Doctor Who: Journey Through Time and Space - The Ultimate Must-Watch Episodes Before the 60th Anniversary Specials

Summary

The upcoming 60th Anniversary specials of Doctor Who will pay homage to the show's history and bring back key characters, including the Celestial Toymaker and Donna Noble.

Viewing episodes such as "The Final Test" and "The Invasion" offers valuable understanding into the beginnings of significant characters and organizations, like the Toymaker and UNIT.

Exploring episodes like "The Day of the Doctor" and "The Christmas Invasion" uncovers the Doctor's history and highlights pivotal moments in the series, making them excellent choices to watch before the premiere of the 60th Anniversary specials.

To celebrate its 60th Anniversary, Doctor Who is releasing three special episodes, making it crucial to watch certain key episodes from its 60-year history. Since its debut in 1963, the show has followed the adventures of a solitary Timelord who traverses time and space. Over the years, there have been 13 different incarnations of the Doctor, including the renowned David Tennant, who will be returning as the Fourteenth Doctor in the anniversary specials. Additionally, Catherine Tate will reprise her role as Donna Noble, the Tenth Doctor's third and final companion.

In these specials, audiences can anticipate the return of The Celestial Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, a formidable adversary who hasn't been seen on the show since 1966. Alongside this comeback, the specials will introduce new characters and villains, setting the stage for the future of Doctor Who, with Ncuti Gatwa taking on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor. With the 60th Anniversary specials paying tribute to significant moments in Doctor Who's past, here are the ten most crucial episodes to watch before the premiere.

10 Doctor Who Season 3, Episode 33, "The Final Test"

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The Doctor Who episode "The Final Test" is the last part of The Celestial Toymaker serial, as the other three episodes remain missing. These episodes aired in April 1966 and saw the First Doctor, William Hartnell, face off against The Toymaker. He is a powerful adversary known for trapping his victims in childlike games, with their freedom hanging in the balance. The Toymaker is a relentless competitor, always tilting the odds in his favor. With Russel T. Davies bringing back The Toymaker as the primary antagonist in the 60th Anniversary specials, watching this episode provides insight into the character's origins.

9 Doctor Who Season 7, Episode 4, “The Power Of Three”

9 Doctor Who Season 7, Episode 4, “The Power Of Three”

The Doctor Who episode titled "The Final Test" serves as the concluding part of the serialized story called The Celestial Toymaker. While the other three episodes of this serial are unfortunately missing, they were originally broadcasted in April 1966. In "The Final Test," the First Doctor, portrayed by William Hartnell, confronts The Toymaker, an imposing adversary notorious for ensnaring his victims in whimsical games that determine their fate and freedom. The Toymaker continuously manipulates the odds in his own favor, displaying an unwavering competitive spirit. Furthermore, with the announcement of Russel T. Davies reintroducing The Toymaker as the primary antagonist in the upcoming 60th Anniversary specials, watching this particular episode will provide valuable insight into the character's origins.

In "The Power of Three," the Tenth Doctor (portrayed by Matt Smith) is joined by Amy Pond (played by Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (portrayed by Arthur Darvill) as they oversee the enigmatic black cubes that have mysteriously appeared worldwide. This episode serves as the introduction of Kate Stewart (portrayed by Jemma Redgrave), the leader of UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce). Kate is set to return for the 60th Anniversary specials and will also star in a new Doctor Who spin-off series. The spin-off will focus on Kate's role as the head of UNIT, an organization dedicated to investigating and combatting extraterrestrial threats to Earth.

8 Doctor Who Season 6, Episode 3, “The Invasion”

7 "The Day Of The Doctor"

"The Invasion" is the missing portion of the sixth season's third serial of Doctor Who, with Patrick Troughton portraying the Second Doctor. In this episode, Tobias Vaughn, the leader of a highly successful electronics company, joins forces with the Cybermen in an attempt to seize control of Earth. Notably, this episode introduces UNIT, also known as the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, which plays a significant role in the upcoming 60th Anniversary specials and the planned spin-off show featuring Kate Stewart. Consequently, this episode presents an intriguing opportunity to delve into the origins of this organization.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, the episode titled "The Day of the Doctor" showcased an epic collaboration between the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor as they joined forces to battle the menacing Zygons. The story cleverly intertwined with contemporary events while also introducing the enigmatic War Doctor, offering a poignant glimpse into his final moments during the Time War. As a nod to the rich history of the show, this special episode delighted fans by featuring the legendary Tom Baker reprising his role as the Fourth Doctor and Billie Piper making a comeback as a Bad Wolf version of Rose Tyler. The episode delved deep into the Doctor's intricate past, shedding light on the War Doctor's internal struggle and the daunting task of finding a resolution to the Time War. With its thought-provoking themes, "The Day of the Doctor" serves as a must-watch precursor to the upcoming 60th anniversary celebration.

6 "The Christmas Invasion"

"The Christmas Invasion" marks the debut of Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and serves as Doctor Who's first Christmas special. In this episode, the Doctor is seen undergoing the final stages of his regeneration process while also facing a threat from the Sycorax invasion. Given its festive nature, it would be ideal to watch this episode in November, just before the airing of the specials. Considering that the 60th Anniversary will likely be Tennant's last major role in Doctor Who, it is a delightful opportunity to revisit where his remarkable journey as the Doctor began.

5 “The Runaway Bride”

"The Runaway Bride" is a thrilling Christmas special from 2006, taking place after the departure of the Tenth Doctor's companion, Rose. It kicks off with the unexpected appearance of Donna Nobel, who mysteriously materializes in the Tardis wearing a wedding gown. The episode revolves around the ambitious Racnoss Empress and her desperate efforts to awaken her offspring, who slumber deep within the Earth's core. Bursting with energy and laced with moments of humor, this installment marks the early stages of the bond between Donna and the Doctor. As Donna makes a comeback in the spectacular 60th Anniversary specials, watching this episode unveils the origins of her remarkable journey.

4 Doctor Who Season 4, Episode 12, "The Stolen Earth"

"The Stolen Earth" is a pivotal installment in the Tenth Doctor's ultimate season, marked by a grand clash against Davros and the formidable Daleks. Notably, this episode bears significance for Donna's narrative arc as it showcases her metamorphosis into the embodiment of the "Doctor Donna." In a remarkable turn of events, while trapped within the blazing Tardis, Donna manages to make physical contact with the Doctor's severed hand from his earlier skirmish with the Sycorax. This fortuitous encounter results in the exchange of some of the Doctor's genetic material with Donna and leads to the creation of a humanoid incarnation of the Doctor. The unfolding events in this engrossing episode set the stage for Donna's eventual fate in the subsequent segment.

3 Doctor Who Season 4, Episode 13, "Journey's End"

In the episode "Journey's End," Donna becomes a crucial ally to the Doctor and his allies as they defeat the Daleks and Davros using her newfound Time Lord intellect. However, after successfully saving the universe, Donna's human mind becomes overwhelmed and begins to crumble under the weight of her extraordinary knowledge. To prevent her imminent demise, the Doctor is compelled to erase all memories of their time together. The 60th Anniversary trailer hints at the grave danger Donna faces, as the Doctor confesses, "I don't know if I can save your life this time." These gripping episodes not only serve as a thrilling adventure but also lay the groundwork for the highly anticipated 60th Anniversary special.

2 “The End Of Time”

1 “The Power Of The Doctor”

"The End of Time" serves as the ultimate chapter before the Tenth Doctor's transformation, featuring his frantic efforts to escape a prophecy foretelling his demise and make way for a new incarnation of Doctor Who. Amidst his encounter with his archenemy, The Master, who aims to subjugate humanity, the Doctor also confronts the Time Lords seeking to break free from the Time War. Joining forces with Wilfred Mott, Donna's grandfather, the Doctor endeavors to safeguard the planet Earth. Throughout this gripping episode, he carefully maneuvers to prevent Donna from triggering her memories of their shared adventures. The profound significance of this lies in the fact that the forthcoming 60th Anniversary specials will revolve around Donna and the Doctor's long-awaited reunion, underscoring the Doctor's determination to shield Donna from recalling their past encounters.

"The Power of the Doctor" marks Jodie Whittaker's final appearance as the Thirteenth Doctor. In this episode, the Master unites the Dareks and Cybermen in a plot to eliminate both the Doctor and the Earth. It serves as the perfect precursor to the upcoming 60th Anniversary specials, seamlessly transitioning into the high-octane action of the new episodes. Paying tribute to Doctor Who's extensive history, the episode provides glimpses of the Doctor's past incarnations, including the First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Doctors. This reinforces the 60th Anniversary's intention to honor the show's rich legacy. Additionally, the episode sees the return of Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, setting the stage for his thrilling journey in the Doctor Who anniversary specials.