Story #213 - A Christmas Carol (2010)

Sarah -

Things have been a little harried at my end of the Sofa these last few months, so this story was exactly what I needed. I have not watched it since the first broadcast and didn't remember too many details. Yes, it's a take off of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but Steven Moffat turns it into the perfect Doctor Who Christmas Special.

Harry -

This is a very Moffatty take on the Dickens tale, complete with timey-wimey activity. I don't think I watched it since first broadcast either.

I forgot that a love story was central to the entire thing. Yes, the Doctor has encountered couples and lovers before -- after all, he's rescuing the Ponds here -- but he couldn't do that before resolving the tale of Kazran and Abigail. A very nice change from aliens and bases under siege.

Sarah -

It’s just lovely. There have been so many take-offs of A Christmas Carol, but this one feels perfect. The Doctor slips into the role of the ghost of Christmas past, showing Kazran a new version of his past, with the Doctor as his younger self’s best friend.

Harry -

It was fascinating to watch Kazran as his memories were being rewritten.

Sarah -

They spend every 24 hours of Christmas day with Abigail, having adventures as Kazran and Abigail fall in love. Meanwhile, Amy is the ghost of Christmas present, trying to encourage Kazran to save everyone on a crashing spaceship, which Amy and Rory are on. Kazran is his own ghost of Christmas future. The episode is fun but sad and every note is just right.

Harry -

Why has science not yet provided us with flying shark chariots?

Great performance by Michael Gambon, who got to have his turn on The Doctor Who Show. Even greater performance by Katherine Jenkins who made her acting debut here. New Who has a history of casting singers (Billie Piper, Kylie Minogue) but they finally let one sing. Apart from a few moments of child-like glee, Matt Smith was very understated here and let the guests have the spotlight.

Abigail's final day was gut-wrenching, adding a tragic Victorian note to the story. But still, these specials are always on the sweeter, lighter side and this might be one of the best. It breezed by very quickly, and even Moffat's Moffaty tendencies went easy on viewers' brains.

Sarah - 

I’m so happy to have revisited "A Christmas Carol", which has leapt up the list of my favorite Doctor Who Christmas specials. 

Best Line: 

"Nobody important? Blimey, that's amazing. You know that in nine hundred years of time and space and I've never met anybody who wasn't important before."

Favorite Moment:  The Doctor telling Amy that if nothing ever ended, nothing would ever get started.

Lasting Image: Flying Shark Chariots!

9/10

Harry -

And we've managed to drag out the posting of this review to coincide with the onslaught of seasonal music and advertising.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

Best Line:

DOCTOR: I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.

(He shows Kazran the psychic paper.)

KAZRAN: It's just a lot of wavy lines.

DOCTOR: Yeah, it's shorted out. Finally, a lie too big.

Favourite Moment: the Doctor enters through the chimney.

Lasting Image: Flying Shark Chariots!

9/10

Our marathon continues with Story #214: The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon...