Wednesday 17 July 2024

N is for... Nightmare Man


A sadistic alien entity which manifested itself as a sinister clown-like, white-faced man. He was really a member of the Vishklar race, who originated in an alternate dimension. He began attacking Sarah Jane Smith's adopted son Luke, who normally did not dream. Through him he intended to escape into this dimension to attack others through their dreams, provoking nightmares.
Luke found himself trapped in a long dark corridor lined with countless doors, within each of which was another nightmare. Clyde and Rani were also attacked. He found himself working in a run-down burger bar, one of whose customers was a bag lady - Sarah. Would-be journalist Rani found herself presenting the TV news, and struggling to do so in front of millions. 
Sarah attempted to trick him into adding her to his nightmares, so that she could help Luke. The Nightmare Man disabled K-9 and Mr Smith to prevent them helping her.
He was defeated when Luke, Clyde and Rani stood up to him, no longer afraid of him. This left him powerless, and he ended up trapped inside a nightmare of his own - being told by Sarah how wonderful Luke was, over and over.

Played by: Julian Bleach. Appearances: SJA 4.1 The Nightmare Man (2010).
  • The third of Bleach's Whoniverse roles, after Davros and The Ghostmaker.
  • The character has similarities in appearance to Bleach's Shockheaded Peter theatrical performance.
  • Deleted dialogue from this story, which was reinstated for the novelisation, revealed that Luke was gay.
  • People becoming trapped within nightmares is an old horror trope - the best known example being the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Doctor Who itself will revisit this idea in Can You Hear Me?

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