7. The Time Warrior
Episode: Season 11, Episode 1
Companion: Sarah Jane Smith One of the most important episodes in Doctor Who, The Time Warrior has three notable firsts. It's the first time the Doctor's home planet is actually named (10 years after the series started), the first appearance of the potato-headed Sontarans, and last but certainly not least the first appearance of Sarah Jane Smith. It's pretty clear throughout just why Elisabeth Sladen was chosen to play Sarah Jane. Even in her first episode and very first meeting she's simply wonderful throughout, giving a strong, spirited performance. The character is brilliantly written too, coming up with many excuses for just what this medieval world is (why hasn't this happened more often in Who?) and being more than a match for the Doctor. The Sontaran himself Linx is played superbly, with Kevin Lindsay giving an alien menace fascinating characterization for once. The cliffhanger to episode 1 where he reveals his grotesque form is a moment which has gone down in Who folklore, while Linx's rasping breath and quests for warfare meant the Sontarans became an instant hit. The story itself is different to anything that's gone before Linx isn't particularly interested in taking over Earth, so the story instead focused on the simple idea of him fixing his ship and how something as simple as this can change humanity. Add some great medieval dialogue ("A longshanked rascal with a mighty nose!") , some delightful location filming, Boba Fett and Dot Cotton into the mix and you have a most enjoyable story.