Doctor Who's 60th anniversary is fast approaching, and one of the main reasons the show has lasted so long is its unique formula and ability to go anywhere. Not only can the TARDIS travel to different planets, but it can also go into the past and the future.
Since the show's revival in 2005, The Doctor and their companions have witnessed the final days of planet Earth and the end of the universe. Some of the best stories from New Who are those based in these futuristic settings.
Series 3, Episode 3 - "Gridlock"
Martha's first trip into the future sees her visiting New Earth. Just as Martha realizes The Doctor has taken her to the same place as Rose and tensions begin to rise between the two, she is kidnapped and taken onto the futuristic motorway.
Although her kidnappers don't have sinister intentions, she has no way back to The Doctor. The episode takes a dystopian look at traffic jams and is able to highlight the best of humanity by showing the engers coming together. The story also brilliantly sows the seeds for the finale with the Face of Boe's dying message foreshadowing The Master's return.
Series 1, Episode 2 - "The End Of The World"
Rose's first journey in the TARDIS is also New Who's first trip to the future, and she is thrown into the deep end. The Doctor takes her to Platform One in the year five billion where guests are gathering to watch the Earth burn.
Although the villain of the episode refers to herself as the last human, Cassandra is one the weirdest aliens from Doctor Who. While the Doctor's decision to show Rose her entire planet burning is somewhat questionable, the episode is a fun introduction to the more colorful elements of the show. The guests of Platform One are a weird and wonderful range of monsters and aliens which is a key component of the show going forward.
Series 5, Episode 4 & 5 - "The Time Of Angels/Flesh And Stone"
This two-part story from season 5 features the long-awaited return of one the best Doctor Who monsters, The Weeping Angels. Set in the 51st century, the story also features the return of River Song, The Doctor's on/off companion who appears out of order.
While the time period isn't particularly prominent in the story, The Weeping Angels are as terrifying as ever as they pursue The Doctor and friends. Amy's ordeal is particularly chilling to watch as she is forced to spend most of the story with her eyes closed. The crack-in-time story arc is also expertly woven into the second episode and, although little is known about it at this point, it acts as a solution for the big threat.
Series 9, Episode 3 & 4 - "Under The Lake/Before The Flood"
The story sees The Doctor and Clara arrive in an underwater mining facility in 2119 where the crew is being killed and then returning as murderous, hollow-eyed 'ghosts.'
One of the crew has prior knowledge of The Doctor and, as references to earlier eras are rare by this point in the show, it's refreshing for the story to mention past companions and storylines. The imagery of The Doctor as a 'ghost' is particularly memorable too and his explanation of the Bootstrap Paradox is a standout scene from New Who.
Series 2, Episode 8 & 9 - "The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit"
Towards the end of season 2, The Doctor and Rose arrive on a sanctuary base on a planet orbiting a black hole. The story introduces the now iconic Ood and is one of the most horror-esque stories from New Who. As the story progresses, The Ood are possessed by 'Satan' and begin killing the crew of the base.
After they lose the TARDIS, Rose is forced to contemplate a new life trapped in the future, which is a prospect that is rarely explored on the show. The story also brilliantly sets up the finale of the season as The Doctor and Rose are separated and The Beast warns that the latter will soon die in battle. Seeing Rose ultimately save the day as she disposes of the possessed Toby is a triumphant moment for New Who's original companion.
Series 4, Episode 8 & 9 - "Silence In The Library/The Forest Of The Dead"
The Doctor and Donna arrive on an abandoned library planet in the 51st century, and things soon take a sinister turn when a group of archaeologists arrives and begins to be killed by carnivorous shadows.
This is one of the best two-part Doctor Who stories and is relentlessly fast-paced and creepy. The mystery of River and Donna's parallel world in the story adds interesting levels to the main plot and the former's death is surprisingly heartbreaking considering this is her first appearance. The Vashta Nerada are a terrifying villain, effectively targeting people's real fears of the dark.
Series 4 Special - "The Waters Of Mars"
Another terrifying installment is "The Waters Of Mars," which is the Tenth Doctor's penultimate story. The Doctor arrives on Mars in 2059 where he encounters the first human colony. However, he soon realizes that he's stumbled upon a fixed point in time, and while the show has used this device to explain The Doctor's lack of interference in past events previously, it's interesting to see it touched upon in a future-set story.
Despite realizing he can't save anyone, The Doctor abandons his own principles and decides to interfere as the base is overtaken by a horrifying water-based virus. The episode brilliantly explores the nature of a Time Lord and shows a much darker and colder side of The Doctor.
Series 4, Episode 10 - "Midnight"
Much like with "The Waters of Mars," this episode acts as a character study of The Doctor and is one of the rare instances where he's without a companion. When the shuttle bus The Doctor is a enger on is targeted by an unseen entity, the other engers begin to turn against him, believing he is responsible for their ordeal.
"Midnight" is one of the scariest episodes from Doctor Who for a number of reasons. The episode features a small cast in a small space and the villain is simplistic and unseen, which makes the story all the more unnerving. Also, the show rarely sees The Doctor in a vulnerable position, whereas here he sparks suspicion and is in grave danger.
Series 3, Episode 11 - "Utopia"
The TARDIS travels to the end of the universe in its attempt to shake off Jack during this episode. While the main threat is the monstrous future-kind, another familiar enemy is hiding in plain sight in the guise of Professor Yana.
The reveal of Yana's fob-watch is a massive shock, and Derek Jacobi's performance as he switches from the kind Professor to the evil Master is captivating. The story explores several elements of the show's history while focusing on the final days of the universe in the far future, ending with the TARDIS trio in dire circumstances and leaving fans longing for the next installment.
Series 1, Episode 12 & 13 - "Bad Wolf/The Parting Of The Ways"
The finale of season 1 starts off as a fun satire of reality television but soon takes a dramatic turn when it's revealed people are being killed in the game shows. The moment when Rose is disintegrated is particularly shocking and it's followed by the huge reveal of The Dalek fleet.
The story resolves The Bad Wolf story arc that runs throughout the first season and shows how far Rose is prepared to go in order to stay with The Doctor. Many plot points that will be important for the show going forward are set up here, including Jack's later immortality. The story acts as an explosive finale while also showing a dark future for humanity.