Hello again, everyone!
This is Relatively Dimensional coming to you live from his over-excessive imagination, here with another Top Ten list for you! This one focuses on my personal favorite television show ever, having started in 1963 and still going strong: Doctor Who!
If you don't know, "Doctor Who" is a BBC (British Broadcasting Comoany) television show that has, for all these years, featured a single character called the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels through time & space using his time machine called a "TARDIS" (Time And Relative Dimension in Space), usually with a human companion. Through his travels, he's fought multiple foes, ranging from iconic villains such as the Daleks (Exterminate!) and the Cybermen (All-bot Borg), to lesser-known enemies like the Zygons (shape-shifting red blobs) and the Weeping Angels (statues that move only when you're not looking at them). It's gathered a massive fanbase and acres of merchandise, from online shorts to books to video games.
I'm here to list my top ten episodes of the modern version, which started in 2005 after many years of being off the air, featuring five different Doctors, played by John Hurt (Snowpiercer), Christopher Eccleston (Thor: The Dark World), David Tennant (Broadchurch), Matt Smith (Terminator: Genysis), and Peter Capaldi (The Musketeers). So, shall we begin?
(Be warned: Minor spoilers in "Plot"
Major spoilers in "And Because?")
10) "Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways" (by Russell T. Davies, 2005)
Doctor?: Christopher Eccleston & David Tennant (9/10)
Plot: Seperated mysteriously in the TARDIS and planted in deadly versions of Earthian game shows, the Doctor, Rose, and Captain Jack soon are to find that a massive fleet of Daleks have gathered. Also, what is the "Bad Wolf" that has been following them ever since the beginning?
And Because?: An epic adventure that gives us the first glimpse of a massive Dalek fleet realized thanks to modern TV. Featuring a satisfying conclusion to such a sadly short-lived Doctor, this is both a grim and fun tale that introduces new plotlines to change the Whoniverse forever.
09) "Human Nature/The Family of Blood" (by Paul Cornell, 2007)
Doctor?: David Tennant (10)
Plot: On the run from a mysterious group of beings called the Family of Blood, desperate for a Time Lord, the Doctor becomes a new man: a human. Watching him over as John Smith builds a new life, Martha finds herself in trouble without a Doctor and with the Family arriving.
And Because?: A truly spectacular story based off of a truly spectacular Seventh Doctor novel. Heartbreaking as John Smith truly sacrifices himself and the life he could have to save the world, the creepy villains and fun setting help as well.
08) "Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords" (by Russell T. Davies, 2007)
Doctor?: David Tennant (10)
Plot: Trying to escape from the now immortal Captain Jack, the Doctor and Martha are flung to the end of the universe where they come upon an old foe who's forgotten who he truly is, but is soon about to learn.
And Because?: The only three parter in the revival has the Doctor face up against both of the best incarnations of the Master (Roger Delgado is also loved), the nasty Derek Jacobi hiding behind the mask of Yana, and the insane Joker-iness of John Simm. This is a killer return for a killer villain and a great spotlight for Jack, who's come straight off the finale of his own show.
07) "Voyage of the Damned" (by Russell T. Davies, 2007)
Doctor?: David Tennant (10)
Plot: The TARDIS crashes into a cruise spaceship floating around the Earth named the "Titanic" after it's fellow on Earth. Climbing aboard, the Doctor and a group of other shipmates find their ride turns out to be a perfect namesake.
And Because?: This one is very underrated in my opinion. Yes, many people don't like its cheesiness, but I think it adds a charm. It's the best Tennant Christmas special, and very daring in it's killing of 2/3 of the likeable characters, especially during the holidays. The longer runtime really works, the setting and monsters are fun, and who could live without Tennant's best Doctor speech?
06) "The Waters of Mars" (by Russell. T Davies & Phil Ford, 2009)
Doctor?: David Tennant (10)
Plot: The Doctor arrives on Bowie Base One, a Mars ship he knows from history is doomed to explode and kill everyone aboard. As the waters of Mars begin to threaten all personnel, the Doctor realizes what his power can really allow him to do.
And Because?: My personal scariest story, and not just because of the monsters, but because of the Doctor. He goes too far. He's like Capaldi but further over the line. Though even so, Adelaide's suicide was such a shock it shook me and the Doctor out of our phase. Phil Ford's got a brilliant track record, holding up this and "Into the Dalek." Fun tidbits: First mention of the Ice Warriors and respect for Gadget. Second best Whobot after K9.
05) "The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang" (by Steven Moffat, 2010)
Doctor?: Matt Smith (11)
Plot: The first message in the universe brings the Doctor to the early Roman ages, where River Song reveals to him a picture of an exploding TARDIS. Searching around, the Doctor, Amy, and River come across a box holding the most dangerous prisoner in the universe: the Pandorica.
And Because?: The best series finale is full of surprises, beginnings, and conclusions, with examples of the Doctor being the not-yet-imprisoned prisoner, the teasers of River's identity, and the return of Rory. This episode is full of major awesome, introducing the Doctor's love of fez in the second part, a nice calmdown from the "Yike, Dalek invasion!" (though there are Daleks, just not taking over the Earth) every series finale had presented before it.
04) "The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon" (by Steven Moffat, 2011)
Doctor?: Matt Smith (11)
Plot: The Doctor calls upon all of his friends to join him for a talk on their next mission, 1969, when Neil Armstrong first went to space. Amy, Rory, and River find themselves mortified, however, when an impossible astronaut rises from the water and shoots the Doctor dead.
And Because?: Speaking of surprising, this had the best opening of any episode ever, with the Doctor being murdered right before all of us. Though the finale was a bit disappointing, this stretched open a major arc that left a wonderful taste in all of our mouths. Besides, how scary are the Silence? Too bad they weren't used to their perfection in future appearances. "There's always a bit left over, isn't there?"
03) "Blink" (by Steven Moffat, 2007)
Doctor?: David Tennant (10)
Plot: A young woman named Sally Sparrow becomes caught up in a massive case of "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey" when her friend who she saw seconds ago's grandson gives her a message and she begins to communicate with strange DVD easter eggs.
And Because?: Everyone's favorite, this has won multiple Doctor Who polls as the best episode, ironically being one without much of our good 'ol Doctor himself. While I don't find it as eery as others, the characters are wonderful, though, sadly, it's unlikely they'll ever appear again. Actually, this one kind of reminds me of a Joss Whedon show. Must be why I like it so much!
02) "The Day of the Doctor" (by Steven Moffat, 2013)
Doctor?: Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, Peter Capaldi (11/10/War/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/12)
Plot: The event that shook the universe, the destruction of Gallifrey, is about to be committed by the Doctor, back in an incarnation few knew existed. But before he presses the button, the Moment shows him a way out: and it involves a Zygon invasion taking place in both Elizabethan and modern eras.
And Because?: A magical episode that perfectly uses the Doctor Who mythos, adding new elements and yet still providing constant fan service with extra cameos on the side. It's wonderful to see David and the Zygons again, John Hurt should've had a full series as the Doc, and *** *****'s cameo is the stuff of legends. Though, Matt is my favorite Doctor and he played this perfectly. What could possibly be better than this?
Well, obviously, number one, but first, let's go through these:
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) "The God Complex" (11)
The Doctor, Amy, and Rory find themselves in a hotel where every room holds someone's worst fear.
02) "The Doctor's Wife" (11)
A Gallifreyan message box sends the TARDIS to a gritty bubble universe.
03) "Listen" (12)*
The Doctor is convinced something's mastered the art of hiding.
04) "The Name of the Doctor" (1/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10)
The only way for the Doctor to save his friends is by answering the first question in the universe.
05) "Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead" (10)
Silence in the biggest library in the universe diverts the Doctor and Donna from the shadows.
* - Originally "The End of Time" was in this one's place, but this was posted just before I watched "Listen." Then I watched it, now it's here. If you want more info on my thoughts, visit my "QuikReact" above on the subject.
Spotlight Contender:
01) "The Night of the Doctor" (8)
This would have probably been 8th, but was shuttled off thanks to the fact that it's a short, even though it's the best representation of Paul McGann in the entire Whoniverse. Don't worry though, we'll be talking about this later.
01) "The Snowmen" (by Steven Moffat, 2012)
Doctor?: Matt Smith (11)
Plot: Going into a great depression of his own after losing Amy & Rory, the Doctor's living in a Victorian London cloud is interrupted by the invervention of a young woman named Clara Oswin Oswald that informs the Time Lord of an invasion by snow.
And Because?: This...just...this. This is my favorite Doctor Who episode ever. Everything works. Strax's humor is old yet. This is Clara's best incarnation. The Sherlock Holmes references of course I love. The Great Intelligence is back and badass and Ian McKellen. If there's anything else better, I'll have to write an entire article about it. Seriously, this is my favorite and nothing anyone says will change my mind. Nothing. EVER.
So, there ends my second list ever, detailing the top episodes of my favorite series ever. I seriously recommend you trying this series, and if you don't wanna start with the first season back from 1963, definately check out Chris Eccleston's Series 1.
Thanks, readers!
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