10 Great Parts from 10 of the “Worst Episodes” (Part 1)
Guest contributor James Kirkland searches for diamonds in the rough.
In celebration of Doctor Who’s 10 year anniversary since its revival, DWTV asked readers to give all the episodes a score. At the end of the voting, twenty stories sat at the very bottom of that list. But, every rough has a few diamonds in it. So, here are ten of those bottom twenty episodes that had truly great parts in them, for my money.
10. Curse of the Black Spot – Amy saves Rory
9. Nightmare in Silver – Mr. Clever
Nightmare in Silver had a host of problems, most of which stemmed from the incredibly unlikable children in the episode. But, along with a return for the Mondas Cybermen, this episode also gave us another bright spot with a chilling villain to represent the Doctor’s old foes. Matt Smith pulls double duty in this episode, sinking his teeth into the cruel and calculating Cyber Planner, Mr. Clever, with sinister glee. Seeing him play the role off of his lovable Eleventh Doctor created a stark contrast and gave the episode a more focused villain than the Cyberiad army that threatened the castle from the outside. The verbal and mental sparring match between the Doctor and Mr. Clever was far more thrilling than anything else going on in the episode and showed that two interesting and vibrant characters talking and playing chess can be more enthralling than a big battle.
8. Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS – The Doctor confronts Clara
This scene shows the Doctor at wit’s end, staring a problem he cannot solve in the face. Between his mounting anger at what he perceives to be some sort of game being played and Clara’s confusion and fear seeing a man she trusted turn against her so suddenly, it really brought a heightened tension to the confrontation. This is followed by the Doctor’s elation when he realizes that there is no trick, Clara is just Clara, as he hugs her warmly. It was a small moment, but it added more to their relationship than her being a mystery to solve. It, in my opinion, really helped set the stage for the friendship that was Eleven and Clara. It also helped to give their final episode together more weight, as their sombre farewells in Time of the Doctor felt much more poignant and believable as two friends saying goodbye forever.
7. The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe – The Doctor comes for dinner
This was a very sweet and effective scene that not only showed the love the Doctor had for his companions, but the love and trust they held for him too. Amy’s reaction to seeing him isn’t of indignant rage or sobbing tears. It’s a simple flash of disappointment. Rory doesn’t even seemed shocked by his return either. And the revelation that, after all the time had passed from his “death” at Lake Silencio, they always set a place at the table for him shows that they trusted he’d be back. That they never gave up on him. This revelation also has the Doctor crying tears of happiness. Because he realizes how much they love him, and how much he loves and misses them. He realizes that they are his family now. It also serves to give Series 7a a much more tragic undercurrent, as after that love and trust is so firmly established, it all ends in tragedy for the Doctor and his friends.
6. The Long Game – The Doctor banishes Adam
It’s rare to see the Doctor punish a companion. And, while Adam was never a true companion, he was for one episode which saw him attempt to secure a future of wealth for himself by stealing data from Satellite Five. When they return to his house, the Doctor gives him a chance to confess. A chance Adam doesn’t take. So the Doctor destroys all of his data and leaves him behind, with his snap activated microchip still in his brain. Here you see the Doctor doesn’t suffer betrayal of trust from someone who he gave the ultimate opportunity to. When Adam says “You can’t leave me like this.” the Doctor coldly replies “Yes I can. Because if you show that head to anyone they’ll dissect you in seconds.”. And the Doctor had to know Adam would not likely be able to go through the rest of his life without being around a snapping finger ever again. He was dooming him. This scene really demonstrated that, for all his warmth and kindness, the Doctor is not entirely forgiving. And, looking at situations that have come since then, it really did give you the first glimpses at “the fury of a Time Lord”. Eccelston’s cold glare and blunt delivery really sells the moment and show a darker side to the Doctor that would carry on long after him.
Continues tomorrow…