The Eleventh Hour is such a great debut/ start to the Smith era. Setting up Amy well too and the mystery of the crack too. Actually just thinking about it, so many arcs are sign posted here from the Pandorica to the Silence and then obviously the cracks and Amy's wedding too.

Smith is great from the off and it sets up his era nicely.

15 Amy’s Choice

Series 5 Episode 7

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Amy Pond, Rory Williams

First aired: 15th May 2010

Writer: Simon Nye

Back-to-back series 5 episodes as we arrive at a mid-series episode where even the viewer doesn't know what's real and what isn't. The Doctor visits Amy and Rory in Leadworth after they've stopped travelling with him, but something unusual is happening at the old people's home. Yet, at the same time, the trio are freezing to death on board the TARDIS. Which version of events is real, and who is the Dream Lord? This episode is one of the most imaginative of the show's run, and it was especially fun the first time round as we tried to figure out which version is real. The audience being just as confused as the characters made for such captivating viewing! It still holds up, though, as each of them desperately looks for details that don't add up. The Eknodine were a memorable and slightly funny idea, but the real threat came from the Dream Lord, superbly brought to life by Toby Jones, who was one of the series' most memorable guest stars. Rory's first "death" scene was heartbreaking and the immediate reaction of Amy was a top notch performance from Karen Gillan, and I love that it was a significant turning point in their relationship (particularly knowing what was to come a couple of episodes later). A creative and experimental episode that paid off in dividends!

Amy's Choice is a great story and was the first and probably only impactful Rory "death"

Amy’s Choice is great! Series 5 as a whole is basically perfect Who for me (along with Series 1)

Amy's choice was a great episode, the dream lord was such an interesting concept (wonder if we will ever see them again considering it was teased) both scenarios were easily believable (although I was a tad confused when the episode opened with Amy heavily pregnant like id missed an episode 🤣🤣) agreed props to Karen and Arthur for Rorys death Scene really hit its mark , overall an episode that can be enjoyed standalone and still very much make sense 🙌

14 Wild Blue Yonder

60th Anniversary Special 2

Doctor: 14th

Companion: Donna Noble

Also featuring: Wilfred Mott

First aired: 2nd December 2023

Writer: Russell T Davies

By quite some way the most recent episode in my top 20, Wild Blue Yonder is also the highest placed 14th Doctor episode. After Donna spilled coffee on the TARDIS console, it crash lands on board an eerily silent spaceship with an enormously long corridor. What the Doctor and Donna learn about the ship, its inhabitants, and an airlock door that opened and then closed, grows more unsettling the longer they spend there. Going into this episode knowing next-to-nothing was an insane experience and it made it all the better for me! I didn't know what was about to happen, what type of episode we were due to get, and it made for a really unsettling watch, as if I were on board the ship too. Not only does this episode have by far the best character moments of RTD2, from both the Doctor and Donna, but it develops an interesting and absolutely terrifying threat. The visuals of the creatures struggling to master the art of shape are iconic and horrifying at the same time, and them copying the Doctor and Donna makes for yet more unease, as even we don't know who's who at times! The shifting spaceship adds extra mystery, as does the robot (Jimbo x), who's moving extremely slowly. So much great mystery and tension, all topped off with that climax - the real Donna almost getting left behind! I was seriously worried they were about to kill off the real Donna for a second! An insane episode and one that holds up on each rewatch, and I think it'll only cement this high placement as time goes on. Also: Wilf!!! My heart felt so warm seeing him one final time

WBY, what seemed like a disappointing basic episode on first watch ( with all the rumours swirling about a matt smith , Peter capaldi et al cameo that never happened) is actually a really strong episode on rewatch, overall it feels like a giant shot at AI given the way its been taking off recently could be eerily realistic, for a moment I also believed he may well of bumped off real Donna, glad we also got that Wilf cameo given Bernard Cribbins untimely death R.I.P, Overall a great episode easily watched on its own, my only minor gripe is the stupid Mavity gag that went on way too long that may or may not have been resolved 🤣

David Tennant and Catherine Tate together will never not be comedy gold. Even on such a eerily episode.

13 Dalek

Series 1 Episode 6

Doctor: 9th

Companion: Rose Tyler, Adam Mitchell

First aired: 30th April 2005

Writer: Robert Shearman

The reintroduction of the Daleks to Doctor Who felt like more of a "when" than an "if" (despite worries surrounding the rights behind the scenes), and I don't think it could've been handled in a more suitable episode. The Doctor and Rose arrive in Henry van Statten's bunker, which is a collection containing various extra-terrestrial items, but most significantly, a living creature he calls the Metaltron. When the Doctor meets the Metaltron, he is horrified, and its escape from captivity has disastrous consequences. The Daleks are an easy win for a casual audience, but when used en masse, it can be hard to capture just how deadly each individual Dalek is. This episode introduces them to a whole new audience with just one single Dalek, which single-handedly kills almost every single person inside the bunker. The direction and cinematography enhances just how powerful one Dalek is, from being resistant to bullets and swerving its middle section to kill people in front and behind, to utilising the sprinklers to electrocute everyone nearby. It's ruthless, and it's backed up by some phenomenal dialogue from the Doctor, too - the "you would make a good Dalek" line is a killer blow. As Rose's DNA impacts on the Dalek, we see the difference between Rose and the Doctor, the former keen to see the good in everything, and the latter burned by the loss of his people at the hands of that very species. So many phenomenal themes in play, not to mention how excellent Corey Johnson is as Henry van Statten, who I love to hate through the whole episode. There's no better way to reintroduce the most iconic villains in Doctor Who history, and this is very much an episode I'd introduce a non-fan to (and in fact, I have!).

Wild Blue Yonder is an episode I feel I should like...

Dalek on the other hand is great!

I find the ending of Dalek kinda emotional, like why am I feeling sympathy for a Dalek of all things? One of my top tier episodes.

Love love love Dalek, a fantastic episode that really showcased the dangers of a dalek (you could argue subsequent appearances diminished them from here) Christopher Ecclestone really sold the vengefulness of a griefstricken doctor whereas Billie really sold the sympathetic yet vulnerability of someone innocent like Rose the polar opposites worked so well here, wasn't too fussed on Brunos Adam here (before I came to both hate and sympathise with him in the long game) Corey Johnson made me want to punch Henry van statton in the face so props there to him 🤣🤣 definitely an episode that can be watched on its own and really sell what doctor who is all about

12 The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances

Series 1 Episode 9-10

Doctor: 9th

Companion: Rose Tyler, Captain Jack Harkness

First aired: 21st and 28th May 2005

Writer: Steven Moffat

My highest placed 9th Doctor episode is frustratingly close to making the top 10, but this two-parter is still significant for a number of reasons. The Doctor and Rose chase a mysterious capsule through time and space to 1941 London, in the height of the Blitz. While the residents of the city take shelter, a young boy wearing a gas mask is desperate to find his mummy, but his touch can prove deadly. This episode was our first introduction to Steven Moffat in Doctor Who, and what an impression he made. This is undoubtedly the scariest story of the first series, and one of the scariest Doctor Who stories full stop. It's one that casual fans still highlight as being a favourite, too! The imagery of the Empty Child with the gas mask was genius, not to mention "are you my mummy?" being something of a catchphrase. We also met Captain Jack for the first time in this episode, where he goes through something of a redemption arc, having brought the Chula cylinder to Earth in the first place in order to con the Time Agency believing it was worthless. In the end, he saves the day, willing to risk his life until Rose convinces the Doctor to save him at the last minute. I really like this trio in the TARDIS and it adds an extra dynamic (which Boom Town made full use of afterwards). A shoutout must also go to Florence Hoath, who stole the show as Nancy, the "sister" of Jamie, the little boy in desperate search for his mummy. Sadly she quit acting over a decade ago, but she's one of the most memorable guest characters of New Who, in my view. The tension through the episode is brilliant and it makes a tiny threat in Jamie into something so terrifying, especially when we see Dr. Constantine's transformation into one of the gas-mask zombies. Rightfully one of the most iconic Who episodes, with a joyful ending and lots of room for some great character moments. My favourite 9th Doctor episode, and therefore also my highest placed series 1 episode. Also, I think "go to your room" is the best cliffhanger resolution I've ever seen? x

The Empty Child is Doctor Who going full tilt horror which as a major horror fan I love.

TEC/TDD a superb pair of episodes fantastically done, the introduction of John barrowman as captain Jack was a stroke of genius, one of my favourite parts was we finally got to see Eccelstone do some comedy, some light hearted moments , yes this doctor was still recovering from the time war but everything up to this point had been very serious, I have to agree Florence was the MVP of the episode as Nancy, Moffat did it again a simple story but was very chilling

My only question is if this is only 12 what have you got top 10, this is quite regularly voted within the top 5 Who stories of all time

19 minutes ago, 777666jason said:

My only question is if this is only 12 what have you got top 10, this is quite regularly voted within the top 5 Who stories of all time

I did look at it and think, can I move it up? But I can't justify it when looking at what's still to come! So much goodness!

11 Human Nature / The Family of Blood

Series 3 Episode 8-9

Doctor: 10th

Companion: Martha Jones

First aired: 26th May and 2nd June 2007

Writer: Paul Cornell

Only just missing out on my top 10 is one of the most intriguing concepts I've seen in the show, adapted from Paul Cornell's own Doctor Who novel. With no other choice to escape the deadly Family of Blood, the Doctor must rewrite his DNA to become human temporarily, but the burden falls on Martha to ensure his real identity remains secret. In doing so, a boys' boarding school in England is put in danger as the desperate Family seek the antidote to their short lifespans. As excellently as David Tennant adapts to playing John Smith, effectively a whole new character, in this story, the real star for me is Freema Agyeman. When people ask me why Martha would be my favourite companion, this episode is a shining example. Martha's strength in surviving in an inherently racist environment, living as a servant to ungrateful, bigoted white people, all to help keep the Doctor safe, is enormous. She's the one who tries to think on her feet and act fast in the face of danger, and her independence in this episode only backs up the finale, and her eventual decision to leave. There's plenty of great guest stars in this episode, though. Jessica Hynes is great as Joan Redfern, who blinds John Smith's judgement and ultimately accepts that Martha's telling the truth, after a hell of a lot of convincing (Martha naming every bone in the hand to shut Joan up... iconic). Thomas Brodie-Sangster excels in one of his earliest roles as the heroic Tim Latimer, and Harry Lloyd is delightfully evil as Brother of Mine. The concept of the Family was genius, and their ruthlessness made total sense given it was a fight for survival. Despite that, the Doctor's ultimate punishments for them all felt really cruel, which I liked as a welcome reminder of the Doctor's power and how alien he can be - a brilliantly complex storyline and set of villains. The stakes feel high in this episode even if it was always obvious that the Doctor's obviously returning...! The Scarecrows are a cool element too, a welcome addition to the list of every day items that Doctor Who's made scary. One more series 3 episode to come!

The top 10! Pledge your allegiance x

Army of Ghosts / Doomsday

Blink

Heaven Sent

Midnight

Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead

The Stolen Earth / Journey’s End

The Waters of Mars

Turn Left

Vincent and the Doctor

World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls

HN/TFOB an interesting pair of episodes, Freema sold the hell out of Martha's Role here and really felt sorry for her basically being "Johns" lacky, all the guest characters really shone here with the 2 young males Thomas and Harry putting on flawless performances as Tim and Brother of mine.Great concept that also plant the seeds well for the finale. Definitely deserve to be up this high.

Personally I would of had 11 and 12 in the top 10 over the waters of Mars and Army of ghosts/Doomsday , looks like a lot of Tennant biased here 😮

10 Vincent and the Doctor

Series 5 Episode 10

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Amy Pond

First aired: 5th June 2010

Writer: Richard Curtis

The highest placed episode from the 11th Doctor is also the only historical episode in my top 10. When visiting a Vincent van Gogh exhibit at a museum, the Doctor and Amy notice something unusual in one of his paintings. Investigating in 1890 France, they become friends with Vincent, an outcast in society whose work was not valued at the time. Though it might not be the most riveting villain in itself, the Krafayis works excellently as an allegory for Vincent's mental state, particularly given nobody else could see it. I guess it works more to fuel the narrative than to actually be part of it, anyway, meaning the majority of the episode is a fantastic study of Vincent van Gogh, his life, and how others viewed him at the time. His bond with the Doctor and Amy is heartwarming, and Tony Curran deserves heaps of praise for how delicately he portrayed Vincent. It's a touching episode throughout, but the cherry on top was the scene at the end, where the Doctor takes Vincent to the future, where he gets to see the exhibit of his paintings for himself. This could be the most saccharine scene in Doctor Who history, but it feels poignant, pitched at just the right level to feel emotional instead of corny, furthered by excellent performances from all involved in the scene, including a grounded performance from Bill Nighy as Dr. Black. A beautiful episode, one that's only become greater with rewatches, and undoubtedly my favourite "celebrity" historical the show's done - a high bar for any future historical episodes to match.