Making his debut as the 10th Doctor in the 2005 Christmas special, “The Christmas Invasion”,David Tennant’s playful, fast-talking, unpredictable, and captivating performance instantly won fans over. Since his debut, Tennant served as the 10th Doctor for three seasons and nine specials, including the 2005 Christmas special, in which he made his debut. In his five-year tenure as the Doctor, Tennant has starred in some of the best episodes and storylines of the entire show.
Episodes like “Blink”, “Midnight”, and “Human Nature"have been hailed as some of the best. Now, with Tennant making a triumphant and incredibly exciting return to the show in the three 60th anniversaryDoctor Whospecials, what better time to look back at the 10th Doctor’s best episodes? So, without further ado, here are the 10th Doctor’s best episodes. “Allons y!”
10Doomsday - Season 2, Episode 13
As season two comes to a close, and the Doctor and his fan-favorite companion, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), embark on their final journey, “Doomsday"sees the Daleks and the Cybermen wage a mighty war against each other, with the human race caught in the middle. Earth’s only defense is the organization known as Torchwood, a powerful institution that deals with extraterrestrial incidents. However, after an unstoppable terror emerges from said organization, the Doctor is faced with a great dilemma - does saving the world mean the death of Rose Tyler?
Why “Doomsday” Makes the List
“Doomsday” is a fantastic episode. From the synopsis alone, this episode is sure to make anyDoctor Whofans giddy with excitement. Seeing two iconic villains not only star in the same episode but also battle one another, was a dream to watch. It really raised the stakes for the time lord, and seeing the Doctor overcome an almost unstoppable evil was captivating.
Likewise, “Doomsday"is easily one of the most important and emotional episodes of the entire show. Rose Tyler is one of the Doctor’s mostbeloved companions, and has been there since the show was revived in 2005. Seeing her and the Doctor part ways will always encourage a few tears, no matter how many times one has watched the episode. While she doesn’t die, her fate at the end of the episode is equally heartbreaking, as we may never see her again. Both Tennant and Piper deliver one of their best performances of their tenures, making their goodbyes even more heartbreaking.
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9The Waters of Mars - 10th Doctor Special
In one of the 10th Doctor’s the last episodes, the Doctor arrives at a base on Mars in the year 2059. The day the first human settlement is about to be destroyed in an unknown, cataclysmic event. However, before said event, the inhabitants of the Mars base were being infected by a mysterious water creature. The Doctor is thrust into the middle of this catastrophe, knowing that there is a larger one around the corner.
Why “The Waters of Mars"Makes the List
As one of the five specials that mark the end of the 10th Doctor, “The Waters of Mars"is a terrifying episode. The water creatures known as The Flood are deadly, and boast a haunting design that will keep manyDoctor Whoviewers up at night. With some terrifying visuals, deaths, and creature designs, as well as pitting the Doctor against a race against the clock, the episode creates one of the most suspensefulDoctor Whomoments ever.
8The End of Time - 10th Doctor Special
This two-part Christmas special sees the return of the Doctor’s arch nemesis, The Master (John Simm), as he sets out to control the human race, by turning every individual on Earth into his own image. The Doctor must risk it all to defeat the Master, and to save the human race.
Why “The End of Time” Makes the List
The two-part special marks the end ofDavid Tennant’s run as the Doctor. Hence, “The End of Time” is a truly emotional goodbye. Seeing the10th Doctor’s regeneration, and hearing Tennant utter the words “I don’t want to go!” was heart-wrenching, as David Tennant’s run as the Doctor was sadly over. However, he absolutely went out with a bang. The 10th Doctor’s final speech will send shivers down your spine; the Master and the Doctor’s confrontation was epic; the performances from the entire cast, specifically Tennant and Simm, were amazing, and the music was the final cherry on the cake.
7Stolen Earth/ Journeys End - Season 4, Episodes 12/13
When the Daleks kidnap Earth, as well as numerous other planets, the Doctor and his trusty season four companion, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), must uncover why the Daleks are behind it. Earth’s greatest heroes, such as Sarah Jane (Elizabeth Sladen), Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), and the rest of Torchwood, as well as Rose Tyler, join forces to protect the universe from a new Dalek Empire.
Why “Stolen Earth” and “Journeys End” Make the List
The MCU hadEndgame, andDoctor Whohad “Stolen Earth”. Seeing characters like Captain Jack, Sarah Jane, Martha Jones, and Rose Tyler return to the show to fight the Doctor’s greatest enemy was a wonder to behold. With a sensational cast, blood-pumping music, brilliant performances, and exceptional writing, these episodes are on a scale like no other.
6Human Nature/ Family of Blood - Season 3, Episodes 8/9
Using the chameleon arch to change his DNA to human, in order to hide from a group of hunters, the Doctor is disguised, even from himself, as a school teacher in 1913 named John Smith, who has reoccurring dreams of a blue box, aliens, and traveling through time and space.
Why “Human Nature” and “Family of Blood” Made the List
There’s no denying that these two episodes boast the most compelling mystery of the 10th Doctor’s tenure. It’s a remarkable mystery that will keep you guessing the entire way through. Likewise, John Smith and Joan Redfern’s (Jessica Hynes)romantic story is one of the most charming romantic relationships in the show.
However, this wouldn’t beDoctor Whowithout an imminent alien threat. This time it comes in the form of the terrifying scarecrows, and the Family of Blood, who seek immortality from the Doctor’s stopwatch. These villains are captivating, and pose a great threat, especially since the Doctor has lost all of his memories, and they have no one to stop them.
5The Day of the Doctor - 50th Anniversary Special
Three different Doctors, the 10th, 11th (Matt Smith), and the War Doctor (John Hurt),embark on their greatest journeys yet, with an old enemy causing trouble in two different timelines.
Why “The Day of the Doctor” Makes the List
What’s not to love about “Day of the Doctor”? David Tennant makes an exciting return, John Hurtmakes his debut as the War Doctor, and seeing three Doctors interact with one another, especially three of this caliber, felt like a fever dream. The special brings back an iconicDoctor Whovillain, not seen since the original run of the show, the Zygons, as well as offering brilliant development in the Doctor’s backstory, and the destruction of Gallifrey.
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4The Girl in the Fireplace - Season 2, Episode 4
Madame de Pompadour comes under attack by sinister clockwork killers. The only one who can save her, is the man who has haunted her dreams since her childhood - The Doctor.
Why “The Girl in the Fireplace” Makes the List
“The Girl in the Fireplace"is perhaps the most defining episode of the 10th Doctor’s run. Sure, we already loved Tennant as the Doctor, but his performance, and the episode’s writing culminate in an unforgettable, and defining way in the 10th Doctor’s run, proving Tennant is one of thebest to ever take on the role. Also, the episode sports a fantastic villain in the form of the Clockwork Killer, one of thebest villains in modernDoctor Who.
3Midnight - Season 4, Episode 10
On the planet Midnight, the Doctor decides to take an excursion with a group of strangers, which soon gets halted by a haunting entity that possesses its host. Powerless and terrified, the Doctor must find a way to defeat the entity, and save everyone on board.
Why “Midnight” Makes the List
“Midnight” is one of the most captivating episodes of the entire show. LegendaryDoctor Whowriter, Russell T Davies, explores panic reactions, and how quickly individuals turn on each other when faced with fear. Set in one location, as passengers on this excursion are trapped in the middle of the desolate planet of Midnight, the Doctor cannot run, and is forced to face the evil Midnight entity head-on, leading to many great exchanges, and a jaw-dropping performance from Tennant.
2Blink - Season 3, Episode 10
As the Doctor and Martha Jones become trapped in the past, without the Doctor’s trusty TARDIS, it’s up to civilian Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) to save the Doctor and the world from the Weeping Angels.
Why “Blink” Makes the List
“Blink"is easily among the most hauntingDoctor Whoepisodes of all time, thanks to the infinitely terrifying Weeping Angels; stone creatures, who only move when they are not being observed. Although a very light Doctor episode, “Blink"is still one of the most memorable episodes to come out of the 10th Doctor’s run. The imagery is scary; the writing is impeccable, and Carey Mulliganoffers up a truly compelling performance as Sally Sparrow.
After landing on a lifeless library the size of a planet, the Doctor, and Donna Noble soon become trapped with a group of archeologists, and the unstoppable shadow monsters, the Vashta Nerrada.
With a complex storyline, and twists and turns being thrown at the audience at every corner, “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead"are both flawless episodes that demand numerous re-watches, because they are just that good. They introduce one of the best villains in the show, as well as introducing audiences to River Song (Alex Kingston), the multi-layered protagonist who has a past and a future with the Doctor.
