The classic sci-fi show Doctor Who follows the title Doctor, who travels through time and space. Many actors have taken on the main role, as the Doctor often regenerates into a new form. Jodie Whittaker took over the role from 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi in 2017, with her first full episode premiering the following year. She made history as the first woman to take on the role, but she also brought a light touch and intelligent, energetic fun to the show. As her time as the Doctor has come to an end, let’s celebrate her years in the TARDIS by ranking her best episodes.
10 The Witchfinders
BBC Studios
This episode takes the Doctor and companions Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), and Graham (Bradley Walsh), to 17th century Lancashire. There, they find themselves entangled in a local witch hunt, led by King James. Alan Cumming makes a menacing guest star as the King, who captures the Doctor as she looks into the witchcraft, and finds it’s coming from an alien source. The episode is fun and exciting, while making a good blend of the alien elements with historical witchcraft.
9 The Woman Who Fell to Earth
The Woman Who Fell to Earth
The Doctor gets off to a strong start with this episode, which sees her crash through a train. Suffering from amnesia, she must save her future companions Yaz, Ryan, and Graham, from the alien Tzim-Sha. We get to see her save the day, while also watching her start realizing who she wants to be – including the fun of her choosing her new outfit. It’s a great first episode that makes viewers excited about the future.
8 Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror
This historical episode brings the Doctor and her three companions to 1903, where they must stop aliens from kidnapping inventor Nikola Tesla (Goran Višnjić). The aliens live on a ship composed of parts, and need Tesla to be their engineer. Tesla is saved, and the aliens are driven away, though Yaz is upset that their efforts couldn’t change how Tesla is seen in the present day. However, the Doctor reminds her that his visions still hold up. It’s a fun visit to the time period, lifted by a great performance from Višnjić.
7 Spyfall
This two-part episode marks the first appearance of the new Master (Sacha Dhawan), who Comic Book Resources considers one of the best incarnations of the character. After attacks on intelligence agents, the Doctor and her companions join forces with Agent O to investigate, with the reveal that O is the Master. With its spy theme, it features classic spy movie elements like car chases and technology, and mixes that with aliens. It’s a great episode that reintroduces a classic villain and sets up a new arc for the Doctor.
6 Fugitive of the Judoon
In this episode, the Judoon arrive in Gloucester to arrest a human, Ruth (Jo Martin). The Doctor and her companions try to help Ruth, but Ruth is actually revealed to be a version of the Doctor herself. She hid herself to keep safe, so the Doctor has no memory of this reincarnation. It ties into a larger storyline from the Master about the Doctor having unknown regenerations, and the looming threat grows when the companions meet Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), who warns the Doctor about an upcoming Cyberman. It’s a strong episode that’s lifted by Martin, and sets up much of Doctor’s upcoming arc.
5 Eve of the Daleks
This New Year’s special opens with a shock, as the Doctor, Yaz, and new companion, Dan (John Bishop), are killed by Daleks, along with civilians Nick and Sarah. Instead of dying, they get sent into a time loop that the Doctor accidentally caused by resetting the TARDIS. The loop continually grows shorter, and they will be dead for good if they can’t get their way out of it. It’s a tense and exciting episode, and it still has a strong emotional center, as Nick admits his crush on Sarah, and Yaz finally acknowledges that she has feelings for the Doctor.
4 Demons of the Punjab
This episode explores some effects of British imperialism, as Yaz gets a watch from her grandmother, and asks the Doctor to take them to India in 1947. It is just before the country is split into India and Pakistan, and the group meets two young people who are planning to marry, despite their religious differences. It shows the devastation of the time while still managing some hope and lightness, with the reflection that humans are their own worst enemies.
3 The Haunting of Villa Diodati
A great historical episode, this one takes the group to Lake Geneva in 1816, home to a villa where Mary Shelley will be inspired to write Frankenstein. However, once they arrive, things aren’t as expected: Mary’s fiancé, Percy Shelley, isn’t there, and the villa is experiencing strange occurrences. The reveal of a Cyberman brings some classic Doctor Who sci-fi, and blends well with the gothic supernatural vibes in a suspenseful episode that sees Jack Harkness’ warning come to pass.
2 The Power of the Doctor
Whittaker’s final episode sees her take on the Master, Cybermen, and Daleks, with help from companions and Doctors new and old. Featuring so many past stars adds to the special excitement; it beautifully pays tribute to the show, and brings many touching moments. Whittaker brings every element of the episode to life, making you treasure this finale with her. She really shines in the end, where she has a beautiful moment with Yaz – her companion since the beginning – before embracing her fate. Overall, it’s a powerful, emotional episode that celebrates the 13th Doctor and the whole show.
1 Rosa
This episode takes the Doctor, Yaz, Ryan, and Graham to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. It’s the day before Rosa Parks (Vinette Robinson) refuses to give up her bus seat, which influences the American civil rights movement. Encountering a murderer who wants to stop Rosa, the Doctor and her companions fight to keep her historic moment intact. Sci-fi elements aside, the episode really succeeds in its emotions, as Ryan experiences firsthand the racism of the era, and how it’s still a problem, while Graham fears for his grandson like never before. As Rosa, Robinson perfectly captures quiet strength and dignity. Collider praises it as “a bold statement,” and it’s one that still resonates.
