The 15th Doctor; played by Ncuti Gatwa, was the first numbered Doctor incarnation to be played by a Black actor. Additionally, there was also Jo Martin, who played the Fugitive Doctor during Jodie Whittaker’s era. Gatwa was an effortlessly charming, passionate and romantic Time Lord. Whose interpretation of the character could be seen as a spiritual successor to the 8th Doctor Paul McGann. Like McGann before him, Gatwa was the only Doctor to have never faced the Daleks on screen. Nonetheless, his tenure was one of the revived series’ strongest. Here are five 15th Doctor episodes we think are the best.
The Well
A masterclass in suspense and tension building; The Well saw 15 and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) team up with a military unit to investigate an abandoned mining facility. Aliss Fenly (Rose Ayling-Ellis) is the only survivor. Further, a mysterious creature possesses her; which turns out to be the disembodied force from the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) episode Midnight. The Well is notable for some of Gatwa’s best acting as the Doctor. His reactions to the Midnight entity are absolutely on point. Varada Sethu continues to be brave and capable as 15’s companion Belinda. And Rose Ayling-Ellis commands the screen and makes you empathise with her character’s plight. This episode is as close to perfect as any Doctor Who will ever be.
Dot and Bubble
A Doctor-lite episode; Dot and Bubble comments on racism and excessive social media use. Through its main character Lindy Pepper-Bean (Callie Cooke). Indeed, extreme social media use makes Lindy and her compatriots vulnerable to the giant slugs. That are invading their homeworld Finetime. Until the Doctor and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) hack into the network and attempt to save Lindy. Over and above that, Lindy performs a shocking face heel turn; murdering the heroic Ricky September (Tom Rhys Harries) to save her own life. Only to refuse 15’s ultimate offer of help because of his skin colour. Gatwa’s reaction to this was everything. We truly felt the Doctor’s rage and helplessness as humanity let him down. This episode has been nominated for a Hugo award. Which it truly deserves in my opinion.
The Interstellar Song Contest
A pastiche of the Eurovision Song Contest; this adventure featured the Doctor and Belinda travelling to a space station to watch the titular intergalactic singing competition. Unbeknownst to them, the episode’s villain Kid (Freddie Fox) attempts to murder the contest’s trillions-strong audience as revenge for the Corporation’s exploitation of his home planet. This brings out the Time Lord’s dark and vengeful side. Some fans found it inexcusable for the Doctor to torture Kid; whose species (Hellions) were a clear allegory for the Palestinian people. Besides, it would have been better for the Time Lord to empathise with Kid and show him a better way. We see one of the most powerful moments in Doctor Who as Cora (Miriam-Teak Lee) sings the song of her people, the Hellions. Which receives a standing ovation from the crowd. Moreover, Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson) is revealed as the Rani. Who bigenerates into Archie Panjabi.
The Story and the Engine
Written by Nigerian-born British poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams. The Story and the Engine is a joyous celebration of Black and Nigerian culture. As the Doctor returns to a Lagos barbershop that has been taken over by a mysterious figure; known only as the Barber (Ariyon Bakare). African myths and legends and storytelling’s power are centre stage here; with the Doctor attempting to stop the Barber’s plan to destroy all fables. Thereby releasing him from his servitude to the gods. There is a brilliant Fugitive Doctor cameo in this episode. Further, the Barber attempts to mend his ways after his defeat. Subverting Doctor Who villains’ usual fate. Notably, Ellams intended this outing to be a companion piece to Dot and Bubble. Showing the 15th Doctor finding community and belonging away from the wider world’s racism.
Wish World
15’s penultimate adventure, Wish World had the Doctor and Belinda living a suburban life with their daughter Poppy ( Siena-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps). Their world created by Conrad Clark (Jonah Hauer-King) using the God of Wishes’ power; is a dystopia worthy of the 8th Doctor Adventures. Furthermore, disabled people are shunned and othered. And Rose Noble (Yasmin Finney) no longer exists. There is real strangeness and vertigo created in this adventure. Due to its juxtaposition of familiarity and oppression. The Ranis (Archie Panjabi and Anita Dobson) reign supreme; with Panjabi taunting the Time Lord over his lost memory and powerlessness. Leading to an apocalyptic cliffhanger. Gatwa hit some real emotional notes as he half remembers his old life. Culminating in 15 raging at his daughter’s fate in the adventure’s final moments.
Which 15th Doctor episodes are your favourites? Do you agree with this list? Please leave a comment and remember; that’s why I keep moving on; to see the next thing, and the next, and the next.
Check out our top 5 13th Doctor episodes list here
Check out our top 5 12th Doctor episodes list here
