25th December, 2024: Joy to the World.
The Introduction.
You know … I had my doubts about posting an introduction video to this post.
But?
It’s getting to be something of a tradition that I take my time to write a review of something …
So … ?
Having a video floating around, telling you something is on the way, seems sensible.
I’ve spent today with my family: celebrating Christmas, having the usual row about trivia, and helping my nephew, Jude, set up his shiny new phone.
There was a lot of swearing … especially when we all realised the damn thing had a charging cable, but no charger!
I got him a laptop for his birthday: tomorrow.
I hope there’s a charger in that!
Charger or no, marking Christmas, and a birthday means it’s going to be a while before this review gets finished!
25th December.
Part One: The Summary.
Joy to the World opens with bombs being dropped over Manchester: where — in the Queens Hotel in the 1940s — Basil Flockhart and his wife, Julia, are trying to avoid being killed.
Only to be interrupted by a mysterious figure offering a pumpkin latte and a ham and cheese toastie.
We then see the Doctor leaving the TARDIS early in the morning — in his timeline — to … liberate … some milk from a hi-tech hotel.
Only to be told by one of the staff that the facilities are only for the hotel’s customers … leaving the Doctor to head back for the TARDIS: only to realise there’s something deeply wrong at that hotel.
Some thing he can only find out about … if he pretends to be Room Service, and delivers a ham and cheese toastie to the right room …
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
25th December.
Part Two: The Main Cast.
Right … what did I make of Joy To The World?
The cast?
The story?
The ending … ?
The fact Ncuti was wearing what looked like, if not identical to, Arthur Dent’s dressing gown … ?
The dressing gown is incidental.
The main cast were, and are, very good.
Ncuti, as the 15th Doctor? Was as good as he was in his first series: whether you call that season one or series fifteen.
It’s also a far more restrained performance as the main character: especially in the scenes where the Doctor’s growing relationship with Anita (Steph de Whalley).
I’m actually put in mind of Patrick Troughton’s time in the show: many will tell you that — in his early episodes — his Second Doctor was quite bonkers … and calmed down as he went along … !
Frankly, I think Ncuti’s evolution as the Doctor seems to be going the same way.
As an extra thought … ?
The relationship between the Doctor and Anita is just outright gorgeous!
You and I both know that a central part of Doctor Who’s appeal is the relationship between the Doctor and the companion.
And that — in Russell T. Davies original stint as show runner — the Doctor was Donna’s best friend, the Doctor had deep romantic feelings for Rose …
And no romantic feelings for Martha, was completely ignorant of Martha’s feelings for him.
And … ?
I was seeing that unrequited love, again, between a human, between Anita, and the Doctor.
Definitely unrequited: but for different reasons.
I assumed when the show aired, that Anita’s fallen for the Doctor, and won’t have her feelings returned as this version of the Doctor isn’t heterosexual.
But it’s literally occurred to me — whilst writing this passage — that that’s not the whole story.
Martha’s unrequited love for the Tenth Doctor is matched by Anita’s with the Fifteenth’s: and that both versions of the Doctor are on the rebound from a previous relationship.
Either way … ?
Anita and the Doctor’s scenes are underlined by superb performances from Gatwa and de Whalley.
And better scripting from an on-form Steven Moffat.
Frankly?
I could honestly believe the pair have a better, more realistic, future: and that the Doctor’s arranged for Anita’s job at the Time Hotel …
We may be seeing more of her …
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
By contrast?
The relationship between the Doctor and Joy (Nichola Coughlan), is a very different beast.
Anita?
Is someone I’d’ve called a suitable companion: a woman who’s interested in the Doctor’s life, wants to share it with him, and has a lot of questions to ask.
Joy, by contrast … ?
Joy’s relationship with the Doctor isn’t quite the same.
Yes: Joy has questions.
Yes: Joy is more than capable of standing up for herself.
Yes, she’s in trouble.
And yes, she needs the Doctor’s help.
But that — I think — is the issue.
Joy is company for the Doctor, but because she needs his help: rather than — as Anita, Rose, Martha, Donna — as a matter of choice.
Joy is a damsel in distress: not a companion.
Don’t get me wrong: I think Nicola Coughlan did a great job as Joy.
The scene where she loses her temper at the Doctor, her last conversation with her mother, her big speech, as she’s turning into a star?
Is well played: and a performance that tells us the awards and acclaim she’s won are well deserved.
But she’s a victim the Doctor’s rescuing: not this episode’s companion.
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Three: The Supporting Cast.
Now … granted I have issues with how the main cast have been defined … but they are VERY good in their roles.
As are the supporting cast: Joel Fry’s enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude, Jonathan Aris as the possessed, Silurian, hotel manager, the various bit players behind the hotel staff.
But some minor characters, ones who were on the other end of the Time Hotel’s portals, caught my attention.
Basil Flockhart, the old man played by Peter Benedict, in the Queens Hotel?
Who said he knew a pair of women who lived by the cathedral?
I’m convinced he’s supposed to the Inspector seen in the Vastra Investigates clip from 2012.
Although the IMDb entry for the clip describes the plain clothes man as Inspector Gregson.
To me … ?
A connection seemed plausible.
Another such character?
Is the dark haired woman on the train: played by Niamh Marie Smith.
Again, much like Mr Flockhart and his wife, it’s a nicely done cameo.
Of a character with — according to IMDb — a familiar name.
Sylvia Trench.
And, in case you’re not a James Bond fan?
The character shares her name with the Eunice Gayson character in the first two Bond movies.
Quite why Steven Moffat’s included someone called Sylvia Trench, I don’t know: but I’m betting Bond fans will be smiling at it.
Then there’s the portal that leads to the climbing expedition on Everest, in ’53.
Both of my sisters were watching the episode with: and both wanted to know “… is that chap Australian?”
So, of course, I had to explain “No: he’s a New Zealander called Edmund Hillary, his mate’s called Sherpa Tenzing, and they were the first people to climb Everest!”
To me … ?
That puts the episode firmly in Doctor Who’s educational tradition.
As well as wondering what my sisters learnt at school.
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Four: The Story.
So, what about the story: and its ending?
The story itself … is something I watched twice.
Once with my family, and once at home.
Steven Moffat is a story writing genius: but one who likes throwing in a twist, or a time loop … or just make use of time as a narrative device.
So it pays to pay attention.
So it is with Joy To The World: there’s a year long loop, right at the heart of it!
I find watching Moffat’s episode enjoyable, in part, because you need to follow those loops!
And … ?
Joy to the World is no different!
It’s an enjoyable twisty romp: with some genuine character development, some beautiful characters moments, and an ending that’s going to cause discussion …
At the end … ?
We find that the star that Joy has become is the Star of Bethlehem: the ‘new star’ that appears over the town, that heralds the birth of the Christ Child, and that was spotted by the Three Wise Men.
I’m … not especially religious.
So I don’t know quite how comfortable I feel with an obvious religious reference!
That said?
Joy to the World is a Christmas episode.
And … ?
A reference to Bethlehem, to the religious figure born there, and a central character that sacrifices herself to save others?
Seem both explicitly Christian, very Christmasy … and very appropriate …
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Five: Final Thoughts.
So … what did I think of Joy to the World … ?
I have come away impressed: with a story that held my attention, have some wonderful characters: and some great wit.
Ncuti’s “Is it armed?” question, when handed a sink plunger?
Was the least of it!
We have one heck of an episode: and one I’ll be buying on Blu-ray, when it get’s released in January, 2025.
And be looking forward to series 15/season two, when it gets released in 2025.
Please feel free to follow both my blog, and my YouTube channel: you’ll see my reviews go live, when I post them.
Until then … ?
I’ll love you, leave you … and wish you a happy new year!
Joy to the World.★★★★
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