Okay, so Christmas is technically over. But my Christmas tree keeps turning itself back on, and half the presents are still under the tree, so I figure it’s still appropriate to talk about this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special.
Here’s what Katie and I thought of “The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.”
Brittany: I think I’m still more partial to the David Tennant-era Christmas specials, but I liked this one better than last year’s “A Christmas Carol.” I could tell how the extra year in the Eleventh Doctor role has benefited Matt Smith; he was great last time but now he seems even more comfortable.
And no offense to Michael Gambon, but as far as guest stars go, I loved Claire Skinner as Madge. I remember her from the small role she had in Burn Up as Rupert Penry-Jones‘ character’s wife, but she was given so little to do in that, since he was busy making eyes at Neve Campbell. Here, you really got to know Madge, and she was such a delight. She had plenty of spunk and really seemed like she fit in the era she was coming from. Not only was she a great Companion, but she stood on her own as well.
Katie: I think this is definitely the better of the two Matt Smith Christmas episodes. Except for the last David Tennant special, I’ve prefered the Christmas specials where the Doctor starts off alone and has an adventure with a new person or new people.
I also liked that they took aspects from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe without making it a parody or a beat-by-beat rehashing of the plot. I loved the happy tears lines and the tieback at the end. And most of all, the dialogue was lovely.
I’m new to Claire Skinner, but I liked her instantly. When I realized she was the widow of the title, it made me sad because I knew what was coming. I love that we got to see how cheery and kind she was before her husband left for war so that when she does find out she lost her husband, that coldness and negativity isn’t just her regular personality. In maybe the first 20 minutes of the special, they developed a brand new character with immense depth and likability who just happens to have great chemistry, with Matt Smith.
What did you think of the kids? I liked that they both acted like kids and that the older sister wasn’t a complete snob.
Brittany: I liked the kids. And hey, random Bill Bailey cameos are always welcome. Maybe next year we can get Dylan Moran?
Katie: Dylan Moran would be interesting. What I didn’t like so much was the antagonist, or lack thereof. The treepeople were so sinister for most of the special, but they just kind of went away at the end. It wasn’t the worst ending I’ve seen from the show, but it wasn’t the strongest. I will say I liked the ending for the family, and how the “widow” had to go through this in order to save her husband.
Brittany: I agree. I had a hard time taking the treepeople seriously, but I think that’s because I kept recalling the talking trees from the Indian casino episode of Family Guy (“the world’s smallest violin, Scott!”). Of course, they’re not any more ridiculous than the attacking Christmas tree from “The Christmas Invasion.”
On a slightly unrelated note, what do you think of the news that we’re getting new Companions sometime in this upcoming series? Any suggestions?
Katie: I have no problem with getting new companions. I genuinely like Rory and Amy, but this is the second time the Doctor has dropped them off (including the off-screen farewell before this past season). If they come back full-time again, what’s the point of the last goodbye?
I’d love to see a male companion on his own, which I know has happened in Classic Who, but we really haven’t seen it in the new series. Not including Wilfred, of course.
Brittany: It’d be interesting if it were a guy, to counteract the long line of ladies, as you said. I just don’t know who. I think all of my favorite British actors are probably too old for the role. Like, since I mentioned him earlier, Rupert Penry-Jones from Spooks. Great actor, wrong age group … and besides, then it would get way too serious in the TARDIS.
What did you think of the latest Doctor Who special? Who would you like to see as the next Companion? Let us know in the comments.
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Jan 02, 2012 @ 09:03 EST5EDT
I was enjoying the Christmas episode just fine but then the ending just killed me. I loved the house tour scene. Moffat does those types of scenes really well. Little Amy cooking, the history of Mels, the house scene. I don’t know what you call them. Expanded montages?
I felt that the tree people was kinda just filler. I’m glad that Madge got her happy ending. She was a fantastic character.
The ending makes me dread the next series. Amy and Rory are more than the Doctor’s companions. They are his family (hence the happy human crying at the end). The few mentions I’ve read of the end of the Ponds have indicated that it is heartbreaking. Moffatt is getting pretty Whedonesque if he sets up the Doctor with this happiness of having family again and then tears it away from him. But I swear to God, if it’s another separation created by absorbing the essence of the time vortex and separation is necessary for the sustainability of reality I will be really disappointed.
I WOULD love to see Robert Sheehan as a companion. Now that would be a very tasty combo to see. Robert has just the right kind of style to “Run” with the Doctor And out with Matt Smith would be real nice the two would be complimentary. Or How about Rose. Now Matt Smith could go see her as David could not. That would also be a fun one to see.