Choose between these classic Doctor Who serials.

[Soontir C'boath]

All right, my mom was given a $25 gift card to Borders by her students and then gave to me to use since she and my brother don't know what to get. I can't really think of anything to get either since I can either borrow them at the library or get them somewhere else cheaper but I decided that I will support Who if I'm going to be "paying" high prices.

So without further ado, the choices are given in that shiny poll above but it would be nice to read why I should get it.

Note to gift card givers: If you're going to the bookstore route at least give a gift card from Barnes Noble. They're actually pretty decent on being cheaper to order on-line.

[Parallax]

Horns of Nimon
This one is terrible. One of the worst Tom Baker stories without a doubt. Avoid it.

Image of the Fendahl
Out of the four listed, this one is probably the best choice.

The Time Monster
Yes, it has Master goodness (and the best incarnation thereof) but the story is rather 'naff. Second best choice.

Underworld
The worst choice listed. It is terrible and I can not think of a single redeeming feature of this story.

[Patrick Degan]

"Image Of The Fendahl" is the best of the lot. Produced during the Phillip Hinchcliff era and a fairly creepy tale with dollops of black humour in spots. Also features one of Dudley Simpson's best compositions for incidental music in the series.

[Stark]

Underworld uses CSO for almost all of its backgrounds, making it look utterly appalling. Fendahl is certianly the best of those four.

[Hillary]

Who voted for the Horns of Nimon. Good God!

Another Fendahl vote from here.
Spoiler

Good story well told. Witches, black magic, ghosts, the "missing" 5th planet and Leela.

I also take a perverse enjoyment that the least sympathetic character amongst the scientists is the one who survives.

[mr friendly guy]

I don't know how its like in the US, but 3 of those stories came in one box set. The horns of Nimon, The Time Monster and Underworld was in a "Myths and Legends" box set. Basically these stories if you think about it are heavily influenced by various Greek myths.

The Horns of Nimon is of course inspired by the story of Theseus and the Minotaur with one of the characters going into the Labyrinth to slay the Minotaur Nimon. I personally didn't think this one was that bad and found it enjoyable. The twist with the Nimon was great.

The Time Monster borrowed heavily from Greek culture and myth, including the destruction of Atlantis, the Minotaur etc. I can't think of a specific Greek Myth which I could say it was directly inspired from.

Underworld of course is based loosely on the Jason and the Argonauts story, which the Minyans looking for the race bank golden fleece.

I must admit I only had time to watch the first two, and its been a while since I have seen underworld, but I remembered it wasn't too bad.

Image of the Fendahl was also nice, but I would most probably go for the Time Monster.

[Patrick Degan]

Who voted for the Horns of Nimon. Good God!

Another Fendahl vote from here.
Spoiler

Good story well told. Witches, black magic, ghosts, the "missing" 5th planet and Leela.

I also take a perverse enjoyment that the least sympathetic character amongst the scientists is the one who survives.

I'd say Max was the least sympathetic, considering he was the villain of the piece, but IOTF does manage to invoke a little sympathy for him when:
Spoiler

—after having looked into the Fendahl's eyes, dooming him to transformation, he begs the Doctor to hand him the pistol so that he can at least die human. The Doctor does so, since it's all he can do for him.

[Soontir C'boath]

With the votes and the fact that I have been a bit curious about them since they were in the Kaldor City audio series, I have chosen Image of the Fendahl. It did help a bit that it was the most expensive of the lot and Borders gave a 30% coupon just for having their website down too.