Turn Left is awesome by any standards, one of my most favouritist episodes of any TV show ever.

 

Fab

7

 

The Waters of Mars

 

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu94/Jane_Connor_album/DH_WoM_2.jpg

 

Ahhh, there's FAR too much to say about this episode to fit it into a small bit of commentary! This was the third of four specials that would spell the end of David Tennant's time as the Doctor. We had 'The Next Doctor' as the traditional Christmas special episode in 2008, then 'Planet of the Dead', and then it came to this episode... The two episodes prior had been nothing short of mediocre and the definition of average, but my god this episode was the literal meaning of PERFECTION squashed into just one hour. I think it's fair to say this episode has certainly cemented itself as a firm favourite in the history of Doctor Who. Just from the very beginning of the episode you can tell it's going to be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster when the Doctor lands on Mars and enters the base only to find that he has acquainted himself with the crew of Bowie Base One, and he knew exactly what was going to happen to all of them. They were all bemused by his detailed knowledge on each and every one of them - and he even noticed that two of the crew were missing!

The introduction to the monster was excellently done too. Nothing simpler than just pulling out the freshly grown carrots you'd planted a while ago, giving them a little water down just to make sure you're not going to get infected by a bit of soil - only to end up infected by the water you've cleaned them with and become a monster that produces endless supplies of water and with skin more cracked and unappealing than Dot Branning. But seriously, I remember reading that all of the critics thought that this monster was one of the scariest Doctor Who had ever had, and that the episode itself was too scary for the children. They were right, and it really was a terrifying concept. Having something that we drink every day, touch every day to wash our hands, use to clean our teeth, etc. turn out to be something you should not touch at all - not even one drop - I'm sure many children across the UK were scared to go for a bath or shower after watching that episode!

Anyway, the moments of the episode that really get to me the most and make me close to tears are (there are three of them): 1. When Adelaide refuses to let the Doctor leave the base because she wants him to tell her what happens to all of them on this very day, and what their fate will come to mean. He tells her that they all die today, and that Adelaide's granddaughter Suzie Costello will go out in a rocket and try to find her grandmother - that's who she's destined to be. The Dalek that Adelaide saw through the window in her home when she was just a little girl knew that she would die today because it was a fixed point in time. And then Adelaide let's the Doctor leave the base. That is honestly one of the most endearing, but saddening at the same time, moments ever. 2. When all of the remaining crew start to pack everything up to leave Bowie Base, getting all the supplies they'll need for what will be a very long trip home, and then suddenly the water starts to divide the team from Steffi. And once the water finally backs her into a corner that she simply cannot escape from at all - we see her transform into one of the monsters that have haunted the base for the past 45 minutes. That was honestly a heartbreaking moment, because she truly was such a likeable character and not seeing her survive in the end along with the others was devastating. But most devastating of all is 3. when the Doctor returns Adelaide and her other two crew members home, Adelaide confronts the 'Time Lord Victorious' and tells the Doctor that he is wrong. Adelaide MUST die today, it's a fixed point in time and she's not going to have anybody tell her otherwise. So she goes into her home as the Doctor requests, but instead of living her life to the end, shoots herself and does indeed die as records suggested. Honestly so heartbreaking to see. That was a moment where we had to sort of dislike the Doctor for a moment because his ego had pushed somebody far enough that they took their life because of him (in a way).

This, quite simply, is an episode of Doctor Who that will remain timeless, quite possibly leave you in tears or at the very least give you goosebumps, and will remain one of the most beautiful episodes of the show. And that is my completely biased commentary over x

 

Average 9.136

Highest score 11 (Calum Hood, April, Rabbit Froot)

Lowest score 6 (Michael!)

 

Two outstanding episodes in a row there. I'd probably go as far as to say that The Waters of Mars is my favourite episode ever, for all the reasons that you have stated.

Turn Left is something so different for Doctor Who and I think that's why I love it so much. As you said, seeing the events of previous Earth-set episodes unfold from an alternative perspective is incredibly interesting but the ending where Donna kills herself to save her future is possibly one of Catherine Tate's most emotional moments. Her and Billie Piper's chemistry was incredible.

 

GOD, I miss old-new-Who :(

6

 

The Stolen Earth

 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/ede6db59b5b99e0c59f69df50e6fa722/tumblr_miqqx3XA5b1r3193eo4_r1_500.gif http://24.media.tumblr.com/1f5c0496e0343c11b33ed5ce50dc47ac/tumblr_miqqx3XA5b1r3193eo3_r1_500.gif

 

We're moments away from the top 5, but before that, crashing out at #6 is a series 4 episode (leaving two more occupying spaces in the top 5), 'The Stolen Earth'. Technically the second part of a three-parter, but in terms of overall story, the first of a two-parter. This was the finale to end all finales in terms of RTD stories. We'd had the Daleks trying to conquer the world and make the Doctor cease to exist in 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways', we had the Daleks and the Cybermen form an alliance against the Doctor before turning on one another and... trying to take over the world, then in series 3 we had the Master trying to, you guessed... take over the world. And in this finale, the Daleks were back once again to try and take control, but this time with their master and creator DAVROS in tow.

This was the episode that introduced us to yet another part of the Daleks' rich history, and RTD cleverly introduced a new generation to the creator of all evil in the universe. And he was actually pretty frightening and gruesome looking! Great work from the prosthetics and design team in this episode, I'd say! It wasn't until later on in the episode that we found out it actually was Davros though (if it wasn't obvious enough from the hints early on in the episode).

Anyway, moving on. This episode is so memorable for many different reasons. 1. Sarah Jane and Luke were there. 2. Torchwood were there (DAT CROSSOVER *.*). 3. Mickey and Jackie were there. 4. ROSE WAS BACK!!11!!. 5. The closing moments of the episode... This really was one of the most emotional scenes from the show, I'd say. After parting ways at Bad Wolf Bay back in 2006 - Rose and the Doctor were reunited in a deserted street on Earth. Running towards each other, so much more than ecstatic to finally see one another again, and then creeps up a Dalek from behind the parked car and the Doctor is shot. So he must now regenerate. Did nobody else think at the time, just for a second, when Rose, Jack and Donna got him into the TARDIS and he started to regenerate that this was the end of the David Tennant era? :o Full regeneration in swing, Donna crying her eyes out, Rose and Jack fully aware this is what happens next but never wanting it to happen for a second, and then... 'TO. BE. CONTINUED.'... when Journey's End's placing is revealed.

 

The top 5 in alphabetical order:

 

Army of Ghosts

Blink

Doomsday

Journey's End

The Unicorn and the Wasp

 

Average 9.167

Highest score 11 (JosephStyles)

Lowest score 6 (Severin)

 

Fantastic, fantastic episode! It only begs the question - HOW is The Unicorn and the Wasp top five?! 😑

The Stolen Earth is my #1 favourite (if I *had* to pick out of that and Journey's End, that is - I like to keep two-parters together really), shame it's missed the top 5 but I can't argue with most of those that did make it! The Unicorn and the Wasp sticks out like a sore thumb there, it's considerably weaker than the others imo, still great but my least favourite of series 4 (which didn't have a single weak episode for me).

I'm going to need Blink to win then, I didn't really enjoy the Army Of Ghosts/Doomsday 2-parter much, Journey's End is decent but not best episode worthy and while I did enjoy The Unicorn And The Wasp that is a BEYOND BAFFLING top 5 for it. Particularly as it's outdone by most of the other historical episodes.

 

Lovely to see Fires Of Pompeii and Waters Of Mars up this high though, two absolute classics and both very emotional.

5

 

Doomsday

 

http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/608xn/images/p00w1sd0.jpg

 

This episode has one of the most tragically beautiful moments that the show has ever seen, in my opinion. The moment when the Doctor and Rose are holding on for dear life with the magma clamps in the Torchwood institute while Daleks and Cybermen alike (along with the Genesis Ark) are being sucked into the void, suddenly the systems start to shut down and Rose reaches out to try and stop it from happening. In doing so, she seals her fate and while she has a loose grip on the lever to pull it back up and lock the systems online - she can't get a proper grip and falls straight back and into the void, separated from the Doctor forever. The moment straight after where she and the Doctor both have their faces and a hand against the wall at either side is just chilling. Rose was gone, just like that.

The scenes that followed where the Doctor calling Rose's name and leading her to Bad Wolf Bay for them to say their final goodbye (not very final, but go with it~), were also incredibly emotional. Rose was stood before a hologram of the Doctor, projected onto the bay so that they could both talk while the Doctor stayed at home with his feet up in the TARDIS, mourning the loss of one of his most faithful companions, and quite possibly the closest thing to a girlfriend he's ever had. In the end, she goes on to live her life with mother Jackie, father Pete and on-off lover Mickey waiting until she can meet the Doctor again by stepping through from the parallel universe and into the real world. Just looking at the YouTube video to add it to the bottom here, it gave me chills! The definition of British drama done extremely well!

 

Average 9.250

Highest score 11 (seantobewild, JosephStyles)

Lowest score 5 (Iz~)

 

4

 

Army of Ghosts

 

http://www.doctorwhoreviews.altervista.org/2006-12_files/Army%20of%20Ghosts%20(8).jpg

 

This is a story I'm surprised to see has managed to make it not only into the top 5, but into the top 4! Would only have expected to see this in the top 20 (at the very most!) before the results had all been compiled. I'm guessing this has managed to get as high as this for being coupled with 'Doomsday', which is a more extraordinary singular episode really. Anyway, this episode is good, but nothing that represents the absolute best of Who, I don't think. The one thing I will say is that Tracey-Ann Oberman MAKES this episode as good as it is, she's sassy, classy, a tiny bit sexy and should really have been a character that appeared in a few future episodes starring Torchwood, or even have her in Torchwood itself - she would have been very interesting alongside Jack and Gwen! A bit like Suzie, but much more tolerable (and they wouldn't have killed her in the very first episode if that were the case).

More about the episode though, I absolutely loved the concept of this. Ghosts coming back from the dead, walking freely around Earth - one even going into the Queen Vic for a quiet pint before being chased out by the Panto Queen Barbara Windsor, uttering her iconic line "GET OUTTA MY PUB!". But it was never meant to be because at the end of the episode it was revealed that the ghosts of all of these so-called dead people were in fact... CYBERMEN. They were back. They were there earlier in the series, but they were back to cause more trouble as part of a double threat alongside the Daleks! It was really quite terrifying. That's all I really have to say on this episode though, oops.

 

Average 9.333

Highest score 11 (Michael!, Chez Wombat)

Lowest score 7 (Iz~)

 

I kind of expected Doomsday to come second to Journey's End (that's still in, right?). So what else is top 5?

I kind of expected Doomsday to come second to Journey's End (that's still in, right?). So what else is top 5?

Only 'Blink', 'Journey's End' and 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' remaining now! :o

Yvonne was amazing! Although tbf Tracy-Ann Oberman is amazing in everything.

WHY is Unicorn still in? That two-parter really was amazing, my fave story other than The Stolen Earth/Journey's End.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a556/jennacolemanfan/top3_zpskthfssbe.png

Lol bye. I know I didn't vote but that's absurd.

The Wasp thing still in though? :blink:

Lol bye. I know I didn't vote but that's absurd.

I know :(

Army of Ghosts/Doomsday was incredible, the perfect conclusion to an incredible series. I remember the shock that passed me as that sphere opened and the Daleks came out as well as the Cybermen that were already there. Incredible, and both episodes had brilliant levels of action, suspense and heart to support that incredible pairing of villains, which worked out brilliantly ('you are only superior in one respect...you are better at dying' <3).

 

Blink needs to win though, I'm sure it will. The Unicorn and the Wasp was good, but I'm not sure it deserves top 3.

Edited March 17, 201510 yr by Chez Wombat

THE UNICORN AND THE WASP?!

 

It's EASILY among the worst 10 episodes, not the best 3. You should all be ASHAMED.

lmao imagine if The Unicorn and the Wasp WINS.