At first this episode is incredibly confusing but it becomes clear what is happening quite quickly. We learn more about The Doctor's past with The Division and instead of it being just exposition it's actually part of the plot. To offer a break from the manic pacing of the episode there's a delightful subplot with one of my new favourite guest characters. Overall this episode answers a lot of questions but also crucially introduces some even more intriguing pieces of information. And to top it all off - that cliffhanger!
Reviews
13 Reviews
Doctor Who
(2005–2022)
The show ended in 2017
23 August 2021
Seasons 1 through 10 are brilliant overall. Seasons 11 and 12 are so awful that they might as well be a different show altogether. From 2018 onwards, the vibes and tone are just plain wrong. Don't even bother watching any episodes post-2017.
Not great
4 January 2021
It's not terrible. And it's better than some of Series 11. The Recon Dalek is actually quite good and manages to be more threatening than past Daleks. No matter how sound the plot might be, it's really quite uninvolving. Yaz, the best of the 'fam', is once again left in the background. This episode also contains one of the most un-Doctor-Whoey scenes in the show's history. If you walked in at that moment and told me get Corrie off the screen, I wouldn't be surprised. Still, at least Chibnall is a remainer.
A real oddity
4 January 2021
There is almost nothing Christmassy about this Special, and it makes a refreshing change.
In fact, it really doesn't feel like Doctor Who. Until Peter Capaldi steps into the room and does that smile of his; then you know, this is Doctor Who. It's also absolutely hilarious. And Steven Moffatt even realises how good a writer he is by having The Doctor tell the villains that 'it's a good plan'. It truly is strange, and I think if they ever tried something like this again, it would fail.
Gorgeous
4 January 2021
I used to think no Christmas Special could ever be better than The Snowmen. Now I'm starting to rethink that idea. Steven Moffatt has once again achieved the perfect balance of laugh-out-loud moments and moments that will leave you ugly-crying. Peter Capaldi and Alex Kingston deliver the beautiful chemistry that I never felt between her and Matt's Doctor. It's never scary, which is absolutely fine, and rarely threatening, which is fine for Christmas, but may convince some that it lacks any plot. They would be wrong.
Overall, a masterpiece and a half.
Santa Claws
4 January 2021
Peter Capaldi's first Christmas Special delivers all that I had hoped. It's extremely dark, relentlessly funny and unapologetically Christmassy. The entire production is of a high standard, and in some parts, it's really quite scary. Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi never dissapoint. For me, however, the whole Santa thing was a bit on the nose.
Apart from that, it's fantastic.
Wasted potential
3 January 2021
Steven Moffatt's excellent run of Christmas Specials ends on a rather flat note.
Don't get me wrong. The atmosphere, visuals, special effects, direction and production are all absolutely on-point. Jenna Coleman and Matt Smith are absolutely brilliant, and there are many moments that ascend to levels of greatness. Unfortunately, Tasha Lem ruins the whole episode. I really didn't understand the decision to introduce a completely new character for one episode only. There are countless other characters who have the same kind of connection to The Doctor who could have been used instead. And, personally, I find her annoying.
If you can look past this, the episode is throughly enjoyable. Well, apart from when you'll be crying your eyes out.
The best Christmas Special yet
3 January 2021
Honestly, nothing that anyone will say could convince me that The Snowmen isn't an all-round masterpiece. Hilarious when it needs to be, heart-wrenching when it needs to be, basically, its TV gold.
And it has Strax in it. What more could you want?
Divisive
3 January 2021
I know that a vast amount of people really hate this Special. Maybe they think it's a bit too Christmassy. Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. It's good enjoyable fun for everyone and it packs some really powerful moments. The plot, although basic, is flawless. And the production is of a very high standard. The perfect Christmas viewing
Sheer beauty
3 January 2021
Wow, Steven Moffatt really does know how to write, doesn't he? Every minute of this special is absolute perfection. Every line is either hilarious or crucial to the plot. Everyone is performing their heart out. It's simply sublime.
Yeah, the reapers should probably have turned up at some point. But they never properly explained The Blinovitch Limitation effect, so I'm gonna let Moffatt off on this one.
A great send-off
2 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a review for The End of Time Parts One and Two.
Recently I rewatched all the Christmas Specials in preparation for the new Revolution of the Daleks. I used to and still do think that The End of Time is overrated but that doesn't mean it's not good.
There are many aspects that make this story amazing: David Tennant's performance throughout (no matter what emotion he portrays, he hits the nail on the head every time), Bernard Cribbins being the best companion-that-never-was of all time, Donna and Sylvia just being Donna and Sylvia, the majority of John Simm's performance, Rossiter and Adams being the most human aliens ever, The Master's plan being mental but brilliant, the cyclical structure of The Doctor's visit to the Ood-Sphere and his final meeting with Ood Sigma, The Doctor visiting all his old friends ...
Sure, there are flaws: The Time Lords are disappointing to say the least, Tommo and Ginger cannot act, and it's obviously padded in parts, but, its glorious.
Its a fitting end for The Doctor that we were all going to miss.
Better than expected
1 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to this special. Chris Chibnall's era so far hadn't been consistently enjoyable. This special seemed to promise so much and I didnt think it would manage to achieve it. Firstly, there was the long-awaited return of Captain Jack and the less-awaited return of the insufferable Jack Robertson. There was the problem of Jodie being in prison and 'the fam' being left on earth. There was also the promise of the daleks, who are far from my favourite villain. And finally, Graham and Ryan needed to be written out. I never imagined the special would live up to these needs and therefore I was dreading it.
How wrong I was. Chris Chibnall's penchant for terrible exposition and dialogue seems to have died away. Captain Jack was acceptable. The plot was virtually flawless, and hints of what was to come were very cleverly weaved into the storyline. The daleks were really quite good and there was a multitude of twists and turns that really surprised me. Thank God Ryan and Graham left, as they were only slightly less wooden than usual. Their leaving scene was predictable but perfectly executed, and Yaz was finally allowed to take centre stage; she did not dissapoint. Jodie is the best she's ever been (which isn't difficult) and there were actually some scenes that she really impressed me in. Even Jack Robertson was fairly entertaining. As always with this new era, the direction, production, music and special effects were all top-notch. Definitely my favourite written by Chibnall.
Unfortunately, it doesn't quite match the standards of the Peter Capaldi era, for example, and I don't think I'll ever know quite why.
Overall, this story exceeded my expectations and I wouldn't be surprised if it was deemed a qualified success.
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