Must-see, okay, and skippable episodes

[RoJoHen]

As part of my attempt to force myself to do more cardio, I have decided to start watching episodes of Doctor Who on my iPod while I jog on the treadmill. However, I'm really not interested in watching all of them. I've seen a bunch of episodes, but I'm not really sure where all of them fit in. A couple of the better episodes I've seen are "The Girl in the Fireplace" and "Blink," as well as a few random episodes involving Daleks and those Robot things whose names I can't remember.

Anyway, not a huge fan of Season 1, so I'd like to only see the really good ones there. If you guys have really good suggestions from Seasons 1 and 2, I'd like to hear them, or if there are episodes that can be completely skipped, I'd like to hear those too. We don't need to worry about Season 3 or 4 yet. I won't be there for a while. Thanks!

 

[The]

Too bad you don't dig Season One. I prefer Eccleston over Tennant any day. Also, with season one, the majority of episodes introduce you to some new element or facet to either the Doctor Who mythology, or the inter-personal dynamics going on with the supporting cast. However, here are the essential Season One episodes:

• 1 - Rose
• 2 - End of the World
• 3 - Dalek
• 4 - Father's Day
• 5 - Empty Child (pt. 1)
• 6 - The Doctor Dances (pt. 2)
• 7 - Boomtown
• 8 - Bad Wolf (pt. 1)
• 9 - Parting of the Ways (pt. 2)

Season Two:

• 1 - Christman Invasion
• 2 - School Reunion
• 3 - Tooth and Claw
• 4 - Impossible Planet (pt. 1)
• 5 - Satan Pit (pt. 2)
• 6 - Army of Ghosts (pt. 1)
• 7 - Doomsday (pt. 2)

 

[Winterwind]

I usually agree with The and here we are again. Eccleston over Tennant any day.

I mostly agree with the list but in S1 I'd drop End of the World. That one bored me.

In S2 I'd drop the Impossible Planet/the Satan Pit and replace them with Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel.

And you really, really must watch Fear Her in S2. How else will you be able to tell a good episode from a bad one until you see an absolute crap one?

 

[RoJoHen]

I don't mind Eccleston, but from what I've seen, Tennant just seems a lot more comfortable in the role.

 

[WillsBabe]

• 1 - Rose
• 2 - End of the World
• 3 - Dalek
• 4 - Father's Day
• 5 - Empty Child (pt. 1)
• 6 - The Doctor Dances (pt. 2)
• 7 - Boomtown
• 8 - Bad Wolf (pt. 1)
• 9 - Parting of the Ways (pt. 2)

Season Two:

• 1 - Christman Invasion
• 2 - School Reunion
• 3 - Tooth and Claw
• 4 - Impossible Planet (pt. 1)
• 5 - Satan Pit (pt. 2)
• 6 - Army of Ghosts (pt. 1)
• 7 - Doomsday (pt. 2)

All this.

I don't mind Eccleston, but from what I've seen, Tennant just seems a lot more comfortable in the role.

I like Eccleston's discomfort, or whatever it is, because it makes his Doctor edgy and dangerous. I was watching him last night and much as I adore him I was feeling uncomfortable eating my tea on a run of the mill Wednesday evening.

Nice idea about the ipod by the way. The tv screens in my gym are crap and it didn't occur to me to put stuff on my ipod to watch. Ty.

 

[RoJoHen]

I like Eccleston's discomfort, or whatever it is, because it makes his Doctor edgy and dangerous. I was watching him last night and much as I adore him I was feeling uncomfortable eating my tea on a run of the mill Wednesday evening.

Eh, anytime I watch him I just feel like Eccleston really doesn't want to be there, as if playing the character is an annoyance to him.

Nice idea about the ipod by the way. The tv screens in my gym are crap and it didn't occur to me to put stuff on my ipod to watch. Ty.

I bought an iPod Touch on impulse a couple weeks ago, and I am trying to use it as often as possible to justify the cost.

 

[Starkers]

See, The, I'd say The Long Game was essential in S1. I know it isn't well regarded (though I like it personally) but it is relevant to the end of the season...

 

[The]

^See, Starkers, that's the problem I have with trying to eliminate episodes from Season One. Pretty much each and every one has some nugget of information or take that's part of the overall season. End of the World bonds The Doctor and Rose, and gives us better insight into the current status of why he looks so tortured. Of course, Aliens of London/WW III gives us better insight into Rose, and her back-cast. The Long Game has an element that is dipped back into during the season finale. The Unquiet Dead explains a whole new corner of the Who universe (i.e. Cardiff Rift). I mean, where do you stop? That's why I was saying RoJoHen should just bite the bullet and watch the entire season from beginning to end. There's no really "bad" episode during that season, in my opinion.

Also, RoJo, I understand what you mean by Eccleston. He's not as natural in the role as Tennant. However, he also plays the most unconventional incarnation since Colin Baker, while Tennant plays a safe, conventional family-pleasing persona. Eccleston's Doctor is the "Oncoming Storm". And if you don't dig some dark brooding, mixed with maniacal glee, then you won't dig the 9th Doctor.

Josan, I didn't list AoS/RotC because RoJoHen indicated he/she didn't really care for the Cybermen. And, given that the two-parter (for me) was pretty stale and silly, I didn't feel the need to list it. Sure, there's an evolution of the Mickey character. But, like the Cybermen origins, it's really not something that couldn't be easily figured out in later episodes...

 

[Count Zero]

If you haven't seen the series before, I don't really understand why you wouldn't want to watch it in full. In my opinion, it's the best show there is.
I pretty much agree with The's list for season 1, but I would add "The Long Game" as Starkers suggested and leave out "Boomtown" instead, especially since "Aliens of London/World War Three" isn't on the list, which is the prequel to it.
As for season 2, I'd add "New Earth", "The Girl In The Fireplace" and "Love And Monsters" while taking "Tooth And Claw" off the list. I'm not sure about "Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel" since they're important to the finale and while not great, pretty enjoyable.
But really, there are only 13 episodes a season plus the Christmas Special, so it's really not that much to watch, especially if you're watching it while you're on the treadmill.

 

[RoJoHen]

But really, there are only 13 episodes a season plus the Christmas Special, so it's really not that much to watch, especially if you're watching it while you're on the treadmill.

Honestly, because some of the random episodes I've seen over the years have been really boring.

 

[Count Zero]

The show lives a bit off its continuity, though. Randomly seeing some episodes doen't do it quite justice in my opinion. It would be like watching some random episodes from the later seasons of DS9. Not knowing what happened before them might result in some boring episodes, too.

 

[Starkers]

If you haven't seen the series before, I don't really understand why you wouldn't want to watch it in full. In my opinion, it's the best show there is.
I pretty much agree with The's list for season 1, but I would add "The Long Game" as Starkers suggested and leave out "Boomtown" instead, especially since "Aliens of London/World War Three" isn't on the list, which is the prequel to it.
As for season 2, I'd add "New Earth", "The Girl In The Fireplace" and "Love And Monsters" while taking "Tooth And Claw" off the list. I'm not sure about "Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel" since they're important to the finale and while not great, pretty enjoyable.
But really, there are only 13 episodes a season plus the Christmas Special, so it's really not that much to watch, especially if you're watching it while you're on the treadmill.

Trouble is Boomtown contains some nice forshadowing re theTARDIS-The is right, ideally you have to watch the entire of S1

 

[Timby]

"Love And Monsters"

What.

 

[The]

As for season 2, I'd add "New Earth",

Oh dear...

"The Girl In The Fireplace"

He/She's already seen it. He/She listed in the first post.

and "Love And Monsters"

Oh dear...

while taking "Tooth And Claw" off the list.

Sure....but, Torchwood. So, depends on whether that's important...

 

[Timofnine]

Skip 'Fear Her' and 'The Idiots Lantern' and you'll be fine!

 

[RoJoHen]

I have seen the first season of Torchwood and didn't like it very much, so I don't know if that makes a difference...

 

[The]

Tooth and Claw explains where it comes from, is all. Also, please watch Seasons 2 and 3 of Torchwood for the "improved" version of the show...

 

[Count Zero]

"Love And Monsters"

What.

and "Love And Monsters"

Oh dear...

I liked the episode, so sue me. And it's an unusual take on the Doctor.

As for season 2, I'd add "New Earth",

Oh dear...

This episode turns a cardboard villain into someone you can feel sympathy for. I thought that was really impressive. Plus, it introduces New New York and the Face of Boe (ok, technically, we first see him in "The Long Game" or "Bad Wolf", I'm not sure).

"The Girl In The Fireplace"

He/She's already seen it. He/She listed in the first post.

I know but it's much better if you see it in its context.

Tooth and Claw explains where it comes from, is all. Also, please watch Seasons 2 and 3 of Torchwood for the "improved" version of the show...

At least season 3, it's only five episodes long.

I don't think you need to see "Tooth And Claw" to get into Torchwood or understand what Torchwood is about.

 

[Starkers]

Boe appeared first in The End of the World.

New Earth is an episode I haven't watched in a long time. It's really bad, although kudos to RTD for a fabulous last few minutes that almost make the reast worth watching to get to...

Spoiler: New Earth

Cassandra dying in her own arms...wow!

Love and Monsters should have been called Jekyll and Hyde. Half of it is brilliant, unfortunately the other half is brown, steamy and smells of poo...

 

[Shazam!]

here are the essential Season One episodes:

• 7 - Boomtown

As if.