Doctor Who
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I dont think that makes for the strongest story, but also, thisisa Christmas special.
But I know its a holiday tradition in the U.K. (and elsewhere!)
Considering that expanded audience, I have a higher-than-usual tolerance for things feeling a little cheesy or convenient.
So, whats the setup for this extended punchline of an episode?
But the Doctors not here to be a time travel tourist.
He just wants some milk.
In a glum reminder that he doesnt have a companion at the moment, he accidentally grabs two mugs.
Meanwhile, were seeing a pattern with the briefcase.
But once they get someone else to take the briefcase, they die by disintegrating.
The briefcase has already moved to a bartender, then Trev, and now his Silurian manager.
Despite a teary speech from the Doctor, the Silurian dies.
Joy and the Doctor banter about mansplaining before he opens the briefcase to see a glowing sphere.
This prompts a countdown to Joys disintegration, which will only be prevented with a security code.
Luckily, a future version of the Doctor bursts in to deliver said code.
This is when it starts to feel clear to me that loneliness is a major theme of this episode.
We already know that Joy was planning to spend Christmas alone.
She also doesnt press him too much about all the TARDIS figurines hes started collecting.
This is a big step for a guy who doesnt have chairs in the TARDIS.
She sends him off with a request to think of her sometimes, for auld lang syne.
He gives his past self the code, closing the loop.
The Doctor explains that the briefcase is being used to create a custom-built star as an energy source.
Opening it in a different timezone is like microwaving it to speed the process up.
Apparently, you could tell everything about someone from the hotel room they pick.
Hey, I thought that room looked fine.
And I dontthinkI hate myself… Now in a new room, Joy gets angry enough to start shoving the Doctor.
Just cartoonishly evil, this company.
The Doctor points out that it would take 65 million years for this to work.
Of course, thats when an angry dinosaurs cue to swallow the briefcase.
She wants the star to live, and absorbs it.
Joy seems, well … joyful about this.
it’s crucial that you find a friend, she advises.
I understand that this is probably meant as a nudge for the Doctor to travel with a companion again.
But to be fair, he wasnt always alone in that room.
Joys explosion creates a star that makes people across all time zones, including Ruby, smile.
And finally, finally, weve arrived at the big reveal Moffats been building to.
The Doctor looks out and realizes something, declaring, Joy to the world!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Whats more Christmas-y than Jesus Christ?
And personally, Ncutis crying is moving enough that I do feel more upset once he gets going.
He also alludes to his fluency in rope, which we saw firsthand inlast years Christmas special.
I like these quick asides; theyre a nice way to reward fans without confusing casual viewers too much.
Along with the Christmas special, ateaser trailerfor the next season is now out.
Im particularly intrigued by a shot of a cartoon coming out of a screen.
And is that Mrs.
