It's a long wait for the Christmas special...so...

10 - Terror of the Autons Part 2. One of the most talked about scenes involving a deadly doll strangling its victim was debated in the House Of Lords. The Met Police also complained with the end of the episode when the Doctor ripped off a face mask to reveal a killer Auton. Frightening to watch for a first timer.

09 - The Waters Of Mars. Fantastically claustrophobic scenes with the Doctor realising where he was and who the crew were. His mind wrestling with leaving and yet wanting answers about why there was a catastrophic nuclear explosion on Mars was brilliantly portrayed by David Tennant who gives perhaps his best ever performance of the Doctor. The moments when the crew became infected by the water towards the end echoing through the Doctor's head as he tried to leave them behind was one of the most powerful moments in Doctor Who's history.

08 - The Tomb Of The Cybermen Part 1. The sheer claustrophobia of the Doctor, his companions and the archaeologists wandering through a series of rooms like the uncovery of Tutankamen's tomnb had me on edge. Where were the Cybermen? And then one finally appeared at the end. A scientist dies and we are left with the blank look of the Cybermen. Creepy.

07 - Earthshock Part 4. The Cybermen have invaded the space station and lock it on course to explode on the surface of Earth. The Doctor and Tegan are escorted back to the Tardis, but without his other companion, Adric who begs them to go. This decision would haunt the Doctor throughout the rest of his regeneration. Trying to save the Earth, not realising that the events were already written and having lost his escape route, Adric is given a tragic death, holding his dead brother's rope. The emotion and intensity of this episode has rarely been in the show since.

06 - The Caves of Androzani Part 4. One of the best episodes of the show which showed a powerhouse performance from Peter Davison as he holds back his impending regeneration to save Peri. The subplots of Morgus and Sharez Jek's revenge hang heavy across the whole story, but comes to its fore here when they fight to the death. The Doctor's struggle through the caves to get the life saving milk for Peri and carrying her out to get back to the Tardis were both brilliantly executed. The Doctor 'died' a hero in possibly the best regeneration story of the show's history.

05 - The Stolen Earth. Another divisive episode, but which has so much going on over the course of the story. The Dalek menace, Davros' first appearance which referenced Genesis, the humour - Wilfred Mott especially, the consequences of defying the enemy (remember an entire family was killed when they defied the daleks), the Doctor racing to greet his companion Rose and of course the regeneration moment that had a whole nation talking about for a week. One of the best cliffhangers the show has ever had.

04 - The Deadly Assassin - Part 3. A divisive episode, however the Doctor is on his own in his nightmare trip to the Matrix. Encountering a sinister clown in a mirror, the scene of a masked World War 1 soldier and horse, the illusion of an operation and the deadly fight at the end with him and his opponent. Tom Baker gives his all in an episode which has very little dialogue and David Maloney's direction is one of the best I've ever seen on any television programme.

03 - Midnight - At first the Doctor is on a trip exploring the planet with his other passengers when the shuttle stops working. A light hearted banter turns into deadly danger as an unseen presence threatens their sanity and moral code. The possession of Sky is one of the most chilling I've seen since The Exorcist. For me, it's the most scariest episode of the reboot. Proving what you don't see is more frightening.

02 - Genesis of the Daleks - Part 1. A scary and threatening world is where the travellers land. Images of brutal warfare akin to World War 1, the homeless mutants stalking them, the callousness of Nyder and of course the first appearance of Davros, shrouded in a dark mist directing a secret experiment. Definitely one of the creepiest episodes ever made.

01 - An Unearthly Child - the most mysterious episode in the show's history. No idea who the Doctor was or Susan and the two teachers stumbling into a blue police box to find another 'world'. Has to be the no. 1 episode for me.


A difficult choice with so many other episodes that could have made the top 10 list.

What are yours?

It's trickier with C20 Who as there were more episodes per story so will get back to you with a top ten after a good old think! I plan to cheat and go for 10 each from both Centuries if that's okay. You're 4th choice is a given, mind. I saw Who before 'The Deadly Assassin', but that was the first episode that *really* left an impression on me as a kid....

Too hard to pick individual episodes from the classic era. Full stories only for me. In transmission order. The daleks, the daleks masterplan, the web of fear, the war games, the daemons, genesis of the daleks, terror of the zygons, pyramids of mars, earthshock, remembrance of the daleks.

Very difficult question. I could answer this again in a week and probably have some slightly different results. It's like choosing your favourite child.

1) Genesis of the Daleks
A predictable answer, but nevertheless there's a good reason it has the reputation it does. You have the best Doctor and the best companion, and Harry Sullivan for good measure. You have the introduction of Davros in a depiction that still has yet to be beaten. And to go with all that is a brilliant and intelligent story with some interesting philosophical challenges.

2) The Deadly Assassin
Another predictable one, but still justified. This was a divisive one back when it aired because of its handling of the Time Lords, but it helped shape the Time Lords and their homeworld into one of the most fascinating aspects of Doctor Who lore. It was very violent and very dark, but another hallmark of that gothic horror theme that Hinchcliffe and Holmes perfected for this show.

3) The Mind Robber
I have a huge soft spot for this story. It's weird and wonderful at the same time, and a little bit terrifying. The cliffhanger with the TARDIS is one of he most memorable, and almost bone-chilling, of all time, and the sound of the giant toy soldiers marching will always give me the shivers. It wasn't without its fun, though, as Troughton, Hines and Padbury were as lovable and humorous as ever.

4) The Daemons
One of the definitive Master stores, in my opinion, with the best performance by the definitive Master. I loved how this one turned around the hardcore science theme of the Pertwee years and challenged it with magic and sorcery. Another one where the entire cast of characters was at some of their best, whether Jo, the Brigadier or Benton.

5) Heaven Sent
Shoot me, I genuinely think this is one of the greatest achievements in Who history, and easily the greatest episode of the revival run. Peter Capaldi is such a fantastic Doctor and he completely owns the entire thing, showing a defeated but more determined than ever Doctor who's a bit of Sherlock and Heisenberg put together. I love the whole take on the "hell as repetition" concept, and the setting is a stunning and creepy idea that feels like something Edgar Allan Poe dreamed up. A very ambitious and inventive episode that will be a standout fan-favourite in the years to come.

6) Inferno
The whole alternate universe idea is one that's always been done to death, but this is a great example of an overused concept done right. Nicholas Courtney does a great job at making you hate his alternate character, and the whole episode is full of a uneasy feeling of foreboding. Brilliant way to finish off a masterpiece season.

7) The Caves of Androzani
Peter Davison is actually my least favourite of the classic Doctors, if you count Big Finish Colin Baker, but Robert Holmes gave one of his best stories here after an era where the show had become much more hit-and-miss. Here we see the Doctor at his most utterly desperate and helpless, and it's riveting. Sharaz Jek was also a very memorable villain.

8) The Daleks
Terry Nation was hardly one of the greatest writers who ever worked on the show, but his first story definitely left an impression and would become one of the most iconic and defining Who stories of all time. After An Unearthly Child gave an astounding first episode and then veered off into a less interesting episode, this was where the show really started to kick into gear. Creepy monsters, lots of corridors, atmospheric alien world, and so forth, it's all there.

9) The Doctor’s Wife
I'm a huge fan of Neil Gaiman, and fortunately for me he delivered one of my favourite episodes. It almost plays out like a love letter to the show's true icon, the TARDIS, and takes a more literal approach to her bond with the Doctor. I love the dark but fairy tale-atmosphere, typical of Gaiman, and there were some pretty horrifying moments in this.

10) The War Games
A lot of people struggle with this one, because it's so long, but I think it's an excellently paced story that rounds of the black-and-white years of Doctor Who. The entire concept of a game of real life war with armies from across time is a very fun one used to its full potential, here are some fantastic villains and I will always feel my heart rip open when Jamie and Zoe have to say goodbye.

Honourable mentions:
Spearhead in Space, Pyramids of Mars, City of Death, The Enemy of the World, Power of the Daleks, The Crusade, The Ark in Space, The Seeds of Doom, The Green Death, Kinda, The Horror of Fang Rock, Earthshock, Tomb of the Cybermen, The Invasion

Good list Lord Smexy and the other participants.

I'd forgotten about Heaven Sent. That should be in the top 10 list I agree with you. I hang my head in shame.

Oh that's perfect acceptable. I should have thought of doing that myself!

Today's choice! Bit off the cuff, with personal reasons so please indulge me! (Chronological order)

C20

An Unearthly Child - First saw it in 1981 'Five Faces...' repeat season as my interest had been piqued by an imminent new Doctor. Was completely fascinated to see where it all began and was massively intrigued. The reveal of the TARDIS, the mysterious white haired geezer, the mixture of the ordinary (school, teachers, junkyard) and the uncanny. Still think it's an amazing introduction to the show.

The Rescue Part 1 - Had been catching up with an era I had not seen that much of during my 'bootleg' 80's years and choose this because I think this is where I went from enjoying and being intrigued by the First Doctor to absolutely loving him. The TARDIS scene at the beginning where he's all kerfuffled but sweet and then calls out for Susan (who's just left.) Beautifully played by Hartnell, Russell and Hill.

The Mind Robber 1 - Like my surreal, and this was just so imaginative. Two 'sets', cracking TARDIS team, hell of a cliffhanger....

Inferno 6 - Hadn't immediately got on with the Pertwee era as a teen in the 80's, but started to appreciate it more and more as I got older. Chose this as it was a great episode in a superb story and built up to one of the best ever cliff hangers. Edge of the seat stuff.

Pyramids of Mars Part 4 - I actually *owned* a Doctor Who story for the first time that wasn't 'fuzzy'! (ta for the birthday present parents!) Watched it to death and it was edited together, but this episode stands out in retrospect as gothic Who perfection with the Doctor/Sutekh confrontation brilliantly played and utterly chilling.

Deadly Assassin 3 - As a young kid back in the days of one telly and no remote control, only really saw Who if my folks were up for a story as they were never big fans. This one made the cut and the surreal, nightmarish imagery really stuck with me. Probably my most vivid 'pre-fan' memories of Who.

Power of Kroll 1 - Yeah, I know! Pick this as it was the first Williams era story I saw as a teen in the 80's when I'd joined a 'local group' who had access to 'old' Who (this was 1985 but 1978 seemed old at the time!) Had picked up the idea that the Williams era was cheap and nasty stuff, and this episode, with it's location work and Tom on charisma overload and, sigh, Mary Tamm made me think again. Love most of Season 16, and this was my first taste. There are better stories, but ahhh the memories....

Castrovalva 1 - "Mum, there's a new Doctor Who starting tonight. Can I watch it?" "Yes of course. He's a new one, isn't he." (Perches on foot stool in front of telly, intrigued) 25 minutes later....fan for life.

Enlightenment (Any episode really!) - Now a confirmed fan, this story I found particularly magical from the off. Even though I had only 2 blank VHS's at the time, this story I could never bring myself to record over. Still probably my most watched Who story! Still think it's brilliant.

Caves of Androzani 4 - First time I saw a Doctor regenerate as it unfurled on screen. Even when I was a teen I could tell that his story was a notch above from the off and although I'm tempted to go for episode 3 and *that* cliff hanger, I go for this as I was saying goodbye to 'my' Doctor. It was emotional; sad and yet exhilarating.

Needed a top 20! The Aztecs,The Dalek Invasion....', Tomb.. ' Carnival of Monsters', Terror of the Zygons, Androids of Tara, Warriors Gate, Kinda, Earthshock, Remembrance, Greatest Show..., Ghostlight; how about a top 30? No, already a v long post so I'll leave it for now and do C21 Who again!

Hmm.... it's a memorable episode (from only last year) but you've forgotten about it? . Personally I think it is utter drivel and I'd rather watch paint dry. However, on a more positive note (!), some great choices in your original Top 10 (except Number 4).

How very dare you! Deadly Assassin 3 is brilliant!

What are your Top Ten, Boz?

Hi Michael, wow that is difficult and without thinking it through too much, and in no particular order:

Inferno 6, the alternate world coming to an end
Daleks' Masterplan 12, Sara Kingdom ageing to death
Mission to the Unknown, just so unusual having no regular cast, but Daleks!
Androzani 2 or 3 - 4 is brilliant but I like it when Morgus talks to camera
Space Museum 4, OK not a good episode but best cliff hanger ever, especially if unspoilt (actually episode 1 is very good with also a great cliff hanger)
An Unearthly Child, best opening episode for any TV programme ever (that I've seen)
Remembrance 4, with Dalek Emperor revealed as Davros, two points, we finally get to see an Emperor similar to what was in TV 21, plus when I first watched Genesis I thought Davros could become the Emperor, so 13 years later my prediction came true
Girl in the Fireplace, bit weird that the Doctor has the hots for Reinette when he's got the Rose thing going on, and would probably have worked better in a different season, but great story with beautiful ending.
Brain of Morbius 1, "have you got a glass of water?"
The Chase 6 - Daleks v Mechanoids (plus Steven with Ian & Barbara, and a great final scene for the latter two)

The reason I'm not so keen on DA 3 is that they've got all of time and space to depict the Matrix and they come up with train tracks and bi-planes. What's that all about?

Edit: didn't read your list before choosing mine, so remarkable that out of all the episodes of Doctor Who we've got two exactly the same and one (Caves) almost!

An Unearthly Child-Ep1- Still a fantastic episode, even today.

The Crusades-Part 3-Wonderfully written and performed by all those involved.

The Tenth Planet-Ep 4 and The Powwer Of The Daleks Ep1-The first ever regeneration makes these two episodes special on their own.

Every episode from Evil Of The Daleks to The Web Of Fear-The high quality of these episodes are only matched by Season 13.

The War Games Ep 9&10-Just two great episodes that so wrapped up not just the Troughton Era but black and white and sixties Who as well.

Season 13-Every episode for the same reason as Season 5

Logopolis-Ep4- Just love this episode as this was the first one I ever watched.

Castrovalva-Episode 1-The First full time episode I watched. Still love it today, mainly set in the TARDIS-was a great episode to watch midweek during those days.

Caves Of Androzani-Ep 4- The roundup of a truly great and wonderful story. Atmospheric and dramatic from start to finish.

Dalek- Love this episode, proof that one Dalek alone can destroy as much as any army.

Father's Day-Proof that you can do a slower story and make it interesting, unlike some of the dullfests that followed later.

School Reunion-Sarah Jane returning was enough to elevate this episode to above the norm.

Army Of Ghosts/Doomsday- Just awesome.

Human Nature/Family Of Blood-These episodes were so unusual and Tennant put in an awesome performance in both.

Midnight- Atmospheric, claustrophobic and the simultaneous dialogue was just brilliant.

Stolen Earth/Journey's End-The last time there was a truly bumper, action packed decent episode in the show.(Imo) Loved all the crossovers and Davros returning.

Very difficult but i'll try. And i am doing stories.

10) The Gas Mask 2 parter which names i forgot Probably the creepiest episode in the shows history.

9) The Ark In Space Not the only episode from the Hinchcliffe era to appear in this list, very creepy story this one.

8) Inferno This story has everything, its incredibly unique, scary, full of action, just a perfect episode for the Pertwee era

7) The War Games Lots of people say it is too long. But this story manages to have so many new ideas that the story almost never slows down, it does slightly in the middle which is why its only 7.

6) The Mind Robber I like unique episodes, and this one was hilarious yet scary at times too. Very well written.

5) Mindwarp Peri did die.

4)The Daemons Master, Doctor, UNIT trapped in a town with some evil brewing. What is not to like?

3) Genesis of the Daleks Wow, is all i can say about this episode.

2) Pyramids of Mars Egyptian God, of course nothing could go wrong.

1) Caves of Androzani Masterpiece.

Always a tough one.


10: Horror of Fang Rock
9: Heaven Sent
8:The War Games
7: The Dalek Invasion of Earth
6: Utopia/The Sound of Drums/The Last of the Time Lords
5: Genesis Of The Daleks
4: Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways
3: Gridlock
2: Family of Blood/Human Nature
1: Midnight

Right, well here goes. Like most people my list would probably vary from day to day, and mood to mood, both on order, and which are included (although my number 1 hasn't changed in some time).

1. The Stolen Earth/Journeys End. - The story, the pacing, the characters, this story just has it all, on an epic scale. It works as a culmination and celebration of everything in the RTD era up to that point, it works as an epic, well written story, the plot which would still have been pretty entertaining even without all the returning companions.

So many great things about it for me - seeing the sort of 'team' that has been gradually acquired through the Tennant era all together, the davros dialogue which really hit the doctor where it hurt (namely, 'you take ordinary people and fashion them into weapons/'the doctor, the man who keeps running, never looking back because he dare not out of shame'), Jack and Sarah jane's bolshly reactions that they can take on anything, then subsequent turn to fear when they realise it's the daleks. I could go and on, there are just so many memorable scenes.

Also, I've never seen the Daleks more genuinely intimidating before or since in so many street stalking scenes throughout the episode but particularly when they burnt that house with the people inside it because they refused to obey.

In the 8 years since it aired, there has been no story that has even come close to this one in scale, quality, and the general feeling I got, and still get even after repeated viewings of watching it.

2. The sound of drums/last of the time lords
The master back in style, with a fully fledged plan for world domination, and eventual universal domination, just the way the master should be. John Simm perfectly pulled off the role in his unhinged, eccentric, yet clearly evil through and through take. Tennant was great as usual, and it was particularly interesting to see the dialogue scenes between them.

3. Human Nature/Family of blood - This did something radically different to the norm, and it paid off in spades. The back and forth between Tennant and Jessica Hynes was particularly well done, especially when The doctor was contemplating changing back, and when he went to see her just after he had.

4.The girl in the fireplace - A fun and yet at the same time serious episode that worked on every level.

5. The Doctor's wife - One of the strongest episodes in the entire Moffat era, this took the relationship between the doctor and his one permanent companion (the TARDIS), and found a novel way to really explore it, which made for an emotional episode, along with the 'house' plot that meant there was never a dull moment.

6. Army of Ghosts/Domsday - Daleks v cybermen, a novel concept which could have easily fallen flat, yet was executed so well. Plus the Rose and doctor scenes, both on separation and the goodbye remain the greatest companion goodbye for me so far.

7. The Christmas Invasion - The tenth Doctor fully comes into the role, in an earth invasion at Christmas. I don't feel that any time since that a Christmas story has had at it's heart a story so ambitious, and also quite dark (threat of forced mass jumping from buildings). After a bit of tea and and a sycorax duel, Tennant IS the doctor in every sense of the word.

8. Bad wolf/Parting of the ways -First finale which set the standard for all others to meet, where we got the pay off for all those 'bad wolf' references, and said goobye to 9, and hello to 10, whilst stopping a dalek plan and watching them disintergrate into dust along the way.

9. Rose - The story that started new who with a bang. In the space of 45 mins we were introduced (or re-introduced depending on your perspective) to the doctor and given the basic measure of him and his life, introduced to Rose, heard about the time war, saw the pair stop an earth invasion, and finally cement there relationship by the end. This story had the potential success or failure of new who riding on it, and fully met the challenge in my opinion.

10. A Christmas Carol - A classic tale given the who treatment, in one of the times where Moffat actually use timey wimey to entertaining and emotional effect rather than getting tangled in it. This story was an instant classic for me.

Special mentions to other episodes that I haven't included (this time), but that I regard highly nevertheless, including - Blink, Midnight, The day of the doctor, School reunion, Turn Left, Last Christmas, silence in the library/forest of the dead, and the husbands of river song.

O.k... here goes:

1. The Genesis of the Daleks. No other serial encapsulates the show anywhere near as well as this one does for me. It has a wonderful moral dilemma, two great companions, Davros, the Daleks and a fantastic story. It also has great humor and some of the best conversation (between The Doctor and Davros) that you can find. It is fantastic.

2. Turn Left. So dark, so interesting and so wonderful. A great "what if" story that is the best of the current revival.

3. The Utopia Trilogy. The Master at his absolute best; absolutely bat crazy. Everything is so over the top and wonderfully done. You have The Doctor, Jack, Martha and her family all done so well.

4. City of Death. This story is so well constructed and written that it is an absolute delight. The implications of the story are just wonderfully mind-boggling. Also, The Doctor and Romana II are having so much fun in Paris and all of the actors and actresses give stellar performances.

5. The Invasion of Time. I absolutely love The Doctor going back to reclaim his place as President of The Time Lords. Baker's acting is superb and there are so many wonderful characters in the serial. Also, the extra two episodes at the end where they are wandering around the nigh-infinite insides of The Tardis are fantastic. It was the first time that we were really allowed to see the scope of The Tardis and exactly how large it could be.

6. Blink. A fantastic story told in a wonderful way. The way that the characters mature during the story is great. The way that the story unfolds and the peril is all too real. It is also a wonderful introduction to The Weeping Angels. This episode is mesmerizing every time I see it.

7. The Stolen Earth/Journey's End. A great encapsulation of the Tennant era. You have all of the companions, Torchwood, Sarah Jane Smith, Rose, Martha, Donna, Jack, just everybody all coming together to save the day. The Daleks and Davros are great and the story is wonderful. The story is so fast paced that it is hard to keep up. Also, the death of Harriet Jones (former Prime Minister, "We Know!") and the wiping of Donna's memory are both heart breaking moments.

8. Human Nature/The Family of Blood. This story talks about war, family and defense of one's own is very wonderful, subtle ways. It show the best of people and it shows what The Doctor would be like if he did not know that he was The Doctor. The story is fantastic and the characters are great. I also love the vengeful, righteous Doctor at the end. (Note that Human Nature/The Family of Blood, Blink, and The Utopia Trilogy are all on this list. I think that the last half of Series 3 has to be the best and strongest half-season in Doctor Who's history.)

9. The Enemy of The World. This is some of Troughton's best acting. The story is fantastically interesting and very large. The dichotomy between The Doctor and the Napoleanesque Salamander is amazing. The companions are wonderful, the secondary characters and actors are great and the twist towards the end with the underground people is so unexpected as to make one gape. It is just fantastic.

10. Vincent and The Doctor. The last story on this list barely beats out some others to make it, but it does. The story is wonderful and the acting is superb. The actor who plays Vincent is stellar and The Doctor and Amy are great. The scene where Vincent hears about how his works are perceived in the modern era always touches me. This is a great, light-hearted, feel-good episode.


Hmmm... that is my top ten list. What do you think?

Some nice choices there...

If you were talking to me, thanks.

I wasn't going to comment on other people's choices, but since you ask I will. Firstly, the thread is about episodes, which most, including you, have ignored and instead gone for the old staple of stories. Secondly, there is only one "the" in your Number 1. Thirdly, I thought you and I had similar tastes, both not being fans of post 2009 Who, but I am genuinely surprised by some of your choices, although I do like most of them. Number 5 is a complete shock, I never thought I would live to see that in anyone's Top 10! I remember watching it when it was first broadcast and thinking how bad it was. Number 3 I would agree with the first episode, but the following two were a massive let down and I completely disagree with you about John Simm, overacting at its worst. But my main problem is with your Number 10, and especially the scene you highlight. Did you switch off at that point? Do you not realise that the Doctor then dumped a mentally unstable man back in his own time, after having shown him the future? Don't you think people would have ridiculed him when he told them about this and this would have led him to become even more mentally unstable? Do you not know that he ended up taking his own life? For me, this is one of the most disgusting scenes in all of Who history as it showed the Doctor just didn't care how his actions affected people. A classic case of Who mixing fiction with real life people and getting it so horribly wrong. (On top of that, the Doctor's attitude towards Vincent is sickeningly sycophantic, not much happens in the episode apart from they walk through some fields, it's got one of the worst monsters of all time and it has the ridiculous, nonsensical season arc tagged on.)

Now that you mention it, I double-checked above and you are correct. But, to me, this is much more fun. Also, being in the US, they were shown as one long story with the credits only at the end of the whole story here on PBS when I was a kid (late '70's, early 80's). So you would have a 90 minute or 120 minute show every Saturday night. It was awesome.



I love it so much. I saw it when I was a kid and it was just so much fun watching them walk past six different stairs that all looked the same. It was just so enjoyable finally getting an idea of just how vast The Tardis is really. It isn't one of the best episodes ever, but it is one of my favorites.


Mental instability and illness is a touchy subject. I view Van Gogh's eventual suicide as more or less a fixed point and that there was nothing which The Doctor could do to change it. However, The Doctor did give him a lot of happiness and satisfaction (and wonderful foreknowledge about how his work would be seen later!) which, I believe, made the end of his life much more joyous and bearable. That's the way that I see it anyways. (As a note, it was a close call between this one and The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances - and for the same reason, all of the joy at the end of the stories.)

My list is made up of the episodes/serials that I like to pull out and watch on a regular basis. I'll get a hankering to watch a particular episode/serial and I just have to put it in and see it. They all make me happy for different reasons, but they are my favorites.

By the way, thanks for the input and conversation!

The Daleks has been my favorite! Everyone got good choice.

Most people on these type of threads ignore that and treat story and episode as interchanagable because because if a 2 parter is done well (and we are saying stories we think are done well of course) then they tend to flow as one.

As such, for me, I wouldn't disinclude a favourite episode because it was a 2 parter, but at the same time, having to choose between it's parts would feel as ludicrous as someone saying 'whats your favourite half of that book' for example.

Its especially ridiculous for the 20 minute episodes. That individual episode, or story won't be as good without the parts around it, its pointless picking 1 out of the 4 parts or more.

It isn't ridiculous at all, and some of us have listed favourite episodes and given some reasons why. There are plenty of favourite story threads, a favourite episode thread is a nice variation. As a good example, The Space Museum is generally regarded as a poor story and comes low in polls, but Episode 1 is fantastic and Episode 4 is one of my favourite episodes purely for, IMO, the best cliff hanger ever. Another example is the New Series 3 last three episodes which are generally regarded as one story. I love Utopia but am not keen on the following two episodes.

Nah, individual episodes make it too complicated and difficult I think, it was hard enough just choosing from stories. I'm sure the thread starter doesn't mind, it's still discussion.

Here's the deal though mate. You may start a topic but you don't own it and once it is 'in the wild' it becomes whatever the people contributing want it to be. If it doesn't go the way you hoped... c'est la vie. You have no special rights as the OP to restrict or control the conversation.

Honestly, in a topic like this you should be thankful for whatever responses you get as it is a very awkward one for the following reason: most people aren't very interested in reading a list of people's favourite {whatever} but are more interested in listing their favourite {whatever}. So that's just what you get. A bunch of lists that people just scroll through quickly with no real interest. The only way to turn it into any kind of conversation is if people discuss each others lists.. and as its something more or less entirely subjective that only ever comes cross as aggressive and rude... just as your comments to Theophile above did (although he handled it with admirable diplomacy and politeness).