The Best And Worst Episode Of EVERY Doctor Who Series

Worst: Orphan 55

I’m running out of ways to say Orphan 55 is bad. A mainstay of ‘worst episode’ lists (often in contention for the very worst),,Orphan 55 has a truly abysmal reputation, and it’s entirely deserved. The episode is a runabout which goes nowhere, quite literally taking the crew out into the middle of nowhere and back again for over half the runtime, and the supporting cast may just be the worst set of characters ever cobbled together for the show. In any other episode, Hyph3n, James Buckley’s irresponsible father, Ryan’s thumb-sucking crush or BENNI would be the weakest of the bunch, and we get them simultaneously. The fact that the episode has the gall to even attempt the ‘Planet of the Apes’ twist at the end at play it straight is laughable, and whilst an environmentalist message in Doccy Who is part of the show’s DNA (and always has been), never has it been delivered in such a patronising way. This episode really has nothing going for it.

Dishonourable Mention: The Timeless Children

Best: The Haunting of Villa Diodati

This is the best episode of the Chibnall era, in my opinion. A bunch of regency era writers and poets get chased around a mansion by an insane Cyberman, which in turn inspires Frankenstein? It’s bonkers, but what a premise - better yet, it absolutely delivers. In contrast to Orphan 55, this supporting cast is fantastic, with both Shelleys and Lord Byron making their mark. Ashad is the most interesting thing to happen to the Cybermen in the revival, and, aside from being genuinely horrifying, allows for a really compelling villain that treads new ground for the Cybermen (an impressive feat when they’ve been around since Hartnell) - The fact they unceremoniously had the Master kill Ashad the following week is something I will never forgive. Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention the moment the ‘Fam’ illusion finally dissolves in the closing moments of this episode, finally having Thirteen take a dark turn and express the weight of being a Time Lord - I’d been waiting two years for this and, in this moment, Whitaker is an absolute scene stealer.

Honourable Mention: Spyfall