Top 10s-Top 10 William Hartnell Doctor Who Episodes

Hi guys. Today I will be detailing my top 10 doctor who episodes starring William Hartnell. These, however, will not include episodes such as The Three Doctors and Day of the Doctor. So, without further ado, let's get started.

10. Marco Polo

My first story in this list is one that I have not seen. However, I have listened to it and I am very surprised at how good the episode is. The first episode of Doctor Who to star a prominent historical figure (the namesake of the episode, Marco Polo), this episode is really fun to listen to, and features a very intriguing plot. The seven-part story explores many different genres, from WhoDunnit and adventure, to quest and ancient crime with great success, while never straying from the genre of historical drama along the way.

Overall, this episode is a brilliant story, and one of the best historical ones. I really enjoyed the different genres, and I thought this seven-episode story was really good.

9. The Keys of Marinus

A surprisingly good story, The Keys of Marinus is a true sci-fi story, featuring one of the weirdest plots ever in Doctor Who. It sees the Doctor and his companions try to find the Keys for a machine that will bring universal peace, while also having to fight strange creatures called the Voord. The 6-part story is one of the most intriguing Doctor Who stories of the first season, and also one of the strangest.

Overall, this story feels very unique and intriguing, and is only let down by the absence of the Doctor for two episodes, as William Hartnell had to take a holiday.

8. The Tenth Planet

The final First Doctor story is also one of the best. Featuring a much-used Sci-Fi story as we learn that Earth has a twin planet, it puts a new twist on it as we find out that robots live on the Earth. No, not robots. Cybermen. This four-part story sees the debut of the Cybermen, and they are as menacing as ever. Many people say that these Cybermen were not menacing because of their whiney voices and strange look, but I found these Cybermen creepier than most others, (I will hopefully be doing a Top 10 Cybermen Designs very soon so stay in tune for that).

Overall, this story is nowhere near the best Cybermen story, but is still a brilliant one and one of the best leaving episodes for a Doctor yet.

7. The Celestial Toymaker

The Celestial Toymaker is one of the strangest Doctor Who episodes to date. It sees the Doctor, Dodo and Steven have to play sadistic games against an evil villain called The Toymaker (a bit like Saw actually). The four-part story is very creepy and very atmospheric, introducing creatures that would soon become staples of the Sci-Fi and Horror genre, such as Living Toys and killer dolls. It is a crime that only the last episode remains, and I hope they are found as soon as possible.

Overall, this story is massively underrated, and I really hope parts 1-3 are found sooner rather than later.

6. The War Machines

The War Machines is another very underrated story of Doctor Who. One of the final William Hartnell. it saw two new companions come on board the TARDIS (Ben and Polly), one companion leave (Dodo), and a supercomputer called WOTAN try to take over London using War Machines. The story is really good, and is one of the first uses of computers going sentient in the Sci-Fi genre. A prelude and inspiration to many great films, such as The Matrix and Westworld, this 4-part story really shows the innovativeness and creativity of the original Doctor Who writers.

Overall, this 4-part story makes for classic Sci-Fi drama, and introduces 2 new companions in a very unique and, frankly, quite strange manner.

5. The Daleks

The Daleks is the second-ever Doctor Who story, and the first to feature the iconic Daleks. In a time when the Daleks weren't boring and overused. this 7-part story really creeps out the audience with its eerie setting of a barren metal city and a stone forest. And with the first cliffhanger introducing the Daleks in the best, and creepiest, way, this 7-part story really is a blast to watch. Written by Terry Nation, this story never drags, never gets boring and is always full of suspense, terror, and action.

Overall, this 7-part story is one of the best Dalek stories made so far (but not the best) and begins the long run of one of Doctor Who's greatest writers.

4. The Time Meddler

The Time Meddler is the first episode of Doctor Who to star a Time Lord other than The Doctor himself. It follows the Doctor as he has to stop the Meddling Monk from changing time with his TARDIS. One (but not the) first stories of Doctor Who to explore the consequences of changing time, this story is a very original and intriguing time-travel story. One of the most complex of the First Doctor stories, it also sees one of the first returning villains introduced, after the Daleks.

Overall, this 4-part story is a brilliant and complex that will be the inspiration for stories featuring characters The Master, Rani, The Valeyard and others.

3. The Dalek Invasion of Earth

The Dalek Invasion of Earth is one of the most iconic episodes of Doctor Who, and was received so well by the audience that a film was released based on it. The first Doctor Who story to feature the return of an old villain, this 7-part serial was the first story to really show the conquering ability of the Daleks. Also the episode where Susan (The Doctor's granddaughter) leaves, this story has a brilliant plot and continues the amazing run of Terry Nation, which lasts for another decade to come.

Overall, this iconic 7-part serial is one of the best Dalek stories to date, and really introduces the Daleks' immorality in this universe.

2.  An Unearthly Child
 
An Unearthly Child is the first ever Doctor Who story, and has been very hard to beat. The first episode especially, this 4-part serial features an amazingly original story, introduces the Doctor and his companions splendidly, uses set and costume design stunningly, and starts the best TV show to date, Marginally worse than #1 on my list, this premiere is probably the best series premiere of Doctor Who yet.

And now, for my number 1:

1. The Aztecs

Now, many of you may be wondering why this is top of my list. The reason for this is that it is the first Doctor Who episode to really delve into the effects of time travel. It sees the Doctor and his companions travel back to the Aztec times, and introduces massive amounts of strife between the friends when the Doctor has to stop them from changing the way of the Aztecs, and therefore changing time, forever. Introducing concepts such as paradoxes and time loops, this historical story is one of the best stories of Old Who.

Thanks for reading, please do check out my other posts, and also check out my friend's blog DarkMatterMedia.blogspot.com. Thank you for reading and see you next time for Doctor Series 2 Episodes Ranked Worst to First.

Ranked-Doctor Who Series 1 Episodes Worst to First

In this post, I will be ordering all of the Series 1 episodes in order of worst to first. For those of you who do not know, the episodes in Series 1 are: Rose; The End of the World; The Unquiet Dead; Aliens of London; World War Three; Dalek; The Long Game; Father's Day; The Empty Child; The Doctor Dances; Boom Town; Bad Wolf and The Parting and the Ways. I will not be counting the 2005 Christmas special The Christmas Invasion because I will be doing another post on the Christmas Specials Ranked. Anyway, let's get started.

13. The Long Game

 

The Long Game is the seventh episode of Series 1, and also the worst. Featuring a strange plot set on a news space-station, it sees the Doctor and Rose try to uncover the corruption within the system, ending up facing against Simon Pegg's The Editor and the strange CGI monster, the Jagrafess. Or should I say The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe? The episode was very strange, and not too good. I found the plot quite average, the supporting characters very dull and the monsters very bland and average. I also found that Adam, from Dalek, was a very boring character, and completely useless to the plot.

Overall the episode is definitely not boring, but very average for Doctor Who. It is definitely a filler, and a boring one at that. Written by Russell T. Davies, the episode is the worst episode of the series by a long way.

12. The End of the World

The End of the World is the only other bad episode in the series. Now, I know that by many fans this episode is adored, but I just found it boring. Even though it is only the second episode of the new series, it still seems very predictable and clichéd. The villain, Cassandra, is very dull and the alien characters are very bland and useless to the plot. The reason it is better than The Long Game is that is expands really well on The Doctor being the last of the Time Lords, and details more of his backstory. 

Overall, the episode is quite bland and clichéd, and has a very predictable ending. Also, the aliens are very boring and dull, and are only there to offer some colour. However I really love the expansion of the Time War, and really does build the world of New Who up.

11. World War Three

 

World War Three was a very average episode, and was a very disappointing ending to the brilliant first part Aliens of London. I found the threat in the episode a lot less real than in the first episode, and the conclusion was quite boring. However, I really enjoy the interaction between The Doctor and Jackie, especially the scene when the Doctor and Rose are stuck in the Cabinet Room, and the Doctor is contemplating sacrificing Rose to save the world.

Overall, this episode had quite an average plot and average monsters, ruined by their silliness, however managed to make a lasting impression for new Doctor Who fans.

10. Rose

10th on the list is the New Who premiere, Rose. Many people think of this as an amazing episode, but I really don't. The episode seems very average for me. I found the Autons in this episode quite dull, and the plot quite predictable. The best thing about this episode is definitely the acting, as Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper put on a really good performance in this episode, one of their best, I have to admit.

Overall, this episode is quite average and predictable, but the acting is very good and the graphics are also very interesting for the episode. The episode is by no way boring, but very normal for a Doctor Who episode.

9. The Doctor Dances

This episode is loved by many people, but I find it quite disappointing. Compared to the amazing The Empty Child, I found it quite disappointing, even though I am not entirely sure why. I think the main reason I don't like this is because of the Nancy storyline, of her being the Empty Child's mother. I personally think that subplot is quite stupid and unneeded. I also didn't like it that the cause of the Gas Mask Disease were repairbots, I think it would've been a lot cooler with it being some kind of deadly menace. However, the acting is brilliant, especially from John Barrowman as the new companion, Captain Jack Harkness.

Overall, this episode gives a bit of a cop-out ending with the Nanobots, it's brilliant and intriguing acting is let down by the dull and boring ending.

8. The Unquiet Dead

Now, this is where the episodes get really good. The Unquiet Dead is an atmospheric ghost story, featuring a creepy undertaker, a psychic maid and, of course, Charles Dickens. The first of the regular "Historical Figure" episodes, this episode is a brilliant take on Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, while also starring the inspiration in the episode. The acting is really good, especially Eve Myles, who would later star in the Doctor Who spinoff show, Torchwood.

Overall, this historic episode is very creepy, features some great acting and also some really amazing graphics. The first properly creepy episode of New Who, this episode really introduces both the historical and creepy elements to the new series.

7. Aliens of London

Aliens of London is a surprisingly brilliant episode. Even though many people dislike this episode, I really like it. I think the acting is brilliant, the story is superb and the creatures are awesome. I really like the way this episode is done, with the aliens faking aliens. I really like the Slitheen in this episode, but I find their incessant farting unneeded. I think the silly parts of this episode really let it down, as without them it would probably one of, if not the, best episode of the series. I really like the way they did the aliens, looking at them as if they were not real. I also really enjoy the way they made the whole episode really conspiratorial.

Overall, I found this episode quite intriguing and different to all the other episodes of Series 1. It was let down by its incessant silliness and its predictable cliffhanger but, except for that, this episode is a joy to watch.

6. Boom Town
 
Boom Town is a brilliant episode of Doctor Who. Even though many fans dislike this episode, I really enjoy it, however. The main reason for this is that the episode is very different and unique from the other Doctor Who episodes. I found the Slitheen a lot more interesting in this episode than in their first two-parter, as the main villain, Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen, seems to have a twisted sense of morality. We also get a good look at The Doctor's sense of morality, and more character development for Rose and Mickey. The main brilliance of this episode, however, is the amazing acting. Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, Noel Clarke, John Barrowman and especially Annette Badland are at top performance this episode, with some of their best acting seen in this episode.

Overall, this episode is one of my favourite of Series 1, and features by far the best portrayal of the Slitheen in both Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures. It also has some brilliant acting and some very deep and thoughtful scenes.

5. Bad Wolf

Bad Wolf is an absolutely brilliant episode. Set on the Game Station, it sees the Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack trapped in deadly versions of our modern game shows, such as The Weakest Link and Big Brother. The first part of Christopher Eccleston's two-part Dalek sendoff, it has near-perfect build-up for the finale, such as Rose's supposed death and the paranoia of the Controller. There are a few flaws in this episode, such as the Controller's powers and the devolution of mankind not being explained satisfactorily. However, what makes up for this is the amazing cliffhanger, which, when having to wait a week for its conclusion, will make you shake in anticipation.

Overall, this episode is brilliant build-up for an amazing finale, with an amazing cliffhanger, horrific ideas and brilliant acting.

4. The Empty Child
   
The Empty Child was the first Doctor Who episode written by Steven Moffatt...and one of his best. The episode starts the tradition of making normal, everyday things creepy as hell: this time, children. Set in 1943, it sees the Doctor and Rose arrive in Blitzed London, where they learn of a deadly infection spreading around London, binding Gas Masks to people's faces and making them ask for their mummy. The episode really works and creeps everyone out who watches it. The episode also introduces a new companion very successfully in John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness.

Overall, this creepy episode brings a new layer to Doctor Who, making the normal creepy (Gas Mask Zombies) and the abnormal hilarious (Captain Jack).

3. The Parting of the Ways

The 2nd part to the amazing Bad Wolf goes 1 step better. The Parting of the Ways is the work of a genius, returning the Daleks to their former glory before The Time War. It also shows how loyal Rose really is to The Doctor, how far The Doctor will go to save the people he loves, and how he would save innocents rather than destroy evil. The writing makes The Doctor go further than he's ever had to go before, and have to make his first, out of many, terrible decisions in New Who. The Dalek Emperor in this makes for an excellently creepy villain, the Daleks are made to feel like the largest army in the universe, and the true soldier roots of Captain Jack are felt. But the best part of the episode is the end. The Doctor's perfect regeneration scene could not be better, as it is heartbreaking, intriguing and frightening all at the same time.

Overall, this episode is full of dark and powerful messages. It manages to convey death, truth and justice all in one story and really signifies the burden The Doctor holds.

2. Father's Day

Father's Day is probably one of the saddest episodes of Doctor Who ever. The first truly emotional episode, it focuses on Rose saving her dad from death, but thereby unleashing monstrous creatures called Reapers and ripping a hole in reality. The episode also sees the introduction of one of New Who coolest aliens, the Reapers, and also focuses on what will happen if time is changed. The episode answers many questions about the effects of time travel, to great success.

Overall, this episode is a very well-done, base-under-siege story, with horrible monsters, scenes of pure darkness and really intriguing plot devices. But overall this episode, written by genius Paul Cornell, really shows off what this series can do emotionally.

1. Dalek

Dalek. What an amazing episode this is. With a British alien expert, an rich American overlord, a Robot-like creature that kills everything it sees, an alien war veteran, an unknowing human girl and all set in an underground base full of alien artifacts, this episode is packed full of sci-fi goodies. One of the best episodes of New Who to date, this episode, which follows the base-under-siege format, sees the Doctor and Rose forced to face off against the last Dalek in existence. But not any Dalek. The most dangerous Dalek in the universe. One with no orders. The episode is a piece of art, and is one of the best Dalek stories to date.

So there you have it. All of the Series 1 episodes ranked. I really hope you enjoyed this post, I will be doing it for all the series and then some more things after that (Spoilers!). Please feel free to leave your list in the comments below. My next video will be my Top 10 William Hartnell Doctor Who Episodes, so stick around for that. But thanks for reading, and I will see you later.

Introduction

My name is DoctorWhoManiac and I am a complete Doctor Who fanatic. In this blog I will be releasing posts about Doctor Who. My first three series will be: Top 10s, Ranked, and WhoInfo. My Top 10s will detail my 10 favourites of a certain topic, e.g. My Top 10 Doctor Who Episodes. My Ranked videos will see me ranking things from worst to best, e.g. Series 9 Doctor Who Episodes Ranked, and WhoInfo will give you the most recent Doctor Who News, e.g. New Companion Cast.

I will try to do one Top 10 and one Ranked post per week, and I will do WhoInfo whenever any is released. So I hope you enjoy this blog and please do follow if you like Doctor Who.