Doctor Who Christmas specials ranked: Is Gatwa, Smith, Tennant, Capaldi or Whittaker the best festive Time Lord?
As a long-time Whovian who has seen every episode since the show’s revival in 2005, I must say that BBC’s Doctor Who has always managed to deliver an extraordinary blend of adventure, humor, and heartwarming storytelling. However, when it comes to their Christmas specials, they truly outshine themselves. The festive episodes have become a much-anticipated tradition for me and millions of other fans.
Exactly a year ago, Ncuti Gatwa officially began wielding the redesigned sonic screwdriver as the Fifteenth version of The Doctor.
In his inaugural Christmas special titled ‘The Church on Ruby Road’, Millie Gibson, a previous cast member from ‘Coronation Street’, was introduced as Ruby Sunday, the Doctor’s ally and companion. Together, they teamed up against the threatening Goblin King to combat evil.
The episode became part of the beloved collection of Doctor Who holiday specials that have been illuminating our holidays since 2005.
How do the annual Christmas episodes of the revamped Doctor Who rank? Which ones are standout hits and which ones are holiday disasters?
Here’s our ranking – beginning with an adventure that most certainly requires a few sherries for optimum ‘enjoyment’…
15. The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe
It’s possible that among all the Christmas special episodes of Doctor Who, this Narnia-inspired adventure might be the most disappointing. Compared to those aired since 2005, it ranks as one of the series’ weakest productions.
A game cast gives its all, but this saccharine and none-too-subtle episode is a waste of their talents – particularly high-profile comic guest stars Bill Bailey and Arabella Weir. And, in “Humany wumany!”, it delivers what may very well be the worst line in Doctor Who history. Yes, worse even than: “I know so little about tele-biogenesis.”
14. The Time of the Doctor
Kicking off our pre-Christmas special lineup is the one from 2013 featuring Matt Smith, which aired on Christmas Day. However, unlike typical holiday cheer, this episode focuses more on saying goodbye to its main star rather than on traditional Christmas shenanigans.
Regrettably, it doesn’t quite fit the bill as an effective Christmas special or a fitting farewell story for the Eleventh Doctor. The narrative seems to rehash familiar elements while moving at a brisk pace that leaves it feeling somewhat monotonous.
Nevertheless, Smith’s extraordinary performance touched everyone, leaving no one, not even a Weeping Angel, unaffected by his heartfelt goodbye.
13. Twice Upon a Time
The title ‘Twice Upon a Time’ wasn’t strictly necessary. It seems it was penned, at least partially, due to obligation, as Steven Moffat stepped up to bridge the gap between his last series and Chris Chibnall’s premiere in 2018.
In simpler terms, ‘The Doctor Falls’ served as Peter Capaldi’s final goodbye to the role of Doctor Who, more like a tender conclusion or afterword. Despite this, it was an incredibly touching and at times painful farewell, with Capaldi delivering a poignant swan song that resonated deeply with fans. David Bradley, in his portrayal of the unchanged First Doctor, added a delightful twist to the story.
As a devoted fan, I must say, regardless of any off-screen dramas surrounding the creation process, Moffat’s script unfolds effortlessly – it’s a poignant, amusing, intellectually stimulating Christmas delight that caters to families while also serving as a fitting farewell to an entire epoch.
12. The Next Doctor
Without a doubt, ‘The Next Doctor’, one of the underappreciated Christmas specials, skillfully combines exhilarating excitement – thanks to a lively portrayal by David Morrissey as Jackson Lake – with profound emotion.
The title of the episode was a clever tease by Davies, considering David Tennant had revealed his departure from Doctor Who only two months prior. However, the heart-wrenching reason Jackson thinks he’s a Time Lord truly hits home, as does the Doctor’s poignant revelation about why he prefers to travel solo.
Plus, there’s a gigantic Cyberman stalking the streets of Victorian London. What’s not to like?
11. The Husbands of River Song
Regarding Capaldi and Kingston, it seems the high expectations set by Russell T Davies with his vibrant statement might not have been met entirely in the 2015 special. However, there was an enchanting chemistry between River and Twelve that made “The Husbands of River Song” enjoyable, despite moments when the plot seemed to slow down.
In the end, the last scene is equally stunning – as the Doctor ultimately brings his wife to the musical towers of Darillium, beautifully concluding a tale that began eight years ago.
10. The Return of Doctor Mysterio
It might not have been a good idea for Doctor Who to take on the role of a superhero, and in fact, it could have turned out really poorly.
Even with our utmost effort, the BBC’s financial resources don’t match those of Marvel or Warner Bros, at least not yet. Attempting to imitate their blockbuster productions might have resulted in an awkward outcome.
In ‘The Return of Doctor Mysterio’, some effects might seem a tad shaky, but you’ll likely overlook these minor issues because the 2016 Christmas special of Doctor Who, marking its return after a year-long hiatus, is just pure, unadulterated fun.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that this episode was one of the funniest I’ve seen recently. It was heartwarming, amusing, and downright hilarious from start to finish. It truly made for a great holiday watch.
9. Voyage of the Damned
The highly popular “Doctor Who” episode, which attracted record-breaking viewership, was a standout. It featured Kylie Minogue and the Titanic theme. In this episode, an extravagant yet doomed cruise ship, reminiscent of the Titanic, glided through the air above London on a Christmas excursion to experience the unusual phenomenon of Christmas.
This special event surpasses many other festive ones, and it doesn’t get any more grandiose than this one. The highlight is when the Doctor prevents an interstellar Titanic from crashing into Buckingham Palace, with the Queen herself expressing her gratitude for his actions, yes, that actually happened.
8. Resolution
Approximately four weeks following the end of series 11, ‘Resolution’ served not as a holiday special but rather a delayed conclusion to Jodie Whittaker’s initial run on Doctor Who. This final episode wrapped up her first year with a thrilling action spectacle that creatively reimagined the Daleks in an impressive manner.
The show reached a level of exhilaration unprecedented by any previous episodes, leaning heavily into a typical Hollywood style. Yet, cleverly, writer Chris Chibnall added depth to the excitement with an emotional core centered around Ryan’s (Tosin Cole) tense reunion with his long-lost father.
This episode might have faced challenges, much like Series 11, in managing four main characters alongside two important guest stars. However, it delivered an engaging hour that gracefully set the stage for Doctor Who in 2019 with both elegance and depth.
7. The Snowmen
2012’s release showcases not only a menacing specter – a play on words – like the Great Intelligence and its animate snowmen, but also some of the most enchanting scenes ever in the chronicles of Doctor Who. The climb of Victorian Clara up the TARDIS stairway into the clouds is exceptionally captivating.
Matt Smith once again shines brilliantly, demonstrating pure joy as Moffat’s script allows him to transition seamlessly from a grumpy Scrooge-like character to an awkward young man to a hopeless romantic. The story concludes on an unforeseen and daring note, reminiscent of ‘Asylum of the Daleks’, which skillfully sets up the narrative arc for the Impossible Girl…
6. The Church on Ruby Road
As I sat down for the festive special, Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the Doctor was nothing short of electrifying, radiating charm in a snazzy mustard overcoat, ready to breathe new life into the character and call it his own.
In the heart of a chilly, moonlit night, a church blanketed in snow makes for an enchanting holiday atmosphere.
The entire production offers an energetic joy and a heartwarming message in its climax that will make you feel all cozy and festive – even with goblins present. This Christmas special is like the first scrumptious chocolate from the Celebrations box: so tasty it leaves you yearning for more sweetness.
5. The Runaway Bride
“I’m not an alien from Mars! It was perfect to have a light-hearted adventure for Doctor Who at Christmas in 2006, after the emotional separation of the Doctor and Rose.
As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the lively banter between Ten and Donna, which brings lots of enjoyment, even when Catherine Tate’s future companion, who was still developing into the beloved character we recognize later on, occasionally feels a bit tough to swallow. The TARDIS on the motorway scene, however, is an absolute blast of outrageous fun that I can’t get enough of!
12-plus years back, as a devoted gamer, I wouldn’t have bet my last coin on ‘The Runaway Bride’ becoming a fan favorite, but it surely gave a strong attempt to demonstrate that the series could thrive without the iconic Billie Piper. It wasn’t an obvious win at the time, but looking back now, it was a commendable effort.
4. The End of Time
It seems that “The End of Time” is rather disorganized. The tone varies greatly, and it attempts to tackle numerous aspects simultaneously, as if Russell T. Davies is merely tossing ideas against a wall to see what adheres.
But, you know what? It’s still one of the most powerful and heartbreaking stories that the show has produced in its history, with stellar performances from David Tennant and Bernard Cribbins in particular.
In a heart-wrenching scene, Wilf crumbles as he pleads with the Doctor not to perish, Ten becomes enraged against the extinguishing of the light as he uncovers the true significance of those four knocks, and without a doubt, “I don’t want you to go”… all moments that left us in tears at Christmas. Bravo, Doctor Who, for making us cry at such an enjoyable time of year.
3. The Christmas Invasion
There’s an undeniably endearing quality to the first genuine attempt by Doctor Who at a Christmas special – that is, if we exclude the 1965 peculiarity called ‘The Feast of Steven’.
In a new and daring direction, the television series found itself without its long-time captain – Christopher Eccleston having regenerated six months prior. It may seem that the BBC executives were on edge, fearing another potential downfall of their successful revival. However, they had nothing to fret about.
Despite its imperfections, you can’t help but be drawn into the lively holiday spirit of ‘The Christmas Invasion’, featuring David Tennant delivering a convincing debut that seamlessly blends with the established elements of 2005’s ‘Doctor Who’, as though he had been part of it since the beginning.
Oh, and ‘Song for Ten’ is one of the best Christmas songs never to have troubled the charts.
2. Last Christmas
As a gamer, I’ve always appreciated the jolly and whimsical aspects of festive content. But for his fifth special, Moffat decided to take a darker turn, crafting a tale that feels like a chilling Christmas ghost story instead.
It might surprise you to learn that Nick Frost took on the role of Santa Claus in the film “Last Christmas,” but this holiday movie has more to do with horror than joy, blending elements similar to “Inception” and “Alien.
Instead of regretting that the episode didn’t turn out to be Jenna Coleman’s departure as initially planned, one could say it was unfortunate that we missed an opportunity for an elderly Clara bidding her emotional farewell to her Doctor. Perhaps, it might have been too heavy for the sleepy British audience, who were still digesting their Christmas dinner.
1. A Christmas Carol
In December 2010, Doctor Who reached its peak – Matt Smith and Steven Moffat achieved something that many considered unattainable. They not only filled the big shoes left by Tennant and Davies, but also produced what is arguably the best consecutive series of episodes to have ever been made.
To put the cherry on top, they managed to produce an exceptional Christmas special for their debut attempt at the show. It was romantic, grand, hopeful, yet subtly melancholic to avoid being overly saccharine. This brilliant science fiction adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is ideal viewing for Christmas Day, featuring a heartwarming performance by Michael Gambon and Matt Smith delivering an outstanding performance.
It was once suggested that Doctor Who is really all about “the triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism” and ‘A Christmas Carol’ is about as pure an example of that as you can imagine.
The beloved series, “Doctor Who,” will carry on with its special episode titled “Joy to the World” this Christmas Day (December 25) at 5:10 PM. In the UK, you can catch it on BBC One, while viewers outside of the UK can enjoy it on Disney+.
Classic episodes of Doctor Who are now made available via BBC iPlayer in the UK as well.
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2024-12-23 13:49