Doctor Who: Recommendations?

[Elheru Aran]

Oi all,

So Netflix is closing Doctor Who after February 1st. That's new Who, btw, I don't know what they're doing with the "Classic Who" they have. It won't be back until August or September of this year, presumably after the next season of Capaldi airs. Which sucks because this is the first chance I've had to really watch Doctor Who since... college. ~10 years ago.

I just finished the 9th Doctor season today. What do you suggest as far as watching in Tennant, Smith, and Capaldi episodes before that date? What can be skipped without losing too much?

Thanks!

[Iroscato]

I recommend Primewire. Or Watchseries. Or Couchtuner. Never looked back since.

[Elheru Aran]

Unless those are Doctor Who episodes, I'll thank you to read my post a little more closely

[Iroscato]

Unless those are Doctor Who episodes, I'll thank you to read my post a little more closely

Google is your friend...

[Elheru Aran]

*sigh* Which episodes should I watch. Not how I should watch them. I could Google it, but then I'd get about eleventy million pages squealing about how cute Matt Smith or Tennant are.

[Tribble]

Ok, well it depends on how much time you have. There are two ways to look at it - view stand alone episodes to give you the flavour of each doctor, or a compressed version of the season to get the overall story arc. There's overlap of course, but sometimes the story arc episodes aren't as good as the stand-alone episodes. Plus the list of episodes needed for the story arc would naturally be greater than just picking a couple of episodes from each season.

Given that it stops Feb 1 and I imagine you have some kind of job/social life, my list will be some stand-alone episodes which should at least give you the flavour of each Doctor, while limiting the amount of confusion as the stories don't tie in too much to the season's plot arc. Feel free to pick and choose, IMO they're all good.

Tennant:

The Girl in the Fireplace
Human Nature / The Family of Blood
Blink
Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead
Midnight

Smith:

The Eleventh Hour
Amy's Choice
The Doctor's Wife
The Girl Who Waited
The Day of the Doctor - that's the 50th anniversary special, and is movie length. If you only have time to watch one episode, pick this one.

Capaldi

Mummy on the Orient Express
Flatline
Last Christmas
Zygon Invasion / Zygon Inversion
Face the Raven / Heaven Sent --> Ok I cheated and these are a part of the season arc, but Heaven Sent is probably the definitive Capaldi episode so far. You can feel free to ignore the episode after this one as it's a complete letdown.

[madd0ct0r]

all solid choices by tribble.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Solid choices indeed, though for Capalsi I would also add Magician's Apprentice/Witch's Familiar, the first is a somewhat mixed episode but a huge amount of that is made up by the quality of the second half.

[Broomstick]

I'm going to add a bit to Tribble's list, with mine in italics. Bold take as a double-recommendation

Tennant:
The Christmas Invasion
School Reunion
The Girl in the Fireplace
Blink <- this is considered one of the best Tennant/best NuWho episodes by many
Smith and Jones - introduces Martha Jones and one of my favorite NuWho
42
Human Nature / The Family of Blood
The Fires of Pompeii
Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead <- this becomes important in later seasons, and in the 2015 Christmas special which ties up loose ends from River Song's story arc
Midnight <- I recommend this one highly

(unfortunately, "Planet of the Dead" is not on Netflix as far as I know, which is a pity because it's my favorite of the specials)

Smith:
The Eleventh Hour - introduces Matt Smith/the Twelfth Doctor and Amy Pond.
The Beast Below - not essential, but I enjoyed this one
Amy's Choice
The Doctor's Wife <- another stand out episode
The Girl Who Waited <- this would not be on my list
The Lodger <- it's fun
A Town Called Mercy
Cold War
The Crimson Horror - skip if you don't like the Paternoster Gang

The Day of the Doctor - that's the 50th anniversary special, and is movie length. If you only have time to watch one episode, pick this one. <- Agreed

If you like River Song (not everyone does) and you have time you might add
The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon
A Good Man Goes to War
Let's Kill Hitler
The Wedding of River Song.
If you don't like River Song then skip them

Capaldi

Deep Breath - yes I like regeneration episodes, why do you ask?
The Caretaker
Mummy on the Orient Express <- another double-recommend
Flatline
Last Christmas<-not on my list of must-see

Nothing past here is on Netflix - Capaldi's entire second season is not yet on that service. Although I agree - "Heaven Sent" is THE Capaldi episode so far, it's amazing, and worth seeing all on its own, out of order, if you can. In fact, I will even go so far as to say it's worth buying access to this one on Amazon, you can get streaming for just a few bucks, or however else you might get to see it. Avoid spoilers, it will have even more impact that way. I also really liked this year's Christmas special, and even a lot of River Song haters liked it (though of course not all of them), it ties up themes that played throughout Capaldi's second season AND has ties all the way back to "Silence in the Library"/"Forest of the Dead", cleaning up a few threads from all the way back there, but I don't feel it's as stand-out as "Heaven Sent". Really, "Heaven Sent" is amazing.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Heaven Sent is probably the only episode since Day of the Doctor I would label as an absolute must-see. Even if it weren't part of the season arc I would say watch it.

I think it would almost have been better as a stand-alone episode (which it could easily have been given the premise and setup) as it then wouldn't be let down by the follow-up.

[Broomstick]

It really is remarkably self-contained, though. I think it would make sense even if someone had seen no other Capaldi episodes. Sure, it ties into the episode before and after but you get enough in context just in the episode that it makes sense.

[Eternal_Freedom]

With the exceptions of a few remarks about Clara even the prior episode is unnecessary, the "who put him in the dial" can be left for a putative second part and/or ending to resolve.

[Tribble]

@ Eternal_Freedom Please spoiler tag the last comment if it's still possible, that's a pretty big reveal

[Eternal_Freedom]

Alas I cannot...

Please read that as "who put him in the situation."

[Broomstick]

If you haven't seen any part of the season the spoiler won't make much sense....

[Tribble]

I can just as easily agree with Broomstick's suggestions, Nu Who has a lot of good episodes.

Here's a list if you wanted to focus on episodes relating to the season/series arc. Note that the finales of each season tend to be a bit of a letdown, but the build up is quite good.

Tennant:

Season 2:

The Christmas Invasion
Tooth and Claw
Rise of the Cybermen / the Age of Steel
The Impossible Planet / Satan's Pit --> Not strictly necessary, but it puts some things in the season finale into context
Army of Ghosts / Doomsday

Season 3:

The Runaway Bride --> Another Christmas episode, plus it's necessary for season 4
Smith and Jones
Gridlock
The Lazardus experiment --> not a good episode, but it becomes relevant later on.
Human Nature / Family of Blood --> becomes relevant later on. Worth watching anyways.
Utopia / the Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords

Season 4.
Voyage of the Damned- needed to explain the context of a later episode
Partners in Crime
Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead
Turn Left --> actually a very good episode, but it needs the context of previous episodes in order to work
Stolen Earth / Journey's End

Specials:
Planet of the Dead
The Waters of Mars --> One of the show's darker episodes, IMO it kind of puts the Season Finale to shame, really.
THe End of Time Part 1 / 2:

Smith: It should be noted that in his run episodes tend to be linked together more strongly, especially later on.

Season 5:

The Eleventh Hour
The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone
The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood
Vincent and the Doctor
The Lodger
The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang

Season 6:

The impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon
The Rebel Flesh / The Almost People
A Good Man Goes to War
Let's Kill Hitler
Closing time
The Wedding of River Song

Season 7:

Asylum of the Daleks
The Angels take Manhattan
The Snowmen
The Bells of Saint John
The Rings of Akhaten
Journey to the Centre of the Tardis
The Name of the Doctor
The Night of the Doctor --> mini episode that you can see on YouTube, great little prequel to the Day of The Doctor
The Day of the Doctor
The Time of the Doctor

Capaldi --> again the episodes tend to be tied more closely together than in the RTD era:

Season 8:

Deep Breath
Into the Dalek
Listen
The Caretaker
Dark Water / Death in Heaven

Season 9 (when it comes out):

The Magician's Apprentice / The Witch's Familiar
The Girl Who Died
The Women Who Lived
Face the Raven / Heaven Sent / Hell Bent

I am leaving out some episodes which have some info, but these would be the essential ones if you're aiming for following the story (and have a lot of time on you hands). Personally I wouldn't recommend going this route, but it's up to you. There are still quite a few good episodes here.

[Tribble]

Hmm upon further reflection you could probably take out a some of those episodes and the season would still work. Timed out before I could edit it:

Tennant:

Season 2:

The Christmas Invasion
Rise of the Cybermen / the Age of Steel
Army of Ghosts / Doomsday

Season 3:

The Runaway Bride
Smith and Jones
Gridlock
Utopia / the Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords

Season 4.
Voyage of the Damned
Partners in Crime
Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead
Turn Left
Stolen Earth / Journey's End

Specials:
Waters of Mars
The End of Time Part 1 / 2:

Smith:

Season 5:

The Eleventh Hour
The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone
The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood
The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang

Season 6:

The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon
The Rebel Flesh / The Almost People
A Good Man Goes to War
Let's Kill Hitler
The Wedding of River Song

Season 7:

Asylum of the Daleks
The Angels take Manhattan
The Snowmen
The Bells of Saint John
The Name of the Doctor
The Day of the Doctor
The Time of the Doctor

Capaldi:

Season 8:

Deep Breath
Listen
The Caretaker
Dark Water / Death in Heaven

Season 9 (when it comes out):

The Magician's Apprentice / The Witch's Familiar
The Girl Who Died
The Women Who Lived
Face the Raven / Heaven Sent / Hell Bent
The Husbands of River Song

Again, watching for the story arcs isn't necessarily the best way to go, but there you have it.

[The Romulan Republic]

The must sees for me (keeping in mind that I have not seen every new series episode):

Ten:

Blink, The Waters of Mars, and The End of Time parts one and two (despite their flaws, its Ten's exit and Eleven's introduction, and the first real look at the Time War prior to the 50th. anniversary). Unfortunately, though, you kind of have to watch the weaker Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords three-parter and Journey's End two-parter because they set up The End of Time.

Eleven: The Eleventh Hour, Amy's Choice, Vincent and the Doctor, The Doctor's Wife, Day of the Doctor.

Twelve: Face the Raven/Heaven Sent/Hell Bent (even if it dropped the ball, especially at the end).

Edits: Also, for God's sake, Google the short Night of the Doctor before watching Day of the Doctor. Not because its necessary to see it first. Just because its awesome and they are connected.

[Bedlam]

I just finished the 9th Doctor season today. What do you suggest as far as watching in Tennant, Smith, and Capaldi episodes before that date? What can be skipped without losing too much?

Thanks!

Something to ask might be what were your favourite episodes from the Eccleston run? We can list our favourite episodes but unless we know what you like we can't recommend for you.

[Captain Seafort]

Unfortunately, though, you kind of have to watch the weaker Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords three-parter and Journey's End two-parter because they set up The End of Time.

It's also worth watching Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords because while the serial as a whole is weak, Utopia on its own comes close to challenging Blink as the best of the post-2005 episodes.

Also, for God's sake, Google the short Night of the Doctor before watching Day of the Doctor. Not because its necessary to see it first. Just because its awesome and they are connected.

Heartily seconded.

[The Romulan Republic]

Unfortunately, though, you kind of have to watch the weaker Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords three-parter and Journey's End two-parter because they set up The End of Time.

It's also worth watching Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords because while the serial as a whole is weak, Utopia on its own comes close to challenging Blink as the best of the post-2005 episodes.

Also, for God's sake, Google the short Night of the Doctor before watching Day of the Doctor. Not because its necessary to see it first. Just because its awesome and they are connected.

Heartily seconded.

Well, the end of Utopia was pure awesomeness.

[Elheru Aran]

I just finished the 9th Doctor season today. What do you suggest as far as watching in Tennant, Smith, and Capaldi episodes before that date? What can be skipped without losing too much?

Thanks!

Something to ask might be what were your favourite episodes from the Eccleston run? We can list our favourite episodes but unless we know what you like we can't recommend for you.

Oh so far I think most of the recommendations were fine, but:

--Dalek is definitely a stand-out episode for Eccleston.
--Empty Child/Doctor Dances
--Bad Wolf/whatever the last one was called

I'm sure there's more but it's been a very long time since I watched those, I was just catching up on the episodes that I hadn't managed to see out of the 9th Doctor.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, if you liked Empty Child/Doctor Dances, check out other Steven Moffat episodes, though if you ask me, the quality of his work, in recent years at least, has been inconsistent at best and shit at worst. Blink and Day of the Doctor probably represent the peak of his work, in my opinion.

If you like the Dalek episodes... well, a lot of the more recent Dalek episodes aren't that good, unless you count Day of the Doctor again.

Edit: Since a lot of the episodes you mentioned featured Captain Jack Harkness, I'm going to redouble my recommendation for Utopia/Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords.

And while I'm at it, add Gridlock, since it sets up some stuff for that story. Should have mentioned it before, I guess.

[Elheru Aran]

Yeah, apart from the one-off Dalek, the rest of the Dalek stuff seems (from what I've read in various books and such I ran across in the Books-a-Million) rather... how do I put it... overdone? The Daleks themselves aren't particularly interesting as characters, they're pretty one-note. The episodes that wound up Eccleston's run were interesting more because of the plot and drama, not so much the Daleks themselves.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, Asylum of the Daleks and Into the Dalek do something at least mildly interesting and unusual characterization-wise, though they have other flaws.

Though I actually rather like the Daleks, myself.

Edit: The season nine premier (two parter) might be worth checking out too, as far as Dalek episodes are concerned. I wasn't a big fan, but it did have some attempt at characterization (its also a Master story as well as a Dalek story).