Introduction
The more of these articles I write, the more I’m convinced I have random taste in TV shows. Case in point, Wizards vs Aliens. Yet again, this show proves that CBBC, and kid’s TV networks in general, had some of the best and most underrated shows. It’s a shame this show was cancelled, because it once again shows why Russell T. Davies deserves a knighthood for his great work for TV. Anyway, before I continue fanboying over Russell T. Davies, here is some history about the show. Then, we can get stuck into our ranked list of the best Wizards vs Aliens episodes.
History
Wizards vs Aliens first debuted on CBBC in October 2012 and ran for 3 seasons until November 2014. The show follows a young wizard, Tom, as he is introduced into the world of wizardry by his grandmother. Unlike most other wizarding shows, Tom and the rest of the wizards are limited to three spells per day. This is an important detail to bear in mind. When an evil race of aliens, the Nekross, arrive on Earth to harvest its magic, it’s up to Tom and his science-y mate, Benny, to stop them before they harvest all the magic on Earth. The cast featured some huge names including Gwendoline Christie, Annette Badland (shout out to Margaret from Doctor Who) and Brian Blessed. With the history out of the way, let’s get into the best episodes of Wizards vs Aliens.
Best Wizards vs Aliens Episodes – Top Ten
10. Twilight Falls – Part Two (S3, E10)
Kicking off the list of the best Wizards vs Aliens episodes is Twilight Falls – Part Two. And, honestly, it’s kind of fitting that I’m starting with the final episode before the indefinite hiatus. While it isn’t the greatest finale ever, it’s still a solid episode. Tom basically achieves Super Saiyan levels of power when he escapes from the Nekross’ latest capture to combat the evil Warlock. Honestly, there’s not much more to be said here other than the hilarity of seeing Warlock getting crushed by Tom.
9. The Quantum Effect – Part One (S3, E3)
Now if I had a pound for every Russell T. Davies show which had an episode about characters investigating an alien ship in the woods which turns out to be a trap, I’d have two pounds. This is a fun episode which, you guessed it, sees a crashed Nekross ship in the woods turn out to be a trap. With Eva and Benny now kidnapped once again by the Nekross, Tom is forced into yet another rescue mission. Overall, a solid episode.
8. The Key of Bones – Part Two (S3, E8)
Well, doesn’t this just sound delightful? Imagine what happens when everyone starts double crossing each other, and that’s basically this episode in a nutshell. After Tom finds the mystical Key of Bones, part of it is stolen by a Nekross, Lyzera, who turns out to be a sorcerer. All of this is happening while there’s a dangerous breach growing from the Neverland (no not that one) because of another character, Simeon’s, actions. Honestly, fair play to this episode, as it has a lot of moving parts.
7. Dawn of the Nekross – Part One (S1, E1)
Well I couldn’t do a list of the best Wizards vs Aliens episodes without mentioning the opening episode. This episode does a good job of introducing the audience to Tom as he does what most sporty kids would do if they had magic: use it to help his football team. Obviously, this is much to the disapproval of his dad. Anyway, when Tom and Ben find some magic stones, they get abducted by the Nekross and imprisoned on their ship. Honestly, talk about hitting rock bottom…
6. Rebel Magic – Part One (S1, E5)
Speaking of Tom’s dad, this episode sees him pressuring Tom to befriend more people and learn more exciting magic. And seemingly, the answer to Tom’s problems steps forward in the form of Jackson Hawke. When Jackson saves Tom from a gang of kids, the two start to bond. That is until Benny starts getting bad vibes which might prove to be true. I wonder why Benny could be getting bad vibes? Surely it couldn’t be the cruel practical jokes… Oh, and Benny gets captured by the Nekross again, but you could probably have guessed that.
Best Wizards vs Aliens Episodes – Top Five
5. Rebel Magic – Part Two (S1, E6)
So as it turns out Jackson Hawke, cool name aside, might be a tiny bit of a bad person. Case proven when he gets himself and Tom intentionally kidnapped by the Nekross in order to blow up their ship. Wow, that took a massive turn. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Benny is also aboard, but surprisingly Jackson doesn’t care if Benny’s life is taken in his quest to blow up the Nekross. There’s also some great backstory development for Jackson which really explains a lot of his character arc.
4. All Out War! – Part One (S2, E13)
I mean the title isn’t wrong, to be fair. So, when Tom is visited by a wizarding family who claim to have a diamond which is full of magic, he doesn’t immediately become suspicious. Oh well, I’m sure that won’t blow up in his face. I’m sure you can guess which race of aliens then kidnap him in an attempt to drain all of his magic. Honestly, as much as I’m joking, this is a solid episode, despite its predictability.
Best Wizards vs Aliens Episodes – Top Three
3. Friend or Foe – Part Two (S1, E8)
Imagine how cool it would be for an episode to be about an alien and a wizard stealing a set of crown jewels? Well, imagine no more as this episode is exactly that. Just as Lexi and Tom are getting close to heisting the jewels for Stephanie Gaunt (another great character name), Ursula, Benny and Michael get captured by the Nekross. Honestly, you’d think the wizards would be used to the constant kidnapping by now…
2. The Thirteenth Floor – Part One (S2, E9)
What is it about thirteen being a very unlucky number? When Benny starts work experience at a definitely not suspicious computer game firm, everything seems normal and he even meets a nice intern: Alicia. The only downside is, if you get the lift to the thirteenth floor, you never seem to come back. It even gets to the point where Tom is forced to take the lift to the thirteenth floor by the Nekross, Lexi, after her brother goes missing, assuming there’s some great magical source on the floor. Overall, a great episode.
Best Wizards vs Aliens Episode
1. The Thirteenth Floor – Part Two (S2, E10)
And the best episode of Wizards vs Aliens is… The Thirteenth Floor – Part Two. Now, it’s very much like the episode of a sci-fi show which deals with alternate timelines and futures. Case in point, in the Neverside (a magical realm which was where the Thirteenth Floor led to), Lexi and Tom end up temporarily getting together. All this leads to a heart breaking moment at the end of the episode as Lexi and Tom are going back down in the lift. A fantastic episode filled with wonderfully emotional parts.
