DOCTOR WHO 60 for 60

The 60th anniversary of DOCTOR WHO is here! David Tennant and Catherine Tate return as Russell T. Davies guides the celebration and ushers in a new era with three specials.
It filled my mind with memorable Whovian moments from watching reruns of the Classic series broadcast from a public station via a small black and white television to this era of streaming when and how you want to see stories for the first time or again and again.
Here are my 60 big moments for 60 years of DOCTOR WHO:

1. HUMAN NATURE/THE FAMILY OF BLOOD Upon a second viewing of the new era two-parter, this became my favorite story, favorite David Tennant performance. Harry Lloyd’s portrayal of a possessed school boy demonstrates why the most sinister scary villains don’t have to wear make-up or special effects. The story made me love Freema Aygeman’s Martha Jones even more.
2. BLINK – Everything about it. Sally Sparrow. The Weeping Angels debut. The episode you share with friends and they become fans as they peer between their fingers and try not to blink.
3. THE PIRATE PLANET – My first everything – episode, Doctor, companions, villains. Little did I know turning the dial on this weird site a kid would impact my life!
4. David Tennant’s face when Wilfred taps on the glass cage in THE END OF TIME, Part Two.
5. David Tennant’s final line in THE END OF TIME, Part Two. I know how he feels.
6. ROBOTS OF DEATH – An Agatha Christie/Scooby Doo mashup with scary robots, suspects in disco uniforms and my first Leela (Louise Jamison) episode with Tom Baker.
7. The Ninth Doctor’s says goodbye in THE PARTING OF THE WAYS after saving Rose and Earth. He really was fantastic.
8. THE ELEVENTH HOUR – Best episode establishing a new Doctor/era as Matt Smith’s Eleventh says just two word to the Atraxi.
9. THE FIVE DOCTORS – The first time I saw the First, Second, Third join the Fifth in a 20th Anniversary story filled with fun, classic cameos.
10. The Tenth Doctor and Rose say goodbye in DOOMSDAY.
11. The Ninth Doctor’s reaction to what’s locked up in Stratton’s vault in DALEK.
12. Amy Pond says goodbye to The Doctor, he reacts, I react (aka start crying) in ANGELS TAKE MANHATTAN.
13. Everyone. All together. Now. THE STOLEN EARTH/JOURNEY’S END!
14. Donna pleads with The Doctor in FIRES OF POMPEII. The story that solidified why The Tenth needed Donna.
15. Sarah Jane sees the Tardis again in SCHOOL REUNION, then the Tenth. On my heart watching Elizabeth Sladen.
16. The Twelfth Doctor’s speech to convince The Masters to stand with him in THE DOCTOR FALLS.
17. A truly shock ending in EARTHSHOCK. In the classic era before internet spoilers, this ending really could never be pulled off now.
18. GENESIS OF THE DALEKS – Just touch the switches Tom Baker/Fourth Doctor!
19. PYRAMIDS OF MARS – Great villain performance with just voice – Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh the Destroyer – and I love Mummies!
20. Gas mask kid! THE EMPTY CHILD. So simple. Simply scary!
21. THE CAVES OF ANDROZANI – Peter Davison and Fifth era team save the best for last! The Best of The Fifth and an incredible villain!
22. THE CITY OF DEATH. The Count reveals himself! Freaky scary villain in a fun romp in Paris and in Earth’s past with the Fourth, the second Romana and a great human sidekick: Dugan.
23. Mary Tamm debuts as Romana in her stunning white fur lined gown in THE RIBOS OPERATION. I fell in love!
24. Zygons – still my scariest classic series monsters in TERROR OF THE ZYGONS. I think it’s the suction cups.
25. THE BRAIN OF MORBIUS – Who are the those mystery faces on the screen in the brain duel between The Fourth Doctor and Morbius?!
26. Return of The Master – a Master like we’ve never seen before – in DARK WATER/DEATH IN HEAVEN.
27. ROSA – The Thirteenth and family can’t interfere with the events on the bus!
28. The Twelfth Doctor tells River Song how long a night on Darillium is in THE HUSBANDS OF RIVER SONG.
29. The Curator appears to the Eleventh in THE DAY OF THE DOCTOR!
30. HEAVEN SENT – Peter Capaldi’s one-man showcase!
31. MIDNIGHT – One of the best ensemble of guest actors especially Lesley Sharp as the Midnight Entity possessed passenger as a group of vacationers are turned and twisted by fear.
32. The Seventh Doctor and Ace at their smashing best in REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS
33. Captain Adelade Brook defies The Doctor and changes her fate/final act in THE WATERS OF MARS.
34. Seeing the Second Doctor(Patrick Troughton) for the first time in THE THREE DOCTORS.
35. The Master returns and betrays The Tenth Doctor, Martha and Jack in UTOPIA!
36. THE IMPOSSIBLE ASTRONAUT – Shock and awe with The Eleventh, An astronaut coming out of lake in Utah!?! Silence really fell because I had no idea what to say.
37. The Eleventh Doctor takes Van Gosh to the future in VINCENT AND THE DOCTOR. Bring on the tears!
38. TOOTH AND CLAW – Werewolves and the genesis of Torchwood!
39. The Ood debut – THE IMPOSSIBLE PLANET/THE SATAN PIT
40. THE DOCTOR’S WIFE Idris says hello.
41. Wirrn in THE ARK IN SPACE! Classic foes who only appeared once that I want to return!
42. DAY OF THE MOON – River Song and The Eleventh kiss and cross a point of no return. She knows. We know. We all sigh.
43. Donna’s decision in TURN LEFT! I love Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins!
44. Oswin learns her fate in ASLUM OF THE DALEKS!
45. THE PANDORICA OPENS – a triple cliffhanger! All those enemies!?!
46. Daleks vs Cybermen in ARMY OF GHOSTS
47. John Hurt is a Doctor in THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR?!
48. TWICE UPON A TIME – The Twelfth’s final speech.
49. SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY/FOREST OF THE DEAD – How does River know the Doctor and why does she have her own sonic?!!
50. The Tenth Doctor comes back for Madame De Pompadour in THE GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE but….sigh!
51. FUGITIVE OF THE JUDOON – The Thirteenth Doctor sees the Tardis buried and The Fugitive reveals their identity – and an awesome costume!
52. Martha’s yearlong mission in THE LAST OF THE TIME LORDS.
53. INFERNO – Twisted UNIT especially when the Brigade Leader spins round.
54. The Thirteenth Doctor captured by The Weeping Angels in VILLAGE OF THE ANGELS
55. PLANET OF EVIL – The Fourth and Sarah stalked on Zeta Minor, one of the best set designs ever.
56. THE STONES OF BLOOD – The Ogri go camping! K-9 to the rescue.
57. What the Tractators are doing to humans in FRONTIOS!
58. THE RETURN OF DOCTOR MYSTERIO – I love Grant’s story and because I really love comic books.
59. Graham’s support group in THE POWER OF THE DOCTOR. I really want to be in the room!
60. THE HAUNTING OF VILLA DIADATI – Mary Shelley, a Cyberman and the night Frankenstein was born.
    
    Now every Whovian’s experience is different. Your list may be very different. I grew up on the Fourth and Fifth Doctors, found reruns of the Third, did watch the Eighth’s movie live and have been on the journey since New Who launched. Here’s to 60 years and many more with the Fifteenth (Ncuti Gatwa) and beyond.
    By Editor