Every Modern-era Doctor Who Episode Ranked (Part 3 - 75-51)

We’re continuing our ranking of every ‘Doctor Who’ episode from the modern era. The weaker stories are all behind us now and we’re about halfway through. There are some big episodes here and there may be a few surprises.

75. Love and Monsters

This is a controversial one. I know a lot of people would have this right at the bottom of their lists, but ‘Love and Monsters’ paved the way for future Doctor-lite episodes such as ‘Blink’, so for that alone, it needs some recognition. The episode’s concept is also really sweet and the scenes between the LINDA members are particularly enjoyable. Jackie Tyler’s bits are great, and Marc Warren gives a solid performance as Elton.

And for those people who hate the Absorbaloff, it was designed by a child in a child’s competition for a TV show aimed at children. It’s the heart of what Doctor Who is all about, so no complaints from me.

74. Thin Ice

I’m always a sucker for episodes where the Doctor saves a big alien creature! A particularly brutal episode with a lot of death, this is quite a change in tone from previous historical episodes. There are some great Doctor moments here and Capaldi gets a chance to have a bit of fun.

73. The Pilot

This is a really nice introduction to Bill Potts’ character. She’s a very different companion to the others that have appeared in the modern series and this perfectly encapsulates her character that we get to know and love. Also, who wouldn’t want Peter Capaldi as a university lecturer?

72. Smith and Jones

Martha is probably the most underrated companion of new-Who. She’s intelligent, brave, strong-willed and also good for a laugh. ‘Smith and Jones’ does well to set-up the kind of relationship that Martha and the Doctor will have over the course of Series 3 and the Judoon are a great villain, even if they are just Rhino’s in space suits.

71. Into the Dalek

This episode has everything a Doctor Who episode should have; comedy, action, moral issues and, of course, Daleks! The idea of Dalek morality is a really interesting one which is well explored here. There’s a really decent guest cast as well, most notably Zawe Ashton who is a superb actor and I’m glad is getting more attention.

70. The Fires of Pompeii

Although it has even more of a notability too it years after its first release with the casting of Peter Capaldi, ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ still has a lot of merit. The story brings up an important dilemma in the Doctor’s role of trying to save the world; the decisions that he has to make may mean the deaths of many people. The scenes of Evelina and Lucius predicting the truths around the Doctor and Donna are really enjoyable and the episode’s finale is brilliantly well done, showing why the Doctor needs someone with him.

69. Dark Water/Death in Heaven

This series finale is all about THAT reveal of Missy being the Master. Michelle Gomez is superb and her darkness comes across really well, especially seeing her on a mad kill streak in ‘Death in Heaven’ including the death of Osgood. The episode strongly finishes the series-long arc and does well to bring Danny’s story to a conclusion (one that didn’t need continuing in ‘Last Christmas’). The salute to the Brigadier is also a beautiful moment, sure to bring a tear to many a classic Who fan.

68. Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks

I know this two-parter gets a lot of criticism, but I think the plot is pretty strong and there are more than enough great individual scenes to place it as high as it is on this list. The Human-Dalek hybrid, although looking rather silly, is an interesting concept and Tennant has some great moments of pure hatred for his arch-enemy. I also love the fact a pre-fame Andrew Garfield stars here.

67. The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon

The Silence are another great concept-villain created by Steven Moffat and are at their very best in this series opener, in comparison to the series finale ‘The Wedding of River Song.’ Although there are times when Moffat does his usual showrunner thing of too many plot points going on and too many unanswered questions, this has action, tension, thrills and scares. Series 6 is a weak one overall, but it does start off really strongly.

66. The Time of the Doctor

Matt Smith’s swansong as the Doctor may not have the most compelling plot, but certainly brings enough emotions in its finale to warrant it being this high up. Lots of plot points conclude here and like other regeneration episodes has a finality too it. There are some nice comedic moments as well with Clara’s family and Smith puts in a great performance for his final episode.

65. The Curse of the Black Spot

This gets a lot of criticism for being too unbelievable or too silly. To those critics, I say ‘get a life’. Doctor Who is, at its centre, a show aimed at children, so, of course, there was going to be a pirate episode! ‘The Curse of the Black Spot’ is well executed with some dark moments intertwined with good laughs and a notable guest performance from Hugh Bonneville. If you don’t enjoy this even a little bit, I feel like you’ve missed the point.

64. The Husbands of River Song

Despite being a huge part of Matt Smith’s reign as the Doctor, River Song actually has her best chemistry with Capaldi’s incarnation in this Christmas special. There isn’t much of a plot to speak of, but it does everything a Christmas special should do. It delivers fun moments with great laughs, especially Capaldi being able to ‘have his go’ at witnessing the marvel of the Tardis. That final scene at Darillium is also superbly well performed by the two leads and provides the heart of the Doctor-River Song relationship.

63. The Next Doctor

I would have loved to see David Morrissey as the Doctor, but seeing him in this Christmas special will do. This combines great spectacle with some beautiful emotion. The story of Jackson Lake is heart-breaking and Morrissey plays it incredibly well.

62. The Unquiet Dead

It’s a Mark Gatiss episode that I like! His first Who story sees him team up Christopher Ecclestone with Charles Dickens in the revived series’ first genuine scary episode. Simon Callow plays a great Dickens and this chilling episode is clever, fast-paced and looks fantastic.

61. New Earth

Tennant’s first full outing as the Doctor sets up the great chemistry between him and Rose throughout series 2. ‘New Earth’ allows him and Billie Piper to show off their comedic skills as Cassandra inside their respective bodies, which is hugely entertaining. There’s a really interesting plot which is beautifully brought to a close with every infected human being cured, and the Face of Boe’s premonitions of the future are nicely foreboding for the next series.

60. Under the Lake/Before the Flood

This is a proper ghost story and all-round great two-parter. Really well written and with a strong sense of dread and fear throughout, this episode is a great throwback to classic Who. ‘Under the Lake’s brilliant cliff-hanger is satisfyingly concluded, even if each character in the guest cast doesn’t necessarily get their time in the limelight.

59. Resolution

Charlotte Ritchie’s performance is the heart of this thrilling special that gives a revitalisation to the Daleks at their terrifying best. The sub-plot around Ryan’s dad is nicely handled and the action surrounding the Dalek shows off the strong production budget of Chibnall’s series. It is disappointing though that this was broadcast on New Year's Day, so we didn’t get a Christmas special for the first time since the show came back in 2005.

58. The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang

Although I may not have as high an opinion as some of this series finale, the plot of the Pandorica shows off Moffat’s favourite thing to do with high concept story arcs. A solid cliff-hanger is well handled in the second part, although there are times when it does get a bit too confusing. Matt Smith gets to show off all his dramatic prowess and it’s lovely to see the heart of Rory’s character and why he’s one of the best companions of the show.

57. Flatline

This is Clara’s moment to shine. Jenna Coleman gives one of her best performances in ‘Flatline’, even suggesting she may have been a good shout to play the Doctor at some point. The Boneless are an impressive invention from writer Jamie Mathieson, and he manages to capture the different character motivations of the ensemble really well. There’s also some great CGI, as well as some nice comedic moments around a shrunken Tardis.

56. The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone

It’s certainly no ‘Blink’, but the Weeping Angels get a decent outing here in a more action-oriented episode. If ‘Blink’ is Alien, this is Aliens. Although I do disagree with some of the decisions made about the Angels in this episode, such as seeing them move and having them cling onto people’s clothes, they are still frightening enough and a great supporting cast gives this two-parter some extra dramatic clout.

55. Twice Upon a Time

I know a lot of people thought it unnecessary to see the 1st Doctor take part in this regeneration episode, but I thought it was joyous from start to finish. David Bradley plays a great tribute to the late-William Hartnell and his chemistry with Capaldi make for great entertainment. Is there a plot? Not really, but the scenes of the Christmas Day armistice are beautifully presented and what we have is enough to let Capaldi’s reign end with enough emotional heft worthy of the most underrated Doctor in the show's run.

54. Gridlock

A brilliant commentary on air pollution, our over-reliance on cars and the power of government, ‘Gridlock’ has some beautiful moments, such as the death of the Face of Boe and the Doctor’s explanation to Martha of Gallifrey and the Time Lords. Nobody was asking for the return of the Macra, but that doesn’t really matter. The concept of this episode is genius and provides enough light and fun moments to balance out the dark, powerful plot.

53. Smile

What on the outside looks to be a fun story about emoji robots actually turns out to be a pretty gruesome and heavy comment on advancements in technology and AI. Whilst also providing a solid base for the growing relationship of the Doctor and Bill, ‘Smile’ creates enough fear and tension to make this an extremely engaging plot, a big step-up from writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s previous outing ‘In the Forest of the Night.’ It should also be noted that the set design is stunningly well done and the cinematography makes great use of the City of Arts and Science in Valencia where the episode was shot.

52. Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror

This historical episode is a great portrayal of the Tesla-Edison rivalry. Goran Visnjic and Robert Glenister put in solid performances as the two inventing heavyweights and there is some great chemistry between Tesla and Whittaker’s Doctor. Although the Skithra aren’t the most original of villains, there’s more than enough here to enjoy.

51. Oxygen

There’s a horrific feeling throughout this episode of hopelessness which is expertly captured by director Charles Palmer. The oxygen zombies are a real threat, the Doctor’s blindness is harrowing and the resolution of the plot is very satisfying and a smart comment on capitalism. Pearl Mackie is at her best in this episode, her death scene is emotional and frightening, and Capaldi’s cliff-hanger line still gives me the chills. I also love the episode’s nod to ‘Star Trek’ in its intro: ‘Space, the final frontier.’

I hope you’ve enjoyed part 3 of this list. Do come back soon for part 4 of my ranking of every Doctor Who episode of the modern era.