Now, I know that this story is one of the least-loved Who stories of all time, but I've not long finished reading the Target novelisation of it and I really enjoyed it! I haven't seen the story on TV at all (and its not on DVD yet) but by the sounds of things it was really awful (that's what I keep hearing, anyway). I know that in Target novelisations, the author adds background info and extra scenes, so that must've made the story better in writing. I'd like to hear opinions on this story from people who've seen it, just so that if I have the opportunity to watch it, I know what I'm letting myself in for

I remember it well!! In fact - I've still got it on an old VHS tape somewhere. I'm sure that the novel was good. But the actual story on TV was a virtual pantomime (well, it WAS originally broadcast over Christmas 1979ish). But, having said that, I found it to be highly entertaining, and I reckon a bit tongue-in-cheek. The Nimons were NOT scary, they were laughable - as was Graham Crowden playing the 'wicked villain' (Boo, Hiss). The scenes with the Doctor trying to fix a rather dismantled Tardis console were also slapstick. But don't be put off by my comments - I think it'll be fun to see it on DVD (with commentary...hopefully with Tom and Lalla??). I'll be buying it for old times sake!

If you accept it as what it is, OTT panto, then it's really enjoyable.

The show that made me stop watching Doctor Who for a while and watch Buck Rogers instead!

I didn't come back I think until Full Circle.

Its reputation for being bad, and over-the-top is well deserved!

Well, I liked it... but I do think it depends on how you approach. As a serious piece of sci-fi, it's pretty rubbish, but if one approaches it almost as if it were a piece of sci-fantasy theatre, I think it is enjoyable. I enjoyed the the theatrical script, the costumes, the pseudo-mythology of the plot, and so on a theatrical level I think it works.

Cheap and cheerful. Eminently watchable.

"Weakling Scum!"

And of course, Graham Crowden's staggering performance is something to be savoured. I doubt we'll ever see a performance quite like his death scene in Doctor Who ever again...!

Even though its not up to much I love it. It is great fun and Crowden is fantastically OTT.

The Nimon might look silly but there are some good (if unoriginal) idea's surrounding them (using black holes as gateways to travel, being parasites etc better than your average Warmongers).

I must say that Lalla is particularly fantastic in this one. Some of the guest cast aren't so hot however

I've always quite liked it. Lalla Ward looks yummy in her riding gear and it has a very young Janet Ellis.
Its Who Panto at its best.
The book is better tho' as its a lot darker than the TV show and I imagine you may be dissappointed.
I read a lot of Target Books before seeing the originals on video or TV. Day of the Daleks was the biggest dissappointment for me. Book is miles better.

If there was ever a Doctor Who story to put a smile on my face, then 'The Horns Of Nimon' is it!

I find it supremely entertaining, and I sometimes think that, with better direction and a severe reigning in of performances, this would actually be more widely regarded as a classic.

But, it is what it is!

And I find it funny, charming and incredibly good fun - just what Doctor Who should be doing.

'Return To Skonnos' - smells like a great S5 episode title, if you ask me...

Regards,

Cypher

Hey, Paul Cornell did a sequel to HoN called Seasons of Fear for Big Finish. He should demand they adapt it next year.

http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_bf30.htm

Lol, I really want to see it now - I'm prepared for the pantomime-ness of it I looked it up on Youtube hoping someone had uploaded it there, but only found this clip (apart from the usual fan-made stuff).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gvqHJpGmLp0

Quite a funny moment that - it's those sound effects! And I think K-9 is voiced by the guy that wasn't John Leeson

The guy who voiced K9 sits as a Magistrate at Ealing Magistrates Court. The word ‘affirmative’, tends to find its way into submissions from lawyers who are also Old Who fans.

I actually love it, somehow it sums up that whole era of Tom Baker's reign as the Doctor, Graham Crowden is overacting at is finest, Lalla is fab, it suffers a bit from big ideas and little budget as does a lot of Who at the time, but the plot is actually pretty interesting and its just 4 fab episodes of fun, camp, brilliant Tom Baker Doctor Who, rather watch this than most dull Peter Davison stories to be honest

I watched it for the first time recently. It has become a bit of a Dr Who legend but for all the wring reasons so I was expecting it to be naff. Actually, it wasn't all that bad at all. I can certainly think of worse stories.

It's great fun and enjoyable for what it is.

It was never meant to be the last story of series 17, but the cancellation of Shada left it a bit exposed.

i watched it expecting the worst and was thoroughly entertained

As long as you step back and take it for what it is its brilliant fun

Graham Crowden puts in an extremely fine scenery chewing perfomance as the villain

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I know that in Target novelisations, the author adds background info and extra scenes, so that must've made the story better in writing
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I'd have thought the Target book could be read in less time than it takes to watch the TV version! Some of those Target books are a bit skimpy!

K9 is a magistrate? Wow.

Part of me likes to think that whoever wrote the Radio Times synopsis of DW stories at the time , could have got it spectacularly wrong. With something along the lines of

"The Doctor and Romana face up to the Horny Nimon"

Or something

I wonder if any other DW stories could be misinterpreted in this way!

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I loved that scene after just watching it.....Brilliant...so tongue in cheek....

Only K9 sounded off....but the reason behind it explains it all!!!!

I am so pleased to see this one getting a re-evaluation, as I have always loved it. Lalla Ward is the Doctor! And Tom and Graham Crowden trying to out-ham each other is one of the highlights of the show's history. Shame that most of the rest of the cast are so wet. Mind you, "Weakling Scum!" is a superb catch-phrase. Wonder if Anne Robinson ever watched this one....

The best part about it is how Soldeed pronounces Nimon.
After seeing the story for the first time I couldn't stop saying to myself "The Noiiiiiiiiymon will deal with him"

The young sacrifices are well annoying, I always felt sorry for Romana being stuck with them for most of the story.

That's all I can actually remember as I seem to get Horns of Nimon and Nightmare of Eden mixed up in my mind alot of the time.

Don't forget the Co-Pilot splitting his trousers.

The Nightmare of Eden is much better, but the monsters are sillier.