The Best Modern Doctor Who Episodes From Every Season

Though Doctor Who has been running for over 60 years, the last 20 years have been extra special. When the show was rebooted in 2005, fans quickly fell in love with the stories and have continued to follow each incarnation of The Doctor avidly. As such, there are a ton of exciting adventures and plot twists to sink their teeth into.

Admittedly, every fan has their own opinion on what makes the franchise so unique, but there are certain episodes that stand out throughout the fandom. As such, whether it is the loss of a companion or the introduction of an iconic monster, all of these episodes hold a sacred place in the audience’s hearts. But each season has at least one episode that stands above all the others.

This Episode Makes a Historical Item Absolutely Terrifying

Season 1, Episode 9, “The Empty Child”

While chasing a foreign object through the Time Vortex, The Doctor and Rose crash-land in London during The Blitz. Not only do they meet the ever-charming Time Agent, Captain Jack Harkness, but they also meet a homeless child called Jamie. The boy exclusively wears a gas mask and frequently asks, “Are you my mummy?”

Doctor Who has welcomed a ton of creepy children during its time, but the Empty Child’s horde are certainly the worst. The final scene, where they all start advancing toward the Doctor, is truly spine-chilling. Yet, fans adore this episode because it introduces one of their favorite companions for the first time as well as a hopeful and heartwarming ending.

Fans Are Forced to Say Goodbye to a Beloved Companion

Season 2, Episode 13, “Doomsday”

As a swarm of Daleks and Cybermen prepare to attack Torchwood Tower, The Doctor quickly realizes that he needs to be on high alert. Although the Time Lord manages to banish a handful of his enemies into the Void, his beloved Rose falls in too. Thus, fans are forced to accept that their favorite companion can no longer travel with The Doctor.

Even though “Doomsday” is often regarded as one of the saddest episodes in modern Doctor Who history, fans appreciate its impact on the canon. Their final goodbye is absolutely heartbreaking and truly shows off the emotional depth of both actors. Overall, this is one of the most defining moments in Season 2 and Doctor Who history.

Steven Moffat Welcomes One of the Show’s Scariest Monsters

Season 3, Episode 10, “Blink”

“Blink” is such an unusual episode, mainly because it doesn’t focus on The Doctor or Martha very much at all. But, fans were mesmerized by Sally Sparrow’s story and the blood-curdling Weeping Angels. All Sally had to do was “Don’t turn your back, don’t look away, and don’t blink.” Yet, these stone angels are far more calculated than they let on.

Though Doctor-lite episodes are usually frowned upon, “Blink” showed that the Time Lord doesn’t always have to be the star of the show. Steven Moffat is well-recognized for his sinister catalog of monsters, but the Weeping Angels stand out from the crowd because of their frequent jump scares. As such, Moffat managed to bring a sense of terror back to Doctor Who.

An Unknown Monster Torments The Doctor

Series 4, Episode 10, “Midnight”

During a trip to the planet Midnight, The Doctor decides to go on a bus trip to the Saphhire Waterfall while Donna pampers herself in a spa. At first, everything sounds great, and The Doctor is gleefully introducing himself to everybody else on board. Yet, when a mysterious invisible entity wreaks havoc on the bus, the entire crew turns on one another, including The Doctor.

“Midnight” is a very strange episode and exists entirely in one location. However, the isolating nature of this episode makes it seem very scary and claustrophobic. The best thing about this episode is undoubtedly Rose’s cameo toward the end, which had viewers screaming at their TVs. Overall, this episode explores the nuances of an unknown threat and shows the usually cheerful Tenth Doctor at the end of his rope.

Fans Fall In Love With the Eleventh Doctor

Season 5, Episode 1, “The Eleventh Hour”

After the Tenth Doctor’s somber goodbye, fans experienced something completely different when the Eleventh Doctor arrived. After crashing into Amy Pond’s back garden, he encounters an ominous crack in the girl’s wall. So, the Time Lord is forced to balance his recovery with saving the Earth. “The Eleventh Hour” is teeming with witty jokes, gruesome villains, and interesting characters, making it a fascinating watch for modern Doctor Who fans.

As far as first impressions go, the Eleventh Doctor knocks it out of the park. Fans were instantly captivated by his boyish charm and silliness. This episode also features a pretty scary monster called Prison Zero that haunted fans with its snake-like body and vicious teeth.

The Doctor Builds the Ultimate Army of Fighters

Season 6, Episode 7, “A Good Man Goes to War”

When Amy Pond is kidnapped by a team of Headless Monks and transported to a secret base named Demons Run, it seems that all hope is lost. However, Rory isn’t willing to give up on his family just yet and is determined to protect his wife and his baby daughter, Melody. So, the men form an army filled with ambitious heroes to help protect the women they love most.

Not only does “A Good Man Goes to War” finally reveal River Song’s true identity, but it is also packed full of action. From passionate speeches to slow-motion fight scenes, this episode offers a whole new look at the long-running sci-fi series. Plus, the multiple time jumps and narratives really help keep the viewer on their toes.

The Doctor Bids Farewell to His Favorite Couple

Season 7, Episode 5, “The Angels Take Manhattan”

The Doctor, Amy, and Rory arrive in 1930s New York and quickly discover that it’s overrun with Weeping Angels. Unfortunately, Rory comes face-to-face with one of the villains, and the remaining pair must fight to bring him back to the present. Once Amy discovers that her husband is trapped in the past, she sacrifices her life so that she can live out the rest of her days with him.

Admittedly, this episode is jam-packed with plot holes and can be quite hard to comprehend at times. But Amy and Rory’s tearful goodbye certainly makes up for its flaws. “The Angels Take Manhattan” is by no means a perfect episode, but it captures the heart and sincerity that helps to make the show so enticing.

The Doctor Is Reunited With His Oldest Pal

Season 8, Episode 11, “Dark Water”

Following the untimely death of Danny Pink, The Doctor and Clara set out to find him. But, while Pink is trapped in the Nethersphere, The Doctor and Clara explore an establishment that houses Cybermen. Missy then explains that she plans to use these monsters to build the ultimate army and is Hell-bent on destroying Earth. In the final moments of “Dark Water,” Missy reveals that she’s The Master and that her true identity has been staring The Doctor in the face the whole time.

Missy is an amazing asset to Doctor Who, and Michelle Gomes works tirelessly to bring her maniacal nuances to life. This episode is also teeming with amazing special effects, like when the Cybermen emerge from the top of St Paul’s Cathedral. As a result, this episode is a prime example of just how far the show has come since its first episode in 1963.

The Doctor Is Forced to Confront His Biggest Fears

Season 9, Episode 11, “Heaven Sent”

In “Heaven Sent,” the Twelfth Doctor is imprisoned by the Time Lords without his companion to help him. A very creepy shrouded figure, also known as the Veil, tries to interrogate him and finally get to the bottom of who he really is. As such, the figure threatens The Doctor with some of his biggest worries and threats in order to crack his gritty persona.

A lot of fans will agree that Peter Capaldi didn’t really get a chance to show off his range when depicting the Twelfth Doctor. Yet, “Heaven Sent” explores the character’s weaker side and highlights how multiple centuries of time travel have weakened his heart and soul. It also offers another look at Gallifrey, which is always a compelling treat for fans.

The Time Lord Makes a Very Difficult Decision

Season 10, Episode 6, “Extremis”

The Vatican asks for The Doctor’s help after a book named the Veritas has forced people to commit suicide as soon as they read it. Now that a translation is leaked online, the Time Lord must work twice as fast to decode its significance, which is very difficult considering that he’s blind. Meanwhile, Missy is set to spend the rest of her life in a vault, but it’s up to The Doctor to decide whether she deserves a chance at redemption.

Again, “Extremis” is a prime example of how Steven Moffatt continues to flex and twist the Doctor Who universe but still manages to keep the show’s lore intact. This is also a perfect blend of history and sci-fi, making it a great episode for those who prefer a bit of both. “Extremis” also introduces fans to the Monks, who are one of the franchise’s most complex and mortifying villains.

The Show Handles Historical Figures With Impeccable Grace

Season 11, Episode 3, “Rosa”

Doctor Who has implemented a ton of historical icons into its canon, but “Rosa” showcases the importance of respecting the good and bad moments of our past. When the team arrives in Alabama shortly before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, they are ecstatic to finally get the chance to meet Rosa Parks. But, when Krasko tries to alter the timeline, The Doctor and her friends must work together to ensure that Parks completes her act of courage on time.

Racial segregation is a massive part of American history, so a lot of fans were worried about how the British drama would approach such a sensitive topic. But with novelist Malorie Blackman penning the script, fans were graced with a touching episode that didn’t shy away from the horrors of racism. The musical segment at the end was also a unique touch and showcased the importance of Parks’ sacrifice that changed history.

MI6 Recruits a Troublesome Time Lord

Season 12, Episode 1, “Spyfall: Part 1”

When MI6 experiences a ton of threats from alien forces, the establishment relies on its only remaining hope: The Doctor. Yet, even as The Doctor and her friends continue to scour the globe for clues, they still can’t get to the bottom of these attacks. But, at the final moment, The Doctor is reunited with the latest incarnation of The Master and discovers that she really can’t trust anyone.

To say that The Master’s reveal in “Spyfall: Part 1” was a shock would be the understatement of the century. The slick spy overlay was also a great addition to this episode and finally allowed The Doctor to become the action hero she was always meant to be. Generally, this episode was filled to the brim with surprises and was a mind-blowing start to Season 12.

The Weeping Angels Conquer the Cursed Village

Season 13, Episode 4, “Village of the Angels”

After a small child goes missing in 1967, Professor Eustacius starts conducting psychic experiments to help solve this mystery. He later discovers that there is one stone too many in the local graveyard, which earns the area the name the Cursed Village. The Doctor later realizes that the Angels are trying to find a rogue candidate and, instead, capture her, making her a stone figure.

The Weeping Angels always work to make an episode more intense, but “Village of the Angels” takes this anxiety to the next level. Though fans often criticize the Flux for its wide variety of loose ends, a lot of audiences were genuinely concerned about The Doctor, as it seemed that there was no way out of this nightmare. Thus, this episode reigns supreme because it works to really heighten the stakes.

Music Starts to Disappear Across London

Season 14, Episode 2, “The Devil’s Chord”

The Doctor and Ruby head to Abbey Road Studios in the hopes that they’ll get to rub shoulders with a handful of 60s icons like The Beatles and Cilla Black. Yet, when all the artists are practically tone-deaf, they quickly realize that something is very wrong with the world. Maestro arrives in all her exuberant glory and tries to use physical musical notes to capture Ruby. Fortunately, Lennon and McCartney’s powerful music skills help to restore the world back to its natural order.

Maestro is arguably one of the best villains in modern Doctor Who history, mostly because she’s so inherently evil. Aside from the more sinister elements of this episode, “The Devil’s Chord” also knows how to have fun. The dance number at the end certainly ruffled some feathers, but the majority of fans appreciated how it made Doctor Who fun again.