I saw this book over in the Barnes & Noble's over by the King Kullen, and decided to try my hand at producing such a list myself. A few notes:
- I'll be doing this as I go along. I'll let you know when I update this.
- This list is arbitrary on my part. You will almost certainly disagree with it. Don't worry, a month after a finish it, I'll probably disagree with it, too.
- This is, of course, limited to the stories that still exist, and that are currently available to be seen. Stories under consideration include the surviving stories of the original series so far released on DVD, the TV movie, and and the epsidoes of the new series through "The Time of the Doctor". No spin-offs are included, nor are audio adventures or the two theatrical films.
- The stories are presented in broadcast order.
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1 )"An Unearthly Child"
Written by Anthony Coburn
Directed by Waris Hussein
Starring:
William Hartnell as the Doctor, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell, and Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman.
Included why?: Largely on the merits of the first episode, which, fifty years later, is still a gripping piece of television. The three subsequent "caveman" episodes, while quite entertaining in their way, do not quite live up to the first one.
"A thing that looks like a police box, standing in a junkyard, it can move anywhere in time and space?"
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2)"The Romans"
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Christopher Barry
Starring:
William Hartnell as the Doctor, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell, and Maureen O'Brien.
Included why?: The program's first comedy episode, and still quite amusing. Hartnell in particular seems to be really enjoying himself here.
"Alright? Of course I'm alright, my child. You know, I am so constantly outwitting the opposition, I tend to forget the delights and satisfaction of the gentle art of fisticuffs."
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3)"The TIme Meddler"
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
Starring:
William Hartnell as the Doctor, Maureen O'Brien as Vicki and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor.
Included why?: An interesting transitional episode, the first one without any of the original companions. Also, the first encounter with another member of the Doctor's race (except Susan) and the first indication that the TARDIS was not unique. And a fun story in and of itself.
"That is the dematerializing control, and that, over yonder, is the horizontal hold. Up there is the scanner; those are the doors; that is a chair with a panda on it. Sheer poetry, dear boy! Now please stop bothering me."
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4)"The Gunfighters"
Written by Donald Cotton
Directed by Rex Tucker
Stsrring:
William Hartnell as the Doctor, Peter Purves as Steven Taylor, and Jackie Lane as Dodo Chaplet.
Included why?: Another fun comedy episode. As an American, I find the abysmal attempts at "cowboy" accents particularly amusing, proof that the British don't do any better at sounding like us than we do at sounding like them.
"He gave me a gun, he extracted my tooth. What more do you want?"
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5)"The Tenth Planet"
Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis
Directed by Derek Martinus
Starring:
William Hartnell as the Doctor, Michael Craze as Ben Jackson, and Anneke Wills as Polly.
Included why?: The introduction of the Cybermen (who are my favorite Who monsters despite looking a bit like Ralph Kramden's Halloween costume here) is overshadowed by the first-ever regeneration scene. Shame Hartnell was so ill during this, He didn't get the send-off he deserved.
"Emotions! Love! Pride! Hate! Fear! Have you no emotions, sir, hmm?"
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6)"The Tomb of the Cybermen"
Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis
Directed by Morris Barry
Starring:
Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon, and Deborah Watling as Victoria Waterfield.
Included why?: My all-time favorite Cybemrne story, and also my favorite Second Doctor. This is the only Troughton story on the list, but that's not meant to be a reflection on him. It's just that he's suffered the most from the "lost episodes" situation.
"You belong to us. You will be like us."
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7)"Inferno"
Written by Don Houghton
Directed by Douglas Camfield (Actually, most of this was directed by Barry Letts when Camfield fell ill two episodes in.)
Starring:
Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, Caroline John as Liz Shaw, and Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
Included why?: I've always been a sucker for "mirror universe" stories, ever since I saw "Mirror, Mirror" on Star Trek. My favorite story of the UNIT Era.
"Our liver playing us up again this morning, is it Professor? "
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8)"The Sea Devils"
Written by Malcolm Hulke
Directed by Michael E. Briant
Starring:
Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, Katy Manning as Jo Grant, and Roger Delgado as the Master.
Included why?: I've always liked the design of the Sea Devils, I think they're cool critters. The Master/Doctor relationship is portrayed very well here. The score is quite good, too.
" I always find that violent exercise makes me hungry. Don't you agree? "
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9)"The Three Doctors"
Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Directed by Lennie Mayne
Starring:
Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell (The Doctor), Katy Manning (Jo Grant) and Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart).
Included why?: The interplay between Troughton and Pertwee, and Stephen Thorne's performance as Omega manage to overcome the spectacular lameness of the Gell Guards and the obvious fact that poor old Hartnell was on his last legs in this.
" Oh, so you're my replacements - a dandy and a clown."
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10)"The Time Warrior"
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Alan Bromly
Starring:
Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Included why?: Two big introductions here, the Sontarans and my favorite companion ever, Sarah Jane Smith, as played by the late (sob!), great Lis Sladen. Full props to Kevin Lindsay as Lynx. Much as I've enjoyed the performances of Derek Deadman, Christopher Ryan and Dan Starkey, Lindsay was the Man when it came to Sontarans.
"Aye, master, yours is indeed a towering intelligence."
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11)"Robot"
Written by Terrance Dicks
Directed by Christopher Barry
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan, and Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
Included why?: A fun intro for the Fourth Doctor - Tom Baker really hits the ground running in this one. The titular automaton is a touch goofy, and the effects are bit dodgy, but overall ths was a good story. This begins the period that made me a life-long fan of the show.
"Haven't we met somewhere before? No, don't tell me. Alexander the Great? No. Hannibal? No. Ah! Brigadier. Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge Stewart. How are you?"
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12)"The Ark in Space"
Written by Robert Holmes (From a story by John Lucarotti)
Directed by Rodney Bennett
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan.
Included why?: A fun first adventure in space for the Fourth Doctor. Despite the somewhat dated special effects, it's a better "Humans vs. Giant Bugs" story than Starship Troopers.
"Homo sapiens! What an inventive, invincible species! It's only been a few million years since they crawled up out of the mud and learned to walk. Puny, defenseless bipeds. They've survived flood, famine and plague. They've survived cosmic wars and holocausts. And now, here they are, out among the stars, waiting to begin a new life. Ready to outsit eternity. They're indomitable... indomitable."
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13)"The Sontaran Experiment"
Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Directed by Rodney Bennett
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan.
Included why?" Another fun outing by Kevin Lindsay, this time as Styre. Pretty action-packed for a two-parter.
" I shall kill you all now, but first I have more important tasks to perform. "
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14)"Genesis of the Daleks"
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by David Maloney
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan.
Included why?: In my opinion, the best Dalek story ever, even if it did clutter up previous Dalek continuity somewhat.. Brilliant performances by Michael Wisher and Peter Miles as Davros and Nyder.
"We are entombed, but we live on. This is only the beginning. We will prepare. We will grow stronger. When the time is right, we will emerge and take our rightful place as the supreme power of the UNIVERSE!"
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15)"Revenge of the Cybermen"
Written by Gerry Davis (With a fair amount of re-writing by Robert Holmes)
Directed Michael E. Briant
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan.
Included why?: A fun re-introduction to the series of the Cybermen, even if the Cyberleader does occasionally border on "camp." I especially like the score on this.
"Harry Sullivan is an imbecile!"
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16)"Terror of the Zygons"
Written by Robert Banks Stewart
Directed by Douglas Camfield
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, Ian Marter as Harry Sullivan, and Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Included why?: A nice, old-fashioned horror story, with a good cast, including John Woodnutt and Angus Lennie. The Zygons were particularly effective monsters.
"Well, you can't rule the world in hiding.You've got to come out onto the balcony sometimes and wave a tentacle, if you'll pardon the expression."
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17)"Planet of Evil"
Written by Louis Marks
Directed by David Maloney
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Included why?: The show does a fun homage to/knock-off of Forbidden Planet. Baker and Sladen work together really well in this. A good guest cast, too, including Frederick Jaeger, Ewen Solon, and Prentis Hancock.
"You and I are scientists, Professor. We buy our privilege to experiment at the cost of total responsibility. "
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18)"Pyramids of Mars"
Written by Stephen Harris ( actually Robert Holmes and Lewis Greifer)
Directed by Paddy Russell
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Included why?: This is easily my all-time favorite Doctor Who story. Baker and Sladen are great together in this, and there was great guest performances by Bernard Archard and MIchael Sheard. Props to Gabriel Woolf for making Sutekh such a memorable heel - this is one of the few times Baker's Doctor seems genuinely uncertain whether he he defeat his opponent.
"Your evil is my good.I am the Sutekh the Destroyer.Where I tread I leave nothing but dust and darkness.I find that good."
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19)"The Brain of Morbius"
Written by Robin Bland (Terrance Dicks heavily re-written by Robert Holmes)
Directed by Christopher Barry
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Included why?: Another all-time favorite as the show does Frankenstein. Baker and Sladen are both good in this, but for me the star of this is the great and powerful Philip Madoc in my favorite of his many roles in the show.
" I can see that, you chicken-brained biological disaster." (My favoritest insult ever!)
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20)"The Seeds of Doom"
Written by Robert Banks Stewart
Directed by Douglas Camfield
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Included why?: Why yes, thank you, I do think that this period was the show's "Golden Age". Tony Beckley is especially memorable as Harrison Chase..
"If we don't find that pod before it germinates, it'll be the end of everything. Everything, you understand? Even your pension!"
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21)"The Masque of Mandragora"
Written by Louis Marks
Directed by Rodney Bennett
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Included why?: Another great story, with a fun villain in Hieronymous as played by Norman Jones. It is to be confessed that some of the SFX were a bit risible, I must also confess that I thought (and still think) that Sladen looked exquisite in the above-shown costume.
"Listen, listen. There are no measurements in infinity. You humans have got such limited little minds. I don't know why I like you so much. "
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22)"The Hand of Fear"
Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Directed by Lennie Mayne
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.
Include why?: A very memorable performance from Sladen in this. (I gather that for the rest of her life, fans would ask her to say "Eldrad must live!" for them.). I gather she and Baker were allowed to craft her leaving scene themselves.
"Eldrad must live!" (I gather that for the rest of her life, fans would ask Sladen to say this for them.).
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23)"The Horror of Fang Rock"
Written by Terrance Dicks
Directed by Paddy Russell
Starring:
Tom Baker as the Doctor, and Louise Jameson as Leela.
Included why?: A nice, taut little horror story by one of the show's all-time great writers. Jameosn really comes into her own in this.
"Silence! You will do as the Doctor instructs, or I will cut out your heart."
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24)"Black Orchid"
Written by Terence Dudley
Directed by Ron Jones
Starring:
Peter Davison as the Doctor, Matthew Waterhouse as Adric, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, and Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka.
Included why?: I've always enjoyed the show's first stab at Agatha Christie (though if you listen to the DVD commentary track, the cast seems to have loathed it), although I'll be the first to admit that it's a bit racist/imperialist/classist, which I suppose makes it true to the time it was set in.
"Why do I always let my curiosity get the better of me?"
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25)"Earthshock"
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Grimwade
Starring:
Peter Davison as the Doctor, Matthew Waterhouse as Adric, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, and Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka.
Included why?: The fun return of the Cybermen and the debut of David Banks' somewhat excitable Cyberleader ("Excelllent!"). And of course, Adric finally does the one thing that most fanboys had been hoping he would do!
"When did you last have the pleasure of smelling a flower, watching a sunset, eating a well-prepared meal?"
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26)"The Five Doctors"
Written by Terrance Dicks
Directed by Peter Moffatt
Starring Peter Davison, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Richard Hurndall and old footage of William Hartnell and Tom Baker as the Doctor, Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka, Mark Strickson as Turlough, Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman, Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, John Leeson as the voice of K-9, Frazer Hines as pretend-Jamie McCrimmon, Wendy Padbury as pretend-Zoe Heriot, Caroline John as pretend-Liz Shaw, Richard Franklin as pretend-Mike Yates, old footage of Lalla as Romana, and Anthony Ainley as the Master.
Included why?: I'm always a sucker for these anniversary get-togethers, and Terrance Dicks probably made us much sense out of this as anyone could.
"Believe it or not, we were at the academy together."
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27)"The Caves of Androzani"
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring Peter Davison ( and briefly, Colin Baker) as the Doctor, ans Nicola bryant as Peri Brown.
Included why?: Davsions's last story is , in my opinio,n ,at least, his best, as long as you put the cave monster out of your mind.
"Change, my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon."
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(Note: There are no Colin Baker stories in my top fifty. This is not meant to disparage the man or his fitness to play the role, merely the quality of stories that existed during his tenure. Had this been a "top sixty" or "top seventy" list, then I expect that stories like "Terror of the Vervoids" and "Attack of the Cybermen" might well have appeared on it.)
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28)"Delta and the Bannermen"
Written by Malcolm Kohll
Directed by Chris Clough
Starring:
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, and Bonnie Langford as Mel.
Included why?: A nice, lighthearted romp. McCoy and Langford make a good team - I always felt that fandom dumped on her more than she deserved.
"I don't just kill for money. It's also something I enjoy."
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29)"Remembrance of the Daleks"
Written by Ben Aaronovitch
Directed by Andrew Morgan
Starring:
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
Included why?: Another favorite Dalek story, with in-jokes for all of the fanboys, and an explration of racism.
"Powerful. Crush the lesser races. Conquer the galaxy. Unimaginable power. Unlimited rice pudding, et cetera, et cetera."
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30)"Silver Nemesis"
Written by Graeme Curry
Directed by Chris Clough.
Starring:
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
Included why?: I enjoy the interaction between the Doctor, Lady Peinforte and the Cyberleader in this story, even though it is a bit of a muddle at times.
"Imagination, thought, freedom, pleasure - all will end."
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31)"Battlefield"
Written by Ben Aaronovitch
Directed by Michael Kerrigan
Starring:
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, Sophie Aldred as Ace, and Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
Included why?: A fun take on the Arthurian legend, plus the return of the Brigadier and UNIT!
"Don't worry, Brigadier. People will be shooting at you soon."
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32)"The Curse of Fenric"
Written by Ian Briggs
Directed by Nicholas Mallett
Starring:
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
Included why?: A nice, grim horror story, and a good example of the Seventh Doctor as the master manipulator.
"Ah... the sound of dying. When it comes to death, quantity is so much more satisfying than quality."
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(Note: There are no Paul McGann stories on the list, either. While I enjoyed the TV movie, it's not one of my top 50 favorities. I quite liked "Night of the Doctor", but I didn't consider "mini-sodes" for this list.)
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33)"The End of the World"
Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Euros Lyn
Starring:
Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, Rose Tyler as Billie Piper.
Included why?: Wacky aliens, an examination of what it would be like to suddenly find yourself in another time, and a nice subversion when the Doctor doesn't save the world!
" You think it'll last forever, the people and cars and concrete. But it won't. One day it's all gone, even the sky. My planet's gone. It's dead. It burned like the Earth. It's rocks and dust before its time."
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34)"Dalek"
Written by Robert Shearman
Directed by Joe Ahearne
Starring:
Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, and Bruno Langley as Adam Mitchell.
Included why?: an excellent reintroduction of the Doctor's oldest enemy, and a rare look at a Dalek's personality. If this had been the last Dalek sotry, it would have been a good one to go out on.
"You would make a good Dalek."
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35)"Bad Wolf"/"Parting of the Ways"
Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Joe Ahearne
Starring:
Christopher Eccleston and (briefly) David Tennant as the Doctor, Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, and John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness.
Included why?: A nice swansong for Eccleston's Doctor, and lots of good space opera as we get to see armies of Daleks for the first time.
"You know what they call me in the ancient legends of the Dalek homeworld? The Oncoming Storm. You might have removed all your emotions, but I reckon right down deep in your DNA there's one little spark left. And that's fear. Doesn't it just burn when you face me?"
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36)"School Reunion"
Written by Toby Whithouse
Directed by James Hawes
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, Bille Piper as Rose Tyler, Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, and John Leeosn as the voice of K-9.
Included why?: How could I possibly pass up the return of Sarah Jane. Plus Rose gets a little perspective on life with the Doctor.
"You can spend the rest of your life with me. But I can't spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on, alone. That's the curse of the Time Lords."
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37)"Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel"
Written by Tom MacRae
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, and Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith.
Included why?: An impressive return for my favorite cyborgs, backed up by Rose's sort of reunion with her father, plus some nice character development for Mickey.
"I've been captured. But don't worry, Rose and Pete are out there. They can rescue me. Oh well, never mind."
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38)"The Impossible Planet"/"The Satan Pit"
Written by Matt Jones
Directed by James Strong
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler.
Included why?: Another nice little horror story. The Doctor battles the Devil himself!
"This one knows me and I know him. The killer of his own kind."
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39)"Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday"
Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, and Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith.
Included why?: Another grand epic ful of sound and fury, and signifying not much, but still alot of fun, particularly the encounter between the Daleks and Cybermen where they snipe at each other like eight year olds.
"This is not war, this is pest control!"
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40)"Daleks in Manhattan"/"Evolution of the Daleks"
Written by Helen Raynor
Directed by James Strong
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, and Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones.
Included why?: Another fun story - I especially find the Dalek "tommyguns" amusing. Probably my favorite Martha story.
" We are the only four Daleks in existence. So the species must evolve to survive. A life outside the shell. The children of Skaro will walk again!"
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41)"The Fires of Pompeii"
Written by James Moran
Directed by Colin Teague
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
Included why?: A nice pseudo-historical, and an early example of how Tate is more than just a comedy turn.
"Even the word Doctor is false. Your real name is hidden, it burns in the stars, in the cascade of Medusa herself. You are a Lord, sir. A Lord of Time."
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42)"The Doctor's Daughter"
Written by Stephen Greenhorn
Directed by Alice Troughton
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, and Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones.
Included why?: An interesting concept - a multi-generational war fought in a day - plus the lovely and talented Georgia Moffett as the Doctor's "daughter", and a tragic subplot between Martha and her Hath pal add up to an excellent story.
"Hello Dad."
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43)"The Unicorn and the Wasp"
Written by Gareth Roberts
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
Included why?: An Agatha Christie mystery combined with Clue and a giant wasp! What's not to love?
"Never mind Planet Zog. A party in the 1920s! That's more like it!"
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44)"The Stolen Earth"/"Journey's End"
Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith, John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones, and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. (Plus a host of others!)
Included why?: Doctor Who does Crisis on Infinite Earths! I've always been a sucker for these kind fo stories where everybody comes together in a huge group. Plus, Julian bleach does a good job reviving the character of Davros.
" Across the entire Universe. Never stopping, never faltering, never fading. People and planets and stars will become dust. And the dust will become atoms and the atoms will become... nothing. And the wave length will continue, breaking through the rift at the heart of the Medusa Cascade into every dimension, every parallel, every single corner of creation. This is my ultimate victory, Doctor! The destruction of reality itself!"
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45)"The Waters of Mars"
Written by Russell T. Davies and Phil Ford
Directed by Graeme Harper
Starring:
David Tennant as the Doctor, and Lindsay Duncan as Adelaide Brooke
Included why?: For me, the scariest story of the new series, possibly of the show as a whole. Duncan is very good in this.
"This is wrong, Doctor! I don't care who you are! The Time Lord Victorious is wrong!"
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46)"The End of Time"
Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Euros Lyn
Starring David Tennant and Matt Smith as the Doctor, Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, John Simm as the Master, Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, and Timothy Dalton as Rassilon.
Included why?: A spectacular farewell for the Tenth Doctor, with the Master's goofiest plan yet, and a long, drawn-out farewell for Tennant. The interplay between Tennant and Cribbins,and Simm and Tennant, really makes this episode for me.
"I don't want to go."
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47)"The Doctor's Wife"
Written by Neil Gaiman
Directed by Richard Clark
Starring:
Matt Smith as the Doctor, Karen Gillan as Amy Pond,and Arthur Darvill as Rory Williams.
Included why?: A fun look at the Doctor's most faithful companion. A well-written episode from Mr. Gaiman, it makes me want to read some of his fiction.
"Biting's excellent! It's like kissing. Only there's a winner."
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48)"Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"
Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Saul Metzstein
Starring:
Matt Smith as the Doctor, Karen Gillan as Amy Pond, Arthur Darvil as Rory Williams, and Mark Williams as Brian Williams.
Included why?: Excellent dinosaurs, the Doctor's "gang", the metal tantrum machines, and a baddy well-played by Edward Bradley, add up to a fun run-around.
"Now, what do we do about the things that aren't kestrels?"
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49)"Nightmare in Silver"
Written by Neil Gaiman
Directed by Stephen Woolfenden
Starring:
Matt Smith as the Doctor, and Jenna-Louise Coleman as Clara Oswald
Included why?: A fun updating of the Cybermen, and a particularly good performance by Smith in this.
"When someone asks you if you want to be queen of the universe, you say yes."
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50)"The Day of the Doctor"
Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Nick Hurran
Starring:
Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt (and old footage of all the others) as the Doctor, Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald, Billie Piper as the Moment, and Tom Baker as the Curator.
Included why?: A fun anniversary, as long as you don't think about the plot all that much. Piper was particularly impressive in this, far more imopressive than she ever was as Rose.
"You know I really think you might."
Replies
Here's the first five. Plenty more to come!
Added numbers six and seven.
Updated through number ten.
I'm with you so far. I don't know if I have 50 favorites, or what they would be, but (except for "The Tenth Planet", which I've yet to see) I'm very fond of all of these. I think that "The Gunfighters"' reputation is slowly improving.
Updated through fifteen!
Updated through #25!
Updated through #30!
Updated through 32.
Updated through 35.
Updated through #37.
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