Doctor Who: Every Series 2 Episode Ranked Worst To Best

Some episodes of Doctor Who feel like a bunch of disconnected ideas that have been expertly sewn together, and The Girl in the Fireplace is perhaps the best example.

Visiting a seemingly abandoned spaceship, the Doctor discovers time windows that step into the life of French historical figure Madame de Pompadour. Also, the Doctor rides a horse. It’s mad, but it’s brimming with Moffat’s sharp writing, memorable moments, and sparks flying between Tennant and his new love interest, played by Sophia Myles. The clockwork men are scary, and the mystery is captivating.

This episode won the 2007 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form, and was lauded by critics and fans. It’s often called one of the best since the show’s relaunch. This is all fair… but it isn’t exactly perfect.

Not only does the Doctor’s relationship with Reinette feel very weird considering he first meets her as a child, but it's a major stick in the spokes of the ongoing story. Series 2 is so good at subtly building the romantic tension between Ten and Rose, and the Doctor briefly falling for another woman, and Rose having nothing to say (and little to do) doesn’t do it any favours in that wider context.

The Girl in the Fireplace absolutely deserves its praise, but it's not immune to this criticism since it's the only story in Series 2 that takes such a misstep.