With the recent trailer for Doctor Who's centenary special confirming some shocking details about the upcoming episode, many fans of the show have begun to reminisce upon some of their favorite episodes up to this point. And with Russell T. Davies returning as showrunner, many fans are hoping that the writer/director can bring some sentimental magic back to the show.
The question of which Doctor Who episode is 'best' is fundamentally unanswerable, but there are plenty of stories that many fans believe rank higher than others. Since the show's reboot in 2005, Doctor Who has provided some of the most inventive and creative sci-fi stories on television.
"The Girl In The Fireplace" (S2: E4)
Although Doctor Who was still finding its footing in the second season, the entertaining dynamic between The Doctor and Rose Tyler was more than enough to bring most of the episodes to life. "The Girl In The Fireplace" knows exactly how to exploit their dynamic for both comedic and emotional effects.
The story is also one of Doctor Who's most fascinating, following an alien spaceship whose existence is crucially bound to the fate of Madame de Pompadour. Reddit user chikeytatioon praises the episode's "very down-to-earth" approach toward such grand storytelling.
"Mummy On The Orient Express" (S8: E8)
The Doctor and Clara Oswald made for one of the best TARDIS teams that Doctor Who has ever seen, which is why their planned separation in "Mummy on the Orient Express" is even more heartbreaking. But alongside this brilliant character work, the episode also delivers a classic mystery that fans can seek their teeth into.
Reddit user bigpapajon calls the episode a "quintessential... formula episode" in the best way possible. It has everything that makes Doctor Who so great - a troubling mystery, a creative new villain, plenty of exciting side characters, and an important moral dilemma at the center.
"The Parting Of The Ways" (S1: E13)
Christopher Eccleston might have only played The Doctor for one season, but his swan song "The Parting of the Ways" is among the best in the entire show. It pulls aspects from several other episodes in the series, bringing everything together for a uniquely powerful conclusion.
Reddit user remote_fact_4523 claims that the "9th Doctor is my favorite", and that this episode in particular is a perfect encapsulation of everything that makes him so great. Eccleston is often forgotten when discussing the show's best actors, but this episode is proof that he shouldn't be.
"The Doctor Falls" (S10: E12)
Peter Capaldi has proven multiple times that The Doctor was a role he was born to play, but it's not until "The Doctor Falls" that audiences had to come to grips with the fact that he would soon be leaving the show. Because of this, the episode is an incredibly emotional one that showcases everything fans love about Doctor Who.
Redditor guestcartographer describes "The Doctor Falls" as one of "the best episodes in the franchise". It served as both a fitting goodbye for Peter Capaldi whilst also offering several surprises that kept long-term fans invested in the story.
"The Pandorica Opens" (S5: E12)
Even beyond the arrival of a new actor in the lead role, season 5 was a huge departure from the previous style of Doctor Who. It was much more cinematic and atmospheric, and though it lacked the rawness of season 4's final episodes, "The Pandorica Opens" was a fantastic finale that tied up all the season's burning loose ends.
The episode is much darker than the rest of the season, with Matt Smith's powerful performance culminating in an unforgettable monologue that proved his talent to most audiences. Reddit user slt1923 argues that it's the "dark moments" that made Smith such a "phenomenal" Doctor.
"Silence In The Library" (S4: E8)
For a long time, the character of River Song was one of the few constants that connected each era of the show. She first appeared alongside David Tennant in "Silence in the Library", and later starred opposite both Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. She's a fan-favorite character, and her genius introduction in this episode is one of the many reasons why.
Steven Moffat really flexes his writing ability in this thrilling two-parter, creating what is undoubtedly one of the scariest Doctor Who episodes to date. Reddit user ryguyrygay agrees that both "Silence in the Library" and the subsequent "Forest of the Dead" are "such a good pair of episodes."
"Vincent And The Doctor" (S5: E10)
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It might not have the creative outer-space adventures of some other Doctor Who episodes, but "Vincent and The Doctor" shines thanks to its poignant exploration of life, death, and legacy. It's both a highly entertaining episode and a beautiful tribute to one of the world's most decorated painters.
Anthony Curran's heartwrenching performance as Van Gogh is one of the best that the show has ever seen, turning what could easily have been a simple story into something much more important. Redditor dr_vesuvius also comments on the episode's "powerful ending", which is what most fans remember the story by.
"Blink" (S3: E10)
The Weeping Angels are widely considered one of Doctor Who's scariest aliens of all, but it wasn't until "Blink" that they made their first appearance on the show. The story is a mind-bending, heart-pumping adventure from start to finish, despite The Doctor and his companion Martha Jones only appearing briefly.
Reddit user default_sock_issue believes that this episode "plays with time and time travel concepts so well", making it the perfect gateway episode for new audiences. It's a completely standalone story that deserves its place among Doctor Who's best.
"Heaven Sent" (S9: E11)
More than any other episode, "Heaven Sent" is proof that Doctor Who doesn't need complex stories and giant battles to be a great show. This devastating prologue to Season 9's conclusion is one of the show's best episodes by far, and most of the runtime is simply filled with dialogue and montage.
Peter Capaldi turns in his career-best performance in "Heaven Sent", proving that he's one of the most talented actors to have ever adopted this role. Redditor tobio88 agrees that Capaldi is "acting his heart out" here, placing the episode in the "top tier" of the show.
"The Day Of The Doctor" (50th Anniversary Special)
Seeing David Tennant and Matt Smith share the screen as two separate versions of The Doctor in 2013 was such an exciting moment for thousands of long-time Doctor Who fans, and the special harbors several other surprises that make it one of the best episodes of the show.
It's easy to allocate this episode's greatness to the many exciting cameos, but it's actually a great story in its own right. It delivers plenty of thrilling information about The Doctor's past, cementing itself as "the only right answer" when discussing the show's highlights, at least according to Redditor classydesigns.