10. Utopia - I Am The Master
This moment makes it high up the list because apart from the return of the Daleks, which had been largely publicised, this is the first time the revived series made me shiver. The return of the Master was something that had been rumoured but not confirmed and also it was bewildering how this would actually happen. So when 'Utopia' came about, it was a bold move to act as the first part of a loose two parter. 'Utopia' is actually a sweet story about the Doctor finding a gem at the end of the universe in Professor Yana, a lovely old man who is doing his level best to help the last of the humans to Utopia. It all goes a bit wrong however when the Professor opens his fob watch containing his long forgotten Time Lord consciousness. The fantastic Derek Jacobi who has been playing such a lovely old man, suddenly has a changed and darkened look in their eyes. He then begins to act a little strangely, lowering all the defences of the base and destroying all his work. His assistant Chantho pulls a gun on him refusing to let him continue. The Professor takes a very dark and sinister turn, he takes a live cable and backs Chantho into a corner begging for him to stop. He snaps at the repetition of his name. When asked who he really is, he whispers the immortal words, I. am. The Master. And electrocutes Chantho. It really is such a shame that there wasnt any more of Derek Jacobi as the Master as he would have made a dramatic contrast to David Tennant. For about 30 seconds we had possibly the best Master ever.
9. Pyramids of Mars - Doctor vs Sutekh
'Pyramids of Mars' is one of the best acclaimed stories ever. It of course has everything to do with the performance of Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh. Sutekh is one of, if not the first enemy capable of punishing the Doctor. When the Doctor stumbles into his tomb to distract him from the destruction of his missile, the immobile Sutekh wastes no time pinning him to the wall with his demonic green eyes in punishment. There is a marvellous scene where the Doctor pits his usual words and protests against Sutekh who clearly isnt going to be so easily swayed as even though a prisoner, he can still make the Doctor kneel before him with force of will and make him suffer and crawl with each attempt to defy him. The final twist of fate for the Doctor, the man who has lead the fight against Sutekh, is to become the controlled servant of Sutekh and aid in his release. Tom Baker is on top form and Gabriel Woolf is utterly sublime every word he speaks fills me with chills.
8. Waters of Mars The Time Lord Victorious
'Water of Mars' is a great story from start to finish and David Tennant delivers a belting performance. When faced with an event, which is technically a fixed point in time, but in the future from our point of view. So does that mean the Doctor can change this? Its a dilemma that the Doctor struggles with through the whole episode. All the people around him are condemned to die according to future history, he has to leave to resist the temptation. The more he tries to get himself out, the deeper he seems to get himself and the more intrigued he becomes. Not least about the mysterious circumstances behind the destruction of Bowie Base One. When he finally makes his retreat, all hell breaks loose and as it all begins to unfold, he stands amongst the wreckage of the exploded shuttle craft, which has left them with no escape. He then starts down a dark path and returns to save those that history says died. Despite all the obstacles that get in his way to keep time on its destined course, the Doctor fights it all to save the crew lead by Adelaide Brooke believing that as the last Time Lord, the laws of time are his to control. Its terrifying that this is a Doctor that could have been if the Doctor didnt have so many rules. Unfortunately it isnt enough as when returned to Earth, having disagreed with the Doctor, who has told Adelaide how history is meant to play out, Adelaide enters her home and kills herself to put history back on track. The Doctor realises his mistake.
7. Earthshock - Adrics Death
The second moment for 'Earthshock', which delivers another shocker at the end. The consequence of the Doctors latest meeting with the Cybermen is the loss of one of his companions. No companions have ever really died since the mid 60s so after the best part of a two decades, I dont think anyone thought the show had the boldness to do something like that left in it. But whats more, nobody expected Adric to be leaving at all, he was specifically written into the following story as an illusion to hide the fact. So the second shocker hit when Adric was left aboard a freighter on collision course with prehistoric Earth. Its already established earlier on that something collided with Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs, that something being the freighter, but whether Adric was on board or not is completely open. When the Cyberleader destroys the TARDIS console, and a dying Cyberman destroys the controls of the freighter, all hope seems to slip away. The feeling that this time not everything will be alright grows and grows, culminating when Adric clutches the rope badge his late brother gave him as the freighter impacts on the surface of the planet.
6. Genesis of the Daleks Davros
'Genesis of the Daleks' is hailed as one of if not the best Doctor Who stories ever. Although the story has very little of the Daleks in it. They have a total screen time the Daleks have is only about 8 minutes. The story is all about Davros. For the first few parts Davross motives are. Does he genuinely want to save his species or does he have hidden motives. Of course he does! He created the Daleks. But this is the moment he truly becomes unhinged. He undoubtedly has a great mind and is in some ways a philosopher. If he had the power to wipe out every form of life, confesses he would do it. He realises the Daleks are the key to that power. Davros is beyond redemption. I remember watching this clip for the first time and it absolutely terrified me. A spectacular performance by Michael Wisher.