Doctor Who: Ranking the 10 best Doctor Who Season 11 moments

Picture shows: Graham (BRADLEY WALSH), The Doctor (JODIE WHITTAKER), Yaz (MANDIP GILL), Ryan (TOSIN COLE)

Season 11 of Doctor Who brought with it many memorable moments, but none quite compare to these standout moments from the show!

Season 11  has come and gone, with the celebratory New Year’s Day special rounding off the first series from this new era. With a new head writer in Chris Chibnall and a new Doctor in the form of Jodie Whittaker, Season 11 was the biggest shift in talent on both sides of the camera since 2010’s Season 5. Despite a highly mixed response from the fandom, the viewing figures were extraordinary. Doctor Who was back in the British lexicon in a way not seen in years.

Was this a momentary blip? Was the audience increase out of curiosity for the first female Doctor? It’s too early to tell at this point. Whilst this new approach to Doctor Who hasn’t been for everyone, (I certainly have a lot of criticisms myself) I think it’s fair to say that Season 11 wasn’t devoid of outstanding moments.

Moments that remind us why we fell in love with the show in the first place. A reminder that for all its perceived flaws at any one time or era – there is no other show quite like Doctor Who.

With Doctor Who not returning until early 2020, we fans have to pool together and survive another gap year without the TARDIS. But let’s not be too keen to longingly look into the future; let us take a stroll through the recent past by examining the best moments of Season 11.

Once again, Bradley Walsh as Graham was a real highlight in Doctor Who.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

10. Revenge On The Mind

Episode 10, “The Battle Of Ranskoor Av Kolos”

On a distant world, one member of Team TARDIS comes face to face with a foe that has haunted him since the beginning…

On an alien world, with crashed spacecraft and telekinetic aliens, it’s actually Graham’s palpable anger and longing for revenge that piques your interest. Having lost his wife due to a Stenza warrior at the start of the series, it’s fitting that Graham has an opportunity to exert his rage and survivors guilt that has followed him ever since.

It’s a hugely memorable set of moments and, for my money, the best part about what I thought was an average finale. The character drama here feels so real, so human. It plays off the alien surroundings well to remind us that these characters have a life back home in Sheffield. What makes it even better is Bradley Walsh’s pitch perfect delivery.

Normally the jovial, grandfatherly figure, he turns abrasive and warrior-like but in a way that never felt contrived. It felt like a natural development for Graham’s character. His attitude here leads directly to a scintillating moral conflict with the Doctor – taking her aside and point-blank telling her “I’m going to kill him” was electric fresh ground for a companion to take.

In some ways it was quite gratifying to watch, who of us wouldn’t empathize with Graham’s internal grief and eventual strife? It was a darker reflection on humanity that we can all identify with. Ultimately, of course, Graham didn’t end up murdering Tzim Shaw. Perhaps due to the Doctor’s influence, otherwise, he may have gone down a dangerous path he couldn’t escape from…

Credit: Doctor Who/BBC

9. An Amphibian Friend

Episode 9, “It Takes You Away”

As the Doctor attempts to escape a mirror reality, she has to reason and get through to a surprising figure…

“It Takes You Away” was by far the weirdest episode of Season 11’s run and this was encapsulated in totality by the now infamous frog. Upon realizing the mirror world is in fact a sentient universe known as the Soletract, the story takes a different turn. A turn no one could expect: an anthropomorphic frog.

Unsurprisingly this creative choice – to have a sentient universe take the form of a frog – split opinion. To some, it was too bizarre and snapped them out of it. To others, it was a natural extension to an already bonkers episode. For that very reason, it had to make the list.

This strange, double-taking moment is so quintessentially Doctor Who in my eyes – where an element is silly and off-the-wall but they somehow make it work. The Soletract manifesting into that frog was a great addition as it depicted how a developing consciousness would operate. It latched onto the imagery of the frog, something it gained an understanding of when imitating Graham’s deceased wife Grace.

The Soletract’s unpicking and reconciliation of emotions like grief and companionship felt high-concept and endearing. Seeing the thought process and rationale of an immense and ancient being was a truly special and memorable moment. The Doctor, another ancient being, played off against this well with a riveting rapport between the pair of them.

Picture shows: The Doctor (JODIE WHITTAKER)

8. A New Construction

Episode 1, “The Woman Who Fell To Earth”

The Doctor in a post-regenerative haze attempts to fend off an alien incursion in Sheffield, so she constructs a familiar item…

For better or for worse, in modern Doctor Who, the sonic screwdriver is an element that has become synonymous with the character of the Doctor. Never could this have been reaffirmed more strongly than this moment in the Thirteenth Doctor’s debut story.

Unlike the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors – whose respective sonics were merely created and ejected out of the TARDIS console – there’s an actual scene and story dedicated to Thirteen’s version of the iconic device. This miniature story not only adds to the charm of this sonic screwdriver, but it also provides one of the best and most uplifting moments from the entire series.

Wracked with post-regenerative trauma, an alien dilemma to face and without her TARDIS, the Doctor takes initiative. Utilising Stenza technology and good old Sheffield steel, we witness one of the defining images of the series when the Doctor decides to construct a new sonic screwdriver. The whole process of this scene is masterful with a variety of factors coalescing to produce a short, but entertaining sequence.

First, the Doctor’s proclamation that “when people need help I never refuse.”.Subtle the driving theme isn’t, but here it works with aplomb – The Doctor is conflicted and confused about herself but amidst that, a touching and enduring truth remains: the Doctor fixes and heals. Here, we get a flavor of the innocence and child-like wonder of Thirteen too.

Secondly, the construction process of her favourite instrument of assistance is depicted in a glorious flurry of industrial style scenes with flames, metals and a mix of wires and tools. A brilliant showcase and reminder that the Doctor is a scientist and engineer. Paradoxically this scene has an almost spiritual quality to it. A holy reunion between Time Lord and technology. This effervescent moment is further heightened by Segun Akinola’s wistful score.

The Doctor and her friends fought giant spiders in Sheffield in Arachnids in the UK.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

7. Team TARDIS: Assemble!

Episode 4, “Arachnids In The UK”

Having contained an outbreak of mutant spiders, Graham, Ryan and Yasmin make the decision to leave home…

Having been unwitting companions since they met the Doctor, this moment was inevitable, but it didn’t stop it from being one of the standout emotional scenes of the series.

All three of our new companions assemble outside of the TARDIS, nodding and smiling at each other. They all independently came to a huge decision. They wanted to leave their home and time zone behind. So they knock on the iconic blue doors and clamber in. The first part of this moment is subtly heart-warming and the lack of dialogue extenuates this, the content smiles, the spark in their eyes. It’s the first time they feel like a family.

Having entered the TARDIS they all proclaim why they want to go. An uninspired workplace, a frustrating family, the loss of a loved one. But something unites the three, the need to escape. The thirst for more, the thirst for adventure. Whilst being a significant bit of well-performed character development, it’s also a reflection of the desire of the viewer. The Doctor, the TARDIS. It’s better with them.

As The Doctor, Graham, Ryan and Yasmin all put a hand on the control lever to whisk them off to new horizons and new worlds: we are beaming with excitement. Just like they are.

It’s not until the end of the story that the real killer is revealed: maintenance man Charlie!

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

6. An Explosive Twist

Episode 7, “Kerblam!”

As Team TARDIS uncovers the conspiracy embroiling the Kerblam corporation, they encounter an unlikely mastermind…

The socially awkward, but sweet Charlie Duffy is an unassuming cleaner at Kerblam. You wouldn’t expect him to be a covert terrorist, masterminding a murder plot. But his turn from ally to villain – from our perspective – makes complete sense, making it one of the finest twists this series.

Charlie is a member of a mass serving class, constantly battling against the encroaching use of AI. In many ways he represents the underprivileged, the outcast, the downtrodden – his anger at the work climate distorts his plight into a Machiavellian terror campaign. His interest in cybernetics and teleportation fits in with his nerd-like persona too, the abuse of which was integral to his plans. It’s shocking, but also a realistic depiction of a man with grievances going too far to eradicate them.

He’s one of the most memorable supporting characters we’ve seen on Doctor Who, with his morally grey outlook on events being one of the more thought-provoking elements of the series. Undoubtedly he was wrong to murder – and to plan to murder even more – but was he right to take action against AI and big corporations?

You can understand and sympathise with his ideology, but not the actions. It’s not like he’s an unsympathetic character too: he has a crush on the cute girl he works with, he bonds with Graham and in his mind he’s a human activist attempting to liberate his kind.

Finally, the plan to make explosive bubble wrap? Brilliant and so Doctor Who.

Picture shows: King James (ALAN CUMMING)

5. Tied Up

Episode 8, “The Witchfinders”

King James the First has suspicions about the Doctor so decides to hold her prisoner and a fascinating exchange follows…

Two great minds, two tortured souls and both radically different people. The Doctor and King James the First’s battle of wit and words was a truly shining moment.

Here, we have one of the best performances from Jodie Whittaker – indelibly stamping her mark as the Thirteenth incarnation of the Doctor. It is here we see this Doctor be incredibly assertive in the face of entrapment. A vocalisation of her ideology of hope. A demonstration of how the Doctor utilises her lucid command of language by getting into her opponent’s head. But it’s a two-way street.

King James the First surprisingly holds his own against the Doctor with a layered performance from Alan Cumming.

Both parties show that they’re strong entities, both actors do an incredible job of adding hidden depth to this bout of words. We get a sense that they share something profound in common. They both show pretenses to the world, but they both mask a lot of history. There’s stoicism in their eyes. It all reaches a crescendo when they assert they use titles to hide aspects of who they are.

This scene is an incredibly strong character moment that has been criminally under-looked. In a simple back-and-forth we get to understand much about the nature of each mind.

With a new appearance, the Daleks were also given a new design.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

4. Exterminate!

NYD Special, “Resolution”

The Doctor’s greatest foe is back and causing carnage in modern-day Britain…

One of the core complaints directed at Season 11 were the lack of good villains. “Resolution,” almost apologetically, offers us the show’s most infamous enemy.

Seemingly a last-ditch bid to remedy the weak to non-existent threat level seen prior, Chris Chibnall implements his Skaro-induced remedy to great effect here.

The solitary Dalek feels imposing and formidable in ways not seen since the Russell T. Davies era. It felt genuinely creepy and threatening – and with a high body count to actually show for it too.

I was impressed with how well Chibnall grasped the fear-factor of the Daleks, something that has been sorely missing in recent years. What we see of the Dalek is exhilarating– I mean who doesn’t like seeing a Dalek explode a tank? In a morbid way it felt appropriately celebratory. It’s New Year’s Day: and the Daleks are back. The Dalek, in turn, gave more meat for Jodie Whittaker to work with. I thought it was one of her stronger performances, playing off the threat with a resolve and fiery defiance that we haven’t fully seen in Thirteen before.

Furthermore, the make-shift steampunk-esque look to this Dalek was a refreshing new design for the iconic foe. The Dalek mutant constructing its own casing in an abandoned industrial site made for an interesting thematic parallel between the Doctor making her own sonic screwdriver too.

Picture Shows: Manish (HAMZA JEETOOA)

3. Brothers Torn Apart

Episode 6, “Demons Of The Punjab”

1947, the partition of India. One man, Manish, is radicalized and has a direct impact on Yasmin’s family…

The partition of India was a turbulent event that literally tore families apart. Religious intolerance, imperialism and extremism were the enemies of this very true to life story. This was exhibited most powerfully in the form of Manish – portrayed marvellously by Hamza Jeetooa.

Manish, a Hindu nationalist has become radicalized, and in turn shows anti-Muslim sentiment and becomes estranged from his older brother. It’s a very mature avenue for Doctor Who to take – the main villain, a human, which many can identify with.

What makes Manish even scarier is the fact that, despite his views, he seems like a decent person. A person willing to protect his family and his land, but unfortunately at a grave cost. It’s scary to see good men become corrupted. You can see in Manish that he feels no remorse for his actions; in his head he is doing the right thing.

There’s a sense of divinity and purity emanating out of him, that whatever action he undertakes is just, be it murder or pillage. His radicalization and relationship with his brother was intense and one of the finest performances from the series. It all comes to a head with Manish ordering the murder of his brother.

It’s a tragically iconic scene from the story, plus a haunting reminder of Britain’s imperial past and the religious conflict that plagued India during partition.

There was a lot to take away from The Ghost Monument.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

2. The TARDIS Reunion

Episode 2, “The Ghost Monument”

As the Doctor is about to give up hope in the search for her TARDIS, it finally flickers into reality atop the cliffs of Desolation…

The relationship between the Doctor and the TARDIS is arguably the one and only enduring love story in Doctor Who. The relationship between the two beings is symbiotic.

Having lost her beloved TARDIS we feel the loss and isolation that the Doctor is suffering. Upon the gorgeous vista of alien planet Desolation, we see it snap back into reality. It’s an exhilarating sequence and a highly charged emotional reunion. The camerawork is particularly striking here, panning around from a high distance to show the Doctor running to her travelling companion before coming down to her face.

“Come to daddy, erm I mean mummy” she says, a hilarious but emotionally satisfying statement before apologetically saying she doesn’t have the keys. The TARDIS doors open, walking in; mouth ajar as the camera slowly pans out and reveals the new console room. This is pure and utter magic from Chris Chibnall who really emphasises the fairytale quality of the TARDIS. But he also delivers a fitting and genuinely inspiring end to the story.

In one fell swoop the special nature of the show was encapsulated. It’s sure to give any Doctor Who fan a tear in their eye. It’s one of those moments that can never be replicated and will stand the test of time as a truly iconic first entry to the TARDIS.

Picture shows: Rosa Parks (VINETTE ROBINSON)

1. Rosa Takes A Seat

Episode 3, “Rosa”

Team TARDIS is on the bus in Montgomery where their new acquaintance, Rosa Parks makes her fateful stand against segregation…

“Rosa” was a watershed moment for Doctor Who. It’s raw and ugly depiction of US racial segregation was, perhaps, an unexpected but fascinating construction of very recent real-world injustice. Rosa is a masterpiece of modern Doctor Who whilst simultaneously harkening back to the 60’s style pure historical. Undoubtedly the best moment, was what the whole episode was leading to – When Rosa Parks refuses to stand for a white commuter.

Everything about this scene on the bus is uneasy viewing but it’s also absolutely inspiring. They did not cheapen the impact of Rosa Parks. She was not robbed of initiative and she was the ultimate hero of this story. It works magnificently, with various members of Team TARDIS interacting with such a pivotal moment in human history.

Yasmin’s astonished realization that “we are part of the story” sends a jolt of goose bumps down my spine every time. A special moment that represents the inherent spectacular magic of travelling through time. The nod Rosa gives to Ryan, acknowledging his help during their stay in Alabama was an understated gesture that would empower him. Graham, heartbreakingly saying he doesn’t want to be part of the unfolding event added even more harsh emotional weight to Rosa’s ordeal.

Finally, the Doctor burning with sadness and anger looks down as Rosa was abused – a sensational and hard way to show time can’t be interfered with.

It was the perfect concoction of real world history and Doctor Who. It will never be forgotten.

What Doctor Who Season 11 moment was your personal favorite? Is there any moment you’re surprised not to see on our list? Keep the conversation going in the comments section below!