All 9 Physician-Lite Episodes In Physician Who, Ranked Worst To Finest

Physician Who‘s trendy period consists of some Physician-Lite episodes, tales wherein the Physician is primarily absent on display, and a few are higher than others. Traditional-era Physician Who doesn’t typically include episodes or serials the place the Physician is notably lacking, however for the reason that present’s 2005 reboot, there at the moment are a number of. The newest Physician-Lite episode, “73 Yards,” comprises fairly a number of members of the Physician Who season 14 forged, besides Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Physician.

Physician-Lite episodes all lack the Time Lord however differ by way of storyline and characters. Some Physician-Lite episodes are led by a companion, whereas others introduce a brand new face with little or no prior connection to them. Sometimes, like in “73 Yards,” Physician Who’s UNIT makes an look, too. Though an episode with out the enduring Time Lord appears uncommon, a number of the biggest Physician Who tales of all time are Physician-Lite episodes.

Associated

Why Ncuti Gatwa’s Physician Was Lacking In Physician Who Season 14, Episode 4 Defined By Showrunner RTD

Russell T Davies explains how Physician Who season 14 episode 4, “73 Yards,” was filmed with minimal involvement by present Physician Ncuti Gatwa.

9 Close to Physician-Lite Episode – Father’s Day

Season 1, Episode 8

There are a number of episodes in Physician Who’s trendy period which are near being Physician-Lite episodes however, realistically, aren’t. The season 1 episode “Father’s Day” is taken into account one by Ninth Physician actor Christopher Eccleston on the FanExpo in Boston, for instance. The story of “Father’s Day” is motivated by Rose’s must see her dad on the day of his demise, and she or he will get caught up within the emotion of the state of affairs.

Within the latter half of the episode, the Physician is snatched by a Reaper, a creature that types due to Rose’s paradox. Regardless of the Physician’s absence, he’s nonetheless very current within the episode. The Time Lord teaches Rose the risks of fixing historical past, however she persists anyway.

8 Close to Physician-Lite Episode – Extremis

Season 10, Episode 6

The season 10 episode “Extremis” is one other episode that’s near being Physician-Lite however isn’t. The story is advised throughout two totally different narratives, one actual and one digital. Nevertheless, the Physician’s simulation continues to be the Time Lord.

The just about simulated Physician shares the identical reminiscences as his counterpart and, as an ideal duplicate, believes himself to be actual. Despite the fact that he holds the identical persona because the Physician, it’s not his actual physique. Due to this fact, “Extremis” isn’t fairly a Physician-Lite episode, because the Physician’s thoughts is at all times current.

7 Close to Physician-Lite Episode – The Lady Who Waited

Season 6, Episode 10

Season 6’s “The Lady Who Waited” has much less of the Eleventh Physician than different episodes. The storyline primarily focuses on Amy and her emotions about her relationship with Rory, together with her lastly understanding what the 2000 years he spends ready for her appears like. Nevertheless, the Physician continues to be an important issue within the narrative pushing ahead.

With out the Physician, Rory is unlikely to get very far into the Apalapucian establishment and save his spouse, whose timeline is rushing alongside a lot faster than theirs. A majority of the runtime is devoted to Amy rising previous by herself, however Rory and the Physician are at all times shut behind. Regardless of “The Lady Who Waited” having much less Physician in it than different episodes, he’s too current for it to be thought-about a Physician-Lite episode.

6 Love & Monsters

Season 2, Episode 10

The season 2 episode “Love & Monsters” is among the most famed episodes of Physician Who. The episode focuses on Jackie Tyler greater than anybody else but in addition introduces one-time protagonist Elton, a member of LINDA. Whereas it’s typically thought-about one of many present’s worst episodes, “Love & Monsters” does have some optimistic qualities. For instance, the combination of a few of Murray Gold’s finest songs and common tracks from the likes of ELO is especially sturdy.

Sadly, “Love & Monsters” fails to recreate the identical heat the remainder of the season possesses. The sudden leap right into a mockumentary format feels off, and there isn’t a lot of a story to comply with. The one fascinating a part of the story is Elton and his previous interplay with the Tenth Physician as a baby, which is simply resolved in the previous couple of minutes of the episode.

Peter Kay’s Victor Kennedy additionally lacks the identical humor the hit British comic is understood for, and the character doesn’t current the identical stage of risk as a typical Physician Who villain. Kennedy’s transformation into the Abzorbaloff is one thing the episode regularly faces criticism for. The creature’s design is the results of a Blue Peter competitors, and whereas it’s an fascinating idea, the execution is just ridiculous and holds no actual concern.

5 Flatline

Season 8, Episode 9

The season 8 episode “Flatline” does embody the Twelfth Physician, however as a result of he’s unable to flee his shrunken TARDIS, Clara is compelled to tackle his function within the universe. Whereas some don’t take into account “Flatline” to be a Physician-Lite episode, it technically is. The Physician’s presence is minimal, and his companion is the one to push the narrative ahead. All through the episode, Clara makes an attempt to unravel a thriller involving lacking folks and unusual native murals, all whereas the Physician converses together with her by an earpiece.

This results in some hilarious interactions between the 2, with Clara introducing herself as “the Physician” and mocking his alien conduct whereas nonetheless attempting to avoid wasting the day. Whereas the Physician does attempt to assist the place he can, Clara makes a lot of the artistic options, and she or he is the one who actually does the heavy work. For instance, within the climax of the episode, Clara comes up with a plan to reroute vitality to the TARDIS in order that the Physician can escape.

General, “Flatline” is an fulfilling episode, however sadly, it’s not as Physician-Lite as different adventures within the class. The Physician’s recommendation all through is useful to her, however Clara is simply basically utilizing her expertise touring with the Time Lord to the perfect of her capability. Clara isn’t a brand new, wide-eyed protagonist thrown right into a scary and unrecognizable world, which is a crucial ingredient in a Physician-Lite episode, albeit not important.

4 Dot And Bubble

Season 14, Episode 6

The season 14 episode “Dot and Bubble” could be thought-about each a Physician-Lite and Companion-Lite episode of Physician Who. The episode follows a captivating world that’s just like that of a Black Mirror story, with the Physician and Ruby chiming in by the mysterious “dot” to talk with Lindy and her mates. Lindy’s journey as she escapes beneath town is tense, no less than till she crosses paths with pop star Ricky September.

In contrast to different episodes like these, one core distinction is that Lindy is an unlikeable character. Earlier one-time lead characters in Physician-Lite episodes are sometimes courageous and throw themselves into the Physician’s harmful world. Nevertheless, Lindy isn’t as enthusiastic however finally trusts the Physician and Ruby. Sadly, she’s fairly impolite to the pair when she lastly meets them in particular person and lies about sacrificing Ricky to her “dot” to avoid wasting her personal life.

Though the Physician and Ruby don’t seem bodily on display till the tip of the episode, their function in Lindy’s survival by her “dot” is crucial. Nevertheless, she turns them down when the Physician presents to take her someplace safer, leading to a heartbreaking second for the Time Lord, who breaks down at her determination. Sadly, “Dot and Bubble” lacks a lot of a conclusion, as Lindy’s destiny as she sails away together with her mates is left unsure.

3 Flip Left

Season 4, Episode 11

The season 4 episode “Flip Left” is a perfect instance of a Physician-Lite episode, because the story is pushed by a companion with zero affect from the Physician. In “Flip Left,” the universe modifications utterly when Donna is manipulated by a fortune teller, making the human girl change the course of historical past by driving within the improper path. This small distinction in journey plans triggers a series of occasions that impacts a number of storylines all through seasons 3 and 4.

As a result of Donna doesn’t save the Physician in “The Runaway Bride,” he dies beneath the Thames, and the entire universe suffers for it. The unaware Donna loses mates of the Physician’s whom she by no means acquired to fulfill and causes deaths that by no means initially occurred. Because the Physician is gone, Martha dies on the Moon, together with Sarah Jane, who isn’t part of the episode “Smith and Jones.” Whereas heartbreaking, this episode amazingly highlights the affect of the Physician’s allies after leaving the TARDIS.

“Flip Left” famously consists of the official return of Rose Tyler, who fills the function of the Physician in a singular method that’s nonetheless very a lot her character. Rose by no means hesitates to confess that she doesn’t know what she is doing, however all of her selections are made based mostly on the Physician’s pondering. This episode is the proper instance to argue that companions can simply save the universe with out the Time Lord. Though numerous Donna’s actions are due to Rose, she additionally leads together with her intestine intuition.

2 73 Yards

Season 14, Episode 4

The Physician Who season 14 episode “73 Yards” initially begins with the Physician, however he magically disappears earlier than the two-minute runtime. Whereas there are many episodes the place the companion has to take the reins, it has by no means occurred to 1 so early of their travels aboard the TARDIS, particularly with zero Physician in any respect. The enigmatic story of Mad Jack and him turning into Prime Minister makes use of sure parts of an up-to-date retelling of Martha Jones’ season 3 finale storyline from her standpoint. Nevertheless, Ruby doesn’t have a lot of a plan till the second half of the episode.

“73 Yards” is a narrative about Ruby Sunday in a single lifetime and the way the “butterfly impact” can change an individual’s timeline instantly. With the Physician gone, Ruby is adopted by a mysterious girl who scares off everybody who approaches her. Ruby’s journey all through the episode depends not a lot on her companion abilities however her persistence and resilience. Nevertheless, in contrast to most Physician Who tales, this episode doesn’t get a lot of a logical conclusion due to its concentrate on the supernatural.

Ruby Sunday’s timeline in “73 Yards” brings her to cease Mad Jack and develop previous. In her final moments, Ruby stops her former self from the start of the episode from making the step that causes the entire timeline. Whereas little or no is understood about this episode’s villain, it proves that Physician Who’s characters are fascinating sufficient by themselves to push a story like this. In contrast to different Physician-Lite episodes, Ruby doesn’t turn out to be the Physician and is simply her, and that’s sufficient to maintain it fascinating. “73 Yards” is Physician-Lite, if not Physician-None, however it’s undoubtedly a Ruby episode.

1 Blink

Season 3, Episode 10

The season 3 episode “Blink” completely encapsulates what a Physician-Lite and Companion-Lite episode is, and it additionally marks the start of the time period. In an interview for Physician Who Journal, Steven Moffat refers to “Blink” as a “low-cost, no CGI, Physician-lite episode.” Whereas such episodes are featured in earlier seasons of Physician Who, that is the primary occasion that any person put the idea into phrases. “Blink” sees the unbelievable Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow, the primary character for certainly one of Steven Moffat’s finest Physician Who episodes, and her troubles speaking with the Physician and Martha.

“Blink” can also be the primary look of the iconic Physician Who villains: the Weeping Angels. The Weeping Angels go on to be probably the most terrifying monsters of the present due to their easy design and ruthless killing strategies. By sending their victims again in time and forcing them to reside out their days exterior of their unique timeline, the Angels handle to be merciless and ostracizing on the similar time. Contemplating that numerous Physician-Lite episodes don’t embody such an enormous risk, it’s spectacular that Sally finds a strategy to contact the Physician within the Sixties.

Nevertheless, the communication between the pair throughout two time intervals is among the most spectacular issues concerning the episode. Moffat is commonly praised for a way clever this storyline is and for the general characterization of Sally. Sally is scared however courageous and doesn’t hesitate to throw herself into serving to the Physician, particularly as she is looking for solutions about her personal family members. Sally is a one-time lead that Physician Who audiences are determined to see return to the present, particularly as a result of “Blink” units her as much as be a super companion or perhaps a doable persona for a future Physician.

Physician Who

Initially premiered in 1963, Physician Who’s a sci-fi collection that follows a robust being referred to as a Time Lord, known as the Physician. Utilizing an interdimensional time-traveling ship referred to as the TARDIS, the Physician travels time and area with numerous companions as they remedy a number of issues and assist avert disaster as a lot as they nearly trigger it. Although the Physician is at all times the identical character, they expertise regenerations, permitting them to be recast each few seasons as a singular immortal being with new persona traits.

Launch Date

November 23, 1963

Seasons

14

Writers

Mark Gatiss , Toby Whithouse , Neil Cross , Steven Moffat , Chris Chibnall