Doctor Who: Ranking The New Who Openers From Worst To Best

Having not had a full season since 1989, Doctor Who really needed to deliver a good impression for its return in 2005. Rose isn't inherently a bad opener, nor a terrible narrative, but it doesn't deliver too many punches, and feels rather safe, and still, with its execution.

You can tell that Russell T Davies was trying to recapture the magic, and mystery that An Unearthly Child brought to the screen back in 1963. For one reason or another, the new show-runner failed to do this, despite his best efforts. It was a clever move to have the story follow Rose Tyler, as she tries desperately to discover who The Doctor is, whilst his fantastical world slowly consumes her life.

But the episode ultimately drags, and isn't as sharp, and to the point as An Unearthly Child was, with even the reappearance of the Autons feeling forced, and underutilised. Luckily, the saving grace of this introductory tale was the performances from Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston, and their endearing chemistry sealed the deal for audience members wanting to continue with the rest of Series 1.