Doctor Who: 10 Best Episodes Of The Last 10 Years

Peter Capaldi's first full episode as the Doctor (not counting his eyebrow cameo in The Day of the Doctor) was less of an action-packed thriller and had more of a cerebral feeling, which was perfect for the Twelfth Doctor's personality. The TARDIS crash landed in Victorian London, bringing a Tyrannosaurus Rex along for the ride and containing a freshly-regenerated Doctor and a confused Clara. When the dinosaur died in a mysterious fire, the Doctor began investigating similar incidents that had happened around London. Clara harboured doubts about the authenticity of this new man, meaning the TARDIS duo faced difficulties from within and without, but when the pressure was really on, the Doctor and Clara's friendship proved stronger than the changes of regeneration.

Without a doubt, the best part of this episode was Peter Capaldi's debut. He charged out of the TARDIS with such a commanding presence, even in his post-regenerative muddle, that there was no room for doubt that this was still the Doctor. The slower, more intellectual pace was refreshing after the epic scale many of the episodes from Series 7 had and was it well suited for the personality of the new Doctor. Most importantly of all, it got us all excited for a brand new Doctor and a brand new set of episodes, which is what every good premiere should do.