What is the best Doctor Who episode of the modern era? Vote on your top ten...
By Huw Fullerton
We asked the people, and they responded – the ten most popular episodes of Doctor Who's revived series have been found ahead of the reboot's anniversary on the 26th March.
With over a quarter of a million votes cast, we've whittled down over a hundred stories to find our NuWho top 10 shortlist, ready to go into battle again to find the best overall episode – and there are a few surprises to be found amongst the finalists.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the shortlist as voted for by RadioTimes.com readers is dominated by episodes featuring David Tennant’s popular Tenth Doctor, though in the last round the episode with the most votes was Christopher Eccleston two-parter The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances. Two Matt Smith-starring episodes (Vincent and the Doctor, The Day of the Doctor) also snuck in, while perennial fan-favourite episode Blink lagged slightly behind.
No episodes of Peter Capaldi’s run as the Doctor managed to make the cut (Listen was the closest), but current showrunner Steven Moffat can take some pride that four out of the top five stories from round one were written by him.
But will one of those episodes triumph overall? In round two all previous votes are discarded and every episode gets a fresh start, so there's no guarantees about the final result; can Blink overtake The Empty Child, or will Vincent and the Doctor find its way into your hearts? Or will The Day of the Doctor take the crown ahead of another anniversary?
We’ll announce the overall winner of the poll sometime before March 26th, but until then there’s everything to play for – and all of time and space to play it in.
If you need a little reminder of each episode (ordered by round one votes), see below.
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances
Current showrunner Steven Moffat made his Who debut in this now-iconic and truly creepy double bill, which also introduced John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness.
Blink
A Doctor-lite episode that follows the attempts of a young woman called Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) to evade the clutches of the quantum-locked (and very creepy) Weeping Angels.
The End of Time Part One/Two
It’s the end for David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor as the Master and the Time Lords return at Christmas.
The Day of the Doctor
The 50th anniversary special united Matt Smith’s Doctor with David Tennant’s and John Hurt’s previously unknown incarnation in an attempt to save Gallifrey from destruction.
The Girl in the Fireplace
The Doctor finds love with French historical figure Madame du Pompadour (Sophia Myles), while clockwork droids carry out a dastardly plan.
Vincent and the Doctor
Troubled painter Vincent Van Gogh gets a few unexpected visitors - but not all of them are as friendly as the Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy (Karen Gillan)...
Silence in the Library/ Forest of the Dead
The enigmatic River Song (Alex Kingston) is introduced as a library is consumed by ravenous shadows.
Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways
The meaning of the mysterious phrase “Bad Wolf” – scattered throughout the series – the return of the Daleks and a regeneration make for a memorable first series finale. Bye-bye Christopher Eccleston…
Army of Ghosts/Doomsday
The Cybermen take on the Daleks as the Doctor (David Tennant) and Rose (Billie Piper) are torn asunder in the explosive series 2 finale.
The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End
The Earth has disappeared and the Daleks make their final move in a story of reunions and second partings.
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