37 The Girl Who Waited

Series 6 Episode 10

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Amy Pond, Rory Williams

First aired: 10th September 2011

Writer: Tom MacRae

Series 6 is wiped out next, with its top episode being another of the more standalone episodes in a very arc-heavy series. At a holiday resort on the planet Apalapucia, Amy becomes trapped in a quarantine away from the Doctor and Rory, and with the former unable to risk exposure to the disease that caused the quarantine, it's all up to Rory to rescue his wife. I love the focus on Amy and Rory's relationship here and I think it's arguably Arthur Darvill's finest episode, as Rory steps up both in character for Amy, and in terms of his role in the episode, given it's something of a Doctor-lite episode. Karen Gillan also delivers in bucketloads as both younger and older Amy, the latter being significantly more bitter and resentful of the time she was forced to spend alone on Apalapucia, with her faith in the Doctor depleted. The Handbots weren't super prominent as villains but I don't think they needed to be, given how character-focused this episode was (and that's always something I love). I cringe a little at the Macarena moment but otherwise, a really great episode with some superb performances, and great twists too - the Doctor shutting the older Amy outside the TARDIS was extremely cruel (if necessary).

gurl, this should be top 10 at LEAST x

Honestly a flawless episode and further proof that Tom MacRae really should have either made himself available or been asked to write more for the show, because he delivered both times and especially here. This is probably Karen at her very best as Amy for me; I've tended to find that on rewatching series 5-7 I'm not as much of a fan of Amy as I was when the episodes first aired. So many beautiful, yet heartbreaking, moments throughout this and it hits all the right notes

The Girl Who Waited is a great story! Also amazing really that it is just the Doctor, Amy and Rory + handbots in the whole thing.

Probably Karen Gillan's best performance in the show as well. Yeah I'd have this one a fair bit higher too.

TGWW another fantastic episode, Karen Gilan smashed both versions of Amy out of the park , that ending was expertly acted, gutwrenching but necessary , sometimes its easy to forget it was a 3 hander episode and you had to feel for Rory making those tough decisions kudos to Arthur Daville definitely one thats worth the rewatches

36 Partners in Crime

Series 4 Episode 1

Doctor: 10th

Companion: Donna Noble

Also featuring: Sylvia Noble, Wilfred Mott, Rose Tyler

First aired: 5th April 2008

Writer: Russell T Davies

A lot of the most acclaimed Doctor Who episodes are the thought-provoking episodes, or the experimental episodes, or the darker, more scary episodes. With the vast scope the show has, I think it's important to embrace the more fun episodes too. Both investigating Adipose Industries separately, the Doctor and Donna finally meet each other again, and fight to stop the latest weight-loss craze from decimating the human race. I was a little sceptical of Donna becoming a full-time companion at the time - she was great in The Runaway Bride but she felt like a one-off companion who didn't have much scope beyond that. Never have I been so happy to be wrong! This episode is full of great comedy between the Doctor and Donna (the mime when they see each other again is the greatest moment in the show's history x), but it also sets up a new dynamic, with a more independent version of Donna, who's keen to see the world and embrace a fresh start in life. Sarah Lancashire is superbly camp as Miss Foster, and her death was extremely cruel, despite everything...!! The Adipose are the cutest "monsters" the show's ever seen too, I wanted one of the plush toys for years, only finally got my hands on one a few years back Major shoutout to the scene between Donna and Wilf on the hill (originally Donna and father Geoff, recorded just before Howard Attfield sadly passed away), which added an extra vulnerability to Donna's character, and kickstarted one of the greatest on-screen family relationships I've seen. I suppose this is something of a comfort episode for me, what with it kicking off my favourite series, but it's also very rewatchable and a true testament to Doctor Who's success is the vast array of tones it can pull off. (also, the Rose surprise gagged me so much on first watch!!!)

I love this episode, its comedy gold. One of my most rewatched episode. Maybe even top 10 for me.

PIC, was very sceptical when Catherine Tate was announced to be returning for series 4, TRB bride was a great episode but I was not looking forward to shouty Donna returning, glad that was corrected very quickly and any worries were washed away, Tennant and Tate have great chemistry and that office scene was comedy gold, yes the adipose were hardly a threat but a cute marketing gimmick I loved, definitely a great series opener and that Rose cameo 😮 (my only what if is the abandoned Penny as companion would she have worked as well)

PIC is alright, a fun adventure - but probably wouldn't be anywhere near my top 50.

Its a good Donna story though and plenty of funny moments. The plot/ villain feels very Sarah Jane Adventures (which isn't a bad thing... just aimed at different people).

The Rose cameo was a big WTF moment though.

Edited January 14Jan 14 by ElectroBoy

Partner's In Crime is the pwrfect way to start series four, the humour and campness is what doctoor who is all about...im waving at fat x

The girl who waited is Karen Gillians finest hour for me. Perfectually playing that jaded older amy who had to fend for herself. Adore.

Also looking back at recent eps you did, so many good ones:

• Aslyum Of The Daleks: Great twist, good acting and character moments from Amy and Rory

• Dot and Bubble: good twist that the whole civilisation the doctor was trying to help was racist and to see that acting from Ncuti at end, you can feel everything he feels. Its fun to rewatxh and see all the hints in the ep.

• The Time Of Angels/Flesh and Stone: A tense two parter, I actually think the angels was still very scary in this two parter (although i dont like that scene where we see them move)

• The Haunting Of Villa Diodati: Great episode for Jodie's doctor.

• Rosa: Great historical ep that grew on me over time although I know the true villian is racism but I wish the "sci-fi/alien' threat had more going for him other than a not fully fleshed out white guy who is racist. It just felt odd from what i remember. Other than that great ep, each cast shines and yes Vinette Robinson is amazing as Rosa.

35 Fugitive of the Judoon

Series 12 Episode 5

Doctor: 13th

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

Also featuring: Fugitive Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness

First aired: 26th January 2020

Writer: Vinay Patel & Chris Chibnall

There's nothing quite like a surprise in Doctor Who, and this episode kept them coming! Upon hearing that the Judoon have landed on Earth, the Doctor and friends investigate, but the Doctor's quickly separated as she protects the Judoon's unassuming fugitive, a tour guide called Ruth, but the secrets that unravel even surprise Ruth herself. I remember there being a spoiler warning for this episode, warning that it's one to watch live, so I had high expectations even beyond the exciting return for the Judoon. When Captain Jack appeared, I was ecstatic. I'd seen no spoilers at all (if any even surfaced), so it was a true shock and it was a much welcomed comeback (at the time). The scenes with Jack and the "fam" were fun, albeit too brief, but obviously that was rectified later down the line. After that surprise, I really wasn't ready for what was still to come. The Ruth storyline was intriguing, and I loved Jo Martin immediately, but when the real twist arrived, I was gobsmacked! A really great plot twist to have her be an unseen incarnation of the Doctor. Obviously, that storyline wasn't really followed up on so well, but that doesn't make this episode any less riveting on a rewatch for me. Jo Martin's absolutely phenomenal, and it finishes as series 12's top episode.

FOTJ, great episode love the twist of Jo Martin as a secret doctor and the suprise return cameo of Jack, shame he only appeared in 1 more episode for reasons, Judoon episode is always a winner too deserves to be high 🙌

34 Flatline

Series 8 Episode 9

Doctor: 12th

Companion: Clara Oswald

Also featuring: Rigsy, Danny Pink, Missy

First aired: 18th October 2014

Writer: Jamie Mathieson

Most Doctor-lite stories are approached in one of two ways. One way is writing about characters that haven't met the Doctor yet (or did so off-screen before the episode), and the other is to confine the Doctor to one location, making all of their scenes doable in a short period of time. Flatline took the latter approach, and it feels so natural that it doesn't even feel like the Doctor's not actually present for most of the action, because, in a way, he is - he's just in the tiny TARDIS in Clara's bag! With the TARDIS shrinking and the Doctor stuck inside, Clara is forced to investigate the local area. With the help of Rigsy, a young lad doing community service, she finds fearsome 2D beings, desperate to understand the third dimension. I love how creative this episode is - the Boneless are a genius idea, and it allows for some great concepts, such as the door handles being flatted to 2D. Rigsy's a great supporting character too and I'm glad we got to see him again (although more on that later!), but the real praise has to be given to Jenna Coleman, who gives one of her best performances as Clara, showing her capability of leading from the front. The ending feels a tiny bit rushed but it's a small critique that doesn't dampen by enjoyment of the whole episode.

Flatline was a great episode for jenna Coleman to flex her acting chops , it really did further the arc that Clara believed she was as big or bigger than the doctor, Rigsy as a "companion" to her was very well done and would of worked well as a semi recurring character, personally I feel Rigsy got more character development here than Ryan did in the whole chibnal era, a very strong episode overall

Flatline is a great concept and definitely a stand out of Series 8. Rigsy and Clara work well together too.

33 Boom

Season 1 Episode 3

Doctor: 15th

Companion: Ruby Sunday

First aired: 18th May 2024

Writer: Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat's return to Doctor Who brought a unique concept, with an intriguing take on a relatively more lower-budget episode for the show. In the middle of a war on Kastarion 3, the Doctor steps on a landmine that's just one wrong move away from detonating, but it's not only the landmine that creates cause for concern. The writing in this episode, as you'd expect from a Moffat script, is superb, and it was a welcome reminder of just how much he understands the character of the Doctor. The concept was brilliant too - confining the Doctor to one spot for the entire episode leaves him without some control, especially as things escalate. I don't think there's a better display of the on-screen chemistry between Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson as I think this is the only script that truly gives them both room to breathe as characters. Also loved the surprise of Varada Sethu popping up as Mundy Flynn, a role she brought some really great layers to in a short space of time, and the concept of the Ambulance is brilliant, not to mention the twist surrounding the real circumstances of the war. Full of great commentary about war as well as delivering on character moments throughout, a real highlight of Ncuti's era.

Boom was probably the best episode of Season one, for me, the simplicity of it was typical Stephen Moffat , millie and Ncuto were both given plenty of time to shine and this was probably the first incident of them proving they were perfect casting, the Ruby getting shot scene was definitely shocking value even though we knew there was no way they were getting rid of her so soon. If this was episode 1 rather than 3 I think the critics might not of been so harsh and potentially a lot of viewers may of been retained

would of been nice for the Mundy Flyn/Belinda to be solved better than it was later as it was teased to be bigger (even Ruby mentioning that she looked familiar when they finally met would of been nice)

Boom is ok, I enjoyed it on first watch but I do find it lulls in places. I kinda feel I should like it more.

DS1 wise I've rewatched 73 Yards/ Dot and Bubble a lot more... Rogue too I think

32 Oxygen

Series 10 Episode 5

Doctor: 12th

Companion: Bill Potts, Nardole

First aired: 13th May 2017

Writer: Jamie Mathieson

This episode following Boom feels quite appropriate as they have similar angles - big corporations monetising in the most immoral senses. Following a distress call to a space station, the Doctor, Bill and Nardole are left stranded without the TARDIS, and forced to wear "smart" spacesuits that can operate on their own, and provide their only source of oxygen, measured in breaths. Terrifyingly, it's the suits that also pursue them, with their inhabitants dead. I'd forgotten how good this episode was when I rewatched it - it's terrifying! The concept of measuring breaths is so bleak, yet it feels worryingly like the kind of thing a big corporation would actually do. Bill's suit malfunctioning makes it even scarier, with her life in the balance, and I love that they show the consequences of the Doctor's efforts to save Bill (ie. his blindness, and how this continues for a few episodes). I remember feeling like the ending was a little limp, but I didn't feel that way at all upon rewatch. A top tier episode with some fantastic commentary, delivered in just the right way for a Doctor Who episode.

31 The Power of the Doctor

2022 BBC Centenary Special

Doctor: 13th

Companion: Yasmin Khan, Dan Lewis, Ace, Tegan Jovanka

Also featuring: Spy Master, Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Graham O'Brien, Inston-Vee Vinder, Jo Grant, Melanie Bush, Ian Chesterton, Fugitive Doctor, 1st Doctor, 5th Doctor, 6th Doctor, 7th Doctor, 8th Doctor

First aired: 23rd October 2022

Writer: Chris Chibnall

Jodie Whittaker's final episode as the Doctor formed part of the BBC's centenary celebrations, airing as the final episode of three 2022 specials (and specially commissioned separately to the previous two specials + Flux). With the Master making threats in both the present day and 1916 Russia, the Doctor returns to UNIT and meets a couple of old friends. Between them, they have to face not only the Master, but also a Cyber army, and a group of Daleks inside a volcano. There's a hell of a lot of ambition in this episode, which isn't just tying a bow on Jodie and Chris Chibnall's time on the show, but also acts as something of a love letter to the classic series. Bringing Ace and Tegan back was a great move, and I loved seeing them reunited with their respective Doctors, even if it were effectively a hologram. I think Yaz really stepped up in this episode, and it's a shame that she was only just getting into her stride as she departed after such a lengthy stint in the TARDIS. Sacha Dhawan was excellent once more as the Master, and the Cybermen were a solid threat. A rare Chibnall script where I don't really have any notes, well, other than Dan's rushed departure (necessitated by John Bishop being unavailable for much of the filming of this episode), and that's very much overshadowed by the brilliant companion support group scene near the end of the episode. How I'd love to see more of that, especially now there are a couple of newer faces that could join! Something for everyone in this episode and I think it all comes together brilliantly, finishing as the 13th Doctor's second highest episode. (also the Master dancing to Rasputin... 10/10 no notes x)

Oxygen grand episode, the suits were an interesting concept,and Pearl Mackie really sold Bill's jeopardy and it was nice that fir once consequences were rolled over into the next episodes and not just forgotten strong episode with a not too overly complicated concept

TPOTD, a fantastic episode, id argue it was better done that the 60th anniversary episodes the following year, was surprising that Dan left so suddenly at the time but given John Bishops lack of availability makes sense, loved the previous Doctor cameos and the return of Tegan and ACE even if I wasn't familiar with them at the time, The companion support group was an interesting concept and wouldnt mind seeing it again , honourable shotout to Sacha Dhawans Rasputin Master number, a fantastic episode and ill repeat the 59th anniversary was better than the 60th 😅