Doctor Who- Best/Worst Episodes

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

So I thought I'd open us up to a bit of a discussion on the best/worst Doctor Who episodes. We should start out by listing ours. List your favorite and least favorite episodes for everyone and we can talk about them and tell us why.

Since I'm going to assume that most people have just seen the new series, we'll only use those episodes from 2005 to now. Also no other Doctor Who media for the moment including books, comics, audios, ect. Just so we can all be on the same page. Some of my favorite Doctor Who stories actually come from audios, but we'll skip out on those for now.

I want to see what everyone else's is first before I put mine.

[Aeva]

"Blink" and "Midnight" are the two best episodes, imho. I think they perfectly capture the spirit of Doctor Who, and I would definitely suggest that a new viewer start with those two.

That said, "The Doctor's Wife" is my absolute favorite episode. I adore the interaction between the TARDIS and her Doctor.

The only episodes I don't particularly care for are "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit." As a Christian, I find the theology infused in these episodes more than a little disturbing, although I readily admit that the climax is vintage Doctor Who material. Theology aside, there really aren't any other episodes that I vehemently dislike. "The Idiot's Lantern" and "Gridlock" are not exactly brilliant, although they aren't terrible, but I suppose I would consider those the worst if I had to choose.

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

What in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit did you agree with? I'm curious what particular things might have raised alarm bells. I can't really think of anything that would do so. Other than, you know, having a Satan story on nearly every planet. Though that's kind of a cool idea.

[Musical Shutterbug]

Are we referring to the best/worst of all episodes ever? Or just the episodes since the relaunch?

[Petrichor]

Are we referring to the best/worst of all episodes ever? Or just the episodes since the relaunch?

Since I'm going to assume that most people have just seen the new series, we'll only use those episodes from 2005 to now.

Anyways, it kind of kills me to say this, because I've always been pretty much dead-set against the reign of Stephen Moffat and Eleven and Amy and Rory, but... I love 'The Doctor's Wife'. Idris was brilliant, and I think Eleven's at his best when he's that lost little boy just along for the ride with his TARDIS. Melts my heart every time.

For one of the outright dumbest episodes, the clear winner in my mind is 'Love and Monsters'. I only scraped my way through that one once. Blech. And pretty much everything Aeva said about 'The Impossible Planet' goes for me, too. I actually couldn't bring myself to watch 'The Satan Pit' after watching 'The Impossible Planet', and I think it's the only DW episode I've willingly skipped. That episode scarred me for a loooong time.

[Taps]

Are we referring to the best/worst of all episodes ever? Or just the episodes since the relaunch?

Since I'm going to assume that most people have just seen the new series, we'll only use those episodes from 2005 to now.

Anyways, it kind of kills me to say this, because I've always been pretty much dead-set against the reign of Stephen Moffat and Eleven and Amy and Rory, but... I love 'The Doctor's Wife'. Idris was brilliant, and I think Eleven's at his best when he's that lost little boy just along for the ride with his TARDIS. Melts my heart every time.

For one of the outright dumbest episodes, the clear winner in my mind is 'Love and Monsters'. I only scraped my way through that one once. Blech. And pretty much everything Aeva said about 'The Impossible Planet' goes for me, too. I actually couldn't bring myself to watch 'The Satan Pit' after watching 'The Impossible Planet', and I think it's the only DW episode I've willingly skipped. That episode scarred me for a loooong time.

You guys know what's terrible? The Satan Pit and the Impossible Planet were the first ones I watched, because a friend insisted that I watch them... like a long time ago It pretty much killed off my interest in the series...

Until I started watching them last week, and I am now watching them starting with the relaunch, I am on episode 4 season one now So I really can't say which are my favorite...

[Sparrow]

I got kind of depressed trying to come up with my personal favorite/least favorite episodes, because as much as I love Doctor Who, I have to admit that there rather a lot of badly done episodes. But anyway.

After much deliberation, for favorite episodes I have come up with The Unicorn and the Wasp (series four), and The Doctor's Wife (series six). Okay, admittedly TUatW's premise is dumb, but if you can look past that, it's kind of brilliant. It's got Donna...and Ten... ...and the Doctor reminiscing about Charlemagne being kidnapped by an insane computer. And The Doctor's Wife...Pretty much the complete opposite of The Unicorn and the Wasp, but it's a really special episode. Idris is a spectacular character.

Blink isn't on this list because, well...I would think it's kinda a gimme on every Whovian's list.


And as for least favorites, I'd have to go with Aliens of London/World War Three (series one), and Love and Monsters (series two). I am still not fully convinced that AoL/WWIII were not mainly written by a group of eight-year-old boys. They are reeeeeeally hard to watch. And Love and Monsters...well...Elton was really sweet, but other than that the episode was just creepy and gross and bizarre and dumb.

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

...and the Doctor reminiscing about Charlemagne being kidnapped by an insane computer.

Good times. Good times.

[Aeva]

What in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit did you agree with? I'm curious what particular things might have raised alarm bells. I can't really think of anything that would do so. Other than, you know, having a Satan story on nearly every planet. Though that's kind of a cool idea.

Yeah, I agree that the premise was an interesting idea (and like I said, the climax was totally brilliant). I just didn't care for the Ood calling themselves the "Legion of the Beast" (or something like that, I think), which I thought was too close to end times prophecy, and I felt the possession was slightly too demonic in appearance. I guess my main complaint is that, since I believe Satan is real, I just don't think he is something to be messed around with.

And I totally forgot about "Love and Monsters"; that is definitely the only episode that I refuse to ever watch again lol. Augh, it was terrible.

[~JCGJ~]

I must say, "Let's Kill Hitler" is my favorite episode. I don't have a least favorite.

[Blitz]

I like the asylum of the Dalek. Though I dislike Angels in Manhattan.

The sleeping angel version of the Statue of Liberty was over kill

[Musical Shutterbug]

Are we referring to the best/worst of all episodes ever? Or just the episodes since the relaunch?

Since I'm going to assume that most people have just seen the new series, we'll only use those episodes from 2005 to now.

Oops

Well, that narrows it down for me

I'm going to go through each series...one at a time, so that I have time to think in-between each

(Though I must quickly interject that ANY episode featuring the flawless David Tennant is a personal favorite of mine )

So.

Series One (Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor)
Best episode(s):
Rose
Father's Day

"Rose" holds a special place in my heart because it was my first Doctor Who episode ever It was just so poorly done that I spent the entire episode laughing on the floor. Yes. Literally.

Worst episode(s):

Honestly, overall, Series One didn't have too much substance in it. Chris was funny, but the plots were pretty weak.

[Aeva]

"Father's Day" was beautiful. :') But you're right: the first season does have some silly episodes, although Christopher Eccleston is BRILLIANT. "The Empty Child" and "The Doctor Dances" are the best in that season, I think.

[Shennifer]

"Father's Day" was beautiful. :') But you're right: the first season does have some silly episodes, although Christopher Eccleston is BRILLIANT. "The Empty Child" and "The Doctor Dances" are the best in that season, I think.

Hey now, let's not forget the season 1 finale (Bad Wolf and Parting of the Ways)

My turn
season 1
Rose (ah, it's humble beginnings)
Dalek
Father's Day
The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances episodes
and the aforementioned season 1 finale

season 2
pretty much all of it. the first 4 really stand out. Don't care for Love & Monsters; it was a filler episode anyway. Didn't like Girl in the Fireplace either....

season 3
again, the first 3 are good, then some subpar ones, and then from Human Nature to the end, it was brilliant. Really didn't like the Dalek's in Manhatten episodes...Blink was my first episode, so it holds a special place in my heart, even if it loses it's brilliance after spotting numerous plot holes.

season 4
All of it. Admittedly, I didn't completely like Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead, because I didn't like River Song at first.

Season 5-6
decent, but it was really hard to watch after David Tennant left
I finally understood the whole River Song/Melody Pond thing though.
Season 7
easily some of the better Matt Smith episodes

On a serious note, I'm so happy I'm finally part of this fandom. I wanted to be for a long time, then my roommate last year introduced me. I remember the mystery of finding out who the Doctor was, and his history and different things like that because no one spoiled anything for me.

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

season 3
again, the first 3 are good, then some subpar ones, and then from Human Nature to the end, it was brilliant. Really didn't like the Dalek's in Manhatten episodes...Blink was my first episode, so it holds a special place in my heart, even if it loses it's brilliance after spotting numerous plot holes.

What plot holes in particular? Except, you know, the angel not having a reason to throw something at her at the beginning other than to make it creepy.

[Shennifer]

season 3
again, the first 3 are good, then some subpar ones, and then from Human Nature to the end, it was brilliant. Really didn't like the Dalek's in Manhatten episodes...Blink was my first episode, so it holds a special place in my heart, even if it loses it's brilliance after spotting numerous plot holes.

What plot holes in particular? Except, you know, the angel not having a reason to throw something at her at the beginning other than to make it creepy.

it's been awhile since I've seen the episode, so I can't remember all the ones I know I've spotted, but one (and this isn't a plot hole, more of a...I don't know, random occurrence) was how Sally seems to go from "we just run a shop together" to holding his hand and suddenly acting like she likes him as more than a friend.

[ric]

A lot of seasons 1, 2, and 3 were pretty bad.

And those are the only seasons I've seen.

I really, really liked the one where they were in this shuttle thing and there was this life form inside some woman's body. I don't remember what it was called, but for some reason I really liked it. Silence in the Library is a good one too.

I guess everyone loves Blink, but I thought it was just fine, nothing extremely special.

[Blitz]

A lot of seasons 1, 2, and 3 were pretty bad.

And those are the only seasons I've seen.

I really, really liked the one where they were in this shuttle thing and there was this life form inside some woman's body. I don't remember but it was called, but for some reason I really liked it. Silence in the Library is a good one too.

I guess everyone loves Blink, but I thought it was just fine, nothing extremely special.

Kill Ric. HOW COULD YOU NOT LIKE THAT MUCH.

[Termite]

I really, really liked the one where they were in this shuttle thing and there was this life form inside some woman's body. I don't remember but it was calledl.

Midnight. ^_^

I hated The Unicorn... I don't like bugs. But I do love Donna.

Favorite? "Vincent and The Doctor". Gets me every time, and one of the only episodes where I actually like Amy.

[ric]

You didn't like Midnight?

Kill Ric. HOW COULD YOU NOT LIKE THAT MUCH.

It was probably about 50% bad, 50% good. I still like the show a lot though. Need to watch season four eventually.