Over the past 50 years, British television has given us one steady show: Doctor Who. When the 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) came to the scene in 2005, the series was pushed into the spotlight, especially in light of the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith). But for a show that has been going on for 50 years, how do you introduce someone to the series?

The advice given to me was to start from the 9th Doctor and watch everything in sequential order. Which is what I did, but you want to catch up before Series 7 Part 2 begins is the thought. While it has been announced that the series will begin again in April, not everyone has the time to watch every episode. Using the power of social media I reached out to fellow Whovians helped me compile this list of Essential Doctor Who episodes to understand what is going on in the future. You can always go back and watch everything in between (which I highly recommend!)

9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston)

Sadly, the 9th Doctor was only with us for one series, so his list is somewhat shorter than 10 and 11. More abrasive then his successors, he is a Doctor of the wars, but is compassion is what brings him forward as a shining Doctor in his own right.

Rose

The very first episode in the 2005 relaunch introduces you to The Doctors first companion, Rose Tyler. This episode also introduces the type of person that this particular Doctor will be like (through each regeneration he does have a bit of personality shift, which you’ll see as you progress)

Dalek

The fifth episode in this series, Dalek introduces you to one of the The Doctors long time enemies. It also introduces you to the short lived companion Adam Mitchell. Remember the Dalek, just as a hint!

Father’s Day

Here we are introduced to Pete Tyler, Rose’s father. Rose is faced with a difficult decision, along while creating a paradox in the universe.

The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances

A two part episode written by future showrunner Steven Moffat, these episodes introduce Captain Jack Harkness, a reoccurring character in the Doctor Who universe. Jack eventually comes into his own series, Torchwood, also available through the BBC and Starz. These episodes are also known as some of the creepiest episodes because of the “monster” that The Doctor and Rose face.

Bad Wolf/The Parting of Ways

The final episodes of the 9th Doctor (be prepared for tears!) Rose, Jack and The Doctor take on game shows and a familiar enemy. I would tell you  more, but spoilers sweetie!

10th Doctor (David Tennant)

The 10th Doctor was from 2005-2010. Cheeky, easy going but with a streak of anger, The Doctor faces even more challenges in the upcoming episodes. Trimming down his episodes was even more difficult then the 9th Doctor!

The Christmas Invasion

The first full episode with the 10th Doctor, Rose struggles with the reincarnation of her Doctor. While you get introduced to Harriet Jones during the 9th Doctors run, I don’t believe she is in the episodes I have recommended for you above. You’ll get a better understanding of her and her character at this point.

School Reunion

I was torn if I was going to put this one in. While the story itself doesn’t play much into upcoming episodes, it does introduce you to Sarah Jane Smith, who is a former companion of the Doctor that hasn’t been seen since 1983. This episodes shows more of who the Doctor was in the past, thus making him a better rounded character.

The Girl in the Fireplace

A love story for The Doctor. It is also an introduction to the androids made of intricate clockwork, a costume frequently seen in conventions.

Rise of the Cybermen/Age of Steel

Another two part episode, we are introduced to another long time nemesis to the Doctor, the Cybermen. We are also brought into a parallel dimension where Rose wasn’t born, and her father is still alive.

Army of Ghosts/Doomsday

I honestly don’t know how to describe these episodes without giving away any spoilers, so I am going to give you a quote from the very beginning of this episode.

“Planet Earth. This is where I was born. And this is where I died. For the first nineteen years of my life nothing happened. Nothing at all. Not ever. And then I met a man called The Doctor. A man who could change his face. And he took me away from home in his magical machine. He showed me the whole of time and space. I thought it would never end. That’s what I thought. But then came the Army of Ghosts, then came Torchwood and the war. And that’s when it all ended. This is the story of how I died.”

At the end of Doomsday, we are introduced to Donna Noble, which leads right into the next episode…

The Runaway Bride

Suffering from the aftermath of Doomsday, we see a whole new side to the Doctor. Donna leaves us after this episode, but I wouldn’t forget her name!

Smith and Jones

We are introduced here to Martha Jones, whom you might recognize from Doomsday. Only it wasn’t Martha in Doomsday, it was actually her cousin Adeola. Freema Agyeman, the actress who plays Martha, played Adeola as well.

Human Nature/Family of Blood

You’ll probably notice I skipped a few episodes here. It’s not for lack of entertainment or continuity, in fact if you watch them some things that happen later on might make more sense, but I felt for just essential episodes, these are the next two to watch. Another two part episode, The Doctor has hidden his life force and become human. The Doctor and Martha are hiding from The Family of Blood, who need his life force to survive.

Blink

Fan favorite, most haunting yet the least amount of Doctor and Martha time of the series. You will be introduced to what has been marked as one the scariest of the monsters The Doctor faces, The Weeping Angels.

Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords

While I don’t think you’ll see the Face of Boe in the previous episodes I have directed you to, you’ll get the idea pretty quickly that he has given the Doctor a warning: He isn’t alone. What could he possibly mean? These three episodes mark the end of the third series of Doctor Who, the second of the 10th Doctor.

Partners in Crime

The re-introduction to Donna Noble, who has been doing her own paranormal investigating since declining The Doctors offer to travel with him pre-Martha Jones.

The Fires of Pompeii

This episode really brings to light the morale of The Doctor, how does he decide who lives and who dies? A good look at him, along with more development with Donna.

Planet of the Ood

A more inside look into the creatures of The Ood, who are in previous episodes not really mentioned here, but they play a big part in the upcoming episodes.

Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead

We are introduced to one of the mysteries of the Doctor Who universe, River Song. We start to discover the real importance behind Donna Noble, along with Steven Moffat becoming the head writer to the series.

Turn Left

This episode takes the focus off The Doctor, putting it on Donna herself. With that being said, you’re going to see some familiar faces beginning in this episode, and travelling into the next.

The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End

These episodes tie closely with Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, just as a little fun fact in case you want to do your homework. These are emotional episodes, so be prepared with some tissues!

The End of Time Parts 1 & 2

Wilfred Mott, Donna Nobel’s grandfather, takes on the role as Companion in the end of the 10th Doctors run. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces, some you’ll not recognize but know that they were in series prior to the 9th Doctor (and will be explained) and the return of The Master.

11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
From 2010 to the present day, Matt Smith has taken on the role of The Doctor. His Doctor is kind of a smart alec who isn’t great with manners, but is easily excitable and a lot of fun to watch. He was voted in the Doctor Who magazine as the Best Doctor.

The Eleventh Hour

The first episode of the 11th Doctor, along with the introduction to Amelia (or Amy) Pond and Rory Williams. A young Amy shows the Doctor a scary crack in her wall, which begins the trend for this series.

The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone

The Doctor and Amy have continued on their travels to receive a message from River Song. In this two parter episode, we encounter the monsters that were the fan favorite from the 10th Doctor, the Weeping Angels.

Vincent and The Doctor

A fan of Van Gogh, The Doctor and Amy travel to meet the man himself, only to discover that The Doctor isn’t the only alien in that time period. In the previous episode (which other than the end really didn’t prove to be one of the essential episodes) Rory has disappeared into the crack of time, being erased from Amy’s memory. The Doctor is struggling to make up for what he has caused in this.

The Lodger

We are introduced to Craig Owens, a man who The Doctor takes up residence in his flat. Craig doesn’t have a clue who The Doctor is, just knows he is a strange man who has paid for a room, and is overly curious about his upstairs neighbor.

The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang

River Song is at it again, summoning The Doctor and Amy to another time period. They come across Rory, who has disappeared into the cracks of time, along with a lot of enemies of The Doctor.

The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon

We are introduced to The Silence, along with Canton Everett Delaware III. President Nixon is receiving a phone call from a little girl about the spaceman coming to eat her, a call so strong that The Doctor gets involved.

The Doctors Wife

This episode was written by Neil Gaiman, and has been considered a fan favorite. The Doctor, Amy and Rory receive a message from a living Time Lord, exciting The Doctor and bringing them to an asteroid outside the universe.

A Good Man Goes To War

A little side note to this episode is that it ties with the previous two part episode, The Rebel Flesh and The Almost People, but because the storyline didn’t tie completely in, I didn’t consider them as part of the Essentials. What you do need to know is that in this universe, Avatar People are created to work in dangerous environments, still holding on to the consciousness of the original person, but keeping the original safe from harm. In this episode, you’re going to get a closer look at River Song, along with Amy herself.

Let’s Kill Hitler

We get more into depth of the mystery of River Song, along with meeting the Teselecta and Mels, Amy and Rory’s long time friend.

The Girl Who Waited

An episode that focuses more on Amy and Rory rather than The Doctor, what do you do when you are stranded somewhere for 36 years?

The God Complex

An episode that was originally written for a previous series, The Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves in a hotel with ever changing corridors and a new surprise behind every door.

Closing Time

On his “Farewell Tour” The Doctor returns to see his friend Craig, who has a new son Alfie (who, because The Doctor speaks Baby, prefers to be called Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All).  The Doctor and Craig encounter an old enemy in the department store.

The Wedding of River Song

As the title dictates, River Song makes another appearance in The Doctors life,  as he, Amy and Rory take on The Silence. This episode ties in with everything that you are probably questioning right now.

Asylum of the Daleks

The Doctor, Amy and Rory being captured by The Daleks. They are exiled to a planet of Daleks that are to be destroyed, only to be helped out by Oswin Oswald, who has a face you’ll recognize later on in the series.

The Power of Three

Coming from Amy and Rory’s point of view, there is a sudden appearance of tiny black cubes around Earth. . The Doctor, impatient with the invasion, he takes off on his own adventures, leaving Rory and Amy to their lives.

The Angels Take Manhattan

Amy and The Doctor enjoy a book by Melody Malone in the park when Rory is suddenly touched by a Cherub Weeping Angel. In search for Rory, they come across River Song in one of the more emotional episodes of the series.

The Snowmen

In the 1840’s, a young boy builds a snowman and refuses to play with the other children. Flash forward to a few years later when Snowmen are showing up all around the town. The Doctor tries to stay away from Earth, claiming he is retired after the events of The Angels Take Manhattan, even donning a new getup. A woman named Clara forces him out though, and triggers a memory inside of The Doctor.

I know, it looks daunting, but to really get the idea as to what is going on with an in depth look I feel these are the best episodes to watch. If you do feel like you need to get caught up as quickly as possible, start at the 11th Doctor and watch every one of his episodes. They do give insight into the previous Doctors, but I feel like you can watch these essential episodes and feel like you didn’t miss a thing. My advice when taking on this series is to be as open minded as you can be, cheesy special effects are going to happen and you’re not going to like everything. There are some episodes where you are going to want tissues, either from laughing or crying, you’re probably going to need them. If you allow it to be, this series is brilliant and touching.

Do you think I missed an essential episode? What advice would you give to a newcomer to the Doctor Who universe? Now that I have done all the writing about it, I’m going to go watch it. Who is joining me?