Doctor Who: 12 Best Twelfth Doctor Episodes

12. Mummy On The Orient Express

“Start the clock.” An excellent combination of the classic “base under siege” formula and an Agatha Christie mystery, Mummy on the Orient Express proved that Jamie Mathieson had a natural talent for writing great Doctor Who. The 66-second countdown made the Foretold’s appearances all the more intense as it slowly closed in on its victims, and was brilliantly realised thanks to the on-screen clock graphic and some clever editing.

The revelation of the journey’s true nature upped the stakes even further, as Gus took full control of the train and tasked the gathered experts to work for their lives. Combining callousness with cordiality, the mysterious AI’s twisted personality provided additional flavour and drama to an already gripping tale.

Mummy on the Orient Express also included some great character moments, and represented a turning point in the Doctor and Clara’s relationship, as the Doctor won back Clara’s trust and shared the burden of impossible choices with her, and Clara realised that she couldn’t live without her travels with the Doctor. Clara’s decision to lie to the Doctor and Danny about her decision to remain in the TARDIS gave her character further complexity, and would result in painful repercussions.