Doctor Who: Every Doctor's First Episode Ranked Worst To Best

Castrovalva has some amazing moments, from the TARDIS being lured to the Big Bang, to Castrovalva folding in on itself. However, as a debut for the Fifth Doctor, there's not much of him in it for the first two episodes.

The main dramatic thrust of Episode One is his need to have a good nap. And then in Episode Two, the sleeping Doctor gets carted around in a little TARDIS wardrobe by Tegan and Nyssa. After all that rest, he's still not up to full strength by Episode Three.

Castrovalva relies on the companions to lead the story in the Doctor's absence, which works when the companion is an established character like Clara or Rose. Tegan and Nyssa have only been around for a few episodes prior to Castrovalva, making them almost as much of a mystery as this new amnesiac Doctor.

Adric is the longest-serving character at this point in Doctor Who, but he's trussed up in the Master's climbing frame for the majority of the story.

With so many characters unable to establish their presence, the Fifth Doctor's debut feels quite wishy-washy, setting the tone for the whole era.