Doctor Who
Doctor Whohas become synonymous with Christmas thanks to the many memorable episodes that have aired during the holiday . After six years without a Christmas Special , Russell T Davies restored the tradition when kicking off Ncuti Gatwa ’s Fifteenth Doctor geological era . While Davies has drop a line seven of the show ’s Christmas specials , it ’s Steven Moffat ( who assumed showrunner duties when Davies first leave in 2010 ) who has save the most and arguably many of the well Christmas special . He take back to compose this class ’s entry and deliver another festive episode that ’s adequate parting whimsical and wistful .
Cast
The latest doc Who series introduces the Fifteenth Doctor , link by raw comrade Ruby Sunday .
“ Joy to the World ” finds the Doctor journey alone , feature parted agency with Ruby Sunday ( Millie Gibson ) inDoctor Whoseason 14 ’s conclusion . While visit a Time Hotel in the year 4202 – where every room takes its guest to other hotel room littered across time and quad – he becomes suspicious of a man ensure in with a briefcase handcuffed to his hand . As he is wo nt to do , the Doctor investigates and winding up on a timey - wimey adventure that sees him visiting Christmas Day 2024 , prehistorical Earth , and several times in between .
It ’s in our present daylight that he conform to Joy ( Nicola Coughlan ) when a subsequent carrier of the briefcase enters her hotel room , finally transfer the eccentric to her . Once attached to the briefcase , Joy is compel to expect on with its mysterious missionary work , forcing the Doctor to picture out what that is and how he can free her . It ’s a fast - pace adventure with the Doctor working against the clock , as he so often does , but it ’s the moments when the sequence slows down that make it a dandy Christmas special .
The Briefcase Plot Winds Up Being More Of A Means To An End
But The Ending Is So Deeply Moving It Hardly Matters
“ Joy to the World ” is a very accessible sequence and could easily be someone ’s first foray intoDoctor Who , which is a nice change asrecent Christmas or New Year ’s specialshaven’t been so standalone . Its use of fourth dimension travel is clever , with the Doctor not really using the TARDIS and alternatively relying on the Time Hotel ’s many rooms . The episode swings between being a timey - wimey adventure and a heartwarming vacation tale , and it ’s a credit to director Alex Sanjiv Pillai that the two element blend as well as they do .
The whole briefcase plot is where the Christmas Special is frail . It ’s a plot that does n’t hold up to scrutiny , and if not for how much playfulness it is , the instalment would plausibly be a dud . Thankfully , unraveling that mystery is secondary to what Moffat is really compose about — loneliness . He analyze how terrible being alone is through the Doctor , Joy , and he even turns the spotlight on us by reference the COVID-19 pandemic . It ’s never name directly , but the trauma we still conjointly impart from that clip is at the Crux Australis of the episode ’s most emotionally charged scene .
Moffat has always been a master at wringing an excited reception from us , and he does it again here .
It ’s these scenes that brought on tears , as I was remind of the horridness of 2020 . Then , in trueDoctor Whofashion , the ending ’s twist puts a happier twist on a dark moment , and I discover myself cry all the harder . Moffat has always been a master at wringing an worked up reply from us , and he does it again here . Some will surely get where and when the level at last winds up cheesy , but it ’s the sort of cheesinessDoctor Whocan commonly get aside with , specially when it so directly connects to the holiday at deal .
Gatwa Remains An Inspired Choice For The Doctor
And His Supporting Cast In This Special Are Sublime
Gatwa ’s Doctor is confident , a bit flamboyant , andunafraid to show his emotions . He ’s been another corking addition to the show ’s long bequest , and it ’s evident how well-off he ’s become in the part since his first appearance . I specially love his line bringing because it brings a merriment to the Doctor that ’s not always present in other incarnations . Be it some witty retort , a comforting phrase , or a grand language , he deftly handles it all . This is skillful , as a Moffat script is never short on wit , emotion , or spoken communication .
No matter how long his Doctor is with another character , he makes it so believable that he care deeply for them .
Since the Doctor is put to work opposite an whole new patronise cast , Gatwa has to build a rapport rapidly , and he clear it look easy . No matter how long his MD is with another theatrical role , he makes it so credible that he cares deeply for them . It ’s one of his Doctor ’s greatest specialty , this unabashed willingness to be there for someone , even as he ’s trying to put up walls .
The latest Doctor Who series introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday.
The Simpsons 2024 Christmas special is a striking and creative entry that boast unbelievable celebrity guest and a heartfelt , emotional story .
Among the supporting cast , Coughlan ’s Joy has been marketed as Gatwa ’s newfangled comrade for the special , but she ’s actually one of many novel characters he interacts with . Her character ’s bubbly personality hides a deep sorrowfulness and she give a powerful performance , in particular when it comes to reveal where that sorrow stems from . Joel Fry act an employee of the Time Hotel and he ’s one of those outstanding companion who is n’t really around long enough to be regard a companion , but he manages to endear himself in a very short amount of time .
The standout among the new cast , however , is Stephanie de Whalley ’s Anita . She runs the hotel Joy is staying at for Christmas 2024 and her abbreviated sentence with the Doctor cook for the episode ’s better scenes . The friendship that blooms between them exemplifies the installment ’s base of how the Doctor would n’t be so lonely if he just slowed down every once in a while .
This class ’s Christmas special is at time a sport romp and at others a drab reflection on the loneliness that can chance on during this special time of year . It ’s also a great episode for Gatwa ’s Doctor , tap into his strength and allowing him to release in another fantabulous public presentation . “ Joy to the public ” may not be Moffat ’s well Christmas Special ( that title still belong to the truly excellent “ A Christmas Carol ” ) , but it ’s easily the best Christmas SpecialDoctor Whohas had in many years .
TheDoctor WhoChristmas Special , " Joy to the World " , premieres December 25th on Disney+ and BBC .
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