This list is born out of several conversations where people told me they watched an episode of DW and either didn’t like it or didn’t really understand what was going on. As an obsessive compulsive avid Whovian, I tell them that the quality of the episodes does see-saw, as does the reliance on story arcs. So I have created a list of EXTREMELY quality New Who episodes that require no foreknowledge (other than, well, the Doctor’s a time traveling, regenerating alien).

The Eleventh Hour

This is the first episode of Season 5, and the first proper Matt Smith episode (he briefly appears at the end of The End of Time Part 2, but don’t you worry about that). It’s a great introduction to the CURRENT stuff. It offers you a brief explanation of the current companions and introduces the current Big Bad.

“Hello, I’m the Doctor. Basically, run.”

This is a two parter from Season 3. A lot of people love David Tennant’s Doctor, but, honestly, his first episode is not the greatest entry point into New Who. David Tennant/Christopher Eccleston are very connected and a lot of references are made to previous events. Which is what makes this two-parter so unique and awesome. John Smith is a schoolmaster in 1913, with odd dreams about an alien in a blue box - ultimately, he must decide if he’s John Smith, or, in fact, the Doctor of his dreams.

“He’s like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He’s ancient and forever… He burns at the center of time and he can see the turn of the universe… And… he’s wonderful.” 

This is a two parter from Season 1, and it’s absolutely bloody brilliant. It also introduces Captain Jack Harkness into your pants onto your TV screens.

“Are you my mummy?”

This is a stand-alone episode from Season 3. The Doctor and his companion, Martha Jones, are stuck in 1969, while the TARDIS is under threat in the present. Sally Sparrow (played by the very, very awesome Carey Mulligan) must save her world, and the Doctor, using cryptic messages left for her on DVD Extras.

“Don’t blink. Don’t even blink. Blink and you’re dead.”

The Girl in the Fireplace

I love Season 2, and there’re basically few episodes in that season NOT to like. But The Girl in the Fireplace is awesome in that it’s a completely self-contained story. It’s the perfect Doctor Who episode: adventure, creepy monsters (clockwork droids), romance and a dash of humor.

“What do monsters have nightmares about?”

“Me.”

Basically, of everything I’ve ever watched on TV, this is the biggest mind fuck you are likely to experience, short of watching Lost from start to finish in a day. I really don’t want to spoil it for you, but it also features the first appearance of River Song, who is an EXCEPTIONAL badass.

“Don’t play games with me! You just killed someone I like, that is not a safe place to stand! I’m the Doctor, and you’re in the biggest library in the Universe. Look me up. “

HAPPY WHOVIANING! Also, if you have any suggestions for the improvement of the list don’t hesitate to talk to me. ^^