Doctor Who just made itself into the ultimate Christmas show

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As a seasoned gamer and long-time Whovian, let me tell you that this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, “Joy to the World,” has undeniably solidified its place as the ultimate festive show. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen ’em all – from The End of Time to Last Christmas, and even the infamous Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe. But Joy to the World wasn’t just a fun, holiday-themed adventure; it was a masterclass in Doctor Who storytelling.

During the holiday season, Christmas TV specials have long been a traditional favorite. However, with its latest episode, Doctor Who has undeniably become the epitome of festive television shows.

Currently, it’s well-known that Doctor Who isn’t new to the festive season. Over the years, there have been 16 Doctor Who Christmas specials (excluding the three New Year episodes), and they are all highly cherished within the fandom – except perhaps for “The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe.” You might wonder why we named this one the “supreme Christmas show.” Was it the most outstanding special ever produced? No, not necessarily. But its unique blend of adventure, humor, and heartwarming holiday spirit has earned it this title among fans.

Instead of saying “No,” you could rephrase as follows: Contrarily, while “Joy to the World” offered an enjoyable and festive experience (for more details, see our full review here), it essentially followed a conventional Christmas tale for our beloved Time Lord. He stumbled into perilous schemes, found a new ally, and ultimately rescued the situation (or at least his new friend, Joy, did so).

One engaging way to rephrase this could be: “The reason this Christmas special stands out is that writer Steven Moffat dared to suggest that The Doctor played a role in the birth of Christ, albeit by guiding the star that led people to the manger where Jesus was born. While it’s technically accurate that he’s responsible for the star, it’s more exciting to embrace the legend.

Merry Christmas!

As the Doctor navigated clumsily through the Time Hotel, he stumbled upon a scheme to birth a novel star. Alongside Joy, they successfully thwarted the plan; however, this resolution came at the cost of Joy’s life, as she transformed into a brilliant beacon shining in the darkness above.

Coincidentally, the sinister briefcase that played a pivotal role in our latest adventure required 65 million years for its associated star to ripen. As a result, Joy metamorphosed into a new sun on Christmas Eve in the year 001AD, and remarkably, she was present in Bethlehem at the time of this transformation.

As she soars through the night and illuminates the sky above Bethlehem, the camera pulls back to showcase the quaint town below, leaving the Doctor in awe of the scene unfolding before him. Truth be told, you can enjoy countless other Christmas specials like Gavin and Stacey, Charlie Brown’s, or Frosty the Snowman; however, without the Doctor and Joy, the holiday would lose its unique charm.

Indeed, there’s an undeniably distinctive aspect to “Doctor Who,” a point that its creator, Steven Moffat (of “Joy to the World” fame), made quite evident.

At a Q&A session after the Joy to the World press screening, he stated that the Doctor Who Christmas special is simply an amplified version of Doctor Who. He explained that Doctor Who has a very festive feel, and the Doctor shares similarities with Santa Claus, as Matt Smith once humorously remarked that the Doctor is essentially Father Christmas without the gifts, lacks the chubbiness, and is an extraterrestrial.

Christmas tales, as Mark Gatiss would agree, can encompass a mix of emotions – from melancholic and frightening to joyful and thrilling. He went on to say, “They should be entertaining and exhilarating.” Essentially, Doctor Who is a vibrant display of emotions, making it hard to understand why anyone would opt for other shows on Christmas Day. In fact, there are numerous Doctor Who Christmas specials that you could begin watching without wasting your time on anything else. Simply tune in to our show!

Indeed, it’s uncertain if we’ll cancel all other programs for Christmas television, but one fact is indisputable: The Doctor has shared the holiday with us since the beginning, thanks to Moffat and the TARDIS team.

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2024-12-26 19:20