December 25th 2024.
Get ready for another exciting holiday adventure as Doctor Who makes its highly-anticipated return with a festive special. This time, we can expect more timey-wimey escapades, the signature flair of Ncuti Gatwa, and the incomparable talent of Nicola Coughlan.
Titled "Joy To The World," this special also marks the comeback of Steven Moffat, who hasn't written a Christmas episode since 2017. As expected, it features all the classic elements of the Whoniverse, from mysterious hotels to captivating one-off guest stars, but with a fresh twist.
The story revolves around Joy Almondo, a guest at a London hotel in 2024. Little does she know, her room is a portal to the mystical Time Hotel, and her presence becomes the center of a collision between her world and that of the 15th Doctor. Along the way, we meet eccentric characters like the lovable bellman Trev and the charming hotel everywoman Anita.
But the real standout of this episode is Nicola Coughlan, who delivers a brilliant performance and showcases her incredible range as an actress. She shines in her interactions with the Doctor, as she tries to make herself heard amidst a deadly threat - a black briefcase that has inexplicably attached itself to her.
Joy's character also brings depth to the story, especially in the emotional moments where she confronts her own loneliness and in turn, forces the Doctor to do the same. She has all the qualities of a perfect companion, which makes it a shame that she has only been confirmed for a one-off appearance by the BBC.
The chemistry between Joy and Ncuti is just beginning to blossom when the hour comes to an end, leaving viewers wondering where their dynamic could have gone with a recurring guest appearance. Doctor Who is known for its impressive yet fleeting guest stars, and it seems like Nicola Coughlan may follow the same fate. Of course, with Doctor Who, no door is ever truly closed, but with Nicola's rising stardom, it's unlikely that she will make a return.
In this episode, the Doctor also mourns the loss of another companion, Ruby Sunday, which is where the story falls flat. Despite the emotional journey that the Doctor goes through, it's hard to believe his anguish when Ruby is safe and sound at home. This lack of development in their relationship makes the emotional aspect of the episode feel superficial, with the adventure plot carrying most of the weight.
Aside from the plot, Moffat's vision for this episode is ambitious, taking us on a journey through different time zones, from dinosaurs to Mount Everest, as the Doctor races to save the earth. The special effects, thanks to the healthy Disney budget, bring this story to life and deliver some thrilling action sequences that were once unimaginable in earlier seasons of Doctor Who.
While "Joy To The World" offers a festive and chaotic plot with memorable characters, it suffers from the lack of development in the earlier seasons. The plot also falls into predictable patterns, reminiscent of Moffat and Davies' previous episodes, making it hard to stand out from the many excellent Christmas specials that came before it.
Make sure to tune in for the Doctor Who Christmas special, "Joy To The World," on December 25 at 5:10pm on BBC One. This article was originally published on December 20, 2024. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, feel free to get in touch with The Agency entertainment team through email, phone, or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
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