when Matt Smith said "I'm the Doctor. Basically....run." that was it. That was the Doctor right there. He quickly not only proved the show could survive the Tennant era, he became my favorite Doctor (until Capaldi, who was born to play the role)

I think Patrick Troughton (2nd Doctor), Peter Davison (5th Doctor) and Christopher Eccleston (9th Doctor) had it the hardest. Troughton had to pull off the "Time Lords can regenerate when close to death" idea, to replace Hartnell. Peter D had to take over from Tom Baker, the longest-running actor to play the Doctor for 7 years. As Tom has pointed out, many British children knew no other Doctor but him. And Eccleston, of course, had to launch the new series in 2005 and became many Whovians' first Doctor, including mine. (Interesting fact about how cool Tom Baker is: He refused to smoke in public when he was playing the Doctor, because he didn't want children to think smoking's cool 'cause the Doctor does it.)

The Eleventh Hour was the first episode of Doctor Who I ever watched. It serves not only as an excellent regeneration story, but it's also really subtly good as a starting point for the show and tells you everything you need to know to jump on board. It's also incredible in hindsight just how well it establishes the character of 11 from the get go. Silly action hero with dark undertones, all right in his very first appearance.

Delighted to see “The Eleventh Hour” in first place. I love the meta here-every fan’s dream, right, to be introduced to the Doctor as a kid and be completely enchanted by him, tell everyone you know, talk about him incessantly, only to be disbelieved, and then, as adult, to learn… HE’S REAL. And to fly off with him! Add the daft redesign of the Tardis interior, Smith’s brilliant “I’m the Doctor. Basically, run” moment, Murray Gold’s equally brilliant “I’m the Doctor” theme building us up to it! Sheer joy!

"Hello, I'm The Doctor. Basically, run." For me, The Eleventh Hour will always be the best first Doctor episode and best series opener.

The eleventh hour was my first episode I watched and it became an obsession ever since

I thought the behind 11 phoning Clara was to remind her that despite everything, 12 was scared and will need her help to get used to this regeneration, so please, don’t leave yet?

Eleventh Hour is an outstanding first story.

As a huge fan of Pertwee's Doctor, I was very pleased to see his debut story ranked 2nd.

Wasted opportunity at 9:47 to call Eccleston FANTASTIC

#11 (Matt Smith) has to be my favorite introduction. I mean, fish fingers and custard? Really? Only an alien would find that yummy. Plus he's also the one who said - in gleeful delight - "Dinosaurs! On a space ship!" It was perfect for an old dude who still found child-like joy in the Universe around him.

Thank *you* for pointing out that Christopher Eccleston was excellent in introducing the Doctor to a new audience (and new century.) Granted, we don’t see his regeneration and all that entails, but that makes it easier to meet him. He’s already settled into the new body and temperament; no freaking out necessary.

I really like Deep Breath. It's probably in my top three new Doctor first episodes. That moment when the villain falls to his death, Capaldi looks into the camera, and you're not sure if the villain fell or if the Doctor pushed him. You're thinking, "Of course the Doctor didn't push him. It's the Doctor." But there's this second voice that says with uncertainty, "Right...?" I just love it.

I Quite agree with your number 1 debut as I thought of The 11th Hour right away! It was by far the best new Doctor Who Intro ever! Matt Smith was my favourite Doctor & it was very sad to see him go!

i will stand y the fact that the woman who fell to earth is a solid intro and Jodie is a really good doctor, just unfortunate that the writing let her down

"You may be a doctor, but I am THE Doctor... the definite article, you might say"... -Tom Baker, post-regeneration, "Robot"

Sean what you said about An Unearthly Child being taught in schools it was taught in my Media Studies Class in High School which actually ended up being on my GCSEs and since it was Doctor Who I passed with flying colours

The phone call from 11 was the best part of that episode for me. It was the first regeneration I had experienced watching the show and it meant so much to hear both doctors saying "Don't worry, it's still me, I'm still the doctor.". Without that phone call I would've had a much harder time accepting 12 as the new doctor (and a bloody good one too).

Spearhead from Space is still in my top three Doctor Who stories. Shoes…

Eleventh Hour is insane. Imagine any other show riding off its most successful and popular run of episodes ever and deciding to replace the entire cast, most of the production team, new titles, new branding, new vision. And still pulling it off.

In the late 80s, my PBS station put together a plan to show "regeneration episodes", which to all of us (including those at the station) meant the *last* episode of each Doctor, which in the classic series were usually epic and favourites. Unfortunately, to Lionheart, it meant the *first* episode, which as noted were not always the greatest for lots of reasons. This was only realised once they'd shipped all the tapes; shipping was far more expensive than buying the rights to show the episodes, so there was no question of fixing the issue.

I'd have Castrovalva higher and the top two swapping places (Spearhead From Space is one of my top 3 Who stories ever), but I think this pretty much nails it

I love the links between Spearhead From Space and The Eleventh Hour, from jumping right into saving the earth down to both Doctors getting their outfits from the physician's changing room.

I have a theory, What is the retired 14th David Tennant Doctor will become the curator. I mean the curator has to come along some how.

In defense of Matt's cameo in DB, 12 was not too far removed from the brash, darkness of 6, so I can understand Moffat wanting to reassure viewers given how badly 6's era went in the 80s

NOTHING CAN STOP ME, NOTHING

Kinda feel like Deep Breath should be higher, but I do understand the criticisms to be fair 🙂

I dunno, I kind of liked when Capaldi's Doctor was more abrasive. It felt a refreshing take that got even my Doctor Who-disliking friend interested in the show. It was almost disappointing when he softened so much.

Personal ranking 15. The Twin Dilemma 14. Castrovalva 13. Time and the Rani 12. The Starbeast 11. The Church on Ruby Road 10. The Women who fell to earth 9. Eleventh hour 8. Deep breath 7. Rose 6. Tv movie 5. Xmas invasion 4. An unearthly child 3. Robot 2. The Power of the Daleks 1. Spearhead from Space

great list. I would've personally put The Star Beast and Deep Breath much higher (heck, I'd put Deep Breath at number 1) but that's just me. Capaldi is my favourite Doctor after all Also, crazy how the TV movie got eighth place on this list, given it's McGaan's debut

Christmas Invasion needed to be higher but this is a pretty solid ranking

Putting Star Beast below Time and the Rani is certainly one of the takes of all time.

Deep Breath is just a very chaotic episode. I watched it like 4 or 5 times and everytime I scratch my head... they wanted to cram in way too much stuff - dinosaurs, robots, The Gang, the call... It's a good episode, but it could do without, let's say, a random T-Rex.

the fact that woman who fell to earth is ranked above deep breath and xmas invasion and church on ruby road is fraankly insane

The Eleventh Hours is just so good, what a way to introduce The Doctor

Deep breath is #1 for me. Peter came and stole the show ❤

'The Eleventh Hour' is indeed the best post-regeneration episode of the show's history. But ranking 'The Star Beast' below 'Time and the Rani'? That's just not cricket.

6:42 I ordered the TV movie and it's gonna arrive on Friday, which means, I got essentially three DW episodes to watch! 😁

My first introduction to doctor who was Rose back in 2005 and it remains such an iconic episode for me! Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper's performances were incredible and it had a really great story which left me wanting the week to go quicker so I could watch the next episode! The ninth doctor was fantastic in this episode and his speech about the turn of the earth is still so iconic! 😊😊

Castrovalva could rank a little higher. I love the device of him spending much of the episode unraveling the giant scarf from the previous seven seasons, getting to the end, and asking 'who am I "?

Something that I thought was interesting (and I don't know if it was done again) is that The Eleventh Hour was actually the fourth episode filmed for Series 5. The Angel 2 Parter was the first (and honestly I think you can kind of tell that the performances are still slightly fresh in that story) and I think it really helped with the chemistry going into Eleventh Hour.

Don’t entirely agree on the list but if you have eleventh hour as number one, then you’re all good

My Personal Ranking: 15). The Twin Dilemma 14). Time and the Rani 13). Castrovalva 12). Deep Breath 11). The Church on Ruby Road 10). The Woman Who Fell to Earth 9). The Star Beast 8). The Enemy Within (The TV Movie) 7). The Christmas Invasion 6). Rose 5). Robot 4). An Unearthly Child 3). Power of the Daleks 2). Spearhead from Space 1). The Eleventh Hour

The Church On Ruby Road isn't Ncuti Gatwa's first episode. He first appears in The Giggle.

Just ranking the ones I've seen, as I haven't watched a huge amount of Classic Who: 1. Deep Breath 2. The Eleventh Hour 3. The Christmas Invasion 4. Rose 5. The Star Beast 6. An Unearthly Child 7. The Woman Who Fell to Earth 8. The Church on Ruby Road 9. The Twin Dilemma

I was in my prime adolescence when I saw the eleventh doctor's seasons and the Elevent Hour and I istantly fell in love with him and his seasons are my favourites, I still get emotional every time Smith's Doctor is on screen, he'll always be my favorite even if I prefer other doctor's runs overall, like Capaldi's doctor, which is the pefect modern incarnation of Doctor Who in my opinion

Deep Breath continues to be criminally underrated

Any ranking should be based on three factors: how well does it introduce the new Doctor, to what extent and how well does it introduce the general audience to premise of the show and its universe as a whole, and, simply, how good is the story on its own as isolated work.

I really saw the eleventh hour coming Matt smith had the best opening of any doctor ever

Putting The Star Beast below Deep Breath is criminal lol - I think it sets the tone of the 14th doctors short span on the show quite well, whereas seeing Deep Breath at its premiere was some of the most disappointing viewing I've ever had from the show

When I first saw Castrovalva it made an enormous impression on me. I thought the sets and the conundrum at the heart of the episode were so fresh and different from the last Tom Baker season. I was glad to have a new Doctor as being a fan since 1963 I thought Tom was brilliant but I itched to see what a different actor would do with the role. Peter Davison was perfect, as light as air, when Tom had been as rich as a fruit cake. It is in my opinion the most inspired choice of actor and for all John Nathan Turner's daft choices, this was the best choice he made. I saw it snowed in, January 1982 - the cold, gleaming snow outside enhanced the experience as well.

I like Ecclestons Doctor, especially after you see Hurts War Doctor. He's just come off of being the War Doctor, so all his anger and rage towards the Daleks is very understandable, still under the surface of his new face.

The Christmas Invasion was the first episode I ever watched, but The Eleventh Hour is hands down my favorite!

10:25 - I know the irony behind the name. But a shout-out to them being on planet Vulcan would have been nice.

Castravalva and Twin Dilemma are some of my favorite stories. They are so crazy. I love them.

Deep breathe is a good episode. He thinks clara is handles and that's hilarious. The phone call at the end of the epaidoe was brilliant. I'd probably put it around 8

Can we all just be honest the problem with the Star Beast is that it’s a terrible write off to the meta crisis.

I love Sean as a presenter, but I am oddly too invested in Star Trek to watch TrekCulture regularly. Weird, I know. So whenever he is on WhoCulture I cheer.

I think Castrovalva needs more love. It's a really good story

Disagree with the rankings somewhat (would rank Deep Breath & Christmas Invasion higher than the 13th) but rly appreciate the time taken for the run-up this week. Suddenly feeling the need for a few rewatches… but no time!

i have one season left to watch of doctor who, i'm finally gonna see the third doctor become the 4th.

Great video

Just went from a sean ferrick video on trek culture to sean ferrick on who culture

Time and the Rani was my first Doctor Who Episode ever. Was at least good enough to get me hooked ;-)

Good list, but it's shocking that Castrovalva is so low down.

Jodie was so great the writing really let her down

The slander on deep breaths placing on this list is ridiculous.

Spoilers: Claudia Winkelman is Ruby's mother

My fav episode is eleventh hour! I’ve seen it the most!! Along with the 40th Ann episodes!

Deep Breath is much better than all of these

I would put The Woman Who Fell to Earth lower. I can agree that Jodie was good in this episode but the story was weak and bland, new companions werent interesting. Easily The Christmas Invasion would be higher for me and even Deep Breath. I also adore The Star Beast but I havent seen all the classics so not sure where I would place that.

“The Woman Who Fell to Earth establishes a more grounded and realistic setting” Then ditches it pretty quickly

I also like the first episode of the war doctor, but in audio book

I am pleased 11th hour is number one. Matt Smith is my favourite doctor from both new who and classic who. I think Smith had an advantage in that the 11th hour was not the first episode he filmed - so he had had the chance to really get into the character before filming his post regeneration episode.

Seriously, the Church on Ruby Road was rated was too high on this list.

Now the question is, who is the Ronnie?

Finally, someone who admits that the Star beast is bad. Also, why does ncutis doctor cry in every episode?

went done hill after tom b,till syvester,and the reboot

the Eleventh hour is one of the reasons 11 is my Favorite Dr. (That and i find him funny whilst enjoying the episodes).

Where is the day of the doctor? Why is the war doctor excluded?

Colin wins... His first episode is Caves of Androzani.

Doctor Who died for me after Peter Capaldi.

Love watching this channel’s videos!

It’s a satsuma actually

My favorite part of "The Eleventh Hour" is the doctor asking the aliens what they think of his ties.

That was fun thanks agreed 11th hr . you have a lovely voice .

my Raggedy Man❤

Ranking Deep Breath and Christmas Invasion so low whilst also not ranking The Woman Who Fell To Earth as the weakest NuWho debut feels way off😂

Twin Dilemma is terrible.....but its a master peice compared to the woman who fell to earth

I think each first episode of each Doctor is special in it's own way. As tome has gone by and I've seen more of Hartnell and Troughton I've come to love their doctors more and more. Ironically its not necessarily the first episode that can really hook me. I'm also one of those people who keep an open mind and am willing to give each new iteration of the Doctor a chance.

Tom Baker was my first Dr. and I found that 5,6 and 7 were somewhat of a letdown. Eccleston was the perfect actor to play the Dr. for the reintroduction to the show. It took a,bit to adjust to Matt after the excellent portrayl by David, but I'd have to say that Matt is the best Doctor. Jodi could have been great but the writing let everyone down. This started in the 2nd half of Capaldi's run. From what I've seen of this last offering I'm afraid that its lost the greatness that it once held and has just become a woke preachy waste of time.

I destroyed a Dalek. As a sixties kid at an expo in London, I saw big red button. I pressed it and everything stopped moving.

This is a really good ranking though I do think The Star Beast is a LOT better than Time and the Rani. Here's my ranking: The Eleventh Hour The Power of the Daleks Spearhead from Space Rose The Woman Who Fell to Earth The Christmas Invasion Robot The Church on Ruby Road The Star Beast The Movie Deep Breath An Unearthly Child (if it was JUST the perfect first episode it would be near the top but alas...) Castrovalva Time and the Rani The Twin Dilemma

I consider the very first "Doctor Who" story to be a single episode, "An Unearthly Child"; the second story is a three-parter about cavemen and fire. But that's just my own head canon. But I do watch that single episode every November 23!

IMHO, Whittaker's Doctor deserves higher rank than 7th. In the span of mere minutes of dropping through the ceiling she rattled her way through half a dozen faithful homages to no fewer than four previous doctors. Jodie channeled effective mannerisms and micro-expressions from Capaldi, Smith, Tennant, and Eccleston with seemingly effortless skill and flawless energy. That was, by far, the smoothest transition from one Doctor to the next that I've ever witnessed in the show. I was able to accept her immediately... which was a stark contrast to both Capaldi (who won my over the following episode) and Smith (who took the better part of a season to finally grow on me.)

I love who culture

Every Doctor’s first story,..rather than first episode then…

And *ABOVE* your (excellent) #1 pick: *_The Day of the Doctor._*

Title should've been " best performance on a first episode.

For me it’s the “hello I’m the doctor… basically… run” is what secures that Matt will be an amazing one and the show will survive without tennant (11 is also my favourite)