It feels like to me that Moffat only really had ONE series worth of cool ideas for Who when he took over because after this episode the whole show just went downhill. Definitely agreed that the shark jump scare was literal madness. I jumped out my skin when I first watched this episode. Also: the “come along Pond” message at the beginning with the TARDIS flying alongside the ship was so badass. 11’s era was just full of these bad ass moments
I remember enjoying Series 6 back when it came out, or the first half of it at least, but looking back... yeah it was a mess. I've always felt that Moffat was better as a writer of individual episodes, while Davies had a better direction for the show as a whole. That's probably why the two of them worked so well together early on in the revival.
@@spongemaster yea agreed, series 6 (first half) was alright because Moffat was trying to end rivers arc but after a good man goes to war.. yeah he was just freestyling 😭😂 Definitely a one story per season guy.
@Nile's Photography I agree. The episodes with the silence, a good man goes to war, and The girl who waited are some great episodes and all after season 5. Season 7 is really where Moffat went downhill.
Surprised you didn't mention The guest star Kathrine Jenkins as Abigail they had to shoe horn in a song somewhere, I grew up listening to her classical albums thanks to my grandmother and to see her in this episode is a treat... Such a beautiful woman and her voice even more so, so glad she was a part of one of the better episodes in dr who history
Not just a great Christmas special, but a great episode in general. It's perfect material for Matt and the way he bounces off of Micheal Gambon (always a treat) is so entertaining to watch.
"having them hold each other is a little inconsistent with the canon" I've mentioned this to WhoCulture the many times they brought this up, cause they bring it up a lot lol: In this episode, it's fine they held each other because those events became part of Sardick's own history anyway. The rules of time travel doesn't mean you can't touch each other, just as long as the timeline makes sense. The Doctor has... "Touched past versions of themselves" (NOT LIKE THAT) multiple times before. The reason why Rose holding her younger self in Father's Day didn't work was because time was broken because Rose had broken established events the Doctor and Rose had just written and know to be the new timeline now, hence why the Reapers came out and Rose touching her past self breaks things even more. Had the Doctor then took young Sardick back in time again and then went up to them going "no! This is wrong" etc, then the same events as Father's Day would happen. ☺️
Probably my favourite Xmas special in terms of it justifying it's existence as an Xmas special. I always felt the 'Xmas' part of the RTD specials always felt a little superphlus at best and forced at worst. The other Moffat tried but to mixed results.
I think it was due to the fact that Rose had already created a paradox in saving her father that time itself became vulnerable to any other paradoxes (especially considering that the Reapers were already able to invade Earth).
I'm gonna go on a controversial limb right now and say a lot of modern Who exists in that "OMG this is so dumb I love it" storytelling than we'd be comfortable to admit. Sometimes it works. Other times...
I really liked this episode, however my major issue (that i havent seen anyone else talk about) is the extent to which abigail is a plot device, romantic lead and not a character. Her falling for michael gambon (cant remember the name) is weird considering the 8 days shes known him most of it hes been a child (more time travellers wife shenanigans moffat cant get enough of) and even when hes asking the doctor for advice and he says "i have no idea" - im aware this is for laughs but to me it shows the doctor treating her as the girl that gambon has a crush on and not what she actually is, a person who is crying and who the doctor knows how to comfort at least to some degree (i.e. talk to her). I know tbis is a minor complaint in an otherwise great episode, just not seen it mentioned and after moffats tenure (and to an extent chibnalls) im just looking forward to seeing good female characters be written again 😅 even in one off stories
I’ve always wondered if Amy and Rory dressed up, as a centurion and a police officer, was a happy coincidence or a reference to only fools and horses. I know they’ve worn them before in season 5 but the way they’re both caught out wearing the costumes for clearly sexual purposes is so similar to one of the OF&H Christmas specials, where Rodney and Cassandra are caught wearing the exact costume for the exact same reason.
You should definitely check out The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. It's one of the best looking films of all time and Michael Gambon gives a tremondous performance as a disgusting gangster.
I recommend watching The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989) if you want to see Michael Gambon in a VERY different role than the ones your familiar with :)
Narrator: “it did not change after watching Capaldi’s era” Also no, the 2 Kazrans hugging is not canon breaking. The Reapers appear when a fixed point has been altered and more paradoxes only make them stronger like Rose holding Baby Rose. Her changing her own fixed history is what brought The Reapers. Kazran’s life was clearly not fixed, hence no Reapers. It’s a tiny leap of faith but it’s not writing the script for the writer. It makes sense when knowing the rules.
so fun fact. i saw this before i saw the harry potter movies with him in them. and all i could see was scrooge pretending to be Dumbledore. seriously he absolutely WAS scrooge for me. so he sort of ruined the harry potter movies for me (not all on his own i mean he just contributed)
This episode manages to not only be the best Christmas special, but one of the most memorable episodes ever
Michael Gambon is one of my favorite actors. His voice and delivery is absolutely captivating.
Yes superb actor.
RIP Michael Gambon.
It feels like to me that Moffat only really had ONE series worth of cool ideas for Who when he took over because after this episode the whole show just went downhill.
Definitely agreed that the shark jump scare was literal madness. I jumped out my skin when I first watched this episode.
Also: the “come along Pond” message at the beginning with the TARDIS flying alongside the ship was so badass. 11’s era was just full of these bad ass moments
Agreed
I remember enjoying Series 6 back when it came out, or the first half of it at least, but looking back... yeah it was a mess.
I've always felt that Moffat was better as a writer of individual episodes, while Davies had a better direction for the show as a whole. That's probably why the two of them worked so well together early on in the revival.
@@spongemaster yea agreed, series 6 (first half) was alright because Moffat was trying to end rivers arc but after a good man goes to war.. yeah he was just freestyling 😭😂
Definitely a one story per season guy.
@@spongemasterthis
@Nile's Photography I agree. The episodes with the silence, a good man goes to war, and The girl who waited are some great episodes and all after season 5. Season 7 is really where Moffat went downhill.
Surprised you didn't mention The guest star Kathrine Jenkins as Abigail they had to shoe horn in a song somewhere, I grew up listening to her classical albums thanks to my grandmother and to see her in this episode is a treat...
Such a beautiful woman and her voice even more so, so glad she was a part of one of the better episodes in dr who history
Not just a great Christmas special, but a great episode in general. It's perfect material for Matt and the way he bounces off of Micheal Gambon (always a treat) is so entertaining to watch.
The final song always chokes me up, a powerful end to a wonderful episode.
My favourite Christmas special
Man, what a sweet sweet beautiful episode. Moffat Christmas episodes weren't always up to standard, but when they hit, oh boy, they did hit
"having them hold each other is a little inconsistent with the canon"
I've mentioned this to WhoCulture the many times they brought this up, cause they bring it up a lot lol:
In this episode, it's fine they held each other because those events became part of Sardick's own history anyway. The rules of time travel doesn't mean you can't touch each other, just as long as the timeline makes sense. The Doctor has... "Touched past versions of themselves" (NOT LIKE THAT) multiple times before.
The reason why Rose holding her younger self in Father's Day didn't work was because time was broken because Rose had broken established events the Doctor and Rose had just written and know to be the new timeline now, hence why the Reapers came out and Rose touching her past self breaks things even more. Had the Doctor then took young Sardick back in time again and then went up to them going "no! This is wrong" etc, then the same events as Father's Day would happen.
☺️
I love the “NOT LIKE THAT” 😂 you knew exactly where my mind went
OMG, HOW DID THE FAMILY NOT MAKE ANY MONEY FROM THE WOMAN'S SINGING?!?!?!
I have waiting for you to do this episode for SO long now! Thank you reviewing it!
Adding a timey wimey aspect to the christmas carol was a great idea, it's up there with the christmas invasion for me
Probably my favourite Xmas special in terms of it justifying it's existence as an Xmas special. I always felt the 'Xmas' part of the RTD specials always felt a little superphlus at best and forced at worst. The other Moffat tried but to mixed results.
Yeah I always go back to this Christmas special around Christmas, it’s one of the best doctor who episodes post RTD
10:53 if they wanted to they could probably have retroactive continuity and say "oh Rose was a time traveler and that's why it caused problems"
I think it was due to the fact that Rose had already created a paradox in saving her father that time itself became vulnerable to any other paradoxes (especially considering that the Reapers were already able to invade Earth).
I'm gonna go on a controversial limb right now and say a lot of modern Who exists in that "OMG this is so dumb I love it" storytelling than we'd be comfortable to admit. Sometimes it works. Other times...
There is always that one phrase that can floor you. "Because we haven't told them"
I really liked this episode, however my major issue (that i havent seen anyone else talk about) is the extent to which abigail is a plot device, romantic lead and not a character. Her falling for michael gambon (cant remember the name) is weird considering the 8 days shes known him most of it hes been a child (more time travellers wife shenanigans moffat cant get enough of) and even when hes asking the doctor for advice and he says "i have no idea" - im aware this is for laughs but to me it shows the doctor treating her as the girl that gambon has a crush on and not what she actually is, a person who is crying and who the doctor knows how to comfort at least to some degree (i.e. talk to her). I know tbis is a minor complaint in an otherwise great episode, just not seen it mentioned and after moffats tenure (and to an extent chibnalls) im just looking forward to seeing good female characters be written again 😅 even in one off stories
I think this is one of my favorite moffat things
Love this episode
5:31 send me, great edit 😂
I’ve always wondered if Amy and Rory dressed up, as a centurion and a police officer, was a happy coincidence or a reference to only fools and horses.
I know they’ve worn them before in season 5 but the way they’re both caught out wearing the costumes for clearly sexual purposes is so similar to one of the OF&H Christmas specials, where Rodney and Cassandra are caught wearing the exact costume for the exact same reason.
These videos always put a smile on my face man Appreciate it
I like A Christmas Carol
Good review of my favourite Christmas special.
This single episode redeems all the other mediocre ones
Michael Gambon is excellent in The Singing Detective, by Dennis Potter.
I always wanted an episode about the Christmas Party with Monroe
That's a high score. I guess I should watch it again. One of the few stories I've only watched once.
Will you be reviewing The Doctor, The Widow, And The Wardrobe?
Love that one.
You should definitely check out The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. It's one of the best looking films of all time and Michael Gambon gives a tremondous performance as a disgusting gangster.
I recommend watching The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989) if you want to see Michael Gambon in a VERY different role than the ones your familiar with :)
Oh man you so need to watch The Singing Detective, Gambon is awesome in that.
Sardick at times reminds me of Tim Curry's voice
Would young kazran not forget him meeting his older self like the doctor does in day of the doctor and stuff?
I WANT MY BENNIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Narrator: “it did not change after watching Capaldi’s era”
Also no, the 2 Kazrans hugging is not canon breaking. The Reapers appear when a fixed point has been altered and more paradoxes only make them stronger like Rose holding Baby Rose. Her changing her own fixed history is what brought The Reapers. Kazran’s life was clearly not fixed, hence no Reapers. It’s a tiny leap of faith but it’s not writing the script for the writer. It makes sense when knowing the rules.
Hehe Abigail’s box
Also, why couldn't the Doctor scan Abby & get her a cure?? Also also, where R the time bats??? History is changing 6 ways from Sunday!!!
so fun fact. i saw this before i saw the harry potter movies with him in them. and all i could see was scrooge pretending to be Dumbledore. seriously he absolutely WAS scrooge for me. so he sort of ruined the harry potter movies for me (not all on his own i mean he just contributed)
I really like this episode too.
You know why this is a good episode? Because Amy and Rory are barely in it
I’m shocked by the title of this video asking if my favorite Doctor Who episode of all time sucked. I hope your conclusion is No.
am i the only one that didn't like this episode?