UPDATED 20TH AUGUST 2010
Well, with the Doctor finally back on our screens for the first full series since 1989, maybe it's time to put my own points of view forward. Below are some Top 5's. My personal comments on the new series are below. NEW SERIES.
Favourite Doctor
1. Patrick Troughton
2. Jon Pertwee
3. Matt Smith
4. David Tennant
5. William Hartnell
Least Favourite
1. Colin Baker
Favourite William Hartnell Stories
1. The Celestial Toy maker
2. The Daleks Master Plan
3. Dalek Invasion of Earth
4. The Daleks
5. Reign of Terror
Least Favourite
1. The Massacre
Favourite Patrick Troughton Stories
1. Web of Fear
2. Fury From The Deep
3. Evil of The Daleks
4. Invasion
5. Seeds of Death
Least Favourite
1. Space Pirates
Favourite Jon Pertwee Stories
1. Inferno
2. Silurians
3. Invasion of The Dinosaurs
4. Three Doctors
5. Daemons
Least Favourite
1. Planet Of The Spiders
Favourite Tom Baker Stories
1. Robots of Death
2. Talons of Weng Chaing
3. Pyramids of Mars
4. Terror Of The Zygons
5. Horror Of Fang Rock
Least Favourite
1. Underworld
Favourite Peter Davison Stories
1. Earthshock
2. Caves of Androzani
3. Resurrection of The Daleks
4. Enlightenment
5. Snakedance
Least Favourite
1. Time Flight
Favourite Colin Baker Stories
1. Revelation of The Daleks
2. Terror of The Vervoids
3. Two Doctors
4. Ultimate Foe
5. Vengeance on Varos
Least Favourite
1. Twin Dilemma
Favourite Sylvester McCoy Stories
1. Curse of Fenric
2. Greatest Show in The Galaxy
3. Remembrance of The Daleks
4. Paradise Towers
5. Dragonfire
Least Favourite
1. Time and The Rani
Favourite Christopher Eccleston Stories
1. Bad Wolf/Parting of The Ways
2. Empty Child/The Doctor Dances
3. Dalek
4. The Unquiet Dead
5. Rose
Least Favourite
1. The Long Game
Favourite David Tennant Stories
1. Turn Left
2. Blink
3. Utopia
4. Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead
5. Fires Of Pompeii
Least Favourite
1. Fear Her
Favourite Companion
1. Jamie McCrimmon
2. Donna Noble
3. Barbara Wright
4. Sarah Jane Smith
5. Rose Tyler
Least Favourite
1. Adric (Or Rosita if you can count her!)
Favourite Monster
1. Ice Warriors
2. Weeping Angels
3. Cybermen
4. Yeti
5. Daleks
Least Favourite
1. Sontarans
WORST ACTING PERFORMANCE :)
1. Professor Zaroff (Underwater Menace)
2. Soldeed (Horns of Nimon)
3. Cotton (The Mutants)
4. Tryst (Nightmare of Eden)
5. Rosita (The Next Doctor)
SEASON 1
1. ROSE
Well, we missed the regeneration but the action started immediately and
the Doctor's first entrance was unforgettable - dragging Rose from the clutches
of death! The Autons were always a personal favourite of mine and looked great
in this new series. Glad they weren't given silly grating voices like they had
in Terror of The Autons. I wasn't sure if I would take to Billie Piper as a
companion but I had nothing to fear. She's great in this and it looks like the
start of an interesting relationship between the Doctor and Rose.
The story was fairly basic but served as a great introduction. Supremely action
packed, great effects and the return of The Autons. A fantastic start.
N.B. Has anyone else noticed that the three Auton stories have always begun a
season?? Spearhead From Space in 1970, Terror of The Autons in 1971 and now Rose
in 2005??? Seems like the Autons are a good way of introducing the Third Doctor,
The Master & now The Ninth Doctor!!!
5th
2. THE END OF THE WORLD
With Rose now a crew member the Doctor takes her to the future to
witness the end of the Earth. Although I wasn't quite as keen on this
story it was certainly still full of excitement and Cassandra was superb.
9th
3. THE UNQUIET DEAD
For me, this was where the series really found it's form. It was a
great script, the dialogue between The Doctor and Dickens (Superbly portrayed by
Simon Callow) in the carriage was good fun. The scenes in the morgue were creepy
and the "pitiful" Gelth fooling The Doctor turned out to be real old
fashioned nasties. Fantastic. 4th
4. ALIENS OF LONDON/WORLD WAR
THREE
Mixed feelings on this one. The story outline was fine and the
crashing spaceship will go down as one of the greatest Dr. Who effects. It was
also nice to get a two part story so us old timers could have our cliff-hanger.
The Slitheen were a good creation although I did get a little fed up with the
unzipping all the time. The return was well filmed and it was good to see the
consequences of the Doctor taking a companion from Earth and leaving friends and
family to wonder what had befallen them, but I have to say, I felt the
reintroduction of Jackie Tyler & Mickey was going to turn Dr Who into a sci fi
soap opera. The parts are acted well and with conviction but, personally, I
could do without them. 8th
5. DALEK
Fantastic! Totally riveted throughout the duration of this story. The
damage done by a single Dalek, the tricking of Rose into reanimating itself and
the terrible consequences of the action - to the Humans AND the Dalek, the
Doctor's obvious fear leading to his acting completely out of character, the
look of horror when the Dalek began floating up the stairs - at least we knew it
was gonna happen!! So many great moments and it still only made third place on
my list. I would not have believed that even better was to come.
3rd
6. THE LONG GAME
Oh, what a disappointment! Just COULD NOT get into this story. Shame,
as I was looking forward to seeing Simon Pegg in the series. The only good part
was Adam being turned down as a companion. Oh, and I did find the last scene
rather amusing!! 10th
7. FATHER'S DAY
I know there were mixed feelings about this story but I loved
it. Pete Tyler was acted with conviction. Jackie was back but rather important
for the story so I accepted her. The Reapers were superb and actually made Rose
scream. Haven't heard a good scream since dear old Bonnie!!!
☺ The scene where The Doctor returned to The TARDIS
and found it empty was totally unexpected and made me utter a rude word in
surprise! Definite lump in the throat ending. Superb.
6th
8. THE EMPTY CHILD/THE DOCTOR DANCES
Although this story only made second place on my list, deep down I
know it was the best but I have a reason for voting another story number 1. The
first episode was creepy, well paced and full of superb scenes. Captain Jack was
a great creation and so pleased to see he was going to join the TARDIS crew.
Rose's flight over London was another of Dr. Who's greatest moments. But the
biggest honours have to go to Nancy, the best supporting actress in the series.
And how many of us started saying "Mummy Mummy - Are You My Mummy?" Terrific.
Dr. Constantine, too, was a great creation and his last scene with the woman
who's leg had grown back was priceless!!! Possibly the most "Feel Good" episodes
ever! Everybody Lives!!! 2nd
9. BOOM TOWN
Sandwiched between two such great stories, this was always going to
be a forgotten story. On first viewing I wasn't that impressed but on subsequent
viewings I have become quite attached to it. The dinner scenes with Margaret
begging for her life and the Doctor countering every plea was superbly scripted
- and countering both attempts to kill him. Made me laugh out loud. Oh, and
Mickey was back!!!!!!!!! Whoopee!
7th
10. BAD WOLF/THE PARTING OF
THE WAYS
Luckily, I knew the Daleks were returning in this story but the
previous weeks preview may have spoilt their return for some. The first episode
was well paced and I finally watched an episode of Big Brother!! For the second
time this season I uttered a rude word when Rose was seemingly disintegrated.
But the main reason for me voting this the best story of the season was the
episode 1 cliff-hanger. For years, my all time favourite cliff-hanger has been
The Invasion episode 6 with the Cybermen emerging from the London sewers but now
I have a new favourite. I had tears of emotion in my eyes at this point as I
finally saw the kind of episode end that could never have been achieved in the
old series with the limited budgets. So, on to the final episode. Absolutely
riveted throughout, even Jackie and Mickey couldn't dampen my enthusiasm. The
Emperor Dalek was superb and I was so glad it wasn't Davros. The returning of
Rose home - so emotional. The bombshell that the Emperor Dalek wasn't The Bad
Wolf - it was a lot closer to home than the Doctor realised, the killing of
Lynda - so so sad but what an incredible scene with the Daleks slowly appearing
outside the space station window and the Dalek lights silently flashing
"exterminate". The killing of Captain Jack and his subsequent resurrection - and
of course the superb regeneration. What a superb story. One of my top 5 of all
time. 1st
So ended the first season of the new Dr Who. Full marks to Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper who made one of the most great partnerships in Dr. Who history. And thanks to Russell T. Davies for bringing the series back into the 21st century. I know it's naff to keep saying it but theres only one word to describe it. FANTASTIC!!!
SEASON 2
1. NEW EARTH
Well, after The Christmas Invasion is was great
to see David Tennant fully as The Doctor. Like all previous changes it has
always been with a certain amount of trepidation when a new Doctor arrives but
all fears were groundless. David took the role by the horns and by the end of
this story was well in his stride. Story wise, it was good and an interesting
beginning to the new series. With so many good stories to come it was always
going to be fairly low placed but that takes nothing away from it. The cat
nurses were a great creation and the return of Cassandra was very welcome and
the body swapping had me laughing for a lot of the story. Shame about the soppy
end! 8th
2. TOOTH AND CLAW
Better than the first story. The transformation of the
wolf was even better than the scene in American Werewolf in London. Pauline
Collins played a very regal Queen Victoria and the story itself was extremely
interesting and gave us a good werewolf story. Highlights included The Doctor
trying to stop Rose "talking Scottish" at the beginning and Queen Victoria's
setting up of TORCHWOOD.
7th
3. SCHOOL REUNION
A story with Sarah Jane Smith was always going
to be good but was nice to see the deep attachment she had for the Doctor that
never really came out before. Even K9 wasn't bad in this story. Also, by now, I
was staring to warm to Mickey. 3rd
4. THE GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE
Oh, what a sad story. This is fairly low placed
but only because there was so much good stuff that came later plus, at the time,
I thought it was a bit unDoctorlike to leap to Reinette's defence and abandon
Rose & Mickey. But a good story and a great leap through the mirror on the horse
:) 6th
5. THE RISE OF THE CYBERMEN/AGE OF STEEL
Last year it was The Daleks, this year The
Cybermen returned - and they never looked creepier. The scenes of the
Cybernization were truly horrific. John Lumic was a leeeetle bit naff, not in
the Davros league, but wasn't bad. And that walk along the darkened corridor
with the inert Cybermen - Oooooooooooooh! Really taken to Jackie now too.
5th
6. IDIOT'S LANTERN
I loved this one. Thought Maureen Lipman was
out of this world and loved the faceless people. Pretty creepy. Just really
enjoyed the climb up the tower at the end. Good old excitement and thrills.
2nd
7. THE IMPOSSIBLE PLANET/THE SATAN PIT
Another great story and good to see one NOT set
on Earth. I'm staring to use this word a lot but some very creepy scenes.
Different to anything that had gone before and proof that an off Earth story is
still very popular with fans. Another really exciting end with the Beast and
Rose being forced onto the Spaceship and discovering the Beast is still among
them!! 4th
8. LOVE & MONSTERS
Love it or hate it?? It was a brave
attempt and had some good moments and I would certainly prefer to re-watch this
one than... 9th
9. FEAR HER
...this one! A good idea but really couldn't
get into it like last years LONG GAME. And the girl actually got on my nerves so
much I was willing the thing in the Wardrobe to get her!! And I don't mean Mr.
Tumnus!!! 10th
10. ARMY OF GHOSTS/DOOMSDAY
Foregone conclusion. Unfortunately a friend at
work told me he had heard a rumour that The Daleks were returning in this years
final story so the cliffhanger was slightly marred - oh, but what a
cliffhanger!! Just superb from start to finish, and Rose's exit. WHAT a
tearjerker. Roll on next season! 1st
SEASON 3
1. SMITH & JONES
Well, Rose had gone and we moved onto a new
companion. Martha Jones wasn't a bad replacement and this years opening story
was a goodun, although placed low as it was a great season. The first appearance
of The Judoon - a great new recurring alien. Good start but for the second year
running the opening story placed... 8th
2. SHAKESPEARE CODE
Wasn't too sure about this one. A bit
disappointed although I have grown on it slightly since. I think it was the
witches. A bit over the top. 9th
3. GRIDLOCK
Now this one was brilliant. I loved the idea of
the never ending motorway & some great characters. But, for a Dr Who fan like
myself who has watched it from episode 1, it was the complete surprise of the
return of the Macra. Seems like the third story of each season so far is the
first cracker! 3rd
4. DALEKS IN MANHATTAN/EVOLUTION OF THE
DALEKS
For some unknown reason, this story was voted
bottom of the season by Dr Who fans. Maybe the Dalek novelty was finally wearing
off. For me, the only naffish part was the Human Dalek makeup, apart from that I
thought it a different and interesting story. Full marks for managing to write a
story featuring Daleks & big show numbers!
6th
5. THE LAZARUS EXPERIMENT
Think I only re-watched this one once. I really
don't remember much about it. I just remember being fed up that Martha was
fancying the Doctor and then her Mother came back into it. It felt as if they
were trying to make a second Rose and failing miserably. Sadly, this one joins
'Fear Her' at the bottom of it's years top 10! 10th
6. 42
Now, this was much better. Separated from The
TARDIS and only 42 minutes to save a space ship plunging into a alien sun. Great
action story and a great performance from the possessed David Tennant. Also a
great idea of opening sealed doors with pub quiz type questions.
5th
7. HUMAN NATURE/FAMILY OF BLOOD
Now the stories were just getting better &
better. This was a scary but very emotional story as the humanised Doctor has to
come to terms with losing his lady love and regaining his Time Lord memory. I
didn't think the series was going to get much better until the next story & a
classic monster was born!!!!! Also, I never realised I would see another pocket
watch!!! 4th
8. BLINK
Hardly any Doctor & Martha but an instant
classic. The Weeping Angels were probably the creepiest monsters ever to grace
the series. Edge of the seat stuff. And Sally Sparrow - the greatest companion
that never was! 1st
9. UTOPIA
Although classed by many as the first part of a
three part finale, I still consider this on it's own merit. The return of the
pocket watch - this time, Professor Yana, in reality The Master. The last
fifteen minutes of this story were, for me, some of the best scenes in its long
history. The conversation between Jack & The Doctor while Jack is in the
radiation chamber is wonderful. And Derek Jacobi - wonderful. Would have liked
to have seen a bit more of him in the role. A great set up for the finale.
2nd
10. THE SOUND OF DRUMS/LAST OF THE TIME
LORDS
With such a brilliant lead up to it, the season
finale had me severely disappointed. Although I didn't mind Martha, I just
didn't believe in her 'saving the world' storyline. John Simm was a great Master
but I just felt the story lacked a certain something and I am placing it very
low unlike the past two years season finales.
7th
SEASON 4
1. PARTNERS IN CRIME
Catherine Tate was back - and what a pleasure.
I knew she was gonna be great but didn't realise HOW great. Great scene with the
'silent' conversation between the Doctor & Donna when they first re-meet. Quite
a good opening story but the return of a very worried looking Rose at the
end sealed it for me. We did not know what was coming but it wasn't good news!!!
9th
2. FIRES OF POMPEII
Well, certainly didn't have to wait for the
third story this season for a cracker. This was the story that began the clues
to the finale. The eruption of Vesuvius was one of the best special effects
since the series returned. Donna was coming into her form - her "Just save
someone" was a heart wrenching moment. Terrific.
3rd
3. PLANET OF THE OOD
Another underrated little story. Donna's
reaction to the song of the Ood was magnificent and the mechanical grab chase
with The Doctor was a great moment. And the DoctorDonna was born although it's
significance was lost on us for the moment.
7th
4. THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM/THE POISON SKY
Although not a Sontaran fan, this was a great
return for them and I warmed to them and their war cry :) Also, we were getting
to see more of Wilf in this story and the love affair between Bernard Cribbins
and the Dr Who fans was warming up. Showing himself to be a brilliant character,
he was the victim in the cliffhanger and we were actually worried if he would
survive! Also, heralded the return of Martha sadly acted off screen by Catherine
Tate. And evil Martha was just normal Martha with a frown. Ah well, she tried!
8th
5. THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER
And here was this years clunker. The Doctor has
his hand thrust into a machine and he ends up with a daughter who gets killed at
the end but not really. That's about it. Oh, and Martha got dropped off at home
again!! Phew 10th
6. THE UNICORN & THE WASP
Joy for me. A Dr Who & Agatha Christie fan and
here they were together in one story. Great fun story. From the CLUEDO style
murder of Professor Peach in The Library with the lead piping to trying to spot
all the Agatha Christie titles in the dialogue. From the Doctor screaming
'Ginger Beer' into the face of the gay footman to the appearance of the giant
wasp it was a fantastic light hearted story before the grimness of the rest of
the season. 6th
7. SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY/FOREST OF THE
DEAD
After last years "BLINK" all eyes were on this
story - the next one penned by Steven Moffat. Although not as good, this was a
wonderful story with great characters, especially the recurring River Song, and
some great moments. Once again Catherine Tate shone when she was in the
imaginary world and it was an exciting roller coater ride of a story again.
2nd
8. MIDNIGHT
The nearest story in Doctor Who's history to a
psychological thriller, this was a solo effort from David Tennant leaving Donna
behind while he takes a trip across the planet Midnight. Most of the action
takes place in the travel pod leading to a claustrophobic atmosphere where
everyone seems hostile especially to the Doctor. Very unsettling and proof that
Russell T Davies can write cracking stories.
4th
9. TURN LEFT
And if more proof were needed of Russell's
talent, this Doctor light story was a triumph for Donna, Wilf & Rose. Seeing
Donna witness the carnage left in the wake of the Doctor's death, the heart
wrenching scene when the Italians are shipped of to 'labour camps' & Donna's
eventual sacrifice made this the story of the year for me. 1st
10. THE STOLEN EARTH/JOURNEY'S END
Mixed emotions here with this story. I was not
a great Davros fan but loved him in this. Great to see all the familiar faces
again, but all through this story was fearing for Donna. The cliff hanger was a
classic but it was all spoilt for me at the end. I know it was a great storyline
but I thought it was too sad an end for Donna and I cannot watch this as much as
some of the other stories. Still, it had Daleks & Jackie with a gun so wasn't
all bad :)) 5th
THE SPECIALS INCLUDING XMAS SPECIALS
1. THE CHRISTMAS INVASION
I think the problem with this was the post
regeneration trauma keeping David Tennant out of so much of the story. Also,
Rose had shown herself to be a strong character in the first season, now she was
reduced to a snivelling useless lettuce. Mind, the attack of the Christmas tree
was great :) 6th
2. THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
At the end of 'DOOMSDAY' and the bride
appeared, my mate yelled "It's Catherine Tate". Up till then I hadn't heard of
her. I had no idea she would become my second favourite companion! This was a
much better Christmas special and there were some great moments between The
Doctor & Donna. 3rd
3.VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED
Sorry, but you cannot kill Kylie and expect a high position in
favourite stories. Actually, I did enjoy this one and liked the fact that the
nastiest character (NO! NOT Clive Swift!!!) survived while the nice ones
perished. Made a change - not so predictable. But killing off Kylie. Nah!!
4th
4. THE NEXT DOCTOR
Well, of course by this time people were asking
themselves this question. Who WOULD be the next Doctor. We all gave David
Morrissey the once over. (Actually I gave him the twice over!!! ;-)). Story
wise, not too bad. The Cybermen were as evil as ever led by the wonderful Mercy
Hartigan. The giant Cyber King at the end was a triumph. Loved It. Only let
down? Rosita. Dreadful actress, mainly shouting all the time and doing bugger
all. Not surprised The Doctor told Jackson Lake that she was so good. Obviously
didn't want to get lumbered with her himself!!!
5th
5. PLANET OF THE DEAD
A flying bus. What more can I say? Not the
greatest story though it was the last chance for light heartedness before the
grimness of the final two stories. And of course the 'He Will Knock Four Times'
warning. Great red herring there! But certainly the worst of the specials
7th
6. THE WATERS OF MARS
At last, a really great special. It was just so
creepy and the grimly untypical behaviour of the Doctor at the end boded well
for the final ending. 2nd
7. THE END OF TIME
A much better Master story than the third
seasons effort. The return of the Time Lords and the last time to see some
favourite characters. But of course this was Wilf's story. At last he was
getting a trip in The TARDIS and we were treated to one final outing for him.
Oh, and saying goodbye to Rose again. There's only a certain amount of times you
can do that!!! But when we found it was Wilf who would 'knock four times' it was
just a heartbreaking end to David Tennant's time as The Doctor - but still the
greatest of the specials. And a sneak preview of the wonderful Matt Smith -
here's to the next season!!! 1st
SEASON 5
1. THE ELEVENTH HOUR
I actually dont want to
put this story so low but the top 5 for me this year have all been terrific. The
best opening story for a Doctor since Spearhead From Space. Yes & Fish Custard
was brilliant, although "And Stay Out" to bread & butter was even better :) Amy
is looking good though wasn't too sure about Rory here but didn't take long to
warm to him - though warming to Jeff would have been better! :)
6th
2. THE BEAST BELOW
This years clunker - surprisingly a Steven
Moffat story. It wasn't bad, it's just that the rest of the season was so good.
The only episode I haven't downloaded from i-tunes to play on my i-pod.
10th
3. VICTORY OF THE DALEKS
Hate placing a Dalek
story so low but what started off as a great first 30 minutes just seemed to
peter out. I quite like the new Daleks but loved the khaki coloured ones better.
This also had the first of those great close ups of Matt Smiths face as he hears
the Dalek gliding behind him. Very very rushed, sadly.
9th
4. TIME
OF ANGELS/FLESH & STONE
An instant classic for
me. One of my top 5 of all time. The Angel coming out of the screen, The return
of River (Sonic Me), the realisation that all the statues in the caves are
angels, the part where you see the angels move actually had me blaspheming and
hugging my knees up on the sofa and that dreadful monster at the end of part 1,
the Grahamus Nortus - that made it for me!!!
1st
5.
VAMPIRES OF VENICE
Fair to middling story.
It looked good and had some great scenes Rory's swordfight, the Doctors meeting
with the "Vampires" and space cod :)))
7th
6.
AMY'S CHOICE
This was a great little
story. Trying to sort out which was the real world and the little twist at the
end. The reason for Amy's choice was heartbreaking but we were glad Rory wasn't
really deaded :) Toby Jones was also a good understated villain unlike our dear
old Anthony Ainley - bless him. Oh, and the frozen TARDIS looked cool - no pun
intended. 4th
7. THE
HUNGRY EARTH/COLD BLOOD
I thoroughly enjoyed
this story with its wonderful nods to the JP era. Silurians, Inferno, Green
Death they're all there. But - i tried to like the Silurians but could not warm
to them. They looked fine in 1970 thank you very much. But it was a shocker to
see Rory Killed (again!!!). Again, such a low placing because of the greatness
of the rest of the season.
8th
8.
VINCENT & THE DOCTOR
This was a wonderful
story. Lots of complaints about the rubbish monster, but I liked him :) A brave
story to do, however. Very popular among Who fans. Great central performances
all round and the tear jerking end. Great stuff
3rd
9. THE
LODGER
Another story that could
have failed but won through. Many Who fans (as usual) condemned it before
watching it but proved fairly popular. Matt Smith at his best.
5th
10. THE
PANDORICA OPENS/THE BIG BANG
I don't really care
about plot holes this was just edge of the seat stuff from start to end. The
guard training his gun on the drawing on the wall telling River Song her
lipstick doesn't work in here. Brilliant. 'Hello Sweetie' becoming a favourite
saying at work :) The cliffhanger was incredible. Many people i know moaned
because part two was the infamous "reset button" resolution. But as I pointed
out, the bloody universe ended. Not much else they could do as they have been
commissioned a series 6 (or 32) which would have been dull with no universe or
Doctor in it! Rory was magnificent in this and so pleased to see him go off at
the end. But best part was - "It's a fez, i wear a fez now, fezzes are cool" :)
and the hilarious destruction of it :) Great end for a superb opening season for
Matt Smith. Long may he reign.
2nd