Too many monsters

I've noticed a trend recently which sees episodes sporting multiple different threats. This often leads to the initial monster being at best underutilised, or at worst total weaksauce.

In a very few cases multiple enemies works, such as the two scenarios in Amy's Choice or the mega-alliance in The Pandorica Opens. More often than not you end up with monsters that show up as red herrings or minor goonsthat get far to little screen time before being abandoned for the real Big Bad. In the worst cases, these seem an attempt at shoehorning a monster in just for the sake of having a monster.

To get a proper idea of this problem, it's best to examine the different types of enemies that can show up. Enemies usually operate within what we can think of as a Faction. Within each faction there are differing ranks of enemies, simplisticly put, either Goons or Bosses. Goons are the rank and file of the threat. They are more numerous and easily defeated or avoided. Bosses are tougher to deal with and will actually have a personality.

Enemies can also appear as either Monsters or Agents.

Monsters are the type of enemy that is scary and or dangerous by its very nature. Monsters are bestial or alien and we don't need much explanation as to why they're the bad guys. Monsters are generally revealed slowly, seeing only a small part of them early on with the full reveal coming near the climax of the episode.

Agents are generally humans or other benign races that have a public face, but are secretly working with or towards a bigger threat. Due to their seemingly normal facade, Agents will be visible from the start of the story. Where a Monster is also present, Agents would usually be working with or controlling it.

So within any given faction this gives us four possible combinations:

Agent Goons

These guys are usually the public face of the group behind the threat. They're not innately scary, so we see them early.

 Who could forget Torchwood were originally the bad guys?

Season 2, Episode 12 - Army of Ghosts

Agent Boss

The heavy hitters behind the threat. They're similar to Agent Goons, but with more lines. Agent Bosses would act as the link between Monsters and the Agents' group.

Luke Rattigan ran ATMOS in league with the Sontarens
Season 4, Episodes 4/5 - The Sontaren Stratagem / The Poison Sky

Monster Goon

These are the most instantly recognisable threats in Doctor Who. Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians and Weeping Angels all fit here.

The Reapers were pure monster goons

Season 1, Episode 8 - Father's Day

Monster Boss

These guys are a bigger threat than Monster Goons. There is typically only one of them, and when present it is often the major threat of the episode.

I'm a huge fan of Grand Marshall Skaldak. Like a Monster Bawss!

Season 7, Episode 8 - Cold War

If any one type of enemy is to have appropriate screen time, you can't really go beyond two or three of these types of enemy. Any more than this and there's just not enough time to use them properly.

In my favourite example, The Bells of Saint John, we see five types of enemies:

• Agent Goons: The Uploaders working at The Shard
• Agent Goons: The people being controlled by The Uploaders
• Agent Boss: Miss Kizlet
• Monster Goons: The Spoonheads
• Monster Boss: The Great Intelligence

Wait... Who am I supposed to be scared of again?

The Great Intelligence is only teased, but still there's a lot of focus on Miss Kizlett, leaving the Uploders, the controlled people and the Spoonheads fighting for screen time. None are really explored properly and they end up feeling tacked on.

Contrast this with something like New Earth which has a tight group of three:

• Agent Goons: The Sisters of Plenitude
• Agent Boss: Matron Casp
• Monster Goons: The Infected

A shady group, their mad leader and the monsters they created. Wonderfully simple.

Now don't get me wrong, good writing can make anything work, but I don't see the need to over-complicate things when you're running to a tight 45 minute time limit.