Due to the fact that Doctor Who is one of the longest-running sci-fi series of all time, the show has obviously had several highs, lows, and forgettable seasons altogether. For fans of the show, or even potential future fans who are thinking of watching the series, it is important to know which seasons are vital in the show's canon and which are best avoided in order to save time. With Doctor Who, this is even more important because there are over 38 seasons of the beloved science-fiction drama.
This article will list five seasons of Doctor Who you should watch and five you should skip.
Watch: Season 5 (Revival)
The fifth season of Doctor Who was monumental in the show's history. Not only was it Matt Smith's first season in the TARDIS, but it was also the first season after the revival with Steven Moffat replacing Russell T Davies as showrunner.
The season established one of the most compelling series arcs of all time, with the fresh-faced young Doctor having to contend with cracks in the universe and the phrase "silence will fall" following him across space and time.
Skip: Season 11 (Revival)
Season 11 is undoubtedly one of the most important in the show's history, acting as the start of the Chris Chibnall era and the introduction of the first female Doctor. While it is important to watch the first episode in the season for these reasons, several episodes in the show are skippable due to the lack of an overarching story arc.
Season 11 is largely like an island in its relation to the wider Doctor Who canon as nothing really occurred that changed or impacted the future of the series.
Watch: Season 13 (Classic)
Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor is one of the most popular of all time, with Baker continuing in the titular role of the Doctor for almost seven years, resulting in several iconic stories.
While fans are often torn between season 13 and 14 of the show, this entry has opted for season 13 as season 14 features a horrifically racist interpretation of Chinese people.
Skip: Season 23 (Classic)
The Colin Baker era of Doctor Who is one of the least popular runs in the show's history. Fans disliked the character of the Sixth Doctor almost immediately after the Time Lord stood up after regenerating and started to strangle his companion, trying to kill her in the process.
It's important to say that this is not Colin Baker's fault at all; the writing during his run was indicative of a decline in the show's overall quality that would continue through the Sylvester McCoy era, leading to the show's eventual hiatus in 1989.
Watch: Season 1 (Revival)
The first season in the revival is unmissable due to the fact that it helped introduce a whole new generation to the Doctor, laying the groundwork for plot threads that would continue to be important throughout the revival, such as the Time War, Bad Wolf, and the return of the Daleks.
It's a shame that Christopher Eccleston didn't continue in the role of the Ninth Doctor as he has proved to be one of the most popular incarnations of the Doctor ever.
Skip: Season 24 (Classic)
Sylvester McCoy was the Seventh Doctor, and portrayed the Time Lord for just over two years before the show, due to poor reviews and ratings, was placed on an indefinite hiatus. It wouldn't return as a full series until Russell T Davies revived the series in 2005.
Again, much like the Colin Baker era, Sylvester McCoy's time in the TARDIS was hampered by both poor writing and a disliked companion in the form of Mel.
Watch: Season 3 (Revival)
The third season of Doctor Who after the revival was one of the most memorable and important in the show's history. Aside from Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) making history as the Doctor's first black companion, the season also included the return of the Master, Captain Jack Harkness, and the Daleks.
In addition to the return of the Master and the Harold Saxon storyline, the series also features some of the greatest Doctor Who stories of all time including "Blink," "Human Nature," and "The Family of Blood."
Skip: Season 22 (Classic)
Much like the other Colin Baker season already featured on this list, this season was a collection highs and lows, though with far more lows than highs. While the series should be praised for its prediction of reality TV in its story "Vengeance on Varos," there were several irredeemable features.
Storylines such as "Timelash" were dull and overly complicated, making the story more of a chore to watch than an actual entertaining activity.
Watch: Season 2 (Revival)
Season 2 may be the most iconic season of Doctor Who to date. The season stars both the iconic Tenth Doctor and the incredibly popular Rose Tyler in what would ultimately become her final season. While the season includes terrible episodes such as "Fear Her" and "Love and Monsters," the impact of this season on the Doctor stays with him throughout his Tenth incarnation, making it a vital watch.
Furthermore, this season also introduces the Cybermen to the modern revival of Doctor Who, giving them a new backstory for a new generation and even having the Cybermen face off against the Daleks in the thrilling season finale.
Skip: Season 26 (Classic)
This season would ultimately be the last in the classic era of Doctor Who, and it was a real shame that the show failed to make much of an impact with its final season, though this would be indicative of the eventual hiatus that Doctor Who would experience until 2005.
While this season did build on the relationship between the Seventh Doctor and Ace, there was very little in of compelling story that makes this season worth watching, aside from the fact that it was the final season in the classic era.