… of the revived series only.
There have been great episodes, average episodes, and crap episodes, since Doctor Who's return in 2005. But the hit-rate has generally been good. Below is my Top 10 of new Who storylines (including two-part episodes as ONE story)…
10. FATHER'S DAY (Season 1, Episode 8)
Writer: Paul Cornell
Airdate: 14 May 05
Relatively early in new Who's rebirth, Father's Day reminded viewers that Doctor Who can be an emotional viewing experience, not just frothy larks. Paul Cornell uses the sci-fi chestnut of preventing a loved one's untimely death with time-travel, as Rose saves her father from a fatal car accident in the 80s. Of course, having damaged the timeline, bat-like creatures descend to sort out the paradox. While the flying beasties are there to keep the kids happy, the beauty of Cornell's script is in the sensitive way it handles a young girl meeting the father she never knew. Heartfelt entertainment.
09. DALEK (Season 1, Episode 6)
Writer: Robert Shearman
Airdate: 30 Apr 05
It was obvious the show's greatest villain would return one day... and you couldn't ask for a better re-introduction of a classic foe than Robert Shearman's Dalek. The plot wisely focuses on just one metal menace, earning it some sympathy in the audience, but never forgetting the Dalek mantra to "exterminate!" The episode retains everything fans loved about the Daleks (including the classic design), but gives them a few smart updates (a good reason for that silly suction cup, amongst others). Amazingly, this is still the only revived series episode that makes a Dalek truly frightening and unstoppable. From herein, the Daleks are usually reduced to bleating imbeciles.
08. THE UNQUIET DEAD (Season 1, Episode 3)
Writer: Mark Gatiss
Airdate: 9 Apr 05
Hot on the heels of the workmanlike opening episodes, any misgivings about new Who were swept away by Mark Gatiss' 19th-Century spook-fest. It's an enchanting story in the classic adventure mould, informed by Gatiss' real-life love of Victoriana. The Doctor joins forces with author Charles Dickens (a wonderful Simon Callow) to battle aliens in snowy Cardiff. This remains a benchmark for all episodes involving historical figures and is sumptuous, imaginative, witty and spooky fun.
07. UTOPIA / THE SOUND OF DRUMS / LAST OF THE TIME LORDS (Season 3, Episodes 11-13)
Writer: Russell T. Davies
Airdates: 16/23/30 Jun 07
While the last episode suffers from bad creative decisions and a risible climax, the two-episode build-up is fine entertainment. Utopia may only exist for its ten minute climax… but what a climax! The Doctor's lifelong nemesis, The Master (Derek Jacobi), is reborn using the Human Nature macguffin, before regenerating into John Simm and travelling back in time to become Prime Minister. The Sound Of Drums is enjoyable thanks to Simm's infectious energy and the wonderful flashbacks to Gallifrey. It's just unfortunate that The Doctor is essentially absent for long stretches of the Last Of The Time Lords finale… and I'm not even going to mention the old-age/imp debacle. It may have major flaws in its final stretch, but this remains enjoyable with plenty to recommend it.
06. THE IMPOSSIBLE PLANET / THE SATAN PIT (Season 2, Episodes 8 & 9)
Writer: Matt Jones
Airdates: 3/10 Jun 06
Possibly the scariest episode yet, The Doctor and Rose find themselves on a planet locked in orbit of a black hole, with a demonic entity lurking in an underground abyss. Matt Jones' story contains adult scares and frightening imagery, nicely utilizing the inherent claustrophobia to build a sense of escalating panic. The plot all makes sense and develops smoothly, leading to a startling goliath for The Doctor to contend with...
05. THE EMPTY CHILD / THE DOCTOR DANCES (Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10)
Writer: Steven Moffat
Airdates: 21/28 May 05
This two-part episode is a well-plotted adventure set during WWII's London blitz, with a sinister boy wearing a gas-mask delivering the first unnerving catchphrase of the series ("are you my mummy?") Steven Moffat's adventure was the first that seemed expansive and intelligent, mixing humour and horror with great panache. It also, for better or worse, introduced us to Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman).
04. ARMY OF GHOSTS / DOOMSDAY (Season 2, Episodes 12 & 13)
Writer: Russell T. Davies
Airdates: 1/8 Jul 06
As with most of Russell T. Davies output, this climax to season 2 contains its fair share of silly and ridiculous moments, but its shortcomings can be forgiven... because it's such a joy! The Doctor and Rose stand in the midst of a battle between Daleks and Cybermen, meaning lots of cheeky humour and visual fireworks as the metal menaces duke it out. But it's Doomsday's tearful finale that really strikes a chord, as Rose parts company with the Time Lord on a beach in a parallel universe. A beautiful, emotional, perfect moment of family drama.
03. THE GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE (Season 2, Episode 4)
Writer: Steven Moffat
Airdate: 22 Apr 06
The Doctor discovers time portals aboard a 51st-Century spaceship, leading back to 18-Century France. It's another clever adventure from Steven Moffat, as The Doctor protects Madame de Pompadour (Sophia Myles) from marauding clockwork robot assassins, before gradually falling in love across various time periods. It juggles monsters, romance and time-travel, and leads to a heartbreaking finale. Wonderful, intelligent, beautiful and romantic.
02. BLINK (Season 3, Episode 10)
Writer: Steven Moffat
Airdate: 9 Jun 07
Interestingly, The Doctor and Martha are reduced to short cameos in Steven Moffat's complex narrative, with Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) replacing them as the protagonist. Blink takes great pleasure in using the complexities of time-travel "cause and effect", whilst mixing in memorable statue villains The Weeping Angels (who can only move if you're not looking at them). It's just a beautiful idea, expertly told, that continually develops and genuinely frightens. Superb sci-fi horror.
01. HUMAN NATURE / FAMILY OF BLOOD (Season 3, Episodes 8 & 9)
Writer: Paul Cornell
Airdates: 26 May & 2 Jun 07
The first TV adventure to be based on a Who novel, both written by Paul Cornell, which sees The Doctor wiped of his memory, transformed into a human, and now living an ordinary life in 1913 England -- all to evade a persistent enemy. This two-part story glistens with invention and contains brilliant performances -- particularly from David Tennant, who's just heartbreaking as "John Smith" (forced to decide between love and normality as a human, or loneliness and adventure as a Time Lord.) This is a great, high-energy story; with scary Scarecrows, a terrific villain in Harry Lloyd, some emotive WWI overtones/parallels, an imaginative idea and sublime acting from Tennant and Jessica Hynes. Simply put: an instant classic.
That's my personal Top 10. Do you agree Human Nature is the best story, so far? If not, vote for your favourite in this week's Poll (top-right), which closes on 18 Aug 07.
