode 2 - The Doctor and Jo meet two Policemen who are actually Autons.
 * Terror of the Autons Episode 3 - The Doctor receives a call from The Master who activates a signal which brings the Telephone Cord to life and starts to strangle the Doctor.
 * Terror of the Autons Episode 4 - None.
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 1 - The Keller Machine activates and makes the Doctor believe the room he is in is on fire.
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 2 - Captain Chin Lee takes the form of a Dragon and advances on Senator Alcott
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 3 - The Keller Machine gives the Doctor hallucinations of his old enemies.
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 4 - The machine closes upon Jo and the Doctor.
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 5 - Harry Mailer pulls a gun on the Doctor.
 * The Mind of Evil Episode 6 - None.
 * The Claws of Axos Episode 1 - An Axon advances on Jo.
 * The Claws of Axos Episode 2 - Jo and Filer are surrounded by the Axonites.
 * The Claws of Axos Episode 3 - The Master plans to destroy Axos.
 * The Claws of Axos Episode 4 - None.
 * Colony in Space
 * The Dæmons

Season Nine - 1972

 * Day of the Daleks
 * The Curse of Peladon
 * The Sea Devils
 * The Mutants
 * The Time Monster

Season Ten - 1972-73

 * The Three Doctors
 * Carnival of Monsters
 * Frontier in Space
 * Planet of the Daleks
 * The Green Death

Season Eleven - 1973-74

 * The Time Warrior
 * Invasion of the Dinosaurs
 * Death to the Daleks
 * The Monster of Peladon
 * Planet of the Spiders

Season Twelve - 1974-75

 * Robot
 * The Ark in Space
 * The Sontaran Experiment
 * Genesis of the Daleks
 * Revenge of the Cybermen

Season Thirteen - 1975-76

 * Terror of the Zygons
 * Planet of Evil
 * Pyramids of Mars
 * The Android Invasion
 * The Brain of Morbius
 * The Seeds of Doom

Season Fourteen - 1976-77

 * The Masque of Mandragora
 * The Hand of Fear
 * The Deadly Assassin
 * The Face of Evil
 * The Robots of Death
 * The Talons of Weng-Chiang

Season Fifteen - 1977-78

 * Horror of Fang Rock
 * The Invisible Enemy
 * Image of the Fendahl
 * The Sun Makers
 * Underworld
 * The Invasion of Time

Season Sixteen - 1978-79

 * The Ribos Operation
 * The Pirate Planet
 * The Stones of Blood
 * The Androids of Tara
 * The Power of Kroll
 * The Armageddon Factor

Season Seventeen - 1979-80

 * Destiny of the Daleks
 * City of Death
 * The Creature from the Pit
 * Nightmare of Eden
 * The Horns of Nimon
 * Shada (incomplete; not broadcast)

Season Eighteen - 1980-81

 * The Leisure Hive
 * Meglos
 * Full Circle
 * State of Decay
 * Warriors' Gate
 * The Keeper of Traken
 * Logopolis

Season Nineteen - 1982

 * Castrovalva
 * Four to Doomsday
 * Kinda
 * The Visitation
 * Black Orchid
 * Earthshock
 * Time-Flight

Season Twenty - 1983

 * Arc of Infinity
 * Snakedance
 * Mawdryn Undead
 * Terminus
 * Enlightenment
 * The King's Demons
 * The Five Doctors

Season Twenty-One - 1984

 * Warriors of the Deep
 * The Awakening
 * Frontios
 * Resurrection of the Daleks
 * Planet of Fire
 * The Caves of Androzani

Season Twenty-One (continued) - 1984

 * The Twin Dilemma

Season Twenty-Two - 1985

 * Attack of the Cybermen
 * Vengeance on Varos
 * The Mark of the Rani
 * The Two Doctors
 * Timelash
 * Revelation of the Daleks

Season Twenty-Three - 1986
25-minute episodes resume.


 * The Trial of a Time Lord
 * The Mysterious Planet
 * Mindwarp
 * Terror of the Vervoids
 * The Ultimate Foe

Season Twenty-Four - 1987

 * Time and the Rani
 * Paradise Towers
 * Delta and the Bannermen
 * Dragonfire

Season Twenty-Five - 1988

 * Remembrance of the Daleks
 * The Happiness Patrol
 * Silver Nemesis
 * The Greatest Show in the Galaxy

Season Twenty-Six - 1989

 * Battlefield
 * Ghost Light
 * The Curse of Fenric
 * Survival

Series 1 - 2005

 * Aliens of London - The Slitheen electrocute The Doctor and the UNIT experts Sip Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen corners Jackie and Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen kills Indra Ganesh and advances on Rose and Harriet Jones.
 * The Empty Child - The Empty Child surround The Doctor,Rose and Captain Jack Harkness.
 * Bad Wolf - The Dalek Fleet prepares to invade Earth.
 * The Parting of the Ways - The Doctor regenerates into his Tenth Incarnation.

Series 2 - 2006

 * Rise of the Cybermen - The Cybermen prepare to Delete The Doctor, Rose, Mickey, Ricky and Jake
 * The Impossible Planet - The Ood rampage throughout Sanctuary Base 6 and The Doctor and Ida Scott witness the opening of the Pit.
 * Army of Ghosts - An army of 5 million Cybermen appear all over the world and the Cult of Skaro emerge from the Void Ship.
 * Doomsday - Donna Noble suddenly appears in the Tardis.

Series 3 - 2007

 * Daleks in Manhattan - The Doctor, Martha and the others witness Dalek Sec's transformation into a Human-Dalek.
 * Human Nature - The Family of Blood give John Smith a choice of who to kill, Martha or Joan
 * Utopia - The newly regenerated Master steals the Doctor's TARDIS and leaves The Doctor, Martha and Jack stranded at the End of the Universe pursued by Futurekind.
 * The Sound of Drums - The Master ages the Doctor 100 years and the 6 billion Toclafane conquer Earth and remove one-tenth of the population.
 * Last of the Time Lords - The Titanic crashes into the TARDIS.

Animated Mini-Series - 2007

 * The Infinite Quest Episode 1 - After destroying Baltazar's Ship the Doctor and Martha leave in the Tardis as Baltazar (riding Caw) vows revenge.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 2 - Caw tells the Doctor to find all the chips to the Infinite. After the Doctor leaves Caw is revealed to still serve Baltazar.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 3 - Captain Kaliko orders her crew to kill the Doctor and Martha.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 4 - Swabb orders the Oil rigs to attack Kaliko's ship.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 5 - The Doctor and Martha travel to Myarr and are attacked by a swarm of flies.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 6 - The Doctor finds out the enemies of the Mantasphids.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 7 - A fleet of Earth ships attack the Mantashpid city.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 8 - The Doctor and Martha travel to Volag-Noc and are captured.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 9 - Gurney reveals he is not the governor of Volag-Noc and someone cuts through the door of his office.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 10 - Martha chases Gurney to the Tardis and Baltazar flys towards them.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 11 - Baltazar forces the Doctor to sends the Tardis to the Infitite and then shoots him.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 12 - An illusion of the Doctor prepares to attack Martha.
 * The Infinite Quest Episode 13 - None.

Series 4 2008

 * The Sontaran Stratagem - The Sontarans use Atmospheric Converters to gas the Earth and they then send troops to the planet.
 * The Poison Sky - The Doctor's hand starts to bubble and the Tardis is sent off course.
 * Silence in the Library - The Doctor is pursued by Proper Dave.
 * Turn Left - Donna gives The Doctor the message "Bad Wolf" and he realizes its the End of the Universe.
 * The Stolen Earth - The Doctor starts to Regenerate after being shot by a Dalek, Martha Jones teleports to an Osterhagen station, Gwen Cooper and Ianto Jones futilely try and fight a Dalek attacking Torchwood 3 and Sarah Jane Smith runs into two Daleks who prepare to exterminate her.
 * Journey's End - None (Final version). Two Cybermen appear in the Tardis and sneak up on the Doctor (Deleted Scene).

2009 specials

 * The Waters of Mars - Adelaide Brooke commits suicide and the Doctor sees a vision of Ood Sigma and asks him if its time for his death.
 * The End of Time Part One - The Master uses the Immortality Gate to convert the Humanity into The Master Race and Rassilon prepares to save his people.
 * The End of Time Part Two - The Doctor regenerates into his Eleventh Incarnation and the TARDIS crashes to Earth.

Animated Mini-Series - 2009

 * Dreamland Episode 1 -
 * Dreamland Episode 2 -
 * Dreamland Episode 3 -
 * Dreamland Episode 4 -
 * Dreamland Episode 5 -
 * Dreamland Episode 6 -

Series 5 - 2010

 * The Beast Below - Winston Churchill rings up the Doctor and tells him to come as a Dalek moved towards him.
 * The Time of Angels - The Doctor shoots the gravity globe illuminating the chamber.


 * The Hungry Earth - The Doctor and Nasreen Chaudhry find the Silurian underground place.
 * The Pandorica Opens -

Series - 2006-2007

 * End of Days - Jack hears the TARDIS materializing and leaves the Hub.

Series 2 - 2008

 * Fragments - After facing a bomb trap in a warehouse the Torchwood team are contacted by Captain John Hart who reveals he planted the bombs and also shows Jack his brother Gray.

Series 3 - 2009

 * Children of Earth: Day One - Due to an accidental scan, Jack finds out a bomb has been planted in his stomach. Gwen and Ianto manage to escape before it detonates however it completely destroys the Hub.
 * Children of Earth: Day Two - Gwen, Ianto and Rhys manage to release Jack from the concrete. At MI5 headquarters the chamber for the 456 is prepared and the children of the Earth chant "We are coming tomorrow"
 * Children of Earth: Day Three - The 456 demand 10% of the world's children and Jack reveals to his team that he gave the 12 children to the 456 in 1965 as a “gift”.
 * Children of Earth: Day Four - When Jack and Ianto confront the 456, refusing their proposal and promising they'll fight. The 456 release a virus into Thames House killing everyone inside apart from Dekker and Jack (who resurrects) but including Ianto.
 * Children of Earth: Day Five - 6 months after the events of the series Captain Jack leaves the Earth for a new life.

Series 1

 * Revenge of the Slitheen Part One - Florm Rox Fey Fenerill-Slam Slitheen chases Sarah Jane, Glune Fex Fize Sharlaveer-Slam Slitheen confronts Luke and Korst Gogg Thek Lutiven-Day Slitheen reveals himself to Clyde and Maria.
 * Eye of the Gorgon Part One - The nuns kidnap Luke and Clyde and the Gorgon turns Alan to stone.
 * Warriors of Kudlak Part One - Sarah Jane and Maria are confronted by Kudlak and Luke and Clyde are teleported to the Uvodni Warship.
 * Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? Part One - Krislok erases Maria from history but she manages to escape to 1964 where she meets Sarah Jane as a child.
 * The Lost Boy Part One - Mr Smith reveals his true intentions and absorbs Clyde into his data banks,Luke's "Parents" reveal themselves as Slitheen and Korst Gogg Thek Lutiven-Day Slitheen vows revenge.

Series 2

 * The Last Sontaran Part One - Commander Kaagh stuns Sarah Jane and plans to send satellites to Earth's nuclear stockpiles causing a nuclear holocaust.
 * The Day of the Clown Part One - The Pied Piper traps Sarah Jane and her friends in Spellman's Magical Museum of the Circus.
 * Secrets of the Stars Part One - Martin Trueman starts taking over everyone in the world by their starsigns one by one, Clyde attacks Sarah Jane,Luke and Rani.
 * The Mark of the Berserker Part One - Paul Langer tells Clyde to forget his friends and becomes possessed by a Berserker.
 * The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith Part One - Sarah Jane saves her parents from death but returns to the present to find that London is in ruins and The Trickster reveals that he tricked her.
 * Enemy of the Bane Part One - Sarah Jane,Rani and the Brigadier escape the Black Archive with the Tunguska Scroll, agents of the Bane Kindred attack Luke and Clyde and Mrs. Wormwood joins Kaagh.

Series 3

 * Prisoner of the Judoon Part One - Sarah Jane (possessed by Androvax) goes to Genetec Systems, and Mr Smith warns Luke,Clyde,Rani and Tybo to leave the Bannerman Road as he will explode.
 * The Mad Woman in the Attic Part One - Eve shows Rani her future as a Mad Woman in an Attic.
 * The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith Part One - During Sarah Jane's wedding to Peter Dalton. The Doctor suddenly storms in and warns her to stop the wedding, the Trickster appears and takes Sarah Jane away.
 * The Eternity Trap Part One - Sarah Jane is attacked by a Red-Eyed Creature but is saved by Lord Marchwood and Clyde and Rani are confronted by Erasmus Darkening.
 * Mona Lisa's Revenge Part One - Mona Lisa imprisons Sarah Jane in a painting.
 * The Gift Part One - The Rakweed gift from the Slitheen-Blathereen starts infecting Ealing and a plant releases a cloud of spores which advance on Sarah Jane and Luke.

As documentary subject
The quality of various cliffhangers — in terms of their efficacy to make viewers return the next week —was the subject of a short documentary on BBC DVD.