With the current season of Doctor Who on hiatus (possibly never returning); I thought this would be a good time to put together a list of the three best episodes of the current Doctor Who series since 2013. Why three? Because there have been three Doctors since the last time I wrote about what I thought were the Best Episodes of the series since the re-launch. (And please don’t bother to write and tell me that there have been four Doctors because I don’t count David Tennant returning as the 14th Doctor. Reasons are in another post.)
So, the three episodes? Are they really the best? Well, I think so and it’s my blog, so there. So, if you’re not interested in Doctor Who spoilers or theory or anything related, come back in a week or two when I can guarantee the subject will not be Doctor Who. So let’s get started, shall we?
SPOILERS AHEAD
Each story I’ve selected added something to the Doctor Who legend. They also demonstrated a bit of character growth for both the Doctor and his companion(s). I purposely selected one story from each season/series and therefore included all three Doctors: 12 (Peter Capaldi), 13 (Jodie Whittaker) and 15 (Ncuti Gatwa). So, let’s go:
Season Nine (2015) – The Husbands of River Song
Written by Steven Moffat, The Husbands of River Song, brings emotional closure to the stories set in motion in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead. We, the viewers (and the Doctor), know that River Song dies in the Library saving the Doctor. From the episode Forest of the Dead, we also know that she spends her last night with the Doctor at a restaurant overlooking the planet Darillium’s Singing Towers.
When the space ship she and the Doctor are on crashes into the planet Darillium, she (and we) are concerned. Because she’s a time traveler too, she’s aware of rumors that her last night with the Doctor occurs on Darillium and seeks confirmation of that fact from him. The Doctor insists there is no way to avoid the end, but he refuses to tell River her future. He does tell her that a night on Darillium last 24 years which bring a smile to her face. This episode answers all the questions that the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) had in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead. Such questions as where did River get her sonic screwdriver? She said the Doctor gave it to her and we see that happen. It is a joy and great sadness to watch River Song’s story close-out.
Best Quote – River Song talking to the robot bodyguard seeking the Doctor – “When you love the Doctor, it’s like loving the stars themselves. You don’t expect a sunset to admire you back. And if I happen to find myself in danger, let me tell you, the Doctor is not stupid enough, or sentimental enough, and he is certainly not in love enough to find himself standing in it with me!”
[River glances back at the Doctor, who offers a small smile… and then falls into a stunned silence as she finally realizes who he truly is]
The Doctor – “Hello, sweetie.”
Season Eleven (2020) – Fugitive of the Judoon
Written by Vinay Patel and Chris Chibnall, this story is part of the timeless child arc. The Judoon, a galactic alien mercenary force, are searching for the Doctor, but it’s not our Doctor. This story is about the Doctor and her companion trying to escape the Division. However, it’s not our Doctor and her three companions. This story introduces Jo Martin as the Doctor who doesn’t recognize our Doctor as a past life. And our Doctor doesn’t recognize Martin as a past life either.
This episode starts the conversation as to whether the Doctor has had previous lives that he — they are unaware of. And if so, who or what has been keeping the knowledge of those lives away from her. Honestly, I loved the Jo Martin Doctor and hope if the series returns someday, she’ll be part of it.
Best Quote – The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) talking to the Doctor (Jo Martin) after realizing the other Doctor must be in her past – “You can’t be me. I know what I’ve done. I know my own life.” The Doctor (Jo Martin) replies, “One of us has to be wrong. I’d quite like you to get off my ship now.”
Series Fourteen (2024) – 73 Yards
Written by Russell T Davies, this episode proves a principle of the Doctor Who series. Very few do Horror better than Doctor Who and this episode is proof.
The Doctor and Ruby land on a hilltop in Wales. Upon landing the Doctor accidently steps on a “fairy circle.” Shortly, thereafter the Doctor disappears leaving Ruby alone. A mysterious woman appears 73 yards away from Ruby, and remains at exactly that distance no matter where she goes. Every person who talks to the woman runs away in terror and becomes hostile to Ruby. Even Ruby’s mother talks to the woman and flees in terror, disowning her daughter. Ruby is alone, hated and isolated. It is this Ruby who changes her fate and prevents this future from happening. This episode is in the vain of The Quiet Undead, Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS and Blink. It is scary good and the pay-off is outstanding.
Best Quote – Ruby talking to Kate Lethbridge-Stewart about the Doctor – “I keep wondering how the world survives without him.”
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Look, there have been other good and even great Doctor Who stories since 2013. But I think the above shows are really excellent companion showcases. As I said in 2013, from the companions, we learn much about the way the Doctor views himself and those he decides to place under his protection.
So, until Doctor Who returns, whenever that might be, “River, get them all home!”
