 Ross Ruediger from Slant Magazine wrote that the episode " may be the crowning achievement " of Doctor Who 's second series . Ruediger called it an episode " for the new millennium " as he thought it " could never exist under the banner of the old series . " He called it a " thought @-@ provoking piece " , and wrote that episodes like this could not be broadcast every week since it " would be too taxing on the average viewer 's brain " . IGN 's Matt Wales ranked " The Girl in the Fireplace " the third best Tennant Doctor Who story , calling it " one of Doctor Who 's most touching adventures " . 
