The future of Doctor Who is uncertain. After 60 years, it’s fair to say the hit show has had its ups and downs, but right now things feel particularly bleak for the “mad man with a box.” Although we don’t know what will come next for the Doctor, it isn’t the first time the show has had a long hiatus, and previously, that break helped it come back stronger than ever. When Doctor Who was revived in the early 2000s, the new era produced some of my favorite episodes in its entire history, with emotional stories and ambitious season-long arcs.
As we await the next iteration of the iconic sci-fi series, there’s never been a better time to look back at its highlights. Revisiting the Doctor’s adventures through space and time reminds us why it’s bound to endure for generations to come. At the end of the day, there are a few reasons why I love Doctor Who: ambitious storytelling, emotional character arcs, terrifying villains, and, of course, the actors who have brought the Doctor to life. These factors are considered for each entry.
Why You Should Trust Me: Ever since I stumbled upon Doctor Who as a child on TV, I’ve been mesmerized by the show’s boundless sense of imagination, leading me to rewatch the series countless times, which has helped me to develop an area of expertise for my career as a journalist. In preparation to create this list, I revisited all of my favorite episodes and considered the areas in which the show truly excels.
Honorable Mentions
Rosa (Series 11, Episode 3)— “Rosa” is among the strongest Doctor Who historical episodes, educating viewers about the life of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, while treating her story with respect within the context of a sci-fi series. It’s a delicate balance that the show hasn’t always navigated successfully. Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor brings a sense of empathy as she leads her companions through the Civil Rights Movement, without overshadowing any of the real-world heroes who were a part of it.
Boom (Season 1, Episode 3)— Russell T. Davies’ second era as showrunner was far from perfect, but “Boom” was a standout bottle episode that showcased Ncuti Gatwa’s charm as the Doctor. The episode did what the sci-fi series has always done best: forcing the Doctor into an impossible situation, while delivering thoughtful commentary on complex topics.
Father’s Day (Series 1, Episode 8)— Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor often gets overlooked, but his era included the tragic episode “Father’s Day,” which remains one of the show’s most underrated stories. It added a new emotional layer to both the Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler, after they crossed paths with her late father on the last day of his life. There are few storylines in Doctor Who that pull at the heartstrings based on their premise alone.
The Day of the Doctor (50th Anniversary Special)— Although “The Day of the Doctor” is more of a celebration of the show than a typical episode, it perfectly encapsulates Doctor Who’s boundless sense of adventure, as it unites the Eleventh and Tenth Doctors with the War Doctor. It also managed to deliver a shocking payoff to a long-running storyline, balancing fan service with consequential storytelling.
‘Hell Bent’ (Series 9, Episode 12)
After Matt Smith departed the show and Peter Capaldi stepped into the role of the Doctor, Jenna Coleman’s Clara continued to travel across time and space in the TARDIS. But the series was still evolving, and the companion received deeper, more complex characterization, leading to a close bond between her and the Twelfth Doctor. “Hell Bent” brought a devastating conclusion to her tenure, which I’m still not quite over.
Unlike other companions who met their fate in just one sudden episode, Clara’s ending was stretched out across three episodes, making her final moments feel even heavier. Capaldi’s performance emphasizes the Doctor’s grief and anger, as he’s forced to come to terms with the loss, after becoming unhinged and trying everything in his power to cheat death. The choice to make him lose every memory he ever had of Clara feels like a gut punch— and that’s something only the best Doctor Who episodes can pull off.
‘The Zygon Invasion’ / ‘The Zygon Inversion’ (Series 9, Episodes 7 and 8)
It’s long been said that many of the greatest Doctor Who stories are two-parters, and that’s certainly true of the Capaldi years. For that reason, it’s impossible to discuss “The Zygon Invasion” without “The Zygon Inversion,” as these two episodes are linked through more than their alien invasion premise.
They serve as a bold political allegory when the shapeshifting Zygons wage war on humanity, and it’s up to the Doctor to settle the rising tension. The episode crescendos when Capaldi gives an epic speech about the absurdity of war, which, in my opinion, is one of the show’s most powerful scenes.
‘World Enough and Time’ / ‘The Doctor Falls’ (Series 10, Episodes 11 and 12)
It’s rare for a show to deliver fan service that also feels right for its story, but John Simm’s surprise return as the Master after several years was exactly that. And pairing him up with Michelle Gomez’s iteration of the Master, Missy, added to the fun as they matched each other’s chaotic energy.
“World Enough and Time” and “The Doctor Falls” proved to be a masterclass in character‑driven storytelling, while introducing original sci‑fi concepts— strong enough to be their own movies— as the Doctor is aboard a ship where time moves differently on each level. The two-parter added to the lore of the 60-year-old canon, while the Doctor bid farewell to his companion Bill and even gave Missy a redemption arc. I can’t think of many other episodes that did so much in such little time.
‘Human Nature’ / ‘The Family of Blood’ (Series 3, Episodes 8 and 9)
David Tennant is famous for the emotional human edge he brought to his take on the Tenth Doctor. When the two-parter “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood” pushed that idea to its logical conclusion, it resulted in one of the most memorable episodes of his era. After rewriting his memories, the Doctor believes he’s an ordinary man named John Smith living in the year 1913, and within that time, he fell in love and created a life for himself— so when his true self is restored, he realizes he isn’t able to stay and be happy. It’s the sort of episode that’s impossible not to cry over, as the Doctor is forced to sacrifice a life he just isn’t allowed to have.
‘Dalek’ (Series 1, Episode 6)
When Doctor Who returned in 2005 after years off the air, there were a few key things it had to reintroduce, and one was the classic villains, the Daleks. The episode “Dalek” showed a new generation of viewers why the species should be feared, and I still think it’s one of the show’s most intense episodes. When the last surviving Dalek escapes into an underground bunker, casually exterminating anyone who stands in its way, the Ninth Doctor nearly loses Rose. Few episodes feel like such an organic mashup of the sci-fi and horror genres.
‘A Christmas Carol’ (2010 Christmas Special)
How can anyone not love Doctor Who’s Christmas specials? “A Christmas Carol” reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic by introducing time travel, with Matt Smith’s Doctor guiding Kazran Sardick, a stand-in for Scrooge, on a life-altering journey that leaves him deeply changed for the better. It isn’t the first time that Dickens’ story has been adapted to a vastly different setting, but it stands out as one of the most inventive. Murray Gold’s beautiful score, paired with the special’s visuals, makes it feel like watching a fairy tale, capturing the sense of hope and wonder the show is known for.
‘The Eleventh Hour’ (Series 5, Episode 1)
If you’ve ever wondered how to start watching Doctor Who, “The Eleventh Hour” is a great entry point, with Smith’s debut as the Eleventh Doctor effectively serving as a soft reboot for the show. Although it still maintains a level of light-hearted camp, Series 5’s increased budget gives it a cinematic quality, evident through its action and visuals, right from the moment the newly regenerated Doctor crashes his TARDIS. Meanwhile, the introduction of Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan, expertly establishes her as an emotional anchor for years to come.
‘Listen’ (Series 8, Episode 4)
Capaldi’s Doctor is at his best when he’s dealing with the philosophical, and “Listen” is among the finest examples as he goes across space and time to chase a monster which may or may not exist. The episode turns mundane moments into high-stakes terror, even something like lying in your bed. And while it wraps up a satisfying story, it also directly connects to “The Day of the Doctor” in a surprising way, making the War Doctor an intrinsic part of its ethos. The final few minutes solidify the episode as one of my favorites from Capaldi’s run, closing with Clara’s resonating line: “Fear makes companions of us all.”
‘The Empty Child’ / ‘The Doctor Dances’ (Series 1, Episodes 9 and 10)
There’s a good reason why this two‑parter has been hailed as a modern classic for Doctor Who ever since it first aired in 2005. “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances” feel like a horror movie, which just so happens to star the Doctor. It also incorporates some simple, yet terrifying imagery, as a zombie-like child wears a gas mask, repeatedly asking a question: “Are you my mummy?” However, the story builds toward an emotional catharsis when Eccleston’s Doctor finally manages to save the day against all the odds. The two-parter balances the dread of wartime with the joy of life, leading to the Ninth Doctor’s most beloved story.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
