Top 10 Doctor Who Stories of 2011

It's that time of year again when Blogtor takes a look over the Doctor Who telly offerings of the year and then places them, needlessly, into his ten favouritist. Yes, that's right. I did just use the word favouritist. Get over it grandad! For your pleasure below is The Top 10 of 2011 as thunk by Blogtor (and you can find the 2010 Top 10 HERE if you're completely bored).

The most recent offering manages to nudge out this year's Pirate episode and the Ganger two~parter; mainly down to the vivaciousness of Matt Smith who starts the Christmas Special off in fine form. The Doctor, The Widow & the Wardrobe was pleasing on the eye and introduced us to, hopefully, future companion Holly Earl. Review HERE.

You know, it's difficult to separate these episodes. Each one is bold and broad as the other with revelations and surprises packed into every possible Silent~filled corner. Each with stunning set pieces, eye~popping visuals and larger~than~life characters. And each with a paper thin story that made way for all of these fanciful facets. Great one~off viewing. Review of Let's Kill Hitler HERE and what YOU thought of The Wedding of River Song HERE.

Although the ending (lurve defeating the Cybermen, in case you'd banished it from your memory) made me despair somewhat, the preceding thirty~five minutes had been greatly entertaining. Matt Smith and James Corden make for an excellent couple, eliciting laughs at every turn. The Cybes were a tad underused but we were treated to the awesomeosity of Stormaggedon... Review HERE.

Mark Gatiss delivers his first modern~day telly tale and, backed up by some of the finest direction seen in a Doctor Who episode from Richard Clark, delivered chills, lurve but mainly laughs in this flat from hell scenario. More, I feel, could have been made of the creepy effin' dolls but Daniel Mays put in a fine performance, bouncing well of Matt (and mentioned in my Actors Wishlist back in 2010 HERE) and plaudits also go to Jamie Oram who played George with Hammer Horror~esque kiddy scares. Review HERE.

Again, this is another story that was slightly floored by a pathetic resolution but the Hotel from Hell (didn't I just say that?) was hugely entertaining with its nightmare rooms and doom~laden atmosphere. The cast were tops, especially future~companion~to~be Amara Karan (pur~lease?) though David Walliams was less than impressive. The ending, dropping off The Ponds, was inspired and hugely unexpected - though, sadly, it was not to stick. Review HERE.

A beautiful story with Karen Gillan performing as never before. Her "Old" Amy was a thoughtful portrayal that meant heartbreak was the only ending for this story. I have to say I did think, for one moment, that there was the distinct possibility of two Amys in the TARDIS - what fun they could have had! The episode loses points for the Macarena and thinking yourself into the same time zone. Review HERE.

SteeMo's bold opening contained some of the most memorable imagery and set pieces in the entire series (which didn't live up to this tumultuous start). The American setting added some needed foreign spice and The Silence proved to be another excellent villain from the current showrunner. The boldness was matched in the two~parter's gorgeous cinematic style and in one of Murray Gold's most electric scores. Reviews HERE and HERE.

An out~and~out classic. Suranne Jones' performance as the 'wife' was a treat from start to finish and a wonderful folly to Matt's Doctor Who. Director Richard Clark again proves that he has a masterful eye when it comes to Who; handling the scares, the laughs and the loves. And he does so with aplomb. The only downside? I really wanted more. An hour could have served the story far better, giving more time to House and his inhabitants. But still, a small point, and one hopes that Gaiman will return sooner rather than later. Review HERE.