Doctor Who: Rose

Doctor WhoAfter considerable fanfare and build-up, Doctor Who returns to BBC1 with its 699th episode. Rose opens the first season of the revived show and introduced the ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Rose (Billie Piper), along with a host of supporting characters who reappear throughout the first two seasons. Thanks to a carefully managed publicity campaign, the new Doctor Who is a genuine hit with viewers and discussions of a Christmas special and a second season begin almost immediately at the BBC. Read more Hear about it on the Sci-Fi 5 podcast

Doctor Who: Dalek

Doctor WhoThe 704th episode of Doctor Who (the sixth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Corey Johnson guest stars. This is the first appearance of the Daleks since the series relaunch, and the first episode to establish that the Doctor destroyed both the Daleks and the Time Lords at the end of the Time War. Read more

Doctor Who: The Empty Child

Doctor WhoThe 707th episode of Doctor Who (the ninth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. John Barrowman guest stars in the first appearance of Captain Jack Harkness (a character who will later led the spinoff series Torchwood); this is the first episode of a two-part story and is the first non-parody Doctor Who episode written by future showrunner Steven Moffat. The episode goes on to win a Hugo Award. Read more

Doctor Who: The Parting Of The Ways

Doctor WhoThe 711th episode of Doctor Who (the 13th since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. The ninth Doctor regenerates, making him the second shortest-lived incarnation of the Time Lord (after Paul McGann); even Colin Baker outlasted Eccleston in the role. John Barrowman and Paterson Joseph guest star; David Tennant makes his first brief appearance as the tenth Doctor. Read more

Doctor Who: Children In Need Special

Doctor WhoDavid Tennant and Billie Piper star in a “special scene” written and filmed for the BBC’s Children In Need telethon. Not a spoof sketch, the short “mini-episode” bridges the gap between The Parting Of The Ways and the upcoming Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion. Though it can be considered an official part of the storyline, this is not considered a standalone episode of Doctor Who. Read more