Doctor Who: 15 Greatest NuWho Deaths So Far

VIllain deaths can certainly be satisfying, but they can also be saddening, and this one was both. The Master, in the incarnation played by John Simm, was shot by his wife who he had manipulated and abused. Instead of regenerating, though, he chose to die, passing away in the arms of the Doctor, his childhood friend. The raw emotion Tennant unleashes in the moment makes it hard for the audience not to react similarly, making this a very poignant death.

There's also a sense of seeing a fantastic villain get his comeuppance. While there were some quibbles from fans over this portrayal of the Master, he pushed the Doctor to the limits throughout the story, and his death comes as the culmination of all the bad things he has done. 

While he does eventually come back, the Master's death had a little bit of everything, including a sense of mystery, to make it a worthy choice to take second place on this list.