Top Ten Episodes of New Who

On this very day, March 26, ten years ago, Doctor Who finally returned to our screens after a very long hiatus, with a new Doctor, new companion, new TARDIS, new....well, everything. Since that day, we've gone through four (and more) Doctors, six companions (and more) and four new TARDIS desktops. We've battled Cybermen, Daleks, Ice Warriors, Zygons, Weeping Angels and Slitheen.

So, to honor this beautiful anniversary, I'm making my own 'Top Ten' of my favorite episodes of New Who. One from each season/series, one special and one minisode shall make up this list! Grab a banana, tie your Converse, straighten your bowties and pull out a good cup of coffee, it's time to time travel back to 2005!

Season One: Dalek 

While I can't say I really have a favorite episode from Series One-they're all good-the one that really stands out from the rest for me is Dalek. The episode featured the return of our favorite exterminating pepper pots with a whisk and a plunger for weapons and it gave them (or rather, it) the return it deserved. Between the closed space of an underground museum and a monster on the loose, killing everyone in sight, the episode definitely does the 'base under siege' plot line in spades. It also re-introduces the Doctor's deep hatred of the Daleks, added even more thanks to the Time War. What more could a person want for the return of the series' most infamous monster?

Season Two: The Girl In The Fireplace 

After eight years, this episode still remains a favorite of mine. Between the awesome Historic setting, a perfectly creepy monster (the scene with the Clockwork man under the bed still makes me jump), and the Doctor jumping through a mirror on a horse? Makes for a wonderful episode. The episode also takes a big risk for Doctor Who: it focuses on the sort-of love story between the Doctor and Reinette, which wouldn't have worked out anyway, but still completely heartbreaking. Plus, the whole Doctor to the rescue at the end is still one of my most vivid Doctor Who memories when I was little.

Season Three: Shakespeare Code 

Shakespeare, witches, two doctors and a Harry Potter spell in a single episode. Just another day in the life of a Whovian! To quote Martha Jones, 'It's all a bit Harry Potter'. One thing: I have a weak spot, and it's scary episodes. Well, Halloween-y episodes. And this episode definitely fits the bill. It's got Witches. Alien Witches, but witches nonetheless. It's also got Fanboy!Doctor throughout the whole episode, and him, Martha and Shakespeare saving the day with a Harry Potter spell ('Good ol' JK!). Okay, I'll quit referencing the references (guess that means I won't be referencing the Back to the Future reference either). Anyway, what's not to love?

Season Four: The Unicorn and the Wasp 

The professor, killed by the lead pipe in the study.....it's all a bit Clue, isn't it? Well, that's what Donna thinks anyway. But in the end, the killer's just your average Alien Wasp out for revenge. The episode goes all murder mystery on us, featuring none other than Agatha Christie, who helps the Doctor and Donna solve the mystery (of course). I'd be lying if I said this wasn't my favorite episode of Series Four, because I adore it. It could be the fact that it's set in the 20's, it could be the mystery theme of the episode, or the Clue references, I don't really know. All I know is that I still love this episode, after all these years!

Season Five: Vincent and the Doctor 

This episode introduced me to Vincent Van Gogh, who is now my favorite painter of all time. The episode also contains one of my favorite Doctor Who quotes, soundtracks and one of my favorite Amy Pond outfits of all time. So there's a lot of favorites going around in this episode. Between Amy fangirling over Vincent Van Gogh (who wouldn't, though), the Doctor attempting (and succeeding) in scaring both Vincent and Amy, and the beautiful and heartbreaking scene where they show Vincent his art is appreciated and so is he at the art gallery, this episode is just....amazing. I only wish that Vincent Van Gogh could have gotten this in real life, too.....

Season Six: Let's Kill Hitler

It takes place in the forties, it's got plenty of one liners, Rory Williams punching Hitler in the face, and finally some answers on the Silence arc (though it gave us more questions than answers when it aired). It also showed us a rather young and inexperienced (not to mention brainwashed) River Song, then going by Mels aka Melody Pond, constantly trying to kill the Doctor. Just your typical family outing, then. Between the adorable flashbacks to Mels, Amy and Rory growing up, Amy mothering Melody without even realizing it, and Amy being completely oblivious to the fact that Rory was in love with her, the beautiful scene with Eleven and Little Amy ('my sweet little Amelia' line just warms my heart every time I watch it), the episode is one of my favorites from series six.

Season Seven: Hide

It's not a ghost story, it's a love story. Monsters that go bump in the night, Ghostbusters references (because what self-respecting ghost story won't have them?), and a hilarious scene that never fails to make me laugh, Hide is definitely one of my favorites from Series Seven (even if it was hard to pick an episode from this season for this list), simply because of the fact that it's a glorious ghost story...even if it actually isn't. Between the hilarious scene with something behind the Doctor and Clara (and it holding Clara's hand), causing them both to scream and run (really, Doctor? You've stood face to face with the Devil himself) and a terrifying chase through a forest and a twist nobody really saw coming, Hide is just a glorious adventure in itself.

Season Eight: Robot of Sherwood

Robin Hood....and the Doctor in one story. Let me repeat this: Robin Hood and the Doctor in one story. Okay, just making sure you heard. When I heard they were doing a Robin Hood episode, I was excited: a medieval story with the Doctor fighting Robin Hood with a spoon? What wasn't there to like? When it aired, I was worried my expectations would over shadow the episode....but they didn't. In fact, it was better than I was hoping, then I imagined. I absolutely loved it.Robin and the Doctor's bickering, Clara outsmarting the Sheriff (who totally looked like one of the original Masters, seriously how?), fangirl Clara (but I can't say I blame her) and an awesome quote all in one episode? Give me more! And please, put 'History is a Burden, Stories can make us fly' somewhere on my wall.

Special: Day of the Doctor 

If I talk about DOTD, there's a chance we'll be here all day, so I'm make it fast: all of the Doctors (and I mean all) in one fantastic, amazing, splendid, spectacular episode? Zygons, Daleks, Doctors, oh my! Eleven, Ten and War's bickering is one of my favorite things of the episode, and the ending is just amazing (honestly if I was a Dalek and saw twelve TARDISes flying toward me, I'd run away screaming). This episode is a once and a lifetime experience, and oh my stars, am I glad I got to experience it.

Minisode: Rain Gods 

No I didn't pick Night of the Doctor (which is an absolutely amazing minisode in it's own right), but I did pick Rain Gods. The plot is simple: the Doctor and River are attempting to enjoy a nice lovely date....except for the fact that they're about to be used a human sacrifices to the Rain Gods. Nothing is more adorable than Married Doctor and River Song bickering. I dare you to watch this episode without smiling; it's certainly impossible for me to. The episode is just completely adorable. Strike me dead if I'm wrong.

And so, that's it. Ten years, eight (soon to be nine) series, four doctors (and more), six companions (and more), four TARDIS desktops and three Masters later, and here we are. Celebrating ten whole years since Doctor Who. Happy Anniversary, Doctor Who. And thank you to all who take part in it, write it, act it, edit it, make a soundtrack for it and more. You're all fantastic and amazing, and the entire fandom has a lot to thank you for.

Happy Anniversary, Whovians. Onto the next ten years!