I Watched Every Doctor Who Episode With David Tennant's Tenth Doctor – These Are The Best

If you became a fan of modern Doctor Who, there’s a good chance it was because of David Tennant. While every other actor who played the Doctor has left their mark on the role, there are arguably none as synonymous with the character as Tennant. He saw the modern incarnation of the show through its first major transition period and helped it reach the highest ratings in Doctor Who’s history.

It won’t be much longer until we can relive those glory days, as he is now returning to the role for the three special episodes that mark the show’s 60th anniversary, and it may have you itching to go back and experience his first run in the TARDIS all over again.

Unfortunately, 47 episodes are a lot to watch before November, so we’ve gone through David Tennant’s entire run as the Tenth Doctor and picked out the very best stories that any new viewer or returning fan should go out of their way to watch.

The Christmas Invasion

It’d be silly not to watch his very first adventure.

This is the first time the modern Doctor Who audience experienced regeneration and the show’s leading actor changing, so there was a lot of pressure on Tennant to make an immediate impression. He most certainly did, despite being out of action for most of the episode.

The moment Tennant takes the stage in the final act all of the characteristics he would bring to the Doctor throughout his four-year run are there, fully formed. He’s suave, charming, cheeky, funny, and ever so slightly menacing when he wants to be. It’s the perfect showcase of who the Tenth Doctor is.

The Girl in the Fireplace

Before he took the reigns of the show in 2010, almost everything Steve Moffat wrote was pure gold (and quite a lot of what he wrote after too). This was Moffat’s first go writing for the Tenth Doctor and it’s a beautiful episode where we see the Doctor jump in and out of a young girl’s life with seemingly no rhyme or reason. It’s a touching romance story that blends intensity and action perfectly and might just make you cry at the end.

The Impossible Planet & The Satan Pit

The first two-parter to make the list, this is a thrillride from start to finish. With a massive black hole looming above our characters and some unknown horror lurking below, you’re never given a moment of calm in this one. The first part is slow and creepy as the mysteries ramp up, then the second part goes all-out with some of the show’s best-ever action sequences.

Army of Ghosts & Doomsday

The finale of Tennant’s first series, this story wraps up the Doctor’s time with Rose Tyler in the TARDIS in a move that will have knock-on effects for the rest of the Tenth Doctor’s run. Aside from that, it’s an incredibly fun finale, with the Daleks and the Cybermen coming face-to-face for the first time ever. It has some heavy moments towards the end, but there’s loads of excitement with everything leading up to it.

The Runaway Bride

David Tennant as the Doctor isn't the only major character returning for the 60th anniversary specials, as we will also see the return of Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. That makes this episode a must-watch as it introduces Tate’s character to the show. This is a fast-paced light-hearted Christmas adventure that is simply fun to lay back and watch. While Donna Noble was originally intended to be a one-off character for this special, it’s no surprise she would eventually return after this outing.

Human Nature & The Family of Blood

Switching tones completely, this two-part story is a much slower, quieter, and more thoughtful piece. There are aliens and action, of course, but at the core of this story is a really heartbreaking story of the cruelty of the Doctor’s existence and those who – often unwittingly – have to sacrifice themselves so that our hero can save the day.

Blink

Even if you’re not much of a Doctor Who fan, you might know of this episode, or have at least seen the Weeping Angels. Another Steven Moffat production, Blink is a masterpiece of tension, mystery, and horror. It’s such a simple concept – a monster that can only move when you’re not looking at it – but every scene is expertly constructed to catch you off guard and creep you out. What’s more is that the Doctor is actually barely in it, and it acts as a great standalone story.

Partners in Crime

Moving into Tennant’s third series as the Doctor, this episode sees Catherine Tate return to the show, this time with Donna Noble being the full-time companion in the TARDIS. The dynamic between these two characters is a fan favorite for a reason, and their push-and-pull relationship is showcased perfectly in this upbeat and fun adventure.

Silence in the Library & Forest of the Dead

One final incredible story from Steven Moffat on this list, and this is arguably his most thrilling. This time shadows themselves are the enemy, and we get to watch our heroes run from place to place, slowly solving the mystery as the secondary cast get slaughtered one by one. It doesn’t even do anything that special, it’s just an example of what happens when Doctor Who fires on all cylinders, proving itself as one of the best sci-fi thrillers in history.

Midnight

This episode is, simply put, one of the greatest pieces of television of all time. Throwing the monsters and the cheesy action out of the window, Midnight introduces you to a group of very ordinary people, throws them into a terrifying situation, and makes you watch as that fear warps their minds and turns them into horrible people. The Doctor’s greatest weapon – their words – are turned against them in a seethingly intense episode that will have you glued to the screen and on the edge of your seat.

The Stolen Earth & Journey’s End

In 2008, Marvel’s cinematic universe began, but Doctor Who’s finally came together for the massive crossover event. Every major character from the show’s run since 2005 came together for this bombastic adventure with the whole universe at stake. It has all the juicy character interaction you’d want as well as plenty of heart-stopping action – be it the explosive cliffhanger at the end of episode one, or the heartbreaking ending of episode two.

It felt like the end of an era for the show, and little did we know, a very literal end was coming soon.

The End of Time

And now, his last.

One year later, after a series of specials, Tennant finally said goodbye to his time in the TARDIS and passed the reigns to his successor, Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor. However, not before one last Earth-shattering rollercoaster ride of an episode that pulls together several of the threads established when the show first returned back in 2005. It even tackles the Doctor’s mental state around the idea of regeneration and serves as a fitting finale for what many believe to be the show’s golden era.