176B. (2.6) The Age of Steel

Jackie is captured and converted into a Cyberman. Mickey's twin Ricky is killed. Mr. Loomis is converted into the Cyber Controller. And Mickey decides to leave the Doctor and Rose and stay in this universe. This story ups the ante and we see people we've grown to care about die. The concept of loosing ones humanity and being converted into a Cyberman is shown in terrifying detail. But it's the emotional impact of Mickey leaving, because he'll never be to Rose what the Doctor is to her, packs another emotional punch we didn't see coming. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Steel

176A. (2.5) Rise of the Cybermen

Parallel Earths. Pete's alive. Jackie's a biatch. Rose is a dog. And there are TWO Mickeys! But best of all, this story brings back to nuWho the second most famous monster- the Cybermen! And they return in style with panache! While not the Cybermen of our universe, these new Cybermen pay homage to the originals and live up to their legacy and then some. Just as terrifying and just as emotionless, this story firmly re-establishes their place behind the Daleks. This time we're giving a mad man in a wheel chair as the creator of the Cybermen, to upgrade the human race. The return of Rose's dad from the dead is also a brilliant twist. The cliff hanger of an army of Cybermen marching towards the Doctor is thrilling!

TO BE CONTINUED!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Cybermen

175. (2.4) The Girl in the Fireplace

Steven Moffat contributes one of the most heart breaking stories ever and lays the seeds for this tenure as Executive Director. The Doctor's relationship with Renette a/k/a Madame de Pompadour over the course of her life is touching and beautiful. The promise of her becoming as companion is too alluring, too tempting, too much to dare to hope for. Her ability to touch his mind in a way that Rose opens the Doctor up in a way we hadn't seen before and shows his hearts in a different light. The final moments of the story, when the Doctor arrives just a few moments too late so see Renette leave in her  casket for Paris, me make me cry every time. Her final words to the Doctor in a letter are tear us apart and we will always remember Renette.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_in_the_Fireplace

174. (2.3) School Reunion

Sarah Jane Smith. You don't need to say anything else. She's a legendary character played by a legendary actress, Elizabeth Sladen. This episode finally connected the nuWho with classic Who is a beautiful way and returned to the screen a beautiful woman. Considered pretty much the best companion of the classic series and possible all of Doctor Who, Sarah Jane owns this story. Her reunion with the Doctor is heart breaking and elating at the same time. Her banter with Rose is classic and her fostering of Mickey is lovely. And we can't forget about the return of K-9!

Of course this story relaunched Elizabeth's career as Sarah Jane, spinning her off into her own series of adventures with young companions, aliens threats, a new K-9, an adopted son and an adopted daughter. She was even reunited with the Brigadier, Jo Grant, the 10th Doctor and the 11th Doctor. It was the most amazing time and reminded us of how much we loved Sarah Jane and Elizabeth. When Elizabeth died of cancer, our hearts broke. We would see no more of her beautiful face on our screens, giving us the best of times, but we learned to cherish every second of screen time we had been blessed with for over 40 years. We will always love you Sarah Jane and Elizabeth!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_Reunion_(Doctor_Who)

173. (2.2) Tooth and Claw

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Literally! Besides an actual werewolf, there are ninja monks, Torchwood castle, Scottish Mounties and Queen Victoria. The celebrity historical has now become an annual event with famous actors playing famous historical figures. It's a lovely new tradition. This story picks up the Torchwood thread from the Christmas Invasion and propels it forward quite a bit. The story also shows the amount of fun and enjoyment the 10th Doctor and Rose has traveling together. Their bet to get Queen Victoria to say "I am not amused" is quite amusing. Their knighthood and exile from the UK at the conclusion is a bit confusing but the Queen's final decree that the Torchwood Institute's charter is to fight the Doctor is an ironic twist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_and_Claw_(Doctor_Who)

172. (2.1) New Earth

New Earth! New Doctor! Same old Rose! For the 10th Doctor's first run, he is confronted by old enemy  (last season at least) Lady Cassandra. The story is a very cute buddy movie with the new Doctor and ole Rose bonding anew with kisses abound. We also see the Face of Boe, from the End of the World, with a cryptic message for the Doctor.

I actually think this is one of the weaker stories of the season but it's good to give the 10th Doctor some familiar people to play with and somewhat familiar territory. The poignant ending of Lady Cassandra packs some RTD emotion that will drench the rest of Tennant's tenure. And we're off to the races!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Earth

171. (2.X) The Christmas Invasion

Barcelona!

After a fantastic first season back on television with Christopher Eccleston driving the show to new heights of success, the Doctor regenerates into his 10 persona in the guise of David Tennant. And starting a new tradition, we're introduced to this new Doctor in the first Christmas special. Of course the Doctor is in a coma for the first half of the episode! But by the time he wakes up, we're more than ready for him to take the reigns and drive this ship. Tennant grabs the roles with both hands and doesn't let go. In classic Doctor fashion, he defeats an alien invasion in his pajamas, deposes the English government, and finds a new outfit for Christmas dinner. 

But for the first half hour, Rose carries the show exploring the effect of the Doctor's regeneration on his companion and their family. The new family of Rose, Jackie and Mickey provide a safe haven for our recovering Doctor and elevates her relationship with him. Knowing how the 10th Doctor ends, it is very sweet to see the Doctor and Rose's relationship reborn here. This story is filled with so much promise and a great beginning to one of the best Doctor's ever!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Christmas_Invasion