Here you have it, Doctor Who fans! You voted, and now we have part 1 of your Top 50 episodes list! Where will your favorite rank?
In just one weeks time, Whovians all around the world will be gathering on their sofas – sonic screwdrivers in hand – and getting ready to watch series 7 opener “Asylum of the Daleks.” After months of hype, leaks, and plenty of uhhm-ing and aaah-ing on when to actually broadcast the series, Doctor Who will finally be back on our screens. To tie you over until next Saturday, we’ll be counting down your Top 50 favorite episodes of the last 49 years. And trust us, they’ll be surprises.
Before we begin, we feel the need to warn the Classic fans among you that none of the first eight Doctor’s adventures made it on to the list (that’s demographics for ya!), but to soften the blow we’ve included a few of your favorites in the “Honourable Mentions” section.
That’s enough from us, on with the list. Allons-y!
SCHOOL REUNION
Squeezing its way into the top 50, “School Reunion” holds a special place in the hearts of many Classic Who fans. Not only does it see the return of fan-favorite companion Sarah Jane Smith (played by the late, great Elizabeth Sladen) and faithful alien’s best friend K-9, but it gives us an insight into what life is like for people who The Doctor leaves behind. Throw in Giles from Buffy as a monster headmaster and some fabulously bitchy exchanges between Sarah and Rose, and you’re on to a winner. |
THE WATERS OF MARS
One of the grittier episodes of the Tennant era, “The Waters of Mars” explores a darker side to The Doctor we’d rarely seen before. When The Doctor finds himself on the doorstep of a doomed space station, he struggles between saving innocent lives and following his own rules of time travel. With Ten at his most arrogant, and one of the most downbeat endings in the show’s history – “The Waters of Mars” is an unforgettable tragedy. |
THE FIRES OF POMPEII
“The Fires of Pompeii” was only Catherine Tate’s second episode in the role of official companion, and it was in this adventure that she assuaged many nay-sayers fears. Incredible acting from the leads, a believable setting and a truly touching ending helped “The Fires of Pompeii” become one of series 4’s finest moments. |
THE UNICORN AND THE WASP
Pre-broadcast, “The Unicorn and the Wasp” already had enemies because of its frankly ridiculous title. But the episode itself turned out to be a joy – a classic Agatha Christie style mystery with a Doctor Who twist. There were so many ways in which the episode could have failed, but it thankfully avoided them all, resulting in a light-hearted, satisfying mystery with real character. |
DALEK
Doctor Who without the Daleks seems unimaginable now, but due to a licencing dispute they nearly didn’t appear in series 1 at all. Thank the TARDIS they did, because “Dalek” proved itself as a dark and gritty character study – the likes of which we haven’t seen since. Two sworn enemies, both the last of their kind battle in a game of wits, brute strength and compassion. Sometimes, less really is more. |
CLOSING TIME
James Corden’s Craig returns to Doctor Who minus Sophie, instead joined by new-born baby Stormageddon. While the Cybermen strand of the story fell a little short, “Closing Time” is a gem of an episode for its hilarious comedy and The Doctor’s new found bromance. From a 900 year old alien working in a toy shop to a baby calling his Dad “Not-Mum”, this second outing is a welcome relief from the relative darkness of series 6. |
THE GOD COMPLEX
“The God Complex” is Amy and Rory’s last episode as full-time companions of The Doctor, only joining him for interspersed excursions thereafter. And their last proper adventure is a dark one, bringing crippling fear, insanity, and a Minotaur. As a brilliant array of characters have their faith tested and ultimately broken, The Doctor is forced to acknowledge his own god complex – and this time he can’t save everyone. |
THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
Catherine Tate’s first adventure with The Doctor (over a year before she became a full-time companion) is every bit as wacky, festive and bizarre as we’ve come to expect from yule tide episodes. While she’s not quite the character we fell in love with in series 4, Donna Noble is hilarious and even gripping (her warning to the Doctor post-climax is one of the most touching since the revival) throughout. With set pieces including a TARDIS chase down a busy London road and an underground battle with spider-creatures, “The Runaway Bride” is a thoroughly enjoyable romp. |
THE CHRISTMAS INVASION
The second festive special on this list, “The Christmas Invasion” is perhaps most memorable as David Tennant’s debut as The Doctor (minus a “Parting of the Ways” cameo). As Tennant recovers post-regeneration, PM Harriet Jones takes charge and Jackie Tyler is attacked by a psychotic Christmas Tree. In the final confrontation The Doctor quotes the Lion King and re-grows a hand… what’s not to love? |
AMY’S CHOICE
Starring Toby Jones as a darker side of The Doctor’s sub-conscious, “Amy’s Choice” presents Madame Pond with two versions of reality – traversing the universe with The Doctor, or settled with Rory and carrying a baby – and forces her to choose between the two. Featuring a single sentence that manages to sum up the entire show (“Something here doesn’t make sense, let’s go and poke it with a stick”), this episode features all the necessary comedy, threat and emotion to make it one of the greats. |
ROSE
Let’s start the Top 40 where it all began (again). “Rose,” the first episode of Doctor Who for 16 years rebooted the show as a contemporary, self-aware sci-fi show for a mainstream audience. Serving as an introduction not just to a new Doctor, but also one of his most popular companions, the episode takes a creepy premise and uses it to slapstick comic effect (Micky-swallowing wheelie bin, we’re talking to you), “Rose” remains one of the most confident series openers. |
PARTNERS IN CRIME
After the epic event-status of “The Voyage of the Damned” and the series 3 finale, “Partners In Crime” brought the story firmly back down to Earth – Chiswick, specifically. Thoroughly hilarious all the way through (the window mime conversation being a highlight), and featuring the utterly adorable Adipose, “Partners In Crime” is a classic comedy mystery with not-so subtle social commentary. Oh, and there’s the return of Donna as well. |
THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER
Starring Georgia Moffett (daughter of Fifth Doctor Peter Davison) as “The Doctor’s daughter” in “The Doctor’s Daughter” (Moffett went on to marry David Tennant, also making her The Doctor’s wife), Jenny is a “generated anomaly” created from The Doctor’s DNA. In a world of fighting colonies, cloning and warfare, The Doctor, Donna, and Martha try to control the newly born Time Lady and bring peace to two opposing sides. “The Doctor’s Daughter” is a rich, layered episode with an air-punching ending. |
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