If I were recommending a friend to watch Doctor Who for the first time, I’d have to think about which Doctor they would best accept and, also, which episode they would respond to best. After considering these two elements I chose the episode “Let’s Kill Hitler” in season 6. It has the best elements of the entire show encapsulated in one episode. The main subject of this episode is already a real historical and well-known person, too, so the viewer wouldn’t feel too confused in a show that can be disorienting at first.

First off, let’s talk about Matt Smith. This is the actor playing the eleventh Doctor and is the Doctor of season 6. He was the youngest doctor ever cast at 26 years old. Since I was really young when I started watching, I felt like that had an importance because the show didn’t feel like a show with a ton of history behind it, it felt like a new concept. He seemed relatable (or as relatable as a Time Lord can be). It felt like an exciting sci-fi show for young adults mostly, and this was based on all the main characters being in their twenties. In addition to his youthful energy, he has loads of charisma. This man has sass and class. He conveys a bright and deep spirit and it gives off a fun yet serious tone to his seasons. He is a very witty character, like many of the Doctors are, but he is lovable as well. He also has great chemistry with his partner and his love interest. He and Amy Pond, and separately he and River Song, just have this tangible connection. These two female characters are very different from each other so that’s a notable attribute and makes for beautiful, diverse relationships. Matt Smith is attention grabbing and is the regeneration I would choose to help introduce the show to someone unfamiliar with it.

Now for the episode I would choose, it is an interesting one. It is one that pops in my head as a varied episode full of drama, suspense, love, surprise, and heartbreak. It is a whammy of a choice because there is a huge development related to the whole show with Mels also being River Song. That itself can scramble someone’s brain, but I believe it would create a need for the new watcher to want to see more. They would wonder what is going on and need to see the next episode or the previous ones. Most importantly, however, the reason I chose this episode is because it contains Hitler. This is a notorious man who needs no backstory for most viewers. They have been well versed with that history lesson, I’m sure, and I’m also sure they have said they would go back in time and kill Hitler if they could. Now, this is the first episode of Part 2 of the season, which picks up with a bang! Them already knowing about Hitler could make them partially connected to the story and Mels clearly explains her intentions for going back to that time in the beginning. This episode is one of the clearer ones of the show with its content. I don‘t think the viewer would be too confused. Then there is drama because River Song is trying to kill the Doctor and Mels keeps making everyone do as she wants. The comedy comes in with poking fun at Hitler and them accidentally saving him. That’s not even getting to the meat of it! There is so much to this episode that makes it great and is the one to start off a future fan with.

This person would, of course, need to see the little recap they do at the beginning of shows to understand going into it that Mels is River Song and also Melody Pond. You, as their friend, may need to reiterate this at the end to emphasize how cool that twist is. It also gives them an insight into the regeneration trope used throughout the show, when Mels transforms into River Song. If you don’t worry about them, understand the premise, at least of this Doctor, all you have to do is tell them to pay attention to the intro! It does well at explaining Amy and the Doctor’s relationship/history and some of the workings of Doctor Who in general. This is a great show from almost any Doctor you choose and I think if you are a fan, you should introduce as many friends as possible to it because it’s such a well-rounded show.