Don’t Blink: Fans Rate Doctor Who Episodes

As filming begins on Series Eight of the popular sci-fi fantasy show Doctor Who, we take a look back at the past seven years thanks to this really nifty interactive chart.

Graph TV compiled Whovians’ rankings of the seven seasons of the “reboot” — when Doctor Who was revived and returned to British television. Now the show, so popular across America and the globe, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

So what is the most popular episode of the last seven years?

It’s Blink from Series Three, which features David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, his companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) and Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan). The enemy is the now infamous Weeping Angels — statues that only move when you’re not looking at them. The Doctor’s quote is often referred to in Who fandom: "Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And DON'T. BLINK. Good luck."

Whovians’ second-favorite episodes? Well, four land in second place:

The Girl in the Fireplace — One of my personal favorites, this one stars Tennant, his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Madame de Pompadour as the “girl in the fireplace.” It also stars the ever-creepy Clockwork Droids. Seriously creepy enemies.

Doomsday — Oh, another favorite of mine. And really, one that is beloved by many across Who fandom. Rose Tyler says at the beginning: This is the story of “Torchwood and the War. And that’s where it all ended. This is the story of how I died.” Did I tell you to get the tissues? Get them if you’re going to watch this one.

Forest of the Dead — Another Tennant episode, this one is in The Library and also stars River Song (Alex Kingston), who will play a huge role in later seasons. Five words all Whovians understand: “Who turned out the lights?”  

Name of the Doctor — An Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) episode, this story is a great one because it reveals the mystery behind the Doctor’s current companion — Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman). Why has she shown up so often and in so many places? She seems like she’s the Impossible Girl. Well, this tells us why.