Fifty Doctor Who multi-era fanfic recommendations

[ghost2]

Here are 50 multi-era Doctor Who fanfic recommendations, which I compiled using the prompts table from rec50.

(I added another recs list here, if anyone wants to check it out.)



ETA: If you actually read this post, can you please take a few seconds to let me know?


Most Who recs lists I've seen are primarily (or entirely) composed of Nine and Ten fic, and give far too little notice to the great fanfic for the classic series. So when I signed up for rec50, I decided to go multi-era. Fifty recs and 10 Doctors would obviously indicate five recs per Doctor, but except for five "reccer's choice" slots I had to match each story to a particular prompt. Not quite as easy as it first sounded. So a few eras ended up a little on the short side, with four recs each, and a few did a bit better than five recs each. On the whole, though, the list is pretty balanced and the important thing is that all the stories are good and matched my prompts at least reasonably well. (And here are the prompts, if you're curious: table.)


Multi-Doctor stories
Title: Fear and Freedom, Part One and Part Two | Author: ponygirl72 | Rating: PG-13
Summary: It's a government out of control, and the Sixth Doctor has dropped them right in the middle of it, as usual. But they are not alone, and their new allies have familiar faces...
Comment: It's got One interacting with Evelyn, and Six interacting with Susan, and Ian and Barbara are there, too. All good stuff.

Title: Well, That Shouldn't Have Happened | Author: aces | Rating: G
Summary: The Fourth and Fifth Doctors meet. Petty arguments about screwdrivers and yo-yos ensue.
Comment: Could I resist a story featuring my two favorite Doctors? Absolutely not.


First era/companions
Title: Closed Circle | Author: calapine | Rating: PG
Summary: A junkyard and a goodbye and everything starts again.
Comment: It's One/Rose. Such a pairing should not be passed up.

Title: Homecoming (Alternate link) | Author: Kazzy | Rating: PG
Summary: They’ve left the Doctor, but in many ways they’re coming home to a world that is as foreign as any they’ve been to yet. It’s not easy to pick up the life you left behind.
Comment: This lovely Barbara/Ian story strikes just the right tone.

Title: Love's Cocoa | Author: The Secretive Bus | Rating: G
Summary: Cameca had loved the Doctor. If only he'd loved her back...
Comment: At the end of The Aztecs, the Doctor left. Here's the aftermath of his departure, a touching piece from Cameca's viewpoint.

Title: That First Night | Author: whispersecho | Rating: G
Summary: Sometimes a thing becomes so familiar you don't notice it until it's missing.
Comment: This bittersweet story focuses on Susan's first night alone after the Doctor has left her behind. The author nicely captures her sense of loss.

Title: Theft | Author: agent compassion | Rating: G
Summary: Just what exactly did the Doctor mean when he said 'I was a dad once?'
Comment: The language is gorgeous in this story that addresses the Doctor's relationships with his wife, his daughter, and Susan.


Second era/companions
Title: Dinner for Two | Author: uktechgirl | Rating: G
Summary: The Doctor takes Jamie out for dinner.
Comment: This story is a fun look at an outsider's point of view as he observes the Doctor and Jamie in a restaurant.

Title: End of Devils | Author: Sheila Adamson | Rating: G
Summary: Ben and Polly take a short break in the picturesque village of Devil's End.
Comment: In this sweet story, Ben and Polly have returned to "ordinary" life and are married, have a family, and are on holiday in a village. Polly, though, can't help thinking about their time with the Doctor and how it's affected her perception of events.

Title: Problem Child | Author: dblauvelt | Rating: PG
Summary: Returning Jamie and Zoe to their own time lines is harder than it first seems...
Comment: This hilarious story focuses on Zoe, who seldom appears in fanfic.

Title: Simple Music | Author: Carmen Sandiego (calapine) | Rating: G
Summary: dw100: Love challenge response. Two and his recorder.
Comment: An engaging drabble that sheds some light on Two.


Third era/companions
Title: Come Back To Tell You All (I Shall Tell You All) | Author: amberite | Rating: R
Summary: An overview of the Third Doctor's life, around the themes of his traumatic exile and his fashion sense. Some slash, adult content, but it's really more of a character study.
Comment: Here's an insightful character study of the Third Doctor, from the beginning of that incarnation to the end.

Title: One Magic Word | Author Nighthowler: | Rating: G
Summary: Sarah Jane learns the meaning of Magic.
Comment: This fic conveys a great sense of wonder in showing why one should keep an open mind while travelling with the Doctor.

Title: Possession | Author: phyllis4jean | Rating: PG?
Summary: Sarah isn’t used to feeling alone... Or rather, she isn’t used to noticing it.
Comment: This Sarah character study is set in the final days of the Third Doctor era. It explores her choices and motives, and helps explain why she gets possessed so often.

Title: Still Waiting | Author: Sheila Adamson | Rating: G
Summary: The Brigadier and Jo practise life without the Doctor.
Comment: Worth reading for the strong Brigadier voice and a rare look at these characters while they're away from the Doctor--who, as the Brigadier realizes, won't let himself be confined to Earth much longer.


Fourth era/companions
Title: Complete Strangers | Author: Andraste | Rating: G
Summary: "Time travel is like visiting Paris. You can't just read the guide book, you gotta throw yourself in. Eat the food, use the wrong verbs, get charged double, and end up kissing complete strangers. Or is that just me" - The Doctor. Four/Romana II.
Comment: The Doctor and Romana are in Paris, and it's fluffy and sweet and fun.

Title: Pillow(s') Talk (Alternate link) | Author: The Secretive Bus | Rating: G
Summary: Set during season 17, of all places? The Doctor and Romana, indulging in bed-related hijinks of an as-yet undisclosed nature? You've got that right, sunshine.
Comment: Despite the wording of the summary, this story is actually about a delightful mini-adventure Romana experiences when she meets a talking pillow in a department store.

Title: Silencer | Author: icebluenothing | Rating: G?
Summary: "Silence" challenge.
Comment: I generally don't much care for drabbles, but I loved this one, about Leela.

Title: Strange Treasure | Author: LadyDragon4 | Rating: PG
Summary: A loop in time, a working Chameleon Circuit, and a dance aboard a ship that ISN'T the Titanic.
Comment: Features an author-created Doctor I liked. It's Thirteen/Sarah, with an emphasis on action as they try to escape from Gallifrey.

Title: When the Bough Breaks | Author: Nocturnias | Rating: R
Summary: A Fourth Doctor/Sarah story. The Doctor is on the edge of a breakdown. Can Sarah help him to heal himself while dealing with her own turbulent feelings?
Comment: This story is one of only a handful to deal in depth with the issue that the Doctor might simply become tired of his often frustrating life.


Fifth era/companions
Title: Celery Smears | Author: dblauvelt | Rating: PG
Summary: Tegan asks the Doc a question.
Comment: Superior Tegan portrayal, and it hits on some of the issues a lot of viewers have with this character.

Title: Home-Thoughts From Abroad (Alternate link) | Author: Doyle (doyle_sb4) | Rating: PG
Summary : Nyssa finds something of home in the Forest of Cheem.
Comment: A Nyssa-centric story, bittersweet and very touching.

Title: Misconceptions | Author: taleya | Rating: NC-17
Summary: Desperate to stay aboard the TARDIS, Turlough labours under a tragic misconception.
Comment: A memorable, angsty Five/Turlough fic.

Title: Night Out | Author: Empress of the Eclipse | Rating: PG-13
Summary: When the Doctor goes out for a walk and comes back drunk, Adric has to put him to bed. Doctor/Adric slash.
Comment: Not a graphic story (the PG-13 rating is high, IMO), this one is more a fine study of Adric than anything else.

Title: Pioneers | Author: Patrice | Rating: PG
Summary: The Doctor, Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help a group of isolated settlers on the American plains.
Comment: A very entertaining long gen adventure.

Title: Planet of Blood | Author: warinbabylon | Rating: PG-13
Summary: Returning from delivering the Gravis to Frontios, the Doctor and Tegan find themselves waylaid by an old ally. The trip will prove to be a test of both their wills and souls and their companionship.
Comment: The title is intriguing, isn't it? You get a suspenseful adventure with the Doctor and Tegan vs. vampires.


Sixth era/companions
Title: Frozen Hearts (Alternate link: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six) | Author: bibliophile1887 | Rating: PG-13
Summary: Peri comes to terms with the Doctor's new incarnation while the Doctor tries to keep her from freezing to death.
Comment: It's Six and Peri, working out some issues in a believable way.

Title: Grounds For Annulment | Author: Sub Rosa | Rating: PG
Summary: Peri marries an alien and deals with wedding-night expectations.
Comment: Six and Peri find themselves in trouble once again. Amusing situation; sharp dialogue.

Title: The Master Takes a Holiday | Author: Old Ping Hai | Rating: G
Summary: Peri and the Sixth Doctor find themselves coming to the rescue of the Master, who made the mistake of taking a vacation on a planet where the Fourth Doctor has become an object of veneration.
Comment: For once, the Master is not portrayed as being pure evil; he becomes a figure of some sympathy as he finds himself entangled in a situation out of his worst nightmares.

Title: Sailing | Author: Scotty Nisbet | Rating: G
Summary: Even the Sixth Doctor needs to do some thinking, once in a while...
Comment: Not a showy story, just a really good piece of introspection with a heartwarming ending.

Title: Waiting to Break the Silence (Alternate link) | Author: Samantha Wilkinson (samantha2074) | Rating: G
Summary: Evelyn isn't as good at keeping secrets as she thinks. WARNING: Contains a spoiler for Project: Lazarus.
Comment: An understated story about a serious subject.


Seventh era/companions
Title: ...And Back Home In Time For Tea | Author: whispersecho | Rating: G?
Summary: couldn't find one
Comment: It's Seven and Ace, talking. In this case, that's all that's needed.

Title: And I'm Never Gonna Dance Again | Author: Mandragora | Rating: PG-13?
Summary: The Doctor finds out the price of being a catalyst.
Comment: If you ever wondered about the consequences to some of the Doctor's actions, this story deals with that issue in a thought-provoking manner.

Title: Mistress of the Jolly Dark | Author: kalima | Rating: Adult
Summary: In 19th century London, a down-on-her-luck prostitute meets a strange little man with a red-handled umbrella.
Comment: Dark and haunting, yet chillingly plausible.

Title: Ripping Time | Author: thebadwolf | Rating:T
Summary: A Seventh Doctor and Ace tale.
Comment: A good horror story with a terrific twist ending.

Title: ...Who Burned Like Starfire (Alternate link) | Author: Nemo the Everbeing | Rating: G
Summary: On her birthday, Ace receives two gifts: one intentional and one not.
Comment: A beautiful study of one of the best Doctor/companion teams ever.


Eighth era/companions
Title: The Boat Race | Author: roku kyu | Rating: PG
Summary: Sometimes the smallest battles are the most damaging...and the deepest wounds inflicted by those closest to your heart.
Comment: The Eighth Doctor and Sam end up in an argument in this moving story that explores the Doctor's connection to his travelling companions.

Title: Dream Into Reality | Author: aces | Rating: PG
Summary: "Fitz Kreiner had always had a vivid imagination."
Comment: In this excellent character study, Fitz learns that he may finally have the chance to fulfill some of his dreams.

Title: Flowers in Summer | Author: icepixie | Rating: G
Summary: Charley comes back to Earth. Cecilia Pollard reports. [Spoilers through "Neverland." Eight/Charley, but not excessively so.]
Comment: Totally charming. I loved the viewpoint of Charley's sister.

Title: Seven Words and a Metaphor | Author: lizbee | Rating: PG-13
Summary: "You know," said the Doctor, "I could bring your government down with a single word."
Comment: It's the Eighth Doctor and Romana II, arguing a bit and dancing and discussing metaphors. Lots of clever lines.


Ninth era/companions
Title: Deshabille | Author: sangga | Rating: PG
Summary: Her mum always told her to dress for the occasion. It just takes Rose a while to figure out what the occasion is.
Comment: The original style and the depiction of a non-annoying Rose are big drawing points.

Title: Five Things Which Didn't (In This Timeline) Happen at Jabe's Funeral | Author: amchau | Rating: PG
Comment: Imagine that the Ninth Doctor and Rose had attended Jabe's funeral after The End of the World. Well, here you get five scenarios of what might have happened there. If you enjoy surreality, you'll probably like this story.

Title: Little Lies | Author: saganamidreams | Rating: M
Summary: Little lies: they always led to bigger lies, and here he was, living one. All three of them, pretending.
Comment: Most Nine/Rose/Jack stories gloss over or simply ignore the potential issues among these three characters. Not this one, refreshingly. It's a dark and twisted portrayal of a dysfunctional relationship.

Title: Notes From a Bed of Rose's | Author: redscharlach | Rating: T
Summary: The Doctor loves to watch Rose sleep. Rose is somewhat less enthusiastic about it.
Comment: Anyone who's thinking of writing a story where the Doctor is obsessed with watching Rose sleep should read this fic first. It features some hysterical guest appearances, and the ending is just right.

Title: Spring Cleaning | Author: infiniteviking | Rating: G
Summary: He's thoroughly tired of regenerating. But it's happened anyway, and this time there's no one around to help him get through it.
Comment: This is probably the best non-parody post-regeneration fic I've ever read.


Tenth era/companions
Title: Battle of Wills | Author: castrovalva9 | Rating: G
Summary: My version of a post-"Doomsday" story. Rose wants to move on with her new life, but no one will let her.
Comment: Yes, the flood of Doomsday stories was dreadful indeed. And just think! The things will keep trickling in for months yet. So a parody is sorely needed, and here one is.

Title: Don't Look Now, But Your Ways Have Parted | Author: redscharlach | Rating: T
Summary: Rose thinks she has lost her one true love for ever, but then she realizes that they could still be blissfully happy together – if only that stupid Doctor bloke would stop getting in the way....
Comment: Post-Parting of the Ways regeneration fics deserved a parody, too. The first half in particular is brilliant.

Title: Extract (Artificial Vanilla is Cheaper) | Author: livii | Rating: NC-17
Summary: This has happened more times than he'd like to admit.
Comment: An antidote to the mounds of relentlessly fluffy Tenth Doctor/Rose fics out there. This one features a wonderfully dysfunctional Ten/Rose relationship and a very strong ending.

Title: Life Begins At Forty (or, How Jackie Tyler Shagged An Alien) | Author: nostalgia_lj | Rating: R
Summary: "There is a smile on his lips and a gleam in his eye and together they are amused by her youth."
Comment: For every thousand or so Ten/Rose fics, there should be at least one Ten/Jackie, right? Especially one that gets into Jackie's head so well.

Title: Valentine Roses | Author: casirafics | Rating: PG
Summary: Wherein a holiday missed leads to questions, then more... even if it doesn't exactly go according to plan.
Comment: A genuine fluffy Ten/Rose story that I liked. They do exist!

Comments

*Waves*

[brindel.livejournal.com]

I'm here! Oddly enough, I found you through a google search for 'turlough fic'...don't ask me. *g*

But boy am I glad I'm here!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this!

(FYI, the lack of comments may have a bit to do with the system crash type thingy that seems to have happened....I had to reset passords and all to access my account. *shrugs* So, I wouldn't take it personally or nothing. I think it mostly bad LJ right now. Hope that helps brighten your day! *g*)

[kalijean]

What a lovely idea! Thanks for doing all that work :) I appreciate you, anyway. ;)

[aw-lemongirl.livejournal.com]

ETA: If you actually read this post, can you please take a few seconds to let me know?

I'm not sure how I got here, but I read this post! ;-)

[orca-de-wils.livejournal.com]

Great recs! Thanks!

[jedi-penguin.livejournal.com]

Hello. I keep seeing you about in interesting discussions, so I thought I'd check out your journal. You make the most amazing lists! Very, very cool. I hope it's okay that I friended you.

[mad-march-hare.livejournal.com]

...I think I may just love you for this. Thank you for facilitating my addiction.

Please to be friending you, yes?

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

"ETA: If you actually read this post, can you please take a few seconds to let me know?"

Just found this and your other multi-era fic list. Thank you!

[gwynevere1.livejournal.com]

Hi. Since I read this list, I'm letting you know!