3 hours ago, ElectroBoy said:

Luckily there are many actual excellent Smith stories to come

94 Kerblam!

Series 11 Episode 7

Doctor: 13th

Companion: Yasmin Khan, Graham O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair

First aired: 18th November 2018

Writer: Pete McTighe

For me, one of the most memorable visuals of Jodie Whittaker's era is the Kerblam man, and the episode is a pretty solid one too, it finishes as the fourth highest of series 11. The Doctor and the fam receive a delivery from Kerblam with a cry for help, so they infiltrate the largely automated company as part of its small team of non-robot staff members. It's a fun concept to see the Doctor and her companions exploring such a huge company like this from the inside, and there's a lot of fun along the way too, from Ryan and Yaz riding the conveyor belt, to the fantastic Lee Mack and Julie Hesmondhalgh guest starring. It still suffers from some of the usual Chibnall-era issues - the companions aren't utilised that well and this episode is further proof that there are too many, despite three different areas of the company being covered, and the message at the end gets a little bit lost - Charlie's rebellion against the automated workforce would have more grounding if he wasn't trying to murder innocent customers - but not in a way that ruins my enjoyment of the episode. Ultimately, it's a really fun episode to watch, it stands out in series 11 in a positive way, and I didn't see the twist about Charlie coming when I first watched, so I'll always appreciate a good plot twist!

I rewatched Kerblam a few months ago - not the best. Potentially a good idea, but so slow and boring. Lee Mack is wasted and the action grinds to halt mid way through. The conveyer belt scene is also a choice.

Defo one of the weaker New Whos (IMO)

93 The End of Time

2009 Christmas Special / 2010 New Year Special

Doctor: 10th

Companion: Wilfred Mott

Also featuring: Saxon Master, Donna Noble, Sylvia Noble, Shaun Temple, Martha Jones, Mickey Smith, Rose Tyler, Jackie Tyler, Captain Jack Harkness, Sarah Jane Smith, Luke Smith

First aired: 25th December 2009 and 1st January 2010

Writer: Russell T Davies

Closing off one of the most successful eras of Doctor Who was always going to be a difficult task, and the result was a two-part episode that aired over the festive season in 2009, which more or less makes a feature length outing combined. Trying to delay the inevitable, the Tenth Doctor finally answers Ood Sigma's call, only to learn that the Master is back, and Donna could be in danger. He enlists Wilf, who serves as companion for the first and only time, and they land at the Naismith mansion. It's an ambitious episode and it was always going to be hard to live up to the hype, and generally, I do really like this two-parter. That said, it came only ~18 months after the epic series 4 finale, and I think that largely does a better job at touching base with familiar faces and embracing nostalgia than this does. That said, this isn't without merit - far from it! John Simm is excellent as a more chaotic Master than we saw before (though the skeletor version is daft), June Whitfield is hilarious as Minnie the Menace, and the chemistry between David Tennant and Bernard Cribbins is phenomenal. Each of the Doctor and Wilf's duologues steal the show, and it all builds up to the end of the Tenth Doctor's journey, where he has to save Wilf at his own expense. It ties a bow on the Doctor's growing arrogance and self-absorbed wallowing and grounds him once again to what the Doctor should be - in a very busy two-parter, it feels just right that the most significant moment is one of the quietest scenes. The Time Lords in this specific moment of time were quite interesting - ruthless and arrogant, though I wish they'd been seeded a little more over the other specials in 2009. Naismith and his daughter were pretty forgettable in the end, but I really enjoy the Vinvocci and the comedy that came with them, and the Doctor's "victory lap" felt like a fitting way to close off not just 10's era, but RTD's first era as showrunner too (though Martha and Mickey needs to be retconned #BringBackMartha x).

All my least fave ones coming up now! End of Time is my least fave who from both Classic and New. Part 2 in particular is tedious and so, so long.

Kerblam, well realistically this could be where the world is going tje more we go down the Ai root and robots doing "our" jobs silly story , Lee macks character was the main standout even if was wasted, enjoyed the nod to the 11th doctor "ordering a fez" standard chibnall era where the companions were spare parts 😅

TEOT, not bad episodes but trying to be celebration of the RTD1 era literally 4 episodes after the series 4 finale probably took away part of the impact, was nice to see the timelords again even if they were pretty easily disposed off again 😅 I dont feel the masters threat was as great as series 3 either took too long getting to his point, will and 10s pairing was a nice touch makes you wonder how an older full time companion might actually work, the twist that wilf was the thing that "killed" him after the big threat was gone was well done, along with avoiding Donna, the goodbye lap was a nice touch shame we didnt get to see any development on the alonso captain Jack front or if hickey and Martha teases might of gone somewhere into torchwood etc, the rose one was cleverly done too, but as said probably would of been more impactful if wasn't so close to Journeys end, although the way ge didnt "want to die" did make him look like a bit of an arse 😅

92 Joy to the World

2024 Christmas Special

Doctor: 15th

Also featuring: Ruby Sunday, Anita Benn

First aired: 25th December 2024

Writer: Steven Moffat

Our most recent Christmas episode is next to depart, and it saw former showrunner Steven Moffat returning once again to pen his first festive episode in seven years. The Doctor visits the Time Hotel and meets a woman called Joy, who becomes entwined in a sinister plan that links back to Villengard. In true Moffat style, the episode ditches a linear narrative for some timey-wimeyness, and it fits the concept of the Time Hotel well. Nicola Coughlan is great as Joy and I like that the show finally touches on covid in some degree, even if it doesn't mention it by name - still quite bold to be calling out the tories on prime time festive viewing so good on you, Moffat. The actual threat feels secondary to the character drama but I don't mind because it's mostly strong, particularly during the middle section where the Doctor spends a year on Earth with Anita. The pacing of the episode is thrown off significantly by this (and I think the second half of the Time Hotel action slightly suffers for it), but it's my favourite part of the episode, and I'd really love to see Anita as a permanent companion one day, I think she'd be fantastic! Anita feels like such an unassuming character, too, barely featuring in the promotional material, though I think she serves more of a companion role than Joy does (I don't see Joy as a companion at all despite the starring credit, a little like Madge Arwell in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe). The final seconds are a little bit daft but I'm a little more forgiving of that stuff in festive episodes...! A solid episode overall, plenty of fun to be had and a lot deeper than it appeared at moments too.

I need to give Joy to the World a rewatch I remember enjoying most of it, but wasn’t keen on the ending.

Possibly didn’t help everyone was chatting through it at Christmas!

Smile is great.....until the ending...

I'd have swapped SATE and TRR around where they be on my countdown...Polish Polish is a icon though! Merch when doctor who team x

Knock Knock is a ep I adore but I don't think many would agree with me on that :rofl:

The New York Dalek two parter (ft Andrew Garfield <3) is actually a lot better than people claim it to be...HEAR ME OUT!

Out of the recent two parter finales...I prefer The Wish World/The Reality War more than The Legend Of Ruby Sunday/Empire Of Death...both had their faults but I think the former had stronger two eps than the latter. I feel that may be a unpopular opinion though.

Kerblam is a pretty good ep in Jodie's first run!

The End Of Time is good fun! and tbh I feel like it serves well as 10's last outing..not the best story overall but I will say The relationship between Wilfred and The Doctor is fantastic throughout the eps! I genuinely feel like Doctor views Wilfred as a dad figure

Joy To The World is good but at times can feel like the conpanion was casted wrongly if that makes sense because we barely know the actual companion in it (apart from the moment we find out about her mother) but we spend so much with Anita that she becomes the companion to us it feels like.

91 Ascension of the Cybermen / The Timeless Children

Series 12 Episode 9-10

Doctor: 13th

Companion: Yasmin Khan, Graham O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair

Also featuring: Spy Master, Fugitive Doctor

First aired: 23rd February and 1st March 2020

Writer: Chris Chibnall

Another divisive finale, and this one I understand a bit more because of how significant it made itself in terms of Doctor Who lore. This lands itself higher than the RTD2 finales, mostly because of the strength of the first half. With the Lone Cyberman assembling an army, the Doctor and Ryan get separated from Yaz and Graham as they attempt to save the last of humanity from being upgraded. Interspersed is the story of an Irish man called Brendan, who gets adopted and becomes a police officer. Ascension of the Cybermen is one of the strongest Whittaker era episodes on its own, packed full of great tension, high stakes, fantastic visuals, and a great opportunity to see Yaz and Graham having to step up while separated. The new Cyberman design is fantastic and Ashad is a superb twist on the typical Cyberman, bringing back the body horror aspect somewhat. This continues a little into the second episode too, and whilst I do enjoy the second episode, on its own it would have dropped out a while back. The Cybermen play second fiddle to an exposition dump of Timeless Child lore, a controversial part of Doctor Who history, which doesn't really bother me too much but I think it took up what should have been the conclusion to an epic Cyber story. Ashad is disposed of way too quickly and the Cyber Masters didn't really wow me as a concept, it ventures into the same issue that Nightmare In Silver had - overpowered Cybermen who effectively serve as robots. The Doctor basically just letting Ko Sharmus sacrifice himself to save the day felt a little out of character, too. A very polarising two-parter but Ascension really deserves to be recognised, I just wish it committed to the Cyberman story it set up!

90 The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky

Series 4 Episode 4-5

Doctor: 10th

Companion: Donna Noble, Martha Jones

Also featuring: Sylvia Noble, Wilfred Mott, Rose Tyler

First aired: 26th April and 3rd May 2008

Writer: Helen Raynor

The long-awaited return of the Sontarans in modern Who was one of the most hyped moments of series 4, but actually ends up as the second lowest placed episode of my favourite series. The Doctor and Donna are summoned to Earth by Martha, who now works for UNIT. Together, they infiltrate an ATMOS factory, which produces a satnav which also reduces all carbon emissions in cars to zero. I have a lot of fun watching this two-parter, I remember being super excited to see Martha back, and it's the first time we've been able to check in with a companion properly since leaving the Doctor which I really like. Donna returning home is a powerful moment, too, particularly when she and Wilf catch each other's eyes! It's also good to see UNIT in New Who for the first proper time. The Sontarans are pretty decent, I particularly like the scene of General Staal "recruiting" the two UNIT soldiers, but the "Sontar-Ha" catchphrase is a little daft and isn't really needed - they're done better in War of the Sontarans, which is still to come. Luke Rattigan is suitably unlikeable and weasel-y, although I think Ryan Sampson's acting is hampered slightly by the American accent. Nonetheless, I enjoy the Doctor putting him in his place! Another highlight is Donna working her way through the Sontaran ship, it's great development for her character (which series 4 regularly excels at). Lots of humour throughout too - "are you my mummy?", the Doctor thinking Donna was going home for good, and Donna's "back of the neck"

Luke Rattigan - the OG Demon Twink x

89 The Doctor's Wife

Series 6 Episode 4

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Amy Pond, Rory Williams

First aired: 14th May 2011

Writer: Neil Gaiman

I feel like the placement of this will be somewhat controversial, though once again I must stress that this is just a personal ranking and not an objective one! The Doctor takes Amy and Rory to a pocket universe where he believes there's another Time Lord alive, but what lies waiting for them is House, a sentient being that had actually murdered several Time Lords and constructed two people, Auntie and Uncle, from their body parts. As Amy and Rory are terrorised by House, who takes over the TARDIS, the TARDIS itself actually joins the Doctor through the body of a woman named Idris. I think it's a strong concept, and one of the most unique Doctor Who episodes there is. Amy and Rory's scenes are trippy and I love that the TARDIS being so large is not just explored on screen (a bit), but also used against them. There's an interesting story told through Idris too, though I find her a little irritating throughout the story, I must admit. The Doctor talking with the TARDIS does feel a little cringe on paper and that shows on screen at times, but that doesn't stop it being a solid idea, albeit one that I find a little overrated. (and sorry, there's another possibly controversial 11 elimination coming next)

JTTW, better christmas episode than the one from the previous year, was definitely an episode of 2 half's, the Anita thing makes more sense now we had season 2 finale, seemed random at the time give Joy was supposed to be the main companion (did Anita actually have more time ?) The doctor and Anita's relationship was really well done, the joy doctor not so well think she could of done with a bit more development give the sacrifice a bit more bite

AOTC/TTC, the first half really did go a long way in undoing previous cybermen episodes where they wernt really seen as a threat, shame TTC undid that, the cybermasters did look cool though even if turned out to be naff, Sacha is a fantastic master and wouldn't mind seeing him again, (john simms came back after missy so its not impossible)

TSS/TPS, 2 words Martha Jones, I'll keep saying it underrated companion still dont believe we got enough of her, quite enjoyed the sontaron return, luke was the perfect love to hate villian definitely a strong couple of episodes, which helped develop the doctor donna relationship, (they liked splitting them up a lot didnt they) but somethings gotta be bottom end of a fantastic series

TDW another great episode but we'll syranne Jones so it was always going to be, interesting concept, quite like the fact that they basically proved what we all already knew and that the tardis is really in charge, would it of made a difference if we found out who the tricked timelords were who knows, the junk tardis was an interesting concept inspiring Ncuti first finale as well hopefully it doesnt become an overused concept (yes they were 12 years apart but still 🤣)

TDW I think is alright some of the dialogue between the Doctor and Idris Is extremely cringe.

Some good creepy moments in the TARDiS though with House taunting Amy and Rory. As a story it feels like it’s become less popular over time - i haven’t actually watched it for a while!

3 hours ago, ElectroBoy said:

TDW I think is alright some of the dialogue between the Doctor and Idris Is extremely cringe.

Some good creepy moments in the TARDiS though with House taunting Amy and Rory. As a story it feels like it’s become less popular over time - i haven’t actually watched it for a while!

This is interesting, I haven't really tracked how popular it's remained, but it does feel less talked about than before!

I think any drop in popularity for The Doctor's Wife would really be down to one thing only, which is a massive shame as it's definitely such a highlight of series 6 (a near-flawless series in general let's be real xx).

Need to catch up on a lot here so will make my way through and provide some thoughts in due course

88 The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon

Series 6 Episode 1-2

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Amy Pond, Rory Williams, River Song

First aired: 23rd and 30th April 2011

Writer: Steven Moffat

Series 6 brought us a few (modern) Doctor Who firsts, and one of those was a two-parter to kick the series off. What a two-parter it was, too! The Impossible Astronaut hit hard from its opening scenes, with the Doctor seemingly killed off...! Amy, Rory and River are invited by the Doctor to a picnic, though after his death, they find out the Doctor also invited his younger self, and investigate the existence of the Silence, a mysterious race which make you forget you ever saw them as soon as you look away. I think there were many moments of genius through this story - the unusual structure certainly delivered intrigue, the concept of the Silence was fantastic, and Canton's one of the most memorable and likeable guest characters of 11's era (and Nixon being used almost entirely for comedy in Day of the Moon ). It obviously sets a lot up for later in the series, and later in 11's era, and this at times can make it a slightly frustrating watch, because Day of the Moon somehow provides more questions, rather than answering much of what The Impossible Astronaut sets up! With hindsight this is less of a problem as I know it's all pretty much addressed later, but I remember on first viewing feeling so baffled!! One issue I do still have with the story is how the cliffhanger of The Impossible Astronaut is largely ignored as Day of the Moon immediately jumps three months and the companions are being chased by the FBI (?!), it feels like an unnecessary diversion and only makes a confusing story even more confusing. It almost has too much going on at times - reining some of these elements in would make it a more enjoyable watch for me. Nevertheless, it's a bold story and an even bolder series premiere, and certainly set the tone for a different vibe throughout series 6, so I can't help but respect the ambition.

Oh maybe I won't catch up

Way way too low!

A great story to kick off Series 6. I remember at the time being frustrated about so many arcs. But tbh it’s meant I’ve enjoyed them so much more on a rewatch when you can draw everything together.

But yeah one of my faves!