Doctor Who: Ranking New Who Finales From Worst To Best

Although many great finales came along over the years, none were as bold, and as impactful as the original. Nostalgia certainly plays a huge factor into The Parting of the Ways being number one on this list. However, it does have many merits that have preserved it as a sparkling gem, that continues to deliver all the emotional impacts it first displayed back in 2005.

Of course, Bad Wolf feels somewhat dated by its references to gameshows that were on television at the time. But I like to think the Game Station looked throughout Earth's history, and constructed a highlight reel of the best and greatest entertainment programmes (in which could be turned into deadly traps). Either way, looking past the gameshow element of the storyline, there's a fantastic thriller at its core, building up to many chilling revelations that causes the Ninth Doctor such despair, especially because it points directly to his past failings.

Despite the odds against him, he puts on a brave face in order to face the Daleks head on, whilst being forced to repeat history, i.e. confronted with the choice of sacrificing the innocent at the expense of destroying his great enemy. Although, it's a beautiful moment witnessing the Ninth Doctor finally overcome his regrets, and find peace within himself, enabling him to surrender himself to his fate in order to remain true to himself.

The Bad Wolf reveal is a bit disappointing (and somewhat jarring), as well as beginning the slow decent of Rose's character, through her obsessive impulses, and overbearing companionship towards The Doctor. But it's mostly tolerable here, and leads to an emotional conclusion (even if Rose's foolishness does cause the Ninth Doctor's death). The final moments are true to Christopher Eccleston's incarnation, and fulfils his deepening character journey, allowing him to die knowing he was The Doctor once more.