Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

by **Patrick** Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:53 pm

And so Christmas has arrived. Here's hoping your day was joyous and peaceful. But this is Christmas, and it wouldn't quite be complete without a visit from our favorite Time Lord.

So, what did you think of this year's Christmas Special? Was it that last, unexpected and treasured present under the tree? Or that lump of coal in the stocking you'd rather forget about? Let's be hearing from you on this Christmas day!

This thread will remain locked until after transmission of "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe" has aired in the UK. North America members- beware of spoilers, given the time difference between UK airings and when it reaches airwaves on the west side of the big pond.

by **Dave Webb** Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:09 pm

Not the greatest Doctor Who story ever, but as a piece of Christmas entertainment, the best thing I've seen in a little while.

Top stuff from Matt Smith, an excellent supporting cast - the kids were very good - and interesting under use of the celeb cameos.

I unashamedly enjoyed the hell out of it, so it gets a solid 4.

by stanmore Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:17 pm

The kids were remarkable. One thing you can't fault the Moffat era is the quality of the child acting.

I thought it was great. By turns, soppy and magical. And often very funny. This may be a controversial opinion, but even when Moffat leaves Who, I want him to continue doing the Christmas Specials...

by The Browncoat Cat Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:50 pm

I have had to stop reading the Rant the Episode thread on GalifreyBase because it was eating away at the Christmas Spirit. A Christmas Spirit buoyed up after watching a great episode of Doctor Who. I know there are some people who don't like the Moffat style of Doctor Who, but this year's Christmas Special, with all its faults was not the disaster that those miserable sods over in the other place claim. It loses points big time for the way The Doctor was able to crawl into a space suit whilst falling low earth orbit in the vacuum of space. But it gains them back elsewhere. Matt Smith is on fine form as The Doctor. Claire Skinner and Holly Earl were great. The boy playing Cyril was a bit meh, but then again he did what I was supposed to do. Alexander Armstrong's connection with the franchise looks to me as if it is going to continue because I suspect this is not the last time we have seen the Arwells in the series. Likewise, I also think the blink and you will miss it appearance of Bill Bailley, Arabella Weir and Paul Bazely was the start of something bigger.
I only hope that the upcoming thirty third series will be as good as The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe.

by **Johnstone McGuckian** Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:56 pm

Probably the best Xmas special to date. Fun and Christmassy and I loved the Ponds cameo at the end. Doctor Who is still at the height of its powers and doesnt seem to be weakening in any way. A solid 4/5. Smith is the best Doctor since Troughton.

by **Dave Webb** Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:31 pm

The Browncoat Cat wrote: It loses points big time for the way The Doctor was able to crawl into a space suit whilst falling low earth orbit in the vacuum of space.

There was so much else wrong with that sequence that if all people can find to nitpick about was his being able to put a spacesuit on then I want them to hand in their SCIENS!!!1 cards and commit to drinking lager and watching Eastenders like all the proper grownups.

The best bit about that sequence was the way in which it didn't matter and how Madge dealt with the whole experience. The whole falling out of the sky thing is just how stuff happens to The Doctor, and we should be used to it by now.

by **Nick Barlow** Sun Dec 25, 2011 3:18 pm

I actually enjoyed that - maybe going into it with no expectations was the best approach. For me, that was Moffat's best episode since Blink and I wish he'd do more that are just good fun stories rather than what we've been getting from him recently.

Not perfect, but good fun for Christmas Day.

by Rich Flair Mon Dec 26, 2011 3:09 am

Solid Xmas nonsense - I think it would have worked well had you never seen or heard of Doctor Who before. Nice to see no timey-wimey. It's still only the 6th best Xmas special.

by **Patrick** Mon Dec 26, 2011 9:17 am

Well, I loved it. That ending with Rory and Amy- if your eyes didn't well up a little, I don't know what it would take. Lovely story.

Now, having said that, I've been under the impression since 1984 that whatever else their faults, the people of Androzani Major were at least competent. Here we get Larry, Curly and Moe. First it was Spectrox, then it was trees. Is there any resource they won't over-exploit?

It gets a solid 4 from me.

by **Nick Barlow** Mon Dec 26, 2011 9:34 am

After looking at the ratings, I was tempted to give it a 1/5 - what are you doing putting Scrooged down there?

by **Patrick** Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:28 am

It was a theme. Well, it was the only theme that occured to me at the time.

by **Zoltar** Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:58 am

A rock (tree?) solid 4/5. Great fun, very Christmas-y, enjoyed it very much.

Patrick wrote:Now, having said that, I've been under the impression since 1984 that whatever else their faults, the people of Androzani Major were at least competent. Here we get Larry, Curly and Moe.

Well, every planet's got a few lunkheads. Sometimes several, if holiday drivers yesterday are any indication. Razz

by **Dave Webb** Mon Dec 26, 2011 3:47 pm

Patrick wrote:
Now, having said that, I've been under the impression since 1984 that whatever else their faults, the people of Androzani Major were at least competent. Here we get Larry, Curly and Moe. First it was Spectrox, then it was trees. Is there any resource they won't over-exploit?

They're one of my favourite bits.

by **Patrick** Mon Dec 26, 2011 7:14 pm

Zoltar wrote:
Patrick wrote:Now, having said that, I've been under the impression since 1984 that whatever else their faults, the people of Androzani Major were at least competent. Here we get Larry, Curly and Moe.

Well, every planet's got a few lunkheads. Sometimes several, if holiday drivers yesterday are any indication.

[/quote]

I know of what you speak, Zoltar. I encountered a few Larries, Curlies and Moes on the trip home last night, myself.

Dave Webb wrote:
Patrick wrote:
Now, having said that, I've been under the impression since 1984 that whatever else their faults, the people of Androzani Major were at least competent. Here we get Larry, Curly and Moe. First it was Spectrox, then it was trees. Is there any resource they won't over-exploit?

They're one of my favourite bits.

I enjoyed it too. Instead of Normington aside, we got a Bill Bailey 'look at the camera.' I was just, you know, commenting.

by barnaby morbius Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:43 am

i quite enjoyed it- not the best we've seen but some good jokes and performances though bill bailey was completely wasted.

a couple of things though- my brother in laws dad just died a few days ago and i thought it was a bit morbid, and the death stuff was a bit overdone.

also it was the first dr who ive seen in HD and the effects at the start looked terrible! back to normal vision next time!

by Jennyjenkins Wed Dec 28, 2011 1:24 am

I need to watch again, however I really enjoyed it, there were one or two bits that grated a little

The Browncoat Cat wrote:. It loses points big time for the way The Doctor was able to crawl into a space suit whilst falling low earth orbit in the vacuum of space.

This being one of them - I might have been indulging in a little shouting at the telly at this point Cool

by Ginger Ninja Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:12 am

Several points ruin the episode for me. First and foremost is wasting Alexander Armstrong and Bill Bailey in such minor roles.
Very average 3/5

by **The Co=Ordinator** Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:20 am

Moffat only delievered this script at the last minute and as such it is a mishmash of ideas - some worked, some didn't.

Agree with The Ninja about a waste of Bailey & Armstrong. Androzani fanwank gains it enough stripes to earn a 3, but only just.

by **Patrick** Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:27 am

Jennyjenkins wrote:I need to watch again, however I really enjoyed it, there were one or two bits that grated a little
The Browncoat Cat wrote:. It loses points big time for the way The Doctor was able to crawl into a space suit whilst falling low earth orbit in the vacuum of space.

This being one of them - I might have been indulging in a little shouting at the telly at this point

Are you all forgetting Peter Davison in Four To Doomsday? (Well, I admit, it was kind of a forgettable four parter.) But I thought that wrestling with a space suit in orbit was another Davison reference in the story.

by barnaby morbius Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:35 pm

Patrick wrote:
Jennyjenkins wrote:I need to watch again, however I really enjoyed it, there were one or two bits that grated a little
The Browncoat Cat wrote:. It loses points big time for the way The Doctor was able to crawl into a space suit whilst falling low earth orbit in the vacuum of space.

This being one of them - I might have been indulging in a little shouting at the telly at this point

Are you all forgetting Peter Davison in Four To Doomsday? (Well, I admit, it was kind of a forgettable four parter.) But I thought that wrestling with a space suit in orbit was another Davison reference in the story.

"Four To Doomsday" was an awesome story, "Patrick".

10/10.

by **Patrick** Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:37 pm

You're only saying that because you had a crush on Madam Enlightenment.

by Rich Flair Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:35 am

It's possible to survive for up to a minute in a vacuum. And the space suit was fixing him, as stated in the show. A minor nitpick.

by Jennyjenkins Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:08 am

I wasn't so much worried about the lack of air as the extreme depressuring and freezingness - wouldn't any moisture on eyes, in mouth etc either evaporate off or freeze?

by Rich Flair Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:10 am

His internal fluids would boil, due to the difference in pressure. But it would take a minute. And Time Lords have a respitory bypass system, which I'm sure would affect things differently. But it would have been a nice efect if, as you say, his face started to freeze!

Hope you had a nice xmas, Jenny Jenkins!

by Jennyjenkins Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:26 am

Rich Flair wrote:His internal fluids would boil, due to the difference in pressure. But it would take a minute. And Time Lords have a respitory bypass system, which I'm sure would affect things differently. But it would have been a nice efect if, as you say, his face started to freeze!

Hope you had a nice xmas, Jenny Jenkins!

Ah, not too hard to suspend disbelief then Smile

Christmas was good if a little weird thanks Rich - due to husband starting new job and working till 9pm on Christmas day, we started our meal at 9:30 pm, also have been tooing and froing from Mum's as she had her hip done the Monday before Christmas.

by Sponsored content

Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"

Re: Rate "The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"