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doctorbrick
Oct 56 min read

Ranking every RTD Doctor Who story

They say never go back. But RTD did just that. Did any of his newer episodes rank high in my list? Read on to find out more.


There is no scientific reasons behind my chart, I just list every episode Russell T Davies has written and place it in my list higher or lower than the episodes I already have down. Some placings surprised even me.


On a side note, I always thought The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit was credited to Russell, it isn't, so it isn't on the list. It would have ranked pretty high if it was though.


34. Tooth and Claw

I hate to say it but I found this one a bit boring - bottom of the pile it goes.


33. The Long Game

I doubt this would top many peoples lists. Simon Pegg is in it though so there is that, however, I cancel that out by having to deal with bloody Adam for 45 minutes. It does do a fair amount of lifting to set up the season finale as well - which was a banger.


32. The Star Beast

Ruined a great ending for Donna. I may have put this so low as I was so hyped by this. RTD had teased us with disaster for Donna, etc, etc. It didn't really happen though. I surprised myself putting this so low.


31. Space Babies

Wasn't bad, just wasn't overly for me. Talking babies, a bogeyman made of bogies? I just don't think the kids watch Doctor Who as much as they did, perhaps it is time to make it slightly more grown up.


30. Aliens of London & World War Three

I liked this one, maybe there was a bit too much farting?


29. Love & Monsters

Gets a lot of stick but on a rewatch it grew on me. Yeah I know, Peter Kay running around in a cloth isn't the peak of Doctor Who, but Elton Pope walked so Sally Sparrow could run.


28. Boom Town

Nine and Margaret in the restaurant will remain an all timer scene!


27. The End of the World

It was important this one was good to keep people hooked, it was good!! Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper were inspired casting choices.


26. The Next Doctor

Not one of Russell's best Christmas episodes, but it was still good fun!


25. Dot and Bubble

I spent the first half of this episode wondering what the heck the fuss was about. I had heard murmurings of it being really good with a twist at the end that would knock my socks off. Too little Ncuti in this episode cost it though. The ending was good I grant you that, but was it really worth the first half of an irritating twat being a dick?

24. New Earth

A fun series opener - a staple of RTD Doctor Who. I have my issues with some of them, but this one was a hoot. David and Billie were on top comedy form. Had a surprisingly upsetting ending.


23. Planet of the Dead

A bit of fun, nothing too major. Looked amazing.


22. The Church on Ruby Road

I am not fully sure the Goblins worked? They didn't offer a whole load of threat. I have been thinking about Christmas specials lately - why do they have to be more fun? Why not scare the shit out of people after their Christmas dinners!


21. Partners in Crime

Another of those silly opening episodes only Russell T Davies' Doctor Who can get away with. We had the iconic window scene, but what really stole the show was Donna waving at Wilf from the TARDIS at the end, just typing that brought a smile to my face.


20. Utopia

A pretty steady episode unleashed into one of the great cliffhangers!!!


19. The Runaway Bride

For the TARDIS on the motorway scene alone this deserves a higher ranking. Kept up the good work of The Christmas Invasion.


18. The Sound of Drums & Last of the Time Lords

Is this his weakest finale? I love John Simm, I loved the Doctor, Martha and Jack being on the run, I loved the Doctor talking about Gallifrey, I loved the Master being Prime Minister, I loved a lot about this. Maybe the Jesus Doctor was a bit too much?


17. Smith and Jones

Not Rose standard, but then that was a one of a kind episode. This was still bloody good though. The Judoon were a great little foe as well.


16. Wild Blue Yonder

I just cannot shake the feeling I had whilst watching this one for the first time. All those

secrets, when is Matt Smith rocking up? Oh Capaldi might turn up now, no, how about now? The first 10 or so minutes of this had me wondering what all the fuss was about, it was slow. Do not get me wrong, this was a great episode, Tennant and Tate were amazing, but that goes without saying, but I don't quite feel the hype it gets is worth it.


15. Voyage of the Damned

RTD went big, and we were treated to this beauty!


14. The Christmas Invasion

The first ever Christmas special - the one that was so good we got it every year after - until Chibbers stopped it. Damn you Chibbers!


13. Gridlock

Underrated! Great cast, amazing idea, lots of lore set ups, lots of arc set ups, lovely!


12. The Legend of Ruby Sunday & Empire of Death

Another one that is tricky to judge. The Legend of Ruby Sunday was amazing. Everyone got killed off within two minutes of Empire of Death and the stakes were lowered. No way was everyone going to be killed. Such a shame, as I loved it.


11. Midnight

Potentially should be higher, but I'm a sucker for a finale! I can fully understand why people put this higher, potentially top of their lists though.


10. The End of Time Parts 1 & 2

I loved it, but RTD went a bit heavy on the losing David Tennant stuff didn't he? I wonder what Moffat made of it when he read the script? At points it felt like Doctor Who was ending with Ten. I love John Simm, and I preferred this Master to his previous one, just a bit more fucked up!!


9. The Giggle

If you cut out the last 10/15 minutes I would of put this higher probably. The first three quarters though - wow!! Part of me will always think these specials could of just been done with Ncuti though, or at the very least, just Ncuti at the end.


8. The Devil's Chord

Maestro was amazing. I really hope they pop up again in the future. Insane, camp, brilliant! After Space Babies I needed this. It showed Doctor Who was still going strong, still had new ideas, and was still the most magical, bonkers show in the universe.


7. Rose

Where it all began! Russell must look back at this episode and smile, he had a big task to bring back a show he loved, if he cocked it up that would probably have been that. Luckily for us, he didn't cock it up, he made the most magical episode with an amazing Doctor and brilliant companion. He also put his spin on Doctor Who, modernised it, and completely knocked it out the park.


6. Army of Ghosts & Doomsday

Oh Russell, why do you undo these amazing companion exits? Doomsday was pure perfection. The build up in Army of Ghosts was great, the cliffhanger is an all timer as well. This was not my favourite series, but this finale was brilliant.


5. Bad Wolf & The Parting of the Ways

THEY SURVIVED THROUGH ME!! Come on, this shit was good. Obviously a slightly lower budget than future finales, but Eccleston and Piper carry it with ease. Rose eating chips with her boyfriend and Mum as the Doctor plans to blow himself and the Daleks up, then coming back as Bad Wolf to save the day, chefs kiss!


4. The Stolen Earth & Journey's End

Daleks and Davros. Torchwood and UNIT. Sarah Jane and Rose Tyler. Martha Jones and Jackie Tyler. Oh this had it all.


3. 73 Yards

The highest newest entry. Millie Gibson was fabulous, the whole concept of it all was fabulous. I don't think I breathed through 90% of this. So good!


2. Turn Left

Bleak, just how I like my Doctor Who. Catherine Tate, Bernard Cribbins and Jacqueline King were awesome. I have so much love for this episode. Oh and we have the Bad Wolf reveal at the end to top it all off.


1. The Waters of Mars

One of my all time favourite episodes. It looked amazing, it was scary as shit, David Tennant acted his heart out. It was good as it was, but the ending with the Time Lord Victorious was insane!! Fully deserving of my top spot.

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