The Cutprice Guignol

Well, now we finally have a release date for the next season of Doctor Who, it’s about time I got back to this series, isn’t it?

Which would bring us, of course, to David Tennant’s run on the show. I’ll be sticking to his original tenure, because, to be honest, all three of the episodes that made up his recent return for the 60th anniversary would fill out this list otherwise: and because I know this era is a truly beloved one for so many Who fans, including me. David Tennant picked up where my all-time favourite Christopher Eccleston left off, and it’s a credit to the sheer joy, passion, and love he brought to the role that he doesn’t feel like a step down to me. He’s one of the all-time most popular actors to ever inhabit the role, and with good reason, you know? This run isn’t without it’s flaws, but I love it with such a deep, nostalgic warmth, I’m willing to look past them and focus on the good stuff. Which brings me to this article!

Tooth and Claw

Werewolves! Werewolves in the Whoniverse! And it’s set in Scotland! And David Tennant gets to do his regular accent for a hot second! Rose in those overalls! Queen Victoria bring lycanthropy into the royal family. This episode, despite the fact it comes so early into Tennant’s run, is one of the most gloriously well-pitched pieces of genre nonsense the show has ever created. Daft, scary, and inventive, it’s a perfect example of how Who can take on classic horror tropes and give them a unique and distinctive twist. This is still abosloutely one of the first episodes I would show someone to introduce them to the new run of Doctor Who, because I truly defy anyone not to have at least something of a good time with this one.

The Family of Blood/Human Nature

And from a good time to a fucking devastating one! Yes, we’re including two-parters in this series (because I say so, that’s why), and Family of Blood/Human Nature might just be, on a technical level, the finest two-parter of New Who to date. The story alone is great, set against the teetering threat of oncoming war; Harry Lloyd remains one of my favourite Who guest-stars of all time, Jessica Stevenson is brilliant, Freema Agyeman is at her season-best here, and the titular Family make for imposing and memorable villains – but let’s be real here, this is all about David Tennant. The Doctor going into hiding as John Smith allows for some of Tennant’s finest acting in the entire series, a devastating, heart-breaking, and profoundly human exploration of what the Doctor’s existence looks like from the outside in. It’s such a bold idea, so brilliantly and memorably executed, and stands out as one of the most impactful stories in the Doctor’s show-long character development.

Turn Left

Girl, this article would not be complete without something Donna Noble-centric. Here at the Guignol, we live, love, and laugh for Donna Noble (and Catherine Tate’s impeccable performance in the role), and it’s a testament to her strength as a character that she could carry an almost Doctor-free episode in Turn Left. I’m a huge sucker for a what-if, alternative-timeline story, and Turn Left is a brilliant example of how what didn’t happen can fill out a character and a world as much as what does. Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins shine in this outing, and exploring the reality of the Whoniverse as seen through the eyes of a normal person is a premise I really enjoy (the aspects of the show that touch on how the events of the show have shaped this new version of the world as a result always fascinate me). Building on the show’s then-central thesis of normal people having great importance and value, it fits beautifully into the closing run of Tennant’s era, and gives Tate a real chance to shine as Donna before she bows out (for now, at least).

What are your favourite episodes of this era? I’d love to know where Tennant’s various reprisals of the role fit into your rankings there, even though I didn’t include them in this article – let me know in the comments below!

If you’d like to read my other Doctor Who articles, you can check them out here (and take a look at my books if you’re feeling curious!).

(header image via IMDB)