10 Best Doctor Who Moments Of 2024

10. The Death Of Ruby Sunday

Due to the return of former showrunner Steven Moffat, Boom was the most hotly-anticipated episode of Season 1. And it didn't disappoint.

With the Doctor stuck on a landmine, the story progressed in a manner reminiscent of Moffat’s 2022 thriller Inside Man – a bad situation that just gets worse… and worse… and worse.

First, a young girl wanders into this warzone looking for her father, only to find out he’s dead. Then a trigger-happy Anglican Marine marches in and summons a trigger-happy ambulance, before the most devastating development of all – Ruby is shot dead.

It’s a masterfully executed moment and that's largely because it makes total sense within the story, and doesn't feel contrived.

Ruby has to shoot Mundy to distract the ambulance, but in doing so, she inadvertently marks herself as a threat to Mundy’s would-be lover Canto, and throughout it all, the Doctor must stay pinned to the spot, unable to save her.

And then there's Murray Gold's deeply evocative score, and Ncuti Gatwa's heartbreaking reaction. Ruby doesn't stay dead of course, but it’s testament to the strength of the moment that part of you believes she might.