Dr Who Christmas Special 2013

[Colour Scientist]

Usually Moffat rubbish. Really, throw the script out and start again.

I suppose that's what happens when you spend five years writing yourself into a massive hole and then have an hour to wrap everything up.

I didn't hate it but it was too much to try and explain in such a short space of time.

That said, I was sad to see Matt Smith go when I didn't think I would be.
Good Doctor, dodgy writing, I guess.

Even though Capaldi was only in it for a few seconds, he came off a little creepy, no?
Still, I'm not worried, I'm really looking forward to Capaldi taking over.
They could dump Clara though.

 

[Colour Scientist]

good-bye Handles.

Handles was my favourite thing in the episode.

Comfort is irrelevant.

Better?

... Affirmative.

I think I had more of an emotional reaction to the end of Handles than the end of Matt Smith.

 

[Kingjackl]

I really liked it. The ending was obviously the highlight, and I won't deny welling up a tiny bit at Matt Smith's last speech. I love how they always yank everything back to comedy whenever the Doctor regenerates, and the change this time was so rapid that the tonal shift from "Please don't change" to "How d'you fly this thing?" could give you whiplash. Bring on Peter Capaldi.

Also, was I the only one who thought the crack in time was going to explain how the Weeping Angels made it onto the planet? A whole bunch of them went through the crack in 'Flesh and Stone', would it stand to reason that maybe they got out and that's how they ended up on Trenzalore? I guess not.

Speaking of the Angels, finally we get to see them defeated by propping a mirror in front of them! Since 'Blink', I've been saying how obvious a solution that would be to dealing with them, and now the Doctor's finally worked it out. Though now I'm afraid that mirrors are going to become to Angels what stairs were to original series' Daleks.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Even though Capaldi was only in it for a few seconds, he came off a little creepy, no?
Still, I'm not worried, I'm really looking forward to Capaldi taking over.
They could dump Clara though.

Heh, yeah he was.

They can't really get rid of Clara, they need versions of her popping up to keep saving the Doctor all the time.

 

[Ninjamedic]

What annoyed me the most was the dues ex machina of the Time Lord tearing open the reality split to go 'Here you go bro, have a new set of regenerations on us', specially after the saccharin speech from Clara. This whole love conquers all guff is starting to grate on my very last nerve for the show. I've loved Doctor Who since before the relaunch and it's never come down to 'Come on kids, clap your hands if you believe in the Doctor!'

Usually Moffat rubbish. Really, throw the script out and start again.

I suppose that's what happens when you spend five years writing yourself into a massive hole and then have an hour to wrap everything up.

....Was I the only one here who actually watched RTD's episodes?

The Dr only ever has been given back something the Time lords have already taken away, not much of reward. The timelords, by past habits, would view giving the Dr a new set of regenerations like giving a lunatic some sharp objects. Saying that they did give the Master a whole new set of regenerations.

So letting the man who saved your civilization from total destruction live a bit longer is completely insane, but letting him travel across time and space after you exiled him because you didn't want him to mess about with time is okay?

 

[Catfood220]

The only real problem I had with this episode was why did the Doctor think he was going to die when 13 versions of him turned up at the end of Day of the Doctor, when they were placing Gallifrey in a time thingy? Surely that would be a dead giveaway that he would regenerate at-least one more time... oh well.

I'm guessing that the other Doctor's didn't know, and that 12 just showed up to assist anyways, though that doesn't really help does it?

Yeah, I guess you could argue that it wasn't specifically said that the Eleventh Doctor knew there were twelve other Doctors helping him but even so, it seems like a weak point for continuity that it wasn't explained in any way... not that Doctor Who's ever been strong on that.

Also hasn't Clara been up and down his timeline to be there when he needed her the most. Surely when he was doing his "I'm on my last life" thing, she could of gone "Nah, you'll be fine, trust me".

As for the episode, meh. Considering that it contained most of his deadliest enemies and there were pictures of him holding a severed Cyberman head, it was severely lacking in anything memorable happening other than his regeneration. So, goodbye Matt Smith, thanks for not taking 20 minutes to say goodbye and I suppose thanks for being The Doctor, lets see what the next one brings.

Also, it was kinda nice of the BBC to lend Karen Gillan a wig.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Usually Moffat rubbish. Really, throw the script out and start again.

I suppose that's what happens when you spend five years writing yourself into a massive hole and then have an hour to wrap everything up.

....Was I the only one here who actually watched RTD's episodes?

It was never as messy as the River Song arc or the "explody TARDIS, buttcrack in space" story-line that ran for what, like three seasons.

I can't put my finger on what it is but, for some reason. I think Davies pulled it off better.

 

[Ninjamedic]

It was never as messy as the River Song arc or the "explody TARDIS, buttcrack in space" story-line that ran for what, like three seasons.

I can't put my finger on what it is but, for some reason. I think Davies pulled it off better.

I was going to post a breakdown of each episode, but then I thought that would be just dickish, so I'm just going to chalk it down to taste and the chemistry between the actors in RTD's stories working so well that you can overlook the problems with the script.

 

[Phasmal]

I came out of this episode feeling kind of guilty that I didn't like it that much. I'm happy I'm not the only one.
It just felt a little stale.
Now, I really liked Matt Smith's Doctor (he wasn't my favourite but he bought something new to it), and I don't blame him for the lack of oomph in the episode, but the writing seemed to fall a little flat for me.
I'm looking forward with the Doctor being taken in a new direction by Peter Capaldi.

Oh man I totally forgot in my first rant about how Stephen Moffat literally only knows how to write one type of female character. I do not understand what his problem his, surely someone's pointed out that River Song, Queen Elizabeth, the Church Lady from here, Irene Addler and Clara are all the same person and he should change that? There are more people in the universe than quirky, flirty, sexually aggressive women. I can't remember if the church lady has shown up before (because this episodes approach to plot building was 'here is a picture of something Moffat wrote before, now we're done with that plot element...") but I pretty much facepalmed when I realised she was going to be exactly the same all over again

I'm so glad I'm not the only one to notice this.
Come on, can we give the female characters more... character?
Not every woman fancies the Doctor and exists to worship him and/or die for him.
We need more male and non-sexified alien companions, because I've kind of given up hope of the writers actually not doing the exact same thing with every single female character.*
*And also it would be cool.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one to notice this.
Come on, can we give the female characters more... character?
Not every woman fancies the Doctor and exists to worship him and/or die for him.

It's seemingly because they've decided that Twilight was the way to go, and than the female characters should be as flat as possible, and spend all their time blathering on about how wonderful the main character is, because it's easier than writing him as convincingly wonderful.

 

[Ninjamedic]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one to notice this.
Come on, can we give the female characters more... character?
Not every woman fancies the Doctor and exists to worship him and/or die for him.

It's seemingly because they've decided that Twilight was the way to go, and than the female characters should be as flat as possible, and spend all their time blathering on about how wonderful the main character is, because it's easier than writing him as convincingly wonderful.

Funny that you mention that, I'm watching Remembrance Of The Daleks right now. Ace just beat the unholy crap out of a Dalek with a Baseball Bat. It's awesome.

 

[Jiffex]

I didnt understand the silence at all. Ok so if the doctor says his name the time lords return (for some reason) and if that happens a new time war will start which will destroy the universe. The silence understandably want to stop this and call themselves the silence because they dont want the doctor to talk, and they want him dead. They way they do that is by destroying the Tardis which would destroy the universe..... Did the silence not understand the controversy surrounding the Mass Effect 3 ending?

Also what created the time cracks, the Timelords or the Tardis exploding? Why the Weeping Angels there? Or was it Moffat just going "people liked these guys, so im going to shoe-horn them in for no reason".

I really didnt like this episode at all. For the past couple of years ive been saying the I love Matt Smith and i still do, even though im excited to see what Capaldi will bring the table, but if Doctor Who is to improve they need to get rid of Steven Moffat because he is running the show into the ground.

The Silence that blew the Tardis up were a rouge branch of the church. That created the cracks in the universe. After the Doctor rebooted the universe the cracks were like scars and the Time Lords were able to push through the scars because they were the weakest point of the universe. They needed the Doctor to say his name so they knew it was safe to come through. It was all explained in the episode.

What I was wondering is if the head of the Church is/was River, because of the Doctors comment "You've been fighting the psychopath inside you your whole life" or something along those lines.

 

[Phasmal]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one to notice this.
Come on, can we give the female characters more... character?
Not every woman fancies the Doctor and exists to worship him and/or die for him.

It's seemingly because they've decided that Twilight was the way to go, and than the female characters should be as flat as possible, and spend all their time blathering on about how wonderful the main character is, because it's easier than writing him as convincingly wonderful.

It is kind of disappointing. Not sure what I can do other than wait for a writer change.
Maybe they'll go in a different direction with Peter Capaldi (and I really hope so), but I'm not holding my breath.
It's funny because Moffat wrote my favourite RTD-era episodes, but on his own as lead writer... I'm not loving it.

 

[Jiffex]

The only real problem I had with this episode was why did the Doctor think he was going to die when 13 versions of him turned up at the end of Day of the Doctor, when they were placing Gallifrey in a time thingy? Surely that would be a dead giveaway that he would regenerate at-least one more time... oh well.

I'm guessing that the other Doctor's didn't know, and that 12 just showed up to assist anyways, though that doesn't really help does it?

Yeah, I guess you could argue that it wasn't specifically said that the Eleventh Doctor knew there were twelve other Doctors helping him but even so, it seems like a weak point for continuity that it wasn't explained in any way... not that Doctor Who's ever been strong on that.

Also hasn't Clara been up and down his timeline to be there when he needed her the most. Surely when he was doing his "I'm on my last life" thing, she could of gone "Nah, you'll be fine, trust me".

As for the episode, meh. Considering that it contained most of his deadliest enemies and there were pictures of him holding a severed Cyberman head, it was severely lacking in anything memorable happening other than his regeneration. So, goodbye Matt Smith, thanks for not taking 20 minutes to say goodbye and I suppose thanks for being The Doctor, lets see what the next one brings.

Also, it was kinda nice of the BBC to lend Karen Gillan a wig.

I think that was her hair made into a wig. That's what she said when talking about having it shaved off for Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[GeekFury]

Snip.

Snip.

Saw it Albino, by relaunch I mean pre-2000 Who, such as Tom Baker, John Pertwee and the likes. Most of the new Who episodes come down to 'love conquers all' not the Doctor just being smart and lucky, go back and watch episodes from the days of yore.

 

[Mark Chapman]

My big problem with this episode is that the plot made no goddamn sense. Once the Daleks had taken control of the Church ship, why didn't they just blow up the whole planet? Presumably they're capable of it.

 

[Me55enger]

Dr Who: where the only thing sacred is the next season.

Moffat is running out of original Lore to butcher.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Saw it Albino, by relaunch I mean pre-2000 Who, such as Tom Baker, John Pertwee and the likes. Most of the new Who episodes come down to 'love conquers all' not the Doctor just being smart and lucky, go back and watch episodes from the days of yore.

I think you're referring to me, and 'most' is an exaggeration, I'll admit I hate/dislike most of RTD's episodes, and Moffat does tend to use the "HUMAN SPIRIT" as if he's writing for Gurren Lagann, but to say they're all like that is a bit of an exaggeration.

Also, finished Remembrance. The Seventh Doctor just talked a Dalek into suicide. Badass.

 

[vallorn]

I wasn't a big fan of the drawn out Amy hallucination sequence that felt off to me. I was fine with him seeing that one quick hallucination of young Amy but then the whole older Amy coming down and touching his face was sort of creepy... Also I do like how Moffat decided to finally tie up all these questions although I would like to say that it took him bloody long enough some of them were approaching the realms of being obscure...

Silence being confessional priests was a good way of explaining why they could do what they did (except the lightning hands)

Tasha Lin is probably yet another incarnation of River Song.

Reusing the Dalek Eyestalk People from Asylum was a nice touch as it let the Daleks pull off quite the fast one and become what approached a credible threat.

I am still not a fan of "The time lords are still alive" however... I loved the dark, tragic side that gave to 9 and 10 and seeing the reason the the Rage of 9 and the Regret of 10 just handwaved away like that cheapens their whole arcs especially Bad Wolf and The End Of Time with The Master's sacrifice.

Sorry I probably meandered a bit off topic. I still have serious issues with Moffat as a lead writer but this was above his grade of writing in the recent series and it was somewhat gratifying to see all the plot arcs explained (again, took him long enough)

Back to Moffat issues. I think he needs someone above him to hit him on the head when he starts being self-indulgent or tries to be overly clever he does his best work that way with limited resources. It's the same as George Lucas. Give him restrictions and we get Old Indiana Jones and Original Star Wars. Give him no restrictions and practically unlimited funds and we get... Crystal Skulls, Medichlorians and Jar Jar Binks. With Moffat we get the Empty Child and The Weeping Angels (Blink version... I hold them as separate from the others if only to preserve how much I enjoy that episode) and then we get... a 4 year arc explained in a sentence with Destiny Paradoxes (doesn't The Doctor hate paradoxes?), Amy Pond, River Song (Again. newer version where he practically wrote her as his insert character) and, *Shudder*... Gallifrey Falls, No More.

There was no weight or gravitas to any of this. nothing that might scar the universe even if The Doctor regenerated and as always Moffat pulled a fucking Deus Ex Machina out of his ass to kill the daleks again... Since when were Regenerations akin to nuclear detonations? even Tennants where he was loaded up with radiation only burned a room!

 

[SuperSamio64]

Well, what little story there was was told badly, all the skipping ahead with narration bridging the gaps was quite lazy and meant it was hard to care about the inhabitants of 'Christmas' at all. It felt like an excuse for Steven Moffat to give 'his' Doctor a nice death of old age, rather than having the Silence finally succeed in killing him, which would have been much more dramatic. Telling us there was a big battle isn't the same as showing it - they probably spent all their effects money on the 50th. I feel like 11 could have died about half way through, and then we wouldn't have had to wait until next Autumn to properly see Capaldi's Doctor. Another thing that bugs me, Moffat was bigging this one up as the one that answered all the big questions, but they were just sort of waved away with single lines.