I am a huge fan of Doctor Who. When I was a kid, I never got into the Star Wars/Star Trek debate, I was a real nerd and wanted to go hopping around the universe in the Tardis. I finally decided to put down this list, but there are no guarantees it won't eventually change again. I couldn't narrow it down to ten...
12) Planet of Fire – Fifth Doctor
The Master returns and Peri debuts (in a bikini and in an attempt to bring in older viewers), but it really was the best of the final Peter Davison episodes.
11) School Reunion – Tenth Doctor
The pure joy that David Tennant had on his face when reunited with Sarah Jane and K-9 was the look we all want when we see an old friend. I never knew how much I missed K-9 until the moment he tells Mickey “we’re in a car.”
10) Seeds of Doom – Fourth Doctor
If you are doing a monster movie or television show, this episode is a textbook example of making it great. There is also the plot twists catching the viewer, who initially think it’s going to be over in two episodes, but end up making a must see six parter.
9) Earthshock – Fifth Doctor
The death of a companion is a shock to the system, but how Matthew Waterhouse’s Adric goes out with the Cybermen is shocking. The maturity of the episode was the plateau for the early doctors. The original series sadly went downhill after this.
8) Horror of Fang Rock – Fourth Doctor
This episode highlights how well the fourth doctor’s writers figured out the “10 little Indians” formula. This episode scared the crud out of me when I was young and is one of the shows creepiest episodes.
7) Time Crash – Fifth and Tenth Doctors
Crossover episodes are usually a pathetic attempt at bringing back nostalgia, but this episode allows two doctors to be two doctors. And the tenth’s hero worship of the fifth is kind of sweet.
6) Tenth Planet – First and Second Doctor
Establishes the greatest “catch” in science fiction history. By allowing the Doctor to regenerate, you gave the series a way to stay fresh for decades (I am actually really excited about Matt Smith’s 11th). Also, the first appearance of the (really weird looking) Cybermen, decades before anyone had heard of the Borg, doesn’t hurt.
5) Doctor Who – The Movie – Eighth Doctor
This movie actually could have been a lot better, but with the series being off the air for a few years, it was a cool glass of water for the parched mouths of fans (it also planted the seed for the return of the show).
4) Stolen Earth/Journey’s End – Tenth Doctor
If you’ve never understood the value of the Doctor’s knowledge, the important role companions play in a series, and the evil side of the Daleks, you will after this two part-er.
3) Dalek – Ninth Doctor
How scarred is the Doctor from the Time War? Look into Christopher Eccleston eyes when he faces his most hated foe and you’ll know the horror of a Time Lord who had to make the ultimate sacrifice.
2) Robots of Death – Fourth Doctor
This is the greatest “who-done it” episode in television history. It shows how advanced this series storylines were compared to other science fiction. This is years before Styx started singing about Mr. Roboto and the evils of too much technology. They never just threw an alien species or culture up against a wall to see if it would stick, but rather would imagine the alien species and the day-to-day society it would live within.
Number #1
Blink – Tenth Doctor
It’s great to show a real understanding of the impact of time traveling with a conversation between two people decades apart via Easter Eggs hidden on DVD’s. The acting is superb (including the wonderful Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan as Sally), the script by Steven Moffat is extraordinary, the fear of weeping angels is real and the appeal of this episode surpasses the fan base of the show.
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