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The Worst Episodes of Doctor Who

Every episode of Doctor Who ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Doctor Who!

Binge this in 12h 39m•Peaking at 7.3/10

The Doctor and his companion travel across time and space encountering incredible friends and foes.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 - The Reality War (2)
    4.3/10(3692 votes)

    #1 - The Reality War (2)

    S2:E8

    Battle rages across the skies as the Unholy Trinity unleash their deadly ambition. The Doctor, Belinda and Ruby have to risk everything in the quest to save one innocent life.

    Director:Alex Pillai
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  2. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 1 - The Robot Revolution
    4.4/10(5287 votes)

    #2 - The Robot Revolution

    S2:E1

    When robots from outer space kidnap nurse Belinda Chandra, the Doctor embarks on an epic intergalactic quest to get his new friend back home to Earth.

    Director:Peter Hoar
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  3. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 5 - The Story & the Engine
    4.9/10(4308 votes)

    #3 - The Story & the Engine

    S2:E5

    In Lagos, the mysterious Barber reigns supreme. The Doctor discovers a world where stories have power, but can he stop the Spider and its deadly web of revenge?

    Director:Makalla McPherson
    Writer:Inua Ellams

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  4. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 - The Interstellar Song Contest
    5.1/10(4060 votes)

    #4 - The Interstellar Song Contest

    S2:E6

    The Doctor's quest to get Belinda back home to Earth leads to a space station hosting the famous song contest. But a harmless night of fun soon becomes a battle to survive.

    Director:Ben A. Williams
    Writer:Juno Dawson

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  5. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 4 - Lucky Day
    5.2/10(4556 votes)

    #5 - Lucky Day

    S2:E4

    Ruby Sunday faces life back on earth without the Doctor. But when a dangerous new threat emerges, can Ruby and UNIT save her new boyfriend, Conrad, from the terrifying Shreek?

    Director:Peter Hoar
    Writer:Pete McTighe

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  6. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 7 - Wish World (1)
    5.2/10(3407 votes)

    #6 - Wish World (1)

    S2:E7

    Traps are sprung and old enemies unite as the Doctor and Belinda finally arrive home to find a very different world. Can the Doctor see the truth before midnight arrives?

    Director:Alex Pillai
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  7. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 1 - Space Babies
    5.5/10(9925 votes)

    #7 - Space Babies

    S1:E1

    Ruby learns the Doctor's amazing secrets when he takes her to the far future. There, they find a baby farm run by babies. But can they be saved from the terrifying bogeyman?

    Director:Julie Anne Robinson
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  8. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 8 - Empire of Death (2)
    5.6/10(5966 votes)

    #8 - Empire of Death (2)

    S1:E8

    The Doctor has lost, his ageless enemy reigns supreme, and a shadow is falling over creation. Nothing can stop the devastation... except, perhaps, one woman.

    Director:Jamie Donoughue
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  9. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 2 - The Devil's Chord
    5.9/10(10107 votes)

    #9 - The Devil's Chord

    S1:E2

    The Doctor and Ruby meet The Beatles but discover that the all-powerful Maestro is changing history. London becomes a battleground with the future of humanity at stake.

    Director:Ben Chessell
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  10. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 2 - Lux
    6.1/10(5382 votes)

    #10 - Lux

    S2:E2

    The Doctor's quest to get Belinda home takes the Tardis to Miami in 1952, where an abandoned cinema is hiding a terrifying secret. Can the Doctor uncover Lux's power?

    Director:Amanda Brotchie
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  11. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 6 - Rogue
    6.5/10(7800 votes)

    #11 - Rogue

    S1:E6

    The Doctor and Ruby land in 1813, where guests at a duchess's party are being murdered and a mysterious bounty hunter called Rogue is about to change the Doctor's life forever.

    Director:Ben Chessell
    Writers:Kate Herron, Briony Redman

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  12. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 7 - The Legend of Ruby Sunday (1)
    6.5/10(6420 votes)

    #12 - The Legend of Ruby Sunday (1)

    S1:E7

    The Doctor and UNIT investigate Ruby's past. But as the Time Window reveals horrifying secrets from Christmas Eve, the mysterious Triad Technology unleash the greatest evil of all.

    Director:Jamie Donoughue
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  13. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 3 - The Well
    6.5/10(5396 votes)

    #13 - The Well

    S2:E3

    Far in the future, on a tough, brutal planet, a devastated mining colony has only one survivor. To discover the truth, the Doctor and Belinda must face absolute terror.

    Director:Amanda Brotchie
    Writers:Russell T Davies, Sharma Walfall

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  14. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 3 - Boom
    6.7/10(9052 votes)

    #14 - Boom

    S1:E3

    Caught in the middle of a devastating war on Kastarion 3, the Doctor is trapped when he steps on a landmine. Can he save himself and Ruby, plus the entire planet... without moving?

    Director:Julie Anne Robinson
    Writer:Steven Moffat

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  15. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 5 - Dot and Bubble
    6.8/10(7936 votes)

    #15 - Dot and Bubble

    S1:E5

    The world of Finetime seems happy and harmonious. But an awful terror is preying on the citizens. Can the Doctor and Ruby make them see the truth before it’s too late?

    Director:Dylan Holmes Williams
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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  16. Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 4 - 73 Yards
    7.3/10(9084 votes)

    #16 - 73 Yards

    S1:E4

    Landing on the Welsh coast, the Doctor and Ruby embark on the strangest journey of their lives. In a rain-lashed pub, the locals sit in fear of ancient legends coming to life.

    Director:Dylan Holmes Williams
    Writer:Russell T Davies

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Reality War (2)" is the worst rated episode of "Doctor Who". It scored 4.3/10 based on 3692 votes. Directed by Alex Pillai and written by Russell T Davies, it aired on 5/31/2025. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Robot Revolution".