In late 2009, an era of sci-fi series Doctor Who was on the verge of ending. Showrunner Russell Davies was concluding his four-season stint and beloved David Tennant, who played the Tenth iteration of the time-traveling alien, was leaving with him. In a critical decision, new helmer Steven Moffat chose Matt Smith, the youngest actor in the series’ history, to portray the Eleventh Doctor.
The impressive three-season run featured timey-wimey storytelling, shocking revelations, and feisty companions. At the center of it all was Smith, who became a fan favorite for his captivating performance. With Smith’s debut just past its tenth anniversary, let’s take a look back at his run. Here are the ten best moments of the Eleventh Doctor. Full spoilers are below.
Showing His Layers
Just one episode after his joyous debut, season five’s “The Beast Below” sees Eleven and companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) board the Starship UK, a city-sized spaceship carrying UK artifacts and people. Eventually, they discover a Star Whale is forced to transport the ship via electric shocks. Presented with difficult decisions, the Doctor chooses to make the creature brain-dead.
While the episode received mixed reviews, it gave viewers the first glimpse of another side of Eleven. The Doctor’s emotional outburst after declaring his intentions was a reminder of the ancient Time Lord’s numerous layers. Eleven is playful, but he doesn’t joke around when it comes to helping others.
Planning His Own Death
With regenerations to save the day, the Doctor’s mortality isn’t a focus until season six opener, “The Impossible Astronaut.” In the opening minutes, the Doctor is killed in front of Amy, Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill), and River Song (Alex Kingston). The companions discover the slain individual was the future version of their Doctor, which kicks off a season-long story arc of Eleven exploring mortality.
In the season finale “The Wedding of River Song,” the Doctor miniaturizes himself inside a shape-shifting android and uses the replica to stage his death. Since the event always happened, he not only saves himself but follows the rules of time travel. Typical heroes may have traits like physical strength, but the Doctor prefers his mind to find another way forward, even if unavoidable death is in front of him.
Convincing Clara To Join Him
Despite a depressive spell due to the recent deaths of Amy and Rory, the Doctor shows he would endure in season seven’s “The Bells of Saint John.” In the episode, the Doctor encounters Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) for a third time after seeing two iterations of her die earlier in the season. Intrigued, the Doctor convinces Clara to travel with him.
Over 1000 years old, the Doctor has suffered a lot of heartbreak. Eleven can easily be a cynical loner but he understands the importance of good company. His desire to travel with Clara is a testament to his perseverance. There’s also the interest in Clara’s seemingly multiple lives – evidence of his never-ending curiosity as an adventurer.
Looping Around To Save The Universe
In the two-part season five finale “The Pandorica Opens” and “The Big Bang,” Moffat embraces the idea that time travel can be incredibly complicated. With the Doctor imprisoned and the universe ending, Rory is visited by a future Doctor who helps free his present self. Freed, the Doctor attempts to fix the universe while using a vortex manipulator to ensure he is rescued in the first place.
Carried by Smith’s manic performance, the quick time jumps are satisfying to watch as events are looped with each other. Despite the chaos of everything, the Doctor shows his resourcefulness and quick-wittedness at solving multiple problems at the same time. The two-part story also introduced Eleven’s fez hat – a notable item from his run.
Saving Amy And Rory
In season six’s “The God Complex,” Moffat explores how the Doctor values his companions more than himself. After a close call, the Doctor realizes Amy’s irrational devotion to him is too dangerous. He drops Amy and Rory at their home and says goodbye to keep them safe.
Despite the many companions he’s had, the constantly traveling Time Lord is fundamentally a lonely character. Cursed with seeing so many friends pass, the Doctor makes a decision that isolates himself yet again but protects the couple. While Amy and Rory end up traveling with the Doctor again, his willingness to put others before himself was always an admirable trait.
Showdown With The Weeping Angels
Introduced in the Moffat-written episode, “Blink,” the Weeping Angels are predatory creatures that take the form of human-like stone statues. They can send individuals back decades in time and move only when not looked at. The rule is the crux of season five’s “The Time of Angels,” the first episode of Smith’s run featuring the fearsome monsters.
Trapped in a cave with advancing Weeping Angels, the Doctor destroys the gravity globe that is illuminating the area and keeping the characters grounded. While dangerously allowing the creatures to close in, the action also sends him and his companions flying to the ceiling. Combined with his warning speech to them, the scene is one of Eleven’s boldest moments.
Warning The Atraxi
Arguably one of the best Doctor Who introduction episodes, season five’s “The Eleventh Hour” debuts Eleven in spectacular fashion. Landing in an English village, the Doctor encounters Prisoner Zero, a shape-shifting alien who has escaped from an Atraxi prison. The Atraxi threatens to destroy the planet if it isn’t turned in, which the Doctor confronts them about.
Since regeneration results in a different Doctor personality-wise, a Doctor’s first episode is always a big question. In his first speech, Eleven reassures fans by oozing confidence and authority in his polite but stern warning to the Atraxi. There’s also a holographic recap of previous Doctors before revealing Eleven in his new costume – a perfect introduction to him and Doctor Who in general.
Saying Goodbye
Introduced to deal with departing actors, a Doctor’s regeneration is one of the most difficult staples for fans. In the Christmas Special “The Time of the Doctor,” the Doctor faces the impending change after spending 900 years defending the planet Trenzalore from various aliens. Given a new regeneration cycle, Eleven starts the process.
In his final moment, Smith delivers one of Eleven’s best speeches. Featuring a message of embracing change, Eleven reminds viewers how he always supported what was right, no matter how tough. The poignant scene is enhanced by Eleven’s vision of the late Amy, who greets the Doctor shortly before he regenerates.
Partnering With Two Doctors
Considering Smith and Tennant play the same character from different points of his life, the idea of them meeting is a bit tricky. But after much fan desire, the two Doctors meet in the 50th Anniversary Special, “The Day of the Doctor.” Working with a secret incarnation, the War Doctor (John Hurt), the trio attempt to save their homeworld of Gallifrey from destruction.
As expected, the three iterations bounce off each other as personal TARDIS designs are compared, sonic screwdrivers are mocked, and quips are exchanged. Each Doctor has their moment but the most critical one belongs to Eleven. Oldest and wisest, he is the one who listens to Clara and convinces the other two to save Gallifrey.
Unveiling The TARDIS
Used by the Doctor and his companions to travel through time and space, the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) serves as a constant on a journey with many variables. Appreciating the importance of the TARDIS’ reveal, Moffat saves it for the end of “The Eleventh Hour.“After crash landing on Earth, the iconic police box repairs itself and is ready to be boarded.
Convincing a reluctant companion to join him requires some charm and Eleven displays it abundantly in his best moment. Unveiling the new TARDIS design to Amy, Eleven doesn’t just persuade her to travel with him, but audiences too. Elevated by composer Murray Gold’s whimsical score, the moment easily defines what Doctor Who is about: accepting the call to wondrous adventure.
