Which is the best ever Doctor Who festive episode?
David Tennants first appearance, Matt Smiths last, or the one with the flying shark?
Wahey, its Christmas.
This is exactly what Jesus would have wanted.
Some episodes are more forgiving for casual viewers than others.
Some episodes make absolutely no sense to anyone who only watches at Christmas.
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17.
The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe (2011)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Farren Blackburn.
Heres a story that simultaneously tries to attempt too much while not a lot actually happens.
Revolution of the Daleks (2021)
Written by Chris Chibnall.
Directed by Lee Haven Jones.
This isan episode ofDoctor Who.
It passes the time.
It briefly presents some ideas that you could engage with in your spare time, if you want.
Speaking of which Captain Jack is technically in it.
Thats about it really.
Resolution (2019)
Written by Chris Chibnall.
Directed by Wayne Yip.
Nonetheless, its diverting enough.
The first half is promising, despite the inciting incident.
The Next Doctor (2008)
Written by Russell T. Davies.
Directed by Andy Goddard.
Does the ending work?
No, but at least it doesnt work quickly.
Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Written by Russell T. Davies.
Directed by James Strong.
Eve of the Daleks (2022)
Written by Chris Chibnall.
Directed by Annetta Laufer.
Chris Chibnalls first two New Year Specials went for impressive visuals but were largely hollow beneath the spectacle.
The Snowmen (2012)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Saul Metzstein.
AnotherMoffat-era specialthats very endearing and fantastical to begin with, but struggles with its ending.
Essentially theyre not as funny as the show thinks they are, but occasionally they come close.
The Time of the Doctor (2013)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Jamie Payne.
That section doesnt work, and indeed the opening third of the story is quite weak.
The End of Time (2009/2010)
Written by Russell T. Davies.
Directed by Euros Lyn.
There are glimpses of that deeper friendship in there.
Making Bernard Cribbins as the companion for these two stories is a masterstroke.
The quieter scenes between him and Tennant are brilliant.
Donnas reaction to the TARDIS dimensions is one of terror.
Her husband-to-be betrays her and dismisses her interests.
I would not say shes overacting.
Id say shes acting exactly as the story requires.
The Return of Doctor Mysterio (2016)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Ed Bazalgette.
Another plus is that this episode features the Twelfth Doctor crashing a spaceship.
It is always entertaining watching the Twelfth Doctor crashing something.
Capaldi knows how to fire up that mad glint in his eye.
Twice Upon a Time (2017)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Rachel Talalay.
Its like a jigsaw with one piece missing.
Like a jigsaw with one piece missing indeed.
The Christmas Invasion (2005)
Written by Russell T. Davies.
Directed by James Hawes.
This is both a fun watch and a fascinating transition.
Davies used Rose, as that story used Ben and Polly, as the key.
This is also, being a Christmas Day episode, a step up in scale.
Give or take a bit of dated CGI, its an impressive and harrowing gambit.
We also get the show starting to use its own recent mythology by revisiting Harriet Jones.
Laying strong story foundations is rarely this fun to watch.
The Church on Ruby Road (2023)
Written by Russell T. Davies.
Directed by Mark Tonderai.
The episodes that follow and the passage of time will do their thing.
For now though this is a fresh blast of what feels like inspired casting.
Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson are a joy to watch.
Last Christmas (2014)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Paul Wilmshurst.
AlienmeetsInceptionwith a little bit ofThe Thingthrown in for good measure.
This part of the episode is almost entirely successful.
True to Capaldis intent for the character, this feels like a victory but also something of a warning.
Once youve seen Series 9 it certainly lands differently.
A Christmas Carol (2011)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Toby Haynes.
Well, its clearly the second-best Christmas special isnt it?
There is alotto like about this story.
To getaDoctor Whostory, usually, something bad has to happen to someone first.
However, Abigail proves that Kazran is capable of love and therefore salvation.
Abigail and her family are there to contribute to the storys message of choosing life while it lasts.
Moffat, who can make a run at write a Arent Mums great?
Nonetheless, its still essentially fridging, using her imminent death for someone elses character motivation.
How, then, do you accept the inevitability of loss?
The Husbands of River Song (2015)
Written by Steven Moffat.
Directed by Douglas Mackinnon.
Hollaback Yule, its time to meditate on death some more.
Instead of writing an epic, Moffat does what he frequently does with finales and goes small.
After destroying the universe he sets an episode in a museum.
After returning to Gallifrey he leaves it as quickly as possible and finishes Hell Bent in a diner.
And perhaps this is because River, like Abigail, is principally a guest in another persons show.
The Doctor gives up something that defines him, doing something that he nervously joked about with Rose.
Capaldi and Alex Kingston look at each other with such tenderness.
I absolutely buy this relationship.
The Doctor Who Christmas Specials are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
