Doctor Who — Joy to the World — A Review

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!

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Doctor Who — Christmas Special — “The Church on Ruby Road” — A Review

25th December, 2023: the Intro.

Right ...

It’s Christmas Day.

And?

Until the replacement Mac turns up, I’m stuck writing this post with my back-up laptop.

Yes: I’m grateful to everyone who’s helped me buy that replacement machine.

But?

Angry at having to use a machine that was only ever meant as a ... a ... a toy, almost: a spare, rather than a main machine.

Cie la vie!

Friday -- the date when the new machine turns up?

Can’t come soon enough.

At any rate?

I'm writing this introduction early on Christmas day: in the expectation I'll be finishing it on Boxing Day: and will be letting you know what I thought of “The Church on Ruby Road”, as soon as I can!

~≈🕰≈~

Dr Who Christmas Special — 25-12-2016: The Return of Dr Mysterio

25th December, 2016.

You know, there’s a very easy way to tell it’s Christmas.

No, really …

For starters?

The amount of presents both given and received?

Is usually a clue.

So’s the date.

So … is the fact there’s a Dr Who Christmas Special, on.

That’s a set of giveaways.

~≈Ê≈~

Dr Who Christmas Special — 25-12-2015: The Husbands of River Song

It’s Christmas Day.

You can TELL, can’t you … ?

Wrapping paper, everywhere, frustrations, toys getting thrown out of the pram … 

And that’s the grown ups … !

Of course the upside … ?

Is the new monitor and Apple TV I’ve been given.

AND how well a Certain Nephew felt about some Thunderbirds toys Santa brought him … !

If only that Turtle play set was as easy to assemble … 

~≈∑≈~

The Dr Who Christmas Special 2014: Last Christmas

Di I tell you I have a nephew … ?

I didn’t?

I’ve got a nephew.

He’s called Jude, I should add: he’s four — tomorrow — and quite fun to be with.

Except when it’s Christmas Day, of course: every single present is his, and has to be opened, now … !

Oh, and inevitably … ?

Well, when Donatello Turtle, the Batmobile and Spiderman get into a punch up, it turns into a tie … between the Batmobile and Donny. Spiderman not standing much of a chance against a two ton salt flat racer and a six foot chelonian.

It makes sense … 

When you’re four, overexcited, and been at the e-numbers.

Needless to say, I’m thinking he’s EXHAUSTING … 

~≈‡≈~

Dr Who Series 7: The Christmas Day Special: The Snowmen.

The Doctor
Matt Smith

I HAVE to admit, I’m due over my Mum’s, today.

THIS time … ?

This time, we’re all celebrating my nephew, Jude’s, second birthday.

He’s two today.

Dr Simeon
Richard E. Grant

Yes … you’d ALREADY worked that out, hadn’t you … ?

At ANY rate … ?   I’ve actually got this years’s Dr Who Christmas — The Snowmen

 — on in the background.

An Evil Snowflake

Again.

You can TELL I’m impressed, can’t you … ?

~~~~~

Set in the 1890s, The Snowmen sees the Doctor in self imposed isolation after the deaths of Amy and Rory.

Isolation that’s interrupted when he meets a barmaid called Clara, who’s showing curiosity about both the Doctor, AND by old friends, Vastra, Jenny and Strax: with ALL of them concerned by the mysterious snowmen cropping up around London.

Clara
Jenna Louise Coleman

 Those Snowmen … ?

It seems those Snowmen are the intentional work of the abominable Dr Simeon.

Madam Vastra
Neve Campbell

Dr Simeon … And the original snowman that had seduced him as a child …

Which calls itself the Intelligence.

Lots of remote controlled Snowmen.   An intelligence looking for a body.

Is this starting to sound familiar … ?

~~~~~

It bloody well should, actually: given that long term fans will have realised that there’s several references — deeply in the mix — to Patrick Troughton stories, The Abominable Snowmen and The Web of Fear.

But The Snowmen is not a straight lift from its earlier root stories.

Oh, no.

Moffat and company have managed to take an idea or two from its classic incarnation, mixed them up, modernised them, and presented them afresh.

Jenny Flint
Casitlin Stewart

And what’s, introduced us to a fresh ensemble cast of characters, an interestingly old school villain, re-invigorated an old monster.

AND introduced a new companion, killed her off, and then teased us with a new version of the same character.

Hmmm … 

I think the rest of Season 7’s going to be interesting.

To paraphrase Videodrome … ?

All hail the new flesh … !

Strax
Dan Starkey

New Tardis Interior

The Great Intelligence
Sir Ian McKellan