Doctor Who: Every Russell T Davies Episode Ranked From Worst To Best

RTD really did peak in his first era. Specifically, its penultimate story.

Essentially a historical set in our future (on the Red Planet, no less), The Waters of Mars sees the Doctor torn between letting a catastrophic fixed event play out and taking matters into his own hands.

With no companion by his side, and knowing that his time’s nearly up anyway, he ultimately goes with the latter option, taking on time in a moment of hubris. It’s something we’d never really seen before: a tragic arc for the Doctor.

And that’s not all. Because Doctor Who lives or dies on the strength of its monsters.

Making something as ubiquitous as water the threat is a genius move – and with their cracked mouths and dead eyes, the Flood are just SO freaky.

It’s a winning combination, that makes for a terrifying, stressful watch.

Water always wins. And so does The Waters of Mars.