Ranking every episode from Doctor Who season one (2024)

5. Rogue

“Rogue” is one of those fun episodes that is incredibly concept-forward. While the Doctor and Ruby were playing real-world Bridgerton, they found themselves in the midst of a murder mystery with an enigmatic bounty hunter and a collection of cosplaying aliens. While the episode has a somewhat meandering pace for much of its run, it succeeded in raising the stakes at the end and tugging at the audience’s emotions.

Fans were torn on whether this was a standout episode or simply an enjoyable filler episode, but either way, it was a good time. It brought back a lot of the humor that fans have been missing and gave the Doctor and Ruby the chance to show who they are on their own. Ruby’s empathy was a highlight of her plotline, while the Doctor got to be swept off his feet.

Perhaps the biggest controversy for the episode came from the Doctor’s romantic plotline. While there are fans who disliked the LGBT+ representation, the bigger concern was that the Doctor seemed so attached to Rogue, only to give up on the idea of finding him immediately.

Fans have long warred over whether the Doctor can (or should) have romantic relationships with those much younger and less experienced than him, but there was never much doubt that the Doctor would burn the universe for those they loved. It’s hard to believe the Doctor would so quickly abandon Rose, River, or Yasmin that way, so why would he do it here?