Doctor Who: Every Russell T Davies Episode Ranked From Worst To Best

19. The Star Beast

RTD’s first episode in thirteen years had to adapt a much-loved comic strip, establish the Fourteenth Doctor, reintroduce Donna and resolve the Metacrisis.

Thankfully, it pretty much delivered on all four counts.

The Meep is one of the show’s most convincing aliens, the battle between UNIT and the Wrarth Warriors is utterly spectacular, and Tennant is magnificent as a slightly more mature Doctor.

It's not mind-blowingly amazing or clever or witty – it's just a proper comfort story, like a 2008 script made with 2023 production values. A solid starting point for the new era of the show.