Every Doctor Who Finale - Ranked Worst To Best

While this episode is a very entertaining one that answers a lot of questions, The Name Of The Doctor is a unique finale in that it sets up not one but two different events. While some finales such as Journey's End would set up the Doctor's inevitable regenerations, this episode set up not only Matt Smith's regeneration but the 50th Anniversary special as well.

This episode is the first of a trilogy yet is still able to resolve a lot of the issues brought up in the season, most notably the mystery of how Clara became 'The Impossible Girl'. The imagery of Trenzalore was menacing and contrasted well to Clara's journeys across The Doctor's timeline.

The reveal of John Hurt as The War Doctor was a shocking conclusion that few saw coming and immediately raised excitement for the anniversary special. While it wasn't the most conventional of finales it served its purpose very well.

However, that is, in fact, the biggest issue with the episode. Because it has to spend so much time focusing on the upcoming episodes the finale doesn't have that same sense of resolution that the other finales have.