Chris Chibnall is perhaps the least prolific writer of the current generation of Doctor Who, with only 38 episodes to his name as writer. However, what he lacks in numbers, he makes up for in epic storytelling.
Chibnall was the showrunner for most of the episodes featuring Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor, but he also wrote some great episodes featuring Matt Smith and David Tennant. I personally love Chibnall’s storylines and feel like they’re underrated, so here’s my top 10.
10. 42
42 is the first episode of Doctor Who ever to be written by Chibnall and also the first mention of Saxon, who went on to be the next Master.
This is an interesting episode because it’s the only one in the history of Doctor Who that has ever played out in real-time. The Doctor, played by a baby-faced David Tennant, has just 42 minutes to save the SS Pentallion from its imminent collision with a star. Not only is it full of tension, but the title of this episode is a reference to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and, more specifically, the answer to the ‘what is meaning of life?’ in the book.
9. Rosa
Co-written alongside Malorie Blackman, Rosa revolves around the story of Rosa Parks and her now historic refusal to give up her seat on the bus during times of racial segregation. When the Doctor and her companions discover that a ‘rehabilitated’ mass murderer is attempting to alter the course of history, they must throw themselves into action to maintain history and keep things on track.
I personally love any episode which features a significant historical moment, so this one is definitely up there in my favorite episodes.
8. Arachnids in the UK
There aren’t many episodes of Doctor Who that will see me having to shield myself with a pillow between myself and the TV, but thanks to the fact that I have arachnophobia, Arachnids in the UK is definitely one of them.
Despite that, though, I love this episode. Maybe it’s the adrenaline it causes to surge within me, but I think there’s more to it than that. This is the episode during which Graham, Yaz and Ryan decide to go on adventures with the Doctor, launching them into a whole universe of experiences they never dreamed of.
7. Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
Imagine you, as an ordinary person with no knowledge of aliens or interdimensional travel, were suddenly dragged into the world of Doctor Who and thrust into the center of the action. That’s essentially what happens to Rory’s Dad, Brian, during Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and his reactions during this episode perfectly reflect his bewilderment.
For anyone who’s also a fan of Harry Potter, you can’t help but imagine Mark Williams, who plays Brian, in his role as Arthur Weasley meeting The Doctor and traveling through space alongside Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. It’s such a weird crossover that nobody asked for, but I cannot express quite how much I love this episode. Plus, it’s Matt Smith, the perfect chaotic good, and he gives the perfect “he said the thing!” moment.
6. Fugitive of the Judoon
I love seeing places in beloved TV shows and being able to say, “hey, I’ve been there!” and Fugitive of the Judoon offered me that, being set in Gloucester. Besides that, though, this episode is an introduction to the Fugitive Doctor, who pops up in cameo roles moving forward and provides a small hint to the Doctor’s past long before it’s truly revealed in Timeless Children.
On top of that, Captain Jack Harkness makes a return in this episode, and any episode featuring him is a winner in my book. Beware the lone Cyberman.
5. The Woman Who Fell to Earth
As a female Whovian, I have to admit that I was both excited and apprehensive when I heard that the next Doctor would be played by Jodie Whittaker. However, as soon as she appeared on screen and took up the mantle, I knew that she would be incredible as the Doctor, and I was right.
The Woman Who Fell to Earth is also our introduction to new companions – Graham, Yaz, and Ryan. Not only is this the inaugural outing of the first female Doctor, but it’s also a lesson in love, loss and perseverance.
4. Spyfall
Spyfall was the two-part opening episode to season 12 of Doctor Who. These episodes see the return of the Master, this time played by Sacha Dhawan and a small but pivotal role played by Stephen Fry.
My favorite thing in these episodes, though, is the humor injected by Ryan and Graham trying to figure out their stolen spy gadgets. Seeing Bradley Walsh, who played Graham, dancing as he tries to figure out how his laser shoes work is one of my favorite moments from the entire season and never fails to put a smile on my face.
3. Flux: War of the Sontarans
This episode is a beloved favorite of mine. It’s got everything I could ever want from an episode of Doctor Who – humor (John Bishop is an excellent comedian, and seeing him hit a Sontaran over the head with a Wok is great), threat (the potential erasing of the history of Humanity and Yaz being held hostage by Azure and Swarm), and some history thrown in for good measure (the Doctor working alongside Mary Seacole during rewritten Crimean War).
Honestly, all six episodes of the Flux storyline are amazing. Sadly, I can’t include all of them in my top 10 because that would be cheating, but if I were to recommend any Chris Chibnall episodes, it would be the ones that are part of Flux.
2. The Timeless Children
This episode has proved to be something of a dividing factor in fans. Some swear by it as a perfectly logical progression in Doctor Who canon, while others consider it a retcon, going back on the established lore that the Doctor only had a limited number of regenerations. However, whichever side of the fence you’re on, you can’t deny that Timeless Children is an incredibly hard-hitting episode.
Seeing the Doctor trapped in the Matrix, with parts of her past that she doesn’t remember shown to her, it’s difficult to imagine how that must feel. But, her monologue aimed at the Master is inspiring to say the least:
“You think you’ve broken me? You’ll have to try harder than that. You’ve given me a gift. Of myself. You think that could destroy me? You think that makes me lesser? It makes me more. I contain multitudes more than I ever thought or knew. You want me to be scared of it because you’re scared of everything. But I am so much more than you.”
1. The Power of the Doctor
The Power of the Doctor has everything – a questionable Dalek with a suspect plan, a sad goodbye to John Bishop as Dan, the return of the Master in the guise of early 19th century Russian mystic Rasputin alongside his Cybermasters, the return of former companions Tegan and Ace, and the glorious return of David Tennant as the 14th Doctor. I mean honestly, what more could you want from a Doctor Who episode?
I have to admit, I don’t think any of the Masters have managed to come across quite as unhinged as Sasha Dhawan’s portrayal. He plays the part, and for a brief time, the part of the Doctor, with the perfect level of chaotic, overpowered insanity.
And on top of all this, the first ever meeting of Companions Anonymous. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall in one of those meetings.
