I didn’t care much for it in 2008, before the Moffat era began, and my opinion hasn’t shifted since. In fairness, I do enjoy River in some later stories, just not this one. I think it’s Moffat’s weakest story in the RTD1 era.
1 Like
I tend to agree on it being his weakest from RTD1… but that’s like saying Dalek is Shearman’s weakest story; his other three from this era are among my favourites of the whole show, so it’s still a pretty high average.
Way I see it, the Library two-parter is a test run for Moffat as showrunner, and a lot of what makes it work was refined later on. It’s good, but it’s not the best example within its own niche. Whereas with TIL, I can’t really think of another story that it could be compared to, in terms of mood and messaging at least. The closest would probably be Gatiss’ own Devil Of Winterborne, and even then, TIL’s take on media demographics still stands out in the comparison.
4 Likes
I think it’s easily second best of his RTD1 contributions, behind only The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances. I can see if it’s not one’s favorite, but River being insufferable? That is what confuses me.
6 Likes
It’s a little early, but I feel like all those who are going to vote have done so by now, and I’m into work early with some time to kill, so I think I’m going to call this one now.
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead has recorded The Idiot’s Lantern on Betamax to be taped over, 35-2.
In a very narrow margin, The Runaway Bride has sent up a nerd into The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky’s mothership to blow it up with an atmospheric converter 19-18.
I’ve got a doozy for you all first up
Round 1, Match 13
- The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End
- Turn Left
0
voters
Round 1, Match 14
- Love & Monsters
- The Unicorn and the Wasp
0
voters
4 Likes
Very easy for me. Thats two really good ones against two that were good but not great
3 Likes
The second one are adjacent to each other in my rankings, but apparently Unicorn is the one above on the current ranking, so I have to pick it. A shame to see L&M likely lose as badly as it’s probably going to, because I do think it’s a legitimately good episode of Doctor Who.
The first one though, while it’s easily Turn Left for me, since I don’t think the other is good, I know it’s popular, so I figured it might be quite a battle.
5 Likes
I have a huge affection for SE/JE - it’s silly but in such a joyous way that I could watch it a million times. But. Turn Left. Top three episode ever ever ever
7 Likes
I like the first part quite a bit
5 Likes
I enjoyed Unicorn and the Wasp more, but I genuinely think Love and Monsters is just good. Surprised to see I’m the only one to have picked it as of yet.
6 Likes
I actually had until I double checked the rankings. L&M was on top last ranking, but Unicorn on top in the current. They’re not just right next to each other in terms of Tenth Doctor, they’re next to each other overall.
5 Likes
Turn Left all the way, the best RTD1 ep
5 Likes
There are a few I like more, but it’s up there certainly. I have it in 8th of that era
5 Likes
Turn Left is my second or third favourite RTD script ever, after Midnight. So easy win there as much as I love the fun bombastic series 4 finale.
And I remember finding Unicorn and the Wasp bundles of fun so it also wins there
8 Likes
Manifesting a sweep for The Unicorn and the Wasp!!! It’s one of my top two episodes of all time in terms of subjective enjoyment!!
7 Likes
Turn Left is one of my favorites and otherwise a really strong episode, so that’s the first poll sorted.
And then, I love a good fun episode and The Unicorn and the Wasp fills that niche wonderfully.
6 Likes
Just wrote a ton of stuff about how Turn Left is a masterpiece, and Love and Monsters is fun and overhated, but I went through a tunnel and it didn’t upload 
So, in summary, Turn Left is a masterpiece, Love and Monsters is fun and overhated, and I’m not typing the rest out again 
I do love the other series 4 stories in today’s group as well - that was my first series and I do still have immense nostalgia for it. It helps that there isn’t a bad (or even mediocre, really) story within that run.
Also, I quite like Peter Kay’s performance in Love and Monsters - you can expel me from the forum now..
10 Likes
I do think you mean overhated or underrated the second time there.
3 Likes
Yes, definitely! Curse the inventor of autocorrect Thanks for pointing out.
2 Likes
All this time I’ve been counting bubbles, but I just found the “Display Tally” (the Tally must be met) button, which makes reporting scores so much easier.
The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End, as it burns in the fire of what was the Crucible, names Turn Left the Destroyer of Worlds 28-7.
Sadly, Love & Monsters has been turned into a pavement slab for all eternity by The Unicorn and the Wasp, 30-5.
It’s time for the final two matches of our first round.
Round 1, Match 15
- Blink
- The Next Doctor
0
voters
Round 1, Match 16
- The Christmas Invasion
- Voyage of the Damned
0
voters
After this, I’ll list the ranking of the 17th-37th place stories before starting the second round.
9 Likes
Actually, a bonus poll, just to break the one tie I have in the ranking for the bottom two of the first round, both lost 33-1 in their losing matches.
- The Doctor’s Daughter
- The End of Time
0
voters
6 Likes