But didn’t I already do a Top 3 Doctor Who Episode list? You’re
right, I did, but here’s the thing, that was my Top 3 Doctor Who series 9 list.
The ending of series 9 blew me away, I absolutely had to talk about the last
three episodes, and so I constructed a list around that, however, that wasn’t
my official top favourite Doctor Who episode list, and so I thought I would
make one so that it’s out there and over and done with. I know that I have
talked quite a lot about the program in many of my blog posts, so this will be
the final one for some time.
Starting in 1963, Doctor Who has since become a world-wide
phenomenon that has lasted for an incredible 53 years as of this year, and has
captivated people all around the world, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t
watched at least one episode. The BBC decided to cancel the show in 1989 when
Sylvester McCoy was playing the role of the Doctor in his seventh incarnation.
But in 2005, after an unsuccessful attempt to reboot it via a television movie
in 1996, Russell T. Davis brought it back to our screens once more and it
hasn’t left us since.
Being in the generation that grew up with the 2005 run, that will
be the pool of episodes that I will be diving into for today’s list. But if I
were to make a list of my top favourite classic episodes of Doctor Who, The
Unearthly Child would undoubtedly be number one as it is the first episode
ever, and was the one that started the Doctor’s incredible adventure across
Space and Time.
This list has been constructed based upon my opinion and my
opinion alone, so if you do disagree with where I’ve put an episode on the
list, please feel free to tell me why you feel that, that particular episode
should be either higher or lower on the list. So without further ado, let’s
begin the list.
Number 10:
Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS
(Series 7 – Episode 10. Doctor: Matt Smith (11th
incarnation). Companion: Clara Oswald)
This episode came about purely because Steven Moffat wasn’t happy
with the 1978 episode, the Invasion of Time, because whilst it was set within
the TARDIS, it didn’t show as much as he would have liked to have seen. Journey
to the Centre of the TARDIS makes sure that the audience sees pretty much all
of the TARDIS (or as much as possible considering it is infinite in size).
Since 2005, we’ve been given little pockets of information about
what is inside the TARDIS: A swimming pool, a library, and a wardrobe among
other rooms. We were allowed to see the Wardrobe in the 2005 Christmas Special,
the Christmas Invasion, which was the first episode of David Tennant’s run. But
we never allowed to see any of the other rooms, until now, although we were
only allowed quick glances of the swimming pool and the telescope room, but
that was all we needed to give a full picture of what the Doctor has been
telling us for a long time.
Clara is trapped within the depths of the TARDIS, being hunted by
an unknown creature. Along the way, she discovers the Doctor’s greatest secret,
and of course the very centre of the TARDIS itself. The Doctor, wanting Clara
back in the console room safely, forces a group of salvage operatives to track
her down. When they do reach the very centre of the TARDIS, the Doctor and
Clara discover that the TARDIS cannot be saved.
When I first heard about this episode, I was curious about how it
would work, and my overactive imagination may have hyped it up a bit more than
the episode deserves, but it was a good episode overall and I did enjoy it.
“Don’t get into a spaceship with a mad man, didn’t anyone teach
you that”.
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 9:
Silence in the Library/Forrest of the Dead
(Series 4 – Episodes 8 and 9. Doctor: David Tennent (10th
incarnation). Companion: Donna Noble)
The first of the two episodes introduces us to a new character
going by the name River Song. And, strangely, she knows everything about the
Doctor, but the Doctor doesn’t have a clue who she is. Then, the kicker, the
one piece of information that makes the Doctor realise that she isn’t just any
ordinary person. She knows his name and whispers it in his ear. The moment that
we find out that she knows his name, we wanted to know exactly who she is.
These two episodes were written Steven Moffat, and when he took over as
head-writer in series 5, we were given many more episodes featuring River Song
which continued to deepen the mystery that much further until she told us who
she was.
Sometimes, when you are given a bit of information about
something, it changes your entire perspective of something else, and that is
exactly what happens here. Before, back when we didn’t know who she was, she
was just another mystery character that we may create many theories about but
never really coming that close to the actual truth, but when we found out the
truth, you had to admit that your perspective on these two episodes had changed
entirely forever more.
And that is the sole reason why these two episodes are on this
list, and the reason why these are at number 9 is because you had to have all
of the elements to make this episode the best it can be, I feel. On its own, they
are two great episodes don’t get me wrong, scary and cleverly written as well,
but I always felt that it needed more to fill in the blanks.
“River, you know my name. You whispered my name in my ear. There’s
only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There’s only one time I
could”.
Below is the link to the episodes' IMDB page:
Silence in the Library:
Forrest of the Dead:
Number 8:
The Rings of Akhaten
(Series 7 – Episode 7. Doctor Matt Smith (11th
incarnation). Companion: Clara Oswald)
The only two reasons why this episode is on this list are because
of the Long Song and the Doctor’s speech.
The Long Song was mesmerising, enchanting, and incredibly well
sung.
The speech that the Doctor gives encapsulated the entire character
as a whole. All of the losses that he had endured, all of the secrets he has in
his head, and the knowledge that if released could tear the Universe apart.
Matt Smith’s delivery was pinpoint perfect.
“Take my memories. But I hope you’ve got a bit appetite. Because I
have lived a long life, and I have seen a few things. I walked away from the
last Great Time War. I marked the passing of the Time Lords. I saw the birth of
the Universe and I watched as time ran out, moment by moment until nothing
remained – no time, no space, just me. I walked in universes where the laws of
physics were devised by the mind of a mad man, and I’ve watched universes
freeze and creation burn. I have seen things you wouldn’t believe, and I have
lost things you will never understand – and I know things, secrets that must
never be told, knowledge that must never be spoken; knowledge that would make
parasite Gods blaze. So come on, then, take it. Take it all, baby. Have it.
Have it all!”
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 7:
The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang
(Series 5 – Episodes 12 and 13. Doctor: Matt Smith (11th
incarnation). Companions: Amy Pond and Rory Williams)
Steven Moffat’s first series as head-writer certainly proved that
Steven was the best choice for the job. Featuring River Song once more
alongside Amy and Rory, these two episodes also included a bunch of monsters as
well, including and not limited to: Dalek, Cybermen, Jadoon, and Sontarans.
They all come together for one and one thing only, the Pandorica. What is the
Pandorica’s purpose? What is inside the Pandorica? And why are so many of the
Doctor’s enemies gathering in one place to watch this open?
The second episode, The Big Bang, relies heavily on Time Travel,
which is helpfully explained via the Doctor’s (second) favourite style of
clothing, the fez. This explores what happens after the Pandorica is opened.
The Universe is dying at a rapid rate, the TARDIS has blown up, which means
there is only one thing the Doctor can do: Reboot the Universe and start
afresh. Simple.
Another reason why this episode is on this list is because it
includes another one of the Doctor’s speeches. In fact, this is the first great
speech that the 11th Doctor says, and Matt Smith delivered it
absolutely perfectly. That speech also represents that even when there are an
uncountable amount of spaceships in the sky, filled to the brim with all of the
Doctor’s deadliest enemies, he can still prove to be dominant.
“Hello Stonehenge! Who takes the Pandorica takes the Universe!
But, bad news everyone, ‘cause guess who? Ha! Except, you lot, you’re all
whizzing about, it’s really very distracting. Could you all just stay still a
minute because I. Am. TALKING. Now, the question is, “who’s got the Pandorica?
Answer: I do. Next Question: Who’s coming to take it from me?” Come on, look at
me! No plan, no backup, no weapons worth a damn, oh, and something else I don’t
have: Anything to lose! So, if you’re sitting up there in your silly little
spaceships with all your silly little guns, and you’ve got plans on taking the
Pandorica tonight, just remember who’s standing in your way! Remember every
black day I ever stopped you, and then, AND THEN, do the smart thing! Let
somebody else try first”.
Below is the link to the episodes' IMDB page:
The Pandorica Opens:
The Big Bang:
Number 6:
Doomsday
(Series 2 – Episode 13. Doctor: David Tennant (10th
incarnation). Companion: Rose Tyler)
You might be wondering why I’m not including The Army of Ghosts as
well. The reason why is because I feel this episode, and I’m sure you can agree
with me, that it is so great, it deserves to be a standalone on any countdown
list. This episode is the finale of series 2, and sadly, the last episode
featuring Rose as a full-time companion. And it’s without a doubt one of the
most emotional episodes to date.
This episode marks the first time ever in the history of the show
that the Daleks and the Cybermen have been in the same episode. The Daleks and
the Cybermen, battling it out, that’s an episode worth watching if I do say so
myself. It’s also the first full appearance of the secret organisation known as
Torchwood, and as always, the Doctor is his usual-self. By now, within the
Torchwood’s archive as the type of person who takes control and likes to make a
mess.
As well as playing a musical number on your tear ducks, this
episode made you laugh as well when Jackie Tyler, Rose’s mum is mistaken to be
Rose… and the Doctor doesn’t like Tyler very much. Because this is the final
appearance of Rose as a full-time companion, this does wrap up all of her
storylines as well, and does so neatly without making it too confusing in any
way. It’s an amazing episode, and I’m sure you’ll understand why I’ve put
Doomsday at number 6 when you see the other entries.
“And I suppose… if it’s my last chance to say it… Rose Tyler…”
*Fades away*
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 5:
Rose
Series 1 – Episode 1. Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (9th
incarnation). Companion: Rose Tyler)
It’s the first episode of Doctor Who since the TV movie in 1996,
which was 9 years, and 16 years after a full series, meaning a whole new
generation needed to be introduced to the character, the Doctor. Throughout the
entire series, the Doctor and Rose never left the comfort of Earth until series
2, to ease the audience in. However, for those that were a long-time fan knew
pretty much all there was to know about the show when it came back on our
screens. Russell T. Davis thought that the best way to ease the new generation
into the world of Doctor Who is from the companion’s perspective, and it worked
splendidly. Rose was living an ordinary life when suddenly she was thrust into
the Doctor’s world, and her life forever changed, for the better.
The moment the Doctor takes Rose’s hand and says run, the people
watching it for the first time, felt that this was the Doctor; the one and
only, and nobody else. And the long-time fans of the show, felt more or less
the same feelings, but a sense of satisfaction that he appeared out of nowhere
and saved someone from impending danger.
I’m putting the first episode number 5 because it’s neither the
best episode, nor the worst, but it deserves some recognition. Christopher
played the Doctor well, and it introduced a new element to the show, the Great
Time War. He is now the last of the Time Lords, and that gave the character
more levels of depth that future series can explore at great length.
“Do you know like we were saying, about the Earth revolving? It’s
like when you’re a kid, the first time they tell you that the world is turning
and you just can’t quite believe it ‘cause everything looks like it’s standing
still. I can feel it… The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is
spinning at a thousand miles an hour. The entire planet is hurtling around the
Sun at sixty-seven thousand miles an hour. And I can feel it. We’re falling
through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny planet. And, if we
let go…”
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 4:
Turn left/The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End
(Series 4 – Episodes 11, 12 and 13. Doctor: David Tennent (10th
incarnation). Companion: Donna Noble)
Technically, Turn Left isn’t part of a trilogy. It’s a standalone
episode that reflects what life would be like if the Doctor had died whilst saving
the world. Donna Noble is tricked into living in that world, and with the help
of Rose Tyler, makes sure that the certain circumstances that will lead her to
meeting the Doctor for the first time are put in place. This episode doesn’t
feature the Doctor very much throughout, but it most definitely shows the
impact that he has had over the years. All those times he’s saved the world
from danger, all those people he’s saved; and it’s now all turned upside down.
This episode relies heavily on continuity, and boy does it deliver.
The Stolen Earth and Journey’s End are an incredible climatic
showdown with special guest, Davros. The Daleks are back one more and more
powerful than ever. The Earth has been taken right from under the Doctor’s
feet, along with 26 other planets, and they all make up a part of an engine,
designed to power the most destructive weapon in the Universe: The Reality
Bomb, which, if detonated, would wipe out all life in the Universe, turning
galaxies, suns, planets and people into dust and the dust into atoms and the
atoms into nothing, and it will never stop until only the Daleks is the only
race in existence.
As well as the Daleks returning, so does the Doctor’s past
companions. Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Captain Jack Harkness, Micky Smith,
Jackie Smith, Sarah Jane Smith and her son, Luke Smith, along with Mr Smith the
computer, and K-9, this episode is packed full of incredible visual effects,
characters, backstory, character development, and one of the Doctor’s secrets.
Series 4 was the final full-length series with Russell T. Davis as head-writer,
and you can safely say that he went out with an almighty bang.
And even you have to admit when the Doctor was suddenly shot by
the Dalek and started to regenerate, you were as shocked as everyone else.
“After all this time – everything we saw, everything we lost- I
have only one thing to say to you… Bye!”
Below is the link to the episodes' IMDB page:
Turn Left:
The Stolen Earth:
Journey's End:
Number 3:
Dalek
(Series 1 – Episode 6. Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (9th
incarnation). Companion: Rose Tyler)
From the two episodes featuring an unstoppable army of Daleks to
an episode featuring one single simple Dalek. This is the first episode of the
new run featuring the Daleks, and a single Dalek was all that it needed.
Everyone knows that the Daleks are the Doctor’s greatest enemies. This episode
shows the audience how scary and menacing the Daleks can be, especially when a
single, simple Dalek can beat an entire army. The Doctor even struggles to beat
it at times.
The Doctor and Rose find themselves in a collector’s museum
featuring bits and pieces of alien’s technologies or specimens of the aliens
themselves, and when the Doctor discovers that there is a Dalek within the
museum, albeit damaged beyond repair, he still warns everyone that even a
damaged Dalek is a force never to go up against. We knew by now that the Doctor
had fought in the last Great Time War and sacrificed his own kind to stop the
war from destroying the entire Universe, because it was the only option… there
was no other way. And when he discovers that a Dalek survived, all that anger
and grief bursts out of him. He rants and raves about how the Dalek shouldn’t
be there, and that it should be afraid of him. We truly saw the pain inside him
for the first time.
This episode is number 3 on the list instead of number 2, is because
number 2 actually puts an entire different perspective on this episode, and
does so in an incredible way.
“Your race is dead! You all burned, all of you. Ten million ships
on fire. The entire Dalek race, wiped out in one second”.
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 2:
The Day of the Doctor
(Series N/A – 50th anniversary episode. Doctor: Matt
Smith (11th incarnation), David Tennant (10th incarnation),
War Doctor. Companion: Clara Oswald)
There’s so much epic in this episode that it’s hard to talk about
it all, but the highlights are the fact that for the first time since the new
run, multiple Doctors share the same screen. The 10th Doctor and the
11th Doctor meet each other and the chemistry between the two is
delightful, only to then increase further when a new, never-before-seen incarnation
of the Doctor pops in to say hi. The Last Great Time War is finally shown in greater
detail than ever before. Rose Tyler returns once more. The Daleks return. And
special guests galore.
Paying homage to every Doctor, and all the many years the show has
been on the air, it couldn’t get any bigger. The Doctor finds himself in London,
looking at a painting which is either called “Gallifrey Falls”, or “No more”. From
that moment onwards, he finds himself meeting his previous incarnation in 1886,
where he had just proposed to Queen Elisabeth 2nd because he thought
that she would say yes, only because she was a Zygon… unfortunately, the Zygon
turned out to be the horse, instead. Oops. Then, after they both met, the one
incarnation that they wish to forget shows up and mistakes them both to be the
Doctor’s companions. When he finds out that they are actually him from the
future, he wonders if he’s going through a mid-life crisis. All three Doctors
then find themselves trapped in the Tower of London, where they figure out a
perfect way to escape… then Clara walks in and says that the door was never
locked in the first place…
I’m making this more confusing that necessary, aren’t I? Sorry
about that. If you would like to understand what is going on, you will have to
watch the episode. If you already have and you are still confused, then I’m
sorry once more.
When I watched this on the day it premiered around the world on 23rd
November 2013, exactly 50 years after the first ever episode in 1963, I was in
awe from the very beginning right to the very end. The visuals were stunning,
the lines of dialogue were on point, and the fantastic connections between the
three Doctors was funny, entertaining, and above all accurate. This episode has
topped many countdown lists ever since it aired, and will continue to do so.
Steven Moffat most definitely delivered one of the greatest episodes. But, be
that as it may, this is indeed the number 2 slot on this list, meaning there
has to be (at least) one more episode to come.
“I’ve had many faces, many lives. But I don’t admit to all of
them. There’s one life I’ve tried very hard to forget. He was the Doctor who
fought in the Time War and that was the day he did it. They day I did it. They
day he killed them all. The Last day of the Time War. The war to end all wars between
my people and the Daleks, and in that battle there was a man with more blood on
his hands that any other. A man who would commit a crime that would silence the
Universe. And that man was me.”
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Number 1:
Blink
(Series 3 – Episode 10. Doctor: David Tennant (10th
incarnation). Companion: Martha Jones)
Heaven Sent
(Series 9 – Episode 11. Doctor: Peter Capaldi (12th
Incarnation). Companion: N/A)
When I started making this list, I knew immediately what episode
was going to be number one: Blink. But, Heaven Sent is an incredibly awesome
episode as well. That should be number 1 as well. I just couldn’t see myself choosing
between one and the other. So I made the decision of having them both. I would
like to say which one is better, but whenever I try to, the strengths of the
other episode remind me that it should be number 1 instead.
Blink is actually the first ever episode of the new-run I ever
saw. Written by Steven Moffat, it features the absolutely wonderfully scary
Weeping Angles, which appear to be statues whenever you look at them, but the
second you turn your back, they move at lightning speeds towards you. If they
touch you, you can be sent back in time where you have to remain there for the
rest of your life. The Weeping Angles then feed of the paradox that is created,
making them stronger. It was also, notably, the scariest episode throughout
series 3. What an episode to begin with.
It’s another episode featuring little of the Doctor, but unlike
Turn Left, it doesn’t feature the companion much either, because they were
caught by the Weeping Angles and was sent back in time where, and because the
TARDIS was still in modern day, they were stuck in the past. The reason why they
weren’t in the episode very much is because they were preparing for the three
part finale that immediately followed.
Sally Sparrow discovers 13 DVDs each one containing little snippets
of the Doctor saying strange, incoherent sentences, and it’s because of these
DVDs that Sally was able to gather up enough information to give to the Doctor
before he actually gets stuck in the past. I know, I’m not explaining this
episode well, either, but that’s time travel for you: “It’s more like a big ball
of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey… stuff”, but Steven Moffat’s incredible writing
makes sure that you are able to follow every second of the episode without scratching
your head, wondering what on earth is going on. Instead, you are mesmerised by
the Weeping Angles.
The first episode that I ever saw of Doctor Who will always be my
number 1 episode.
“Don’t blink. Blink and you’re dead. They’re fast. Faster than you
can believe. Don’t turn your back. Don’t look away. And Don’t blink. Good luck”.
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Heaven Sent is certainly challenging my opinion on what should be
number 1. When I first heard about this episode, what with the Doctor being on
his own for the entire run, I was intrigued. And it went above and beyond
anything I could have ever expected. The Doctor, being on his own after losing
Clara Oswald is a recipe for disaster. He’s not good with being on his own the
best of times, but now’s he’s angry, sad, and doesn’t listen.
Peter Capaldi’s performance in this episode was superb. Taking on
an entire episode upon your shoulders is not an easy thing to do, especially
for an extended run time of an hour instead of the usual 45 minutes, but he
made it look easy. Steven Moffat said that this was the most challenging episode
he has ever written, and it looked it, but it worked like clockwork from
beginning to end.
But, there is something else behind him. That something moves very
slowly. But always, coming for him. It never stops and it never gives up. The
only thing that will make it stop, however, is the Doctor’s confessions. Can the
Doctor give up his secrets to save himself, or will he let that thing take him?
This episode is technically part of a three part finale, but much
like Doomsday, it’s such a great episode it deserves to stand alone.
“If you think because she is dead I am week then you understand
very little. If you were any part of killing her, and you’re not afraid then
you understand nothing at all. S, for your own sake, understand this. I am the
Doctor. I’m coming to find you and I will never ever stop”.
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Honourable mention:
Hell-Bent:
(Series 9 - Episode 12. Doctor: Peter Capaldi (12th Incarnation). Companion: Clara Oswald)
The main reason why this isn't on the official list is because I still can't make up my mind about it. Granted, it is an epic finale and Peter Capaldi once again shows how great of an actor he is, as well as Steven Moffat with his writing talents. Basically, all the elements are there to make up an incredible finale that should beat every other finale that the show has had since the beginning of the new run in 2005, but I just cannot make up my mind.
The episode's ending is what makes me struggle to decide where it lies on the list. So, for now until an indefinite amount of time in the future, this episode will remain in the honourable mentions category.
Below is the link to the episode's IMDB page:
Thanks for reading
Antony Hudson
(TonyHadNouns)
My book, Sector 22: Zoey, is now available on Amazon, eBay, and SkyCat Publications' website:
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