10. Utopia/ The Sound Of Drums/ Last Of The Timelords
Written by Russell T. Davies Series 3 Episodes 11, 12 & 13 I think it would be a gross oversight to not include this story on the list. The memories I have of being a 13-year-old enraptured by the possibility of a three-part Doctor Who story are so vivid and exciting that there is no way I wouldn't acknowledge the brilliant achievement that is Utopia/ The Sound of Drums/ Last of the Time-Lords. So many iconic things from the David Tennant era come from this episode The Master as played by John Simm is a true fan-favorite and it also introduced us to the relationship between a new Doctor and Captain Jack that would change Jack's character for years to come. Utopia, upon first viewing, is a truly exciting 42 minutes of television. Derek Jackobi gives an astounding performance as Professor Yana the highlight of it being the moment where he turns around and using only his eyes shows that he's gone all evil and Master-ly on us displays such acting talent that it's almost a shame that he has to regenerate in the following scene. The shock reveal of the Master in Utopia is one of the greatest twists of the new series, and is not let down by the episode that follows it. For starters it gives us a similar audience-gazumping twist namely that Mr Saxon a character hinted at briefly throughout the third series in The Master, in Prime Ministerial form. But aside from that, there's an overwhelming sense of grim, almost Orwellian hopelessness as we see The Doctor and his chums lose one hiding place and ally after another in their battle against Mr Saxon. It's clear to see why John Simm is so popular the guy is loving every second of playing his bonkers, black-hearted bad-guy. Scenes like his take-over of the Toclafane-conference or his brutal, thumbs-up-waving murder of the cabinet show him to be the perfect dark-reflection of David Tennant's Doctor. He is boisterous and funny one minute and deadly serious the next, his very facial expressions imply the weight that such a long life has put on his shoulders. These two episodes are so good that I don't think the haphazard, thrown-together finale can undermine their brilliance. Even in this sub-satisfactory episode there are great moments like Martha's final triumph over both Time-Lords not onyl does she help Deus Ex Machina the Master and his paradox, she chooses to leave the TARDIS of her own accord, prioritisng personal growth over gallivanting around the stars with a man who will never truly love her.