Written by Christopher Hyde
When it comes to Christmas, there’s a lot to love. The presents, the food. The thing I love most is Christmas Specials.
Now a sort of bygone era, Christmas Specials were great because your favourite show would have an extra episode to look forward to. I grew up watching Doctor Who from 2005 onwards. As I grew up watching the show I loved the fact that I’d have to wait a few months until Christmas Day, after opening presents, having Christmas Dinner we’d sit in front of the TV and watch the various programs on the major channels. I didn’t have access to Sky, something me and a former Prime Minister at least had in common.
We didn’t even have Freeview in 2005, so we’d have access to the five major channels. As a child, new to the world of Doctor Who, seeing my hero regenerate at the end of the first series was upsetting, exciting and unlike anything I had ever seen before. One moment it was Eccleston, the next Tennant. So, I’d have to wait until Christmas Day to meet my new hero properly.
That Christmas, I remember getting a TARDIS playset. As I recreated the events of the last series, I was eagerly awaiting the episode that was to come.
Then came 7pm on Christmas Day. The Christmas Special of Doctor Who titled: The Christmas Invasion began. It was the best 60 minutes. Gripping, exciting, scary at times but most of all it was comforting.
Watching it back nearly 19 years since its first broadcast, I still feel the same as I did at 8 years old. Even though the Doctor is asleep for most of the run time, the story never loses pace. You feel how Rose feels. This threat coming to Earth and the one time you need him the most the Doctor is out of action.
That is until a flask of tea is spilled, setting off the circuitry directly beneath the Doctor, the fumes from the tea waking him up. How British of you Russell.
Then comes out this new man. You can tell he’s still the Doctor, but there’s this new personality that fits the appearance. Comedic, charming, inquisitive, but with a slight impression that he’s more aware of the situation than he lets on. An enigmatic man in pajamas sword fighting an alien with a name plucked from my favourite Shakespeare play.
The Doctor wins, the planet is safe, and the festivities continue.
That was a more condensed version of events from that story. You can view the full episode for yourself. For me this episode is still one of my favorites to rewatch every Christmas. It belongs in my Guide to Christmas: What to Watch on Christmas Day.
So, if you would like some suggestions on what to watch, here are my thoughts on the rest of the Doctor Who Christmas Specials.
1. The Christmas Invasion (2005)
As previously stated, I love this Christmas Special. It’s a fun watch that you don’t have to take too seriously.
2. A Christmas Carol (2010)
Possibly the least controversial take, mainly because it’s pretty much unanimously loved by the fans. For a story that’s over 180 years old it seems to be a timeless tale. I guess then it’s perfect for Doctor Who to adapt it. There is a twist though, this isn’t your normal Dickens. I love A Christmas Carol, not only for my left leaning views of holding the rich to account through paranormal persuasion, but also for how beautifully it encapsulates the spirit and meaning of Christmas. Steven Moffat (Showrunner at the time and writer of the episode) did a wonderful job of adapting this story for the Whoniverse.
3. Voyage of The Damned (2007)
Now for a very controversial take. Possibly one of the best and weirdest episodes of Doctor Who, praised for its spectacle but quite rightly condemned for its portrayal of the Doctor being a messianic figure (the Doctor should never be compared to a god) and the use of the Titanic. Although it was a space Titanic it still upset survivors of the horrific event.
But my favourite aspect of the special is Wilf, played by the late and great Bernard Cribbins (narrator of the Wombles). His introduction would be the first and not the last time we see this character.
4. Last Christmas (2014)
This list may become more controversial as I go, especially for the fact that the 12th Doctor’s run usually had some of the worst Christmas specials. His last one being an infamous episode which we will come back to later. Last Christmas however is vastly different. Think of the films Inception and Alien. Then forget those as this episode takes all the best elements of both and condenses them into a mind-bending exciting episode full of drama, tears and Santa jokes. Highlight of the episode, Danny Pink coming back for one last time.
5. The Runaway Bride (2006)
A fantastically silly episode and spiritual sequel to The Christmas Invasion that begins with the Doctor dealing with the aftermath of leaving Rose in a parallel universe and being on his own. That’s not for long as a bride is unexpectedly beamed into the TARDIS. This story was the catalyst for Series 4 when Russell would bring back Catherine Tate as a full-time companion.
6. Time of The Doctor (2013)
By the time Smith’s era was ending, I had only just got used to the man playing the Doctor. So, after watching the 50th anniversary special Day of The Doctor the previous month, I was excited but saddened that this would be Matt Smith’s final performance in the role. He plays it perfectly. With the same amount of energy as his first appearance in 2010’s End of Time: Part Two. It’s a wonderful episode but as a finale it felt weak in places because the Christmas Special acted as an epilogue more than a standalone adventure.
7. The Snowmen (2012)
Set in Victorian London (one of the many reappearing locations the writers continue to use despite it being over done) the Doctor is on his own dealing with the repercussions of Amy and Rory leaving the TARDIS. This episode has some great moments but overall, not the best.
8. The Church on Ruby Road (2023)
For a proper debut episode, Ncuti does a fantastic job. The Doctor feels fully formed and full of life ready to take on whatever’s thrown at them. The story lacks any form of excitement though, feeling bland and relying heavily on fantasy goblins to prop up what otherwise is a weak story. Ncuti and Millie have great chemistry, and their acting is pretty much the glue holding the episode together.
9. The Doctor, The Widow & The Wardrobe (2011)
This is probably the episode I’ve seen the least, mainly due to its meandering plot. It’s not one I especially enjoyed on broadcast but the fact they used a real Lancaster Bomber does score it above last at least.
10. The Husbands of River Song (2015)
Another Capaldi episode that was just not good. I liked River Song up until the end of Smith’s second series. Then she became this looming presence coming back just to be filler. This episode at least ties up her “last” performance at least, giving Capaldi a chance to act a bit sillier. But overall, the episode was just another epilogue to an otherwise okay series.
11. Twice Upon Time (2017)
Don’t get me wrong, David Bradley is one of my favorite actors. Having met him and being taught by his wife Rosanna at school, I always had a deep respect for him. I can’t blame him for his portrayal of the 1st Doctor as he does his best to capture William Hartnell’s intricacies. However, Moffat can be blamed for ramping up the misogyny and writing the 1st Doctor to be more of a caricature. There’s also the awful plot, the wedging in of the Christmas Armistice in the 1st World War and Mark Gatiss playing a member of the ever-expanding Lethbridge-Stewart family. My main gripe was that of all the Capaldi specials this isn’t even the weakest as it should be. Even HBomberguy would tut at me for this decision.
So, the weakest specials are below:
The Return of Doctor Mysterio, The Next Doctor, The End of Time: Part One
Now you’ll be surprised as to why two of Tennant’s specials are at the very bottom. Despite him being my favourite, his run towards the end got a little bit damp. The Next Doctor was meant to be a tease about Tennant’s recent announcement of his departure, but it ended up feeling flat and oh once again a Victorian London centric story!
There’s not much to say about The Return of Doctor Mysterio. It’s just not memorable enough to warrant an opinion. And of course, the End of Time: Part One. The beginning of the end for Tennant’s first run as the Doctor.
Even though he carries the episode brilliantly, it just doesn’t feel festive. I remember watching back in 2009 and being on the edge of my seat, not for its action or suspense, but because I wasn’t ready to see my hero leave. He was my Doctor, my guide and protector of the big bad world. I was too young to grapple with Eccleston’s departure but now being in my formative years I had to say goodbye to my best friend. The episode had some good moments, John Simm is always a plus. Wilf being the companion this time around was good. However, it was the second part that was the better episode, and more traumatic for me. But we aren’t reviewing it because technically it counts as a New Year’s Special and that’s not related to Christmas so you’ll have to wait for my full thoughts on that, or alternatively you could become a member and request a special review just for you.
So that’s my list. The best to the worst on Doctor Who Christmas Specials. Do you agree with my list? Which episode is your favourite? Become a member and have your say on the KHM forum.
Doctor Who returns this Christmas for Joy To The World.
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