Jodie Whitaker's era has come to a close, so here are my top 10 Jodie Whitaker stories.
10. The Woman who Fell to Earth - the fact this episode, a 6/10, is in the top 10 is sort of a testament to how many poor episodes there are in Jodie Whitaker's era. The opening episode sets the era up well, but perhaps gives the impression it will be better than it actually will be. Many of the elements in this very inadequately addressed to go, but this episode does introduce elements of intrigue at least. Tsim Shaw is a pretty weak villain, but the focus is not on him. The decision for him to return later on in the series was a weird one, but that is no fault of this episode.
9. Rosa - although in at number 9, I am not fully on board the 'Rosa is fantastic' train to be honest. The episode is good, but it is not a classic. The villain is incredibly two dimensional with a very weak motivation. But the underlying theme of racism was a good topic to address, and it dealt with it very well for a difficult topic. I did not like the song on the credits though. But that is a minor nit pick.
8. Kerblam! - Kerblam was a good episode but again nothing special.
7. Revolution of the Daleks - this episode has its faults but I do think the fandom undervalues it.
6. Demons of the Punjab - I think this episode, as an historical goes, is superior to Rosa. I think it deals with the historical issue very well and is better rounded story.
5. Eve of the Daleks - for a festive special, this was a 'nice' little adventure.
4. The Haunting of the Villa Diodati - this was very well written and I remember at the time being particularly impressed by two things. One, Ryan was actually well written and likeable. And two, Jodie Whitaker's Doctor had a big decision to make - over whether to give the lone cyberman what it wants or not. She felt like the Doctor in this episode. Something Chibnall found difficult.
3. Spyfall - part one especially was very good. The monsters were different and very intriguing and the Master reveal was superb. The second part lets it down somewhat. And it is troubling that the Doctor sends the Master to a Nazi concentration camp.
2. Fugitive of the Judoon - this episode started off as a pleasant Judoon adventure and ended up being one of the most mysterious stories written, with an added addition of Captain Jack for good measure. The mystery of who the Fugitive Doctor was made this episode a good one, though what the Fugitive Doctor turned out to be was something I was not so fond off. This has dampered by view of this episode somewhat.
1.Power of the Doctor - Whitaker's final episode is riddled with plot holes. Riddled. But the fan service and the emotional acting of Whitaker and Mandip Gill as Yaz does allow this episode to end up being her best. A fitting end, to end with the best.
I had a think back to previous 'three series' Doctors of the modern era, Tennant, Smith and Capaldi. To highlight the difference in standards, I wondered whether any of these top 10 episodes of Whitaker would make it into theirs. I believe Power of the Doctor might make it in to Smith and Capaldi's, maybe even Fugitive of the Judoon. That is it. Not one of Whitaker's would make it anywhere near Tennant's top 10.
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