As we say goodbye to the Eleventh Doctor in the Doctor Who Christmas special, we rank Matt Smith’s best Doctor Who episodes. What will make it to number one?
The upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special means that it is almost time to say goodbye to Matt Smith, but we aren’t ready to let go just yet. “The Time of the Doctor” will see Matt Smith regenerate into Peter Capaldi, but all of Capaldi’s likeable qualities can’t make up for the heartbreak that we are anticipating.
Related: Why Matt Smith was the real loser in the Doctor Who Christmas Special
In compiling our list, we have combined the two-part Doctor Who episodes into a single entry. Every fan has their own favourite episodes, so make sure to tell us in the comments what your favourite Matt Smith Doctor Who episodes are. For more Matt Smith and Eleventh Doctor appreciation, you can check out the Eleventh Doctor’s best quotes.
The Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor” airs today, December 25, on BBC One at 7:30 p.m. GST in the United Kingdom. It will air in the United States on BBC America at 9 p.m. ET.
As much as we enjoy seeing Matt Smith modelling various types of hats, not even this amazing example could make up for the lack of plot, and of general sense, found in “The Curse of the Black Spot.” This was one episode where the experimentation with different genres just didn’t work out for the Doctor Who team.
Another ultimately lacking offering exists in “The Rings of Akhaten.” The chemistry between Matt Smith and Jenna Louise Coleman was good, the plot was okay, but the episode was awful. We know that the writing team can give us so much more than this – a forgettable episode that gave us nothing of substance, either for the characters or for the season ahead.
We almost ranked this higher, for the pure ridiculousness of it (also, the best title). But when you come down to it, this was far too simple of an episode with far too many characters in it. The cartoon villain and the completely undeveloped characters are flaws that not even Matt Smith riding a dinosaur can make up for. But on the positive side, we did get to see him riding a dinosaur.
“The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe” was the weakest Doctor Who Christmas special that aired during Matt Smith’s time as the Doctor. The Narnia-inspired episode started well, and Smith gave a delightful performance (as always). But the weird trees and the ending made this feel lazy and lacking. The base was there, but it could (and should) have been so much more.
“Victory of the Daleks” is a great example of how not to do a historical episode. We were so excited to see Winston Churchill and the realisation of the London Blitz, but the episode was flat. It didn’t make the most of the elements it had, and seemed more focused on the Dalek facelift than it was on plot and character development. The return of the Daleks should have been brilliant, but here it just wasn’t good enough.
It’s safe to say that vampires were not the best villains ever used on Doctor Who. The setting was wonderful, and it was exciting to see the Doctor interacting with Amy and Rory properly for the first time. But there was a sense that this was an episode that reused and recycled elements from previous episodes, and it wasn’t the best vehicle to show off Matt Smith’s talents.
If we ignore the obviously audience-baiting title, we are still left with not much of an episode. The reveal that Mels was actually River Song was the crux of “Let’s Kill Hitler,” and that much we did enjoy. But the chosen time period could have been utilised much more, and in hindsight we can’t help but see the episode as simply a method to establish the robot replicas that would become so critical in the season finale.
You have to give it to them for trying. Season 7 of Doctor Who was so concerned with trying out different genres that it isn’t surprising not every attempt worked out. “A Town Called Mercy” had a cool premise and a fantastic location, but we weren’t entirely sold on the moral dilemma that the Eleventh Doctor faces. There is a lot of material to work with in the Western genre, if only they could just pull it off.
Page 2: Number 30 – 21, including ‘The Wedding of River Song’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’
Okay, so the end of the episode was a bit lacking, but the overall idea of “Cold War” was so fun that we had to include it at number 30. This episode managed to incorporate so many tropes of Cold War-inspired media, and we had a lot of laughs watching Smith and Coleman race around the tiny submarine. The location and the genre meant there was heightened tension, and this worked wonderfully in Smith’s performance.
Not all fans will agree with this ranking, but the close of season 6 was always somewhat disappointing to us. While there were unique elements (and we loved the return of those eyepatches), the solution to all of the questions asked in this season was unsatisfying. The combination of the fakeout wedding and the fake Doctor made this an episode that couldn’t be salvaged, even by a stellar performance by all of the cast.
Smith has fantastic chemistry with the trio of Vastra, Jenny and Strax, and we loved seeing their return in “The Crimson Horror.” The solution was a little weak (all of this for a prehistorical leech?), but the overall concept was so interesting that we couldn’t help but enjoy it. Smith played well off Coleman as usual, but we were also delighted to see his interactions with Ada and Mrs. Gillyflower, albeit for slightly different reasons.
There was a lot of potential in this two-part episode, but it unfortunately didn’t quite manage to pull off what it set out to do. “The Hungry Earth” had a solid set up, but it was the emotional climax of “Cold Blood” that really bumped this up the list. The three key actors played this so well, that even the weirdly designed Silurians didn’t bother us. It wasn’t perfect, but it was getting closer.
“A Christmas Carol” was absolutely one of the better Christmas specials that we have seen on Doctor Who. Combining Moffat’s quirky take on a real Christmas story with a little Doctor Who magic (or science, whatever we’re calling it), this was a delightful episode that gave Smith room to show off his comedic chops. Not to mention, Marilyn Monroe.
Another controversial choice, but how can we not love “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS”? The first episode to give us a true glimpse past the control room of the TARDIS (rather than just the corridors), we loved the adventure vibe and the reveal about the supporting characters. This was an episode that made us recall Clara’s introduction, and remember the distinct chemistry that Coleman and Smith have, even when they aren’t in the same room.
Any follow up to the season 5 opener was going to have a lot of work to do, but in general “The Beast Below” succeeded. This episode proved that the chemistry between Gillan and Smith was not a fluke, but a relationship that we would continue to enjoy through her time on Doctor Who. The imaginative elements and the badass that was Liz 10 had us smiling, while the emotional ending still packed a punch.
While many fans enjoyed it immensely, the combination of genres in “Hide” is actually what cost this episode a higher place on our list. For us, the 1970s period and the ghost story was all that this episode needed – but it wouldn’t be Doctor Who if it didn’t get overcomplicated once in a while. The love story switch at the end was fun, although it was Smith’s empathy that really sold us on the reveal.
“The Name of the Doctor” was too concerned with bringing back past characters and clever reveals that it didn’t really accomplish all that it could have. Despite the title, Matt Smith was overshadowed by the complicated elements that didn’t all work together. Although it set up the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, it seems safe to say by now that the Clara story didn’t work as well as the writing team may have hoped.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but we loved “Night Terrors.” The creepy one-off episode included fantastic performances from Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill. The reusing of elements like the perception filter did not even bother us; we were too concerned with those terrifying dolls. Although it didn’t entirely fit into the overarching storyline, the plot of the episode was absolutely enjoyable.
Page 3: Number 20 – 11, including ‘Nightmare in Silver’ and ‘The Impossible Astronaut’
“A Good Man Goes to War” was truly a showcase for Matt Smith, as his Doctor must face the consequences of his actions. This episode forced the Doctor to see that his self-perception might be drastically different from the way others perceive him, and Smith expertly showed this realisation over the course of the episode. Not to mention the end of the episode had one of the biggest shocks we have ever seen.
A fascinating new concept was introduced to us in “The Rebel Flesh,” one that would play a critical role in the remainder of the season. Any chance for Matt Smith to interact with himself is always welcome, as were the deeper social issues that they explored in this story of “us and them.” The final reveal was unsurprisingly shocking, and we were left on the edge of our seats.
“The Bells of Saint John” was not a groundbreaking episode, but sometimes they don’t have to be. The abundance of internet-related jokes aside, this was a comfortable introduction to Clara and a solid story that engaged and amused us. The return to the modern day helped to reground the show (and the Doctor) before they departed on more fantastical adventures.
The cubes at the centre of this story are not what captured our attention when watching this episode. No, rather it was the insight into the Doctor’s life with Amy and Rory, as well as the return of Brian and the appearance of Kate Stewart that really got us. It was certainly necessary to show us this insight into the Ponds’ lives before they departed. But it also just happened to be a fantastic episode.
We admittedly loved the first episode from the Matt Smith/James Corden duo more, but “Closing Time” still deserves our praise. Seeing Smith’s Doctor in a (seemingly) mundane setting showed all kinds of aspects that we never have the chance to see when he is travelling around space. We love these episodes because of this domestic dynamic (because admittedly, the actual plot wasn’t the strongest).
The explanation for this plot (space pollen, really?) left a lot to be desired, but the performances in “Amy’s Choice” more than made up for any shortcomings. While the episode focused on Karen Gillan as Amy, it was balanced by a subtle performance by Smith, as the only character who really knew what was going on.
“The Impossible Astronaut” was a stellar episode and a fantastic way to kick off the new season. “Day of the Moon” was slightly more controversial, especially considering the method in which the Doctor managed to save the day this time. But the combination of these two episodes gave viewers a great jumping off point, and provided the first hints for the upcoming season.
This clever episode confronted the Doctor, Amy, Rory, and even the audience. While a Minotaur raced around, both Amy and the Doctor had to accept the fact that he just did not have the ability to save every person all the time. Smith’s masterful performance as he helped Amy make this breakthrough showed us a side of the Time Lord that we had never seen before.
“The Snowmen” is the highest ranked Doctor Who Christmas special on our list, and for good reason. The return of the classic villain was one thing, but the return of Jenna Louise Coleman was another. Despite the grim story matter, both Coleman and Smith brought a necessary element of whimsy to this episode, and the TARDIS in the clouds remains one of our favourite visuals.
If we are being honest, there was only one thing we really liked about “Nightmare in Silver” – and that was Matt Smith. The episode itself was flawed, but it almost didn’t matter. We were too mesmerised by Smith’s performance opposite himself, as he played chess for the control of his body and the planet. This was definitely one of the performances of the season, and it earned this episode its spot.
Page 4: The top 10 Matt Smith ‘Doctor Who’ episodes – what will be number 1?
Once we had recovered from the shocking “Asylum of the Daleks” reveal (namely, Clara’s appearance), we settled in for a roaringly great episode. What made this for us was the connection between Clara and the Doctor, especially given that they were never in the same room. We can’t say enough good things about the Chin and Soufflé Girl. After this episode, we were desperate for more.
The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who was a special thing, and they gave us a special episode. The plot may not have been watertight (and Rose was drastically under-utilised), but just seeing these three Doctors on screen together was joy enough. Also, Matt Smith may have better chemistry with David Tenant than with any other actor on this show.
Much like “The God Complex,” “The Girl Who Waited” gave viewers the opportunity to understand more about the Doctor through the experiences of his companion. In “The Girl Who Waited,” the effects of time with the Doctor became quickly apparent to the trio of Amy, Rory and the Doctor. Stories like this can quickly become silly, but this one was simply heartbreaking.
“The Time of Angels” and “Flesh and Stone” was a two-parter that showed us exactly how a two part story arc should work. The Weeping Angels returned with a killer new twist, and seeing the Eleventh Doctor interact with them gave us a whole new perspective on these creepy killers. The fast pace, twists and turns, and the return of River Song made this an unforgettable story.
Amy and Rory’s farewell episode will always be bittersweet. Even though we knew they were departing, the framing of the episode allowed us (and the Doctor) to believe that they really were going to get through it. While the couple’s scene on the rooftop can always stir a tear, it is Amy’s goodbye to the Doctor, and his reaction, that really and truly destroys us.
“The Lodger” is another controversial choice. While some viewers may have found the pacing somewhat slow in comparison to the more fantastical adventures we were given in season 5, we adored seeing the Eleventh Doctor adjusting to a domestic setting (or not adjusting, as it was). James Corden was brilliant as the sort-of companion, and the combination of Corden and Smith made this one of the most wonderful episodes of Smith’s tenure.
This finale is undoubtedly our favourite two-parter from the Matt Smith era. Somehow, it managed to tie up every loose end and question we had from the season, as well as giving us some of the best lines Matt Smith has ever had. Our favourite, of course: “We’re all stories in the end,” a line that basically exposed the central philosophy of Doctor Who.
It would not be an overreaction to say that “The Doctor’s Wife” blew our minds. Every Doctor Who fan loves the relationship between the Doctor and his TARDIS, but to see the human manifestation of that “sexy” machine? It was almost too much. Except it wasn’t. It was perfect. Smith was absolutely delightful in this mystical episode from the mind of Neil Gaiman.
“Vincent and the Doctor” remains one of the most masterful episodes of Doctor Who we have ever seen. The unflinching depiction of Vincent van Gogh made him the best historical figure that has been on the show to date, and the emotional range shown from all actors in this story made it unforgettable. It was funny, complex, and utterly mad – it really was close to perfect.
It will always come back to “The Eleventh Hour” for us. Matt Smith’s introductory episode was everything we love about Doctor Who – funny, emotional, and a well contained episodic story. Smith was facing a mountain of fan expectation after David Tennant’s departure, but after this episode, we knew our favourite time-and-space-traveller was in the safest of hands.