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Top Ten Modern Doctor Who Episodes

The contemporary era of Doctor Who is actually better than the classic era because the effects, the writing and the overall stories are much better, more entertaining and populated with more memorable characters. I liked all four of its Doctors so far and all four are going to get their places on this list. So without further ado, here are my ten favorite of the modern episodes of the show along with five honorable mentions.

10. The Shakespeare Code

The Agatha Christie episode was also a lot of fun. However, the Shakespeare one takes the cake as the better one. I always enjoyed these historical Doctor Who episodes where they meet some famous people and this one features a pretty solid use of Martha Jones plus those racist jokes and the overall portrayal of Shakespeare are very amusing.

9. Flesh and Stone

One of the best horror episodes from this show gives us a great emphasis on Amy who is here excellent as sort of a protagonist and very competent. The episode is very atmospheric and creepy with the highlights being those delightfully horrific statues coming to life. Very well done for sure.

8. School Reunion

The reason why School Reunion is a terrific episode lies in my example because I have never been a huge fan of Sarah-Jane Smith from the old era and here I definitely cared because the reunion between her and the Doctor is just so well realized, so moving and even heartbreaking that I couldn’t help but be moved by it.

7. The Parting of the Ways

The Parting of the Ways is a very strong finale to the very underrated first series of the show with particularly effective storytelling, emotional moments and excellent acting from both Piper and Eccleston. I have always loved the relationship between these two and here it’s put to the test in an emotionally rewarding manner.

6. Deep Breath

This first episode for the Twelfth Doctor instantly showed us the greatness that is Peter Capaldi’s performance in this famous role. He played it with ease from the first moment, but the episode also gave us the first memorable use of Clara Oswald. The highlights were the emotional moments where she did not trust him and he needed her emotionally. So tender.

5. Rose

Rose is awesome not only for introducing us to the Ninth Doctor effectively, but also for introducing us superbly to Rose and the focus on her for the most part was very refreshing for this show. It is the first ever episode of the new era for this TV series and it is highly successful in making you excited for more and getting the show back and energized and modernized.

4. The Witch’s Familiar

This is by far the most purely entertaining episode of this entire bunch here. It features simply phenomenal, moving interactions between Stavros and the Doctor fueled by powerful dialogue. But the second part of the episode also works as it gives us a great use of Missy who truly is an immensely entertaining, delightfully campy and theatrical villain.

3. Heaven Sent

This moody, highly slow and weird episode is not for everyone, but it’s most definitely the most purely strange, effective and meditative episode ever for the show. The Doctor took the death of his companion really hard and the emotional intensity here is perfectly accompanied by high stakes, a creepy villain and an impressively memorable setting.

2. The Eleventh Hour

I simply adore this first episode for the Eleventh Doctor. It gave us that wonderful first half where he and young Amy first meet. Those scenes are so charming and incredibly endearing. The later half also works as it has a particularly effective alien villain. It established both the Doctor and Amy instantly and stupendously.

1. Vincent and the Doctor

Yet another Matt Smith episode takes the place on the list and not just one place, but the top one! Yes, he is not a great Doctor because his eventual two seasons really dipped in quality, but this first season of his is so strong as evidenced by this amazing, deep and incredibly impactful episode which showcases Vincent van Gogh’s troublesome, highly sad life and gives us that almost tear-inducing, simply beautiful ending that is one of the very best scenes ever for the show. It is not only the best of the new episodes, but the overall pinnacle of any Doctor Who era or season.

Honorable Mentions:

Cold War – This episode makes very good use of the Ice Warriors by giving us only one and his struggle is definitely felt as is the production design.

Blink – This effective horror episode isn’t as great as most would say, but still it’s highly entertaining and very atmospheric.

Listen – Listen also isn’t as fantastic as you’d think from all the reviews, but the ghost scenes are very authentic and creepy.

Midnight – Midnight isn’t executed all too greatly, but the premise itself is so good and I loved its confined setting approach and strong dialogue.

New Earth – Although somewhat silly, this dazzling futuristic episode is a good introduction to the Tenth Doctor with a particularly effective villain in Lady Cassandra.