1/10 to 10/10 – Doctor Who Episodes

I recently watched a video of a man naming animes from 1/10 through to 10/10 in quality, and I enjoyed the format so much that I decided to steal it for my blog.

I’ve done this format for Muse songs and Ace Attorney cases, and so Doctor Who seemed the next logical subject. The episodes vary so wildly in quality that sometimes you have to sit back and laugh – I’ve seen some of the best and worst that Sci-Fi has to offer while watching this show.

As an added challenge, I’m going to limit myself to one episode per season. I could’ve very easily called the episodes in Season 11 the “definitive” 1/10 through 4/10 stories, but that wouldn’t be very fun or fair, would it?

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Doctor Who – EVERY Doctor Ranked

Doctor Who Seasons Ranked

EVERY Doctor Who Episode Ranked

Doctor Who Seasons – Overrated & Underrated

1/10: Orphan 55 (Season 12)

“Doctor Who” has put out some atrocious episodes of television over the years, but at the very least a lot of them have been watchable. There are a handful, however, which made for such painful viewing that I was tempted to poke two forks in my eyes.

I could have gone for “Love and Monsters” from Season 2 or “Arachnids in the UK” from Season 11, but I think the objectively worst episodes of “Doctor Who” ever broadcast is Season 12’s “Orphan 55”.

It’s a travesty of Sci-Fi. It’s written and directed abysmally, has annoying characters, lays out a simple plot and a plot twist which a child could write, and it ends with the Doctor almost directly lecturing the audience on climate change. I don’t think you could make a worse “Doctor Who” episode if you tried.

2/10: The Reality War (Season “2”)

Is “The Reality War” as objectively bad as “Orphan 55”? No, which is why it’s not a 1/10 … but it arguably made me feel worse. You can’t get more definitively 2/10 than that.

None of the mysteries set up in “Wish World” are resolved in a satisfying way, and (thanks to last-minute reshoots) the ending is incomprehensible and rushed. Russell T. Davies had to piece together a wishy-washy excuse for a regeneration, and it ended up being the worst Doctor send-off yet.

And the less we talk about The Rani and Omega, the better.

3/10: The Witchfinders (Season 11)

You just knew that a Season 11 episode was going to make it near the bottom of this list. I had the whole ten episodes to choose from – in the end I went for a definitive 3/10 viewing experience, “The Witchfinders”.

I don’t hate the fact they wrote a witch-hunting episode for a female doctor. I do hate how by-the-book and forgettable it is. The only saving grace of the episode is Alan Cumming as King James.

4/10: The Lazarus Experiment (Season 3)

There was a time when “The Lazarus Experiment” was one of the worst-conceivable “Doctor Who” episodes. How times have changed …

It’s a premise built around a CGI monster, which was sadly something 2007 British television didn’t quite have the budget for. There are some good themes and questions about humanity and mortality, but the execution could have been much better.

5/10: The Long Game (Season 1)

A definitive 5/10 TV episode for me is one which is ultimately harmless, but it’s nobody’s favourite. It’s a plot so forgettable it hurts.

The space station setting in “The Long Game” would become important in the season finale. Simon Pegg is in it. Otherwise, it’s a semi-aimless Sci-Fi romp with forgettable villains.

At the very least, I’m glad Adam got what he deserved.

6/10: The Lodger (Season 5)

I don’t hate James Corden as much as a lot of people. I don’t hate “The Lodger” as much as some “Doctor Who” fans. That being said, it’s not a particularly remarkable episode, either.

This is one of those “comedy” (I use the word sparingly), light-hearted episodes aimed squarely at young kids. There’s definitely some fun to be had here, but it’s a bit goofy for my personal tastes.

7/10: Time Heist (Season 8)

I think Peter Capaldi was in a string of the most bang-average, completely serviceable seasons of “Doctor Who”. Some of his episodes are fantastic whereas others I’d soon wish to forget.

One fun effort from Season 8 was “Time Heist”, a classic 7/10, harmless episode. It can get a little too timey-whimey at points, but the cool alien design and the insane plot give it a lot of credit.

8/10: Turn Left (Season 4)

Like how Season 11 was unsurprisingly in the bottom three of this list, I don’t think anyone will be shocked to see Season 4 near the top. In fact, David Tennant is the Doctor for all of the upcoming episodes. My GOAT.

Strangely enough, however, for my 8/10 slot I’ve picked a Tenth Doctor episode which he’s not in. This is a Donna-centric episode which shows a potential Doctor-less future, and it’s a near-perfect execution of the premise.

I think most other Whovians would rate “Turn Left” closer to a 9/10, but there are a couple of things holding it back – the Doctor’s not in it, for a start, and it’s not a very action-packed episode. It’s mostly just Donna hopping from scene to scene while the world around her gets worse.

If you think “Turn Left” was too good to be a 8/10 rated episode, my other option was “Boom” from Ncuti Gatwa’s first season. That was a really solid story.

9/10: The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit (Season 2)

Many tout “The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit” as the ultimate base-under-siege episode. It’s an amazing two-parter and a clear highlight of Season 2.

The Ood are one of the best alien designs in the modern series, and it’s miraculous how Satan himself can make an appearance and yet it doesn’t feel corny. There are some incredible conflicts and dilemmas across the two-parter, and the stakes are always sky-high.

If I was nitpicking (i.e. if I had to explain why this is a 9 rather than a 10/10), I’m not a big fan of Ten and Rose’s dynamic across Season 2. I liked it as a kid, but it’s far too lovey-dovey and out-of-place in an otherwise platonic and relationship-light show.

I almost gave the definitive 9/10 story to “World Enough And Time / The Doctor Falls” from Season 10. That was another incredible two-parter which stumbled once or twice (I’m looking at you, Master erection scene … urgh).

10/10: The Waters of Mars (2009 Specials)

The 1/10 and 10/10 episodes were easy to single out this time around. I know “Orphan 55” is the worst “Doctor Who” has to offer, and on the other end of the spectrum I firmly believe that “The Waters of Mars” is the best episode we’ve ever gotten.

Funnily enough, it’s an episode without a companion (in other words, not a “standard” episode of the show) which allows the Doctor to truly shine. He’s a comedic and tragic menace in this episode – the “Time Lord Victorious” is one of my favourite things this show has ever done, even if I understand how controversial some fans might find it.

But what really cements this as my favourite, definitive 10/10 episode is the monsters – The Flood. The dripping mouths, the cracked lips, the angry eyes … It’s either them or the Weeping Angels who would take the crown for scariest “Doctor Who” monster.

It’s an episode which fleshes out its side cast and the Mars setting, and then it all comes crashing down in a glorious third act. This is the story where the Doctor finally went too far – and I’ve never been as compelled by a “Doctor Who” episode.

Aaaand that’s my list! If you liked this post and want to support me, please consider giving me a one-time donation. Even a few pence (or whatever currency you use) is fantastic! I’ve never monetized this blog before, but it would be great if I could do this comfortably and not have to worry about the yearly website domain costs. Thank you so much!