Doctor Who's Unique Spin: 5 Times It Refreshed Storylines & 5 Times It Missed the Mark

Summary

Doctor Who frequently recycles storylines, but the show's rich history and iconic entries make it special.

"The Army of Ghosts" and "The Power of Three" both adhere to well-known story templates, with varying degrees of success. Conversely, "Vincent and the Doctor" and "Listen" possess similarities but differ in their execution and overall quality.

In the age of endless content, finding original stories to tell has become increasingly challenging. As a result, even well-established franchises like Doctor Who sometimes resort to reusing familiar plots in a fresh way. This long-running sci-fi drama has captivated viewers for nearly six decades, a testament to its ability to engage its target audience. Along the way, Doctor Who has developed successful story templates, occasionally revisiting them. However, on some occasions, the show may not have altered these templates enough, leading to episodes that feel all too familiar to viewers.

It's worth noting that Doctor Who has often reused storylines, but this does not mean that these episodes lack merit as standalone plots. Some episodes are undoubtedly better written and executed than others. Nevertheless, it is the show's rich history that sets Doctor Who apart, even if it occasionally recycles certain episodes. Given the franchise's numerous iconic entries, it is understandable that the creators would attempt to recreate the magic at various points in time. Six decades after its debut, Doctor Who continues to captivate and delight its audience, a feat that few franchises can claim.

10. Worse: "Army of Ghosts" & "The Power of Three"

Doctor Who season 2's "Army of Ghosts" presents an unexpected twist, creating an epic story that surpasses the awe-inspiring effect of season 7's "The Power of Three". Both narratives revolve around an alien race slowly infiltrating Earth to eliminate humanity and involve the use of a companion's parent for comedic purposes. Nonetheless, the advantage lies with the season 2 episode, as it serves as the first part of a two-part finale, allowing for a more climactic resolution to the Cybermen apocalypse. Conversely, the season 5 episode may feel rushed, while the potential of the Shakri remains untapped.

9. Better: "The Myth Makers" & "The Gunfighters"

The Doctor Who revival continued a significant tradition from the classic series that dates back to William Hartnell's time as the Doctor. "The Myth Makers" and "The Gunfighters," both aired during season 3, were penned by the talented writer Donald Cotton. The similarity in their writing style becomes apparent as both Doctor Who stories are comedic historical tales. In these episodes, the Doctor, albeit unintentionally, assumes the identities of Zeus and Doc Holliday respectively, leading to baffling deaths. While "The Gunfighters" faced criticism upon its initial release, it garnered a more favorable assessment later, praised for its vibrant energy and innovative storytelling approach.

8. Worse: "Vincent and the Doctor" & "Listen"

These two episodes have not been adequately compared, yet they share a striking similarity. Both episodes feature mostly invisible aliens that captivate the Doctor's interest and tackle the concept that altering the timeline is not always straightforward. "Vincent and the Doctor," a beloved episode from Doctor Who season 5, possesses a seemingly simple core plot that unfolds into a profound narrative, evoking a mixture of hope and sadness. However, season 8's "Listen" suffers from an array of convoluted elements, resulting in a disappointing adaptation of a 10th Doctor storyline.

7. Better: "The War Games" & "Enlightenment"

The plots of "Enlightenment" from season 20 and "The War Games" from season 6 of Classic Who have enough differences to make it less obvious that both involve an alien race abducting humans from different time periods for their own purposes. The season 6 episode is noteworthy as it introduces the Time Lords, but its slow pace and unimpressive villains hinder its impact, despite its commendable concept. On the other hand, the season 20 episode takes the core idea and transforms it into a thrilling adventure that is just frightening enough to leave a lasting impression.

6. Worse: "Dalek" & "Cold War"

The Daleks may have been overused in the new series, but when Doctor Who season 1's "Dalek" aired, it was a groundbreaking story that resonated with everyone on a deep level. This cannot be said about season 7's "Cold War," which reintroduced the Ice Warriors into the show, but in a less spectacular way. Both episodes of Doctor Who bring back a long-absent enemy of the Doctor and are set in isolated locations (a bunker and a submarine). Additionally, they both explore the theme of a monster discovering compassion. While "Cold War" is a decent episode, it simply doesn't compare to the brilliance of "Dalek."

5. Better: "The Sensorites" & "Planet of the Ood"

The Sensorites and the Ood share a planetary system and have similarities in both their mental and visual characteristics. Consequently, it is not surprising that their respective narratives also bear resemblances. "The Sensorites" from Classic Who season 1 and "Planet of the Ood" from New Who season 4 both depict a peaceful extraterrestrial species seeking the Doctor's aid in finding a cure for a debilitating illness. However, the latter episode surpasses the former in terms of delivering a more profound message, delving into the theme of slavery, and evoking a stronger emotional response from viewers of Doctor Who.

4. Worse: "The Daleks" & "Planet of the Daleks"

Terry Nation, the mastermind behind the creation of the Daleks, penned the iconic episode "The Daleks" in season 1. However, he later took a gamble by recycling the same storyline in season 10's "Planet of the Daleks," hoping that viewers wouldn't catch on. Both narratives revolve around the Doctor's encounter with the Daleks and the Thals on a desolate planet. In both instances, the Daleks devise a nefarious plan to make the planet habitable solely for themselves, only to find themselves trapped in their own facility. Additionally, both stories cleverly feature someone utilizing a Dalek shell as a tool, while also featuring a character experiencing paralysis in their legs. Despite the passage of nine seasons, the season 1 episode possessed an irreplaceable charm that couldn't be successfully replicated.

3. Better: "Love & Monsters" & "Blink"

Both "Love & Monsters" in season 2 and "Blink" in season 3 are character-led and "Doctor-lite" episodes that serve a similar purpose but differ greatly in execution. If asked to name the worst episode in Doctor Who history, the majority of fans would likely point to "Love & Monsters," and it's difficult to disagree. This episode was intended to inject new life into the show by presenting a story from the perspective of a passer-by, but it ended up being a poor imitation. Fortunately, just one season later, "Blink" successfully achieved what its predecessor could not, solidifying its status as one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes to date.

2. Worse: "The Time Meddler" & "The King's Demons"

Despite the time gap between them, "The Time Meddler" from Doctor Who season 2 and "The King's Demons" from season 20 share striking similarities in their plot. However, the original episode excels in its execution. Both stories revolve around the Doctor and his companions' efforts to prevent a Time Lord from altering Earth's history, with the added challenge of foiling the villain's attempt to overthrow the King of England, albeit in different historical periods. "The Time Meddler" introduces the Monk, a memorable and often overlooked frenemy of the Doctor, and explores an intriguing perspective behind the antagonist's plan. On the other hand, "The King's Demons" falls into the more typical Master storyline.

1. Better: "The Idiot’s Lantern" & "The Bells of Saint John"

Upon its release, season 2's "The Idiot's Lantern" was already cringe-worthy and has not aged well. However, season 7's "The Bells of Saint John" continues to hold up strongly. Both episodes of Doctor Who center around an alien who steals crucial aspects of people, such as faces or minds. In both cases, the Doctor's companion becomes the victim trapped behind impenetrable screens and serves as a driving force for the Doctor to defeat the villain. While "The Bells of Saint John" retains the campy style and predictable twists of its predecessor, it elevates the story to a grander scale and connects it to the overall narrative of the season.