Starting back in 2006 with the episode that reintroduced Sarah Jane Smith, and then returning under Steven Moffat, Toby Whithouse has become a regular fixture in the line-up of modern Doctor Who writers.
Often touted by fans as a potential successor, much in the way that Moffat himself was during Russell T Davies’ tenure as head writer, Whithouse has also been incredibly busy with his own projects, creating fantasy drama Being Human for BBC Three as well as BBC Two’s recent Cold War spy thriller, The Game.
Returning to the TARDIS again this month with ‘Under the Lake’ and ‘Before the Flood’, here’s our rundown of Toby Whithouse’s episodes Doctor Who episodes so far…
4. ‘A Town Called Mercy’ (2012)
Bringing the Doctor, Amy and Rory to the Wild West in their final run of stories, ‘A Town Called Mercy’ saw the Time Lord turn Sherriff and tackle a moral dilemma… although not before there had been a few cowboy style shenanigans.
With a lone Cyborg laying siege to the town of Mercy, it was up to the Doctor to decide if its prey, the surgeon responsible for the creature’s creation, deserves his help or whether he should be left to his fate at the hands of his own creation.
3. ‘The Vampires of Venice’ (2010)
Rory Williams’ first trip in the TARDIS, concocted in an effort to keep his relationship with Amy alive, brought the time travellers to Venice, 1580. Finding the city under quarantine, the Doctor soon becomes involved in the plight of a gondolier whose daughter has been enrolled in the school of the mysterious Signora Calvierri.
A great story with a traditional feel, as well as pushing the ‘cracks in time’ arc along too, ‘The Vampires of Venice’ offers plenty for new companion Rory to do as he gets used to travelling with the Doctor, and it provides a superb villain in Rosanna Calvierri, played to perfection by Helen McCory.
2. ‘The God Complex’ (2011)
Providing its own very special sense of odd, by ostensibly being set in a 1980s hotel in space, ‘The God Complex’ saw the TARDIS travellers and an assortment of guests menaced by a Minotaur and facing their greatest fears.
Introducing a terrific cast of guest characters, including Amara Karan’s Rita (who was perfectly constructed as companion material), the show dealt with the issue of Amy’s faith in the Doctor and his fears for her safety if they continued to travel together.
1. School Reunion’ (2006)
For his first, and in our opinion best, Doctor Who script Whithouse was tasked with reuniting the Doctor with his former travelling companion, the beloved Sarah Jane Smith.
Truly bridging the gap between the old and the new, Rose and Sarah memorably failed to hit it off with some superbly competitive scenes until they became friends.
As well bringing Sarah and K-9 to a new generation of fans, and revelling in the fun of having the Doctor and Rose undercover at a school, ‘School Reunion’ again provided a terrifically strong villain in Brother Lassar (Merlin star Anthony Head), leader of the bat-like Krillitane.
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Which Toby Whithouse episode is your favourite? Let us know below…