Site Menu

November 28th, 2017 91 comments

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Doctor Who Twice Upon A Time

The magical final chapter of the Twelfth Doctor’s (Peter Capaldi) journey sees the Time Lord team up with his former self, the first ever Doctor (David Bradley – Harry Potter, Game of Thrones) and a returning Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), for one last adventure.

Two Doctors stranded in an Arctic snowscape, refusing to face regeneration. Enchanted glass people, stealing their victims from frozen time. And a World War One captain destined to die on the battlefield, but taken from the trenches to play his part in the Doctor’s story.

An uplifting new tale about the power of hope in humanity’s darkest hours, Twice Upon A Time marks the end of an era. But as the Doctor must face his past to decide his future, his journey is only just beginning…


Adverts/Affiliates

91 comments

  • Space Helmet for a Cow

    December 23rd, 2017 - 8:03pm

    Not long now until the most highly anticipated Doctor Who Christmas Special since Matt Smith’s average finale in 2013. And whilst Matt Smith’s final story wasn’t a disaster, it was far too convoluted for it’s own good, and featured some really stupid ideas. What was all that stuff about the Doctor and Clara having to be naked, even though they looked dressed. It did nothing for the plot, wasn’t remotely funny, and was totally bizarre! What were you thinking Moffat!!!

    Reply
    • R1ch1e

      December 25th, 2017 - 11:29am

      It was a bit of a headache of an episode wasn’t it? Not a terrible episode my all means. It’s just that after my dinner i don’t want confusing Who episodes.
      I want to go back to the days of killer Christmas trees and Robot Santas

    • The Outcast

      December 25th, 2017 - 12:14pm

      I find it funny how he later said “you can’t have the Doctor be naked” in response to a Heaven Sent observation that on the first run, the Doctor would have had to do the rest of the run nude so that his next self would have a replacement pair of clothes.

  • Tim M

    December 20th, 2017 - 8:46am

    I’m predicting that ‘Twice Upon A Time’ will be the 3rd most watched show on Christmas Day with 7.6 million viewers.

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      December 20th, 2017 - 10:38am

      Yes me too, maybe behind call the midwife, strictly special or Eastenders Christmas special they always seem to pull in the viewers

  • the ergon

    December 6th, 2017 - 5:53pm

    the good news as far as moffat as hinted is that jodies going the full yorkshire accent. i,d say more ‘game of thrones’ northern though so as to make it more understandable to the overseas market.Imagine- a ‘kes style’ meets brian glover speaking doctor. ‘THATS ENUFF’

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      December 19th, 2017 - 10:47am

      Chuffin eck That’s enuff you big bully, go’on back to Skaro love

    • T.A

      December 19th, 2017 - 4:32pm

      Don’t just don’t.

  • Space Helmet for a Cow

    December 6th, 2017 - 3:01pm

    I could very happily have watched another series with Bill and Capaldi’s Doctor. So it’s good to see them together one last time for the Xmas Special. I’m interested to see how much of episode 4 of ‘The Tenth Planet’ has been re-created and weaved into ‘Twice Upon A Time’.

    Reply
  • whovian

    December 6th, 2017 - 5:51am

    So there’s going to be a lot of stuff happening in Twice Upon A Time, but does it still include that part that was mentioned about the scene from The Day of the Doctor where the audience sees the 12th doctor’s eyes and how that leads into the regeneration?

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      December 6th, 2017 - 8:43am

      It’d be good if 12 tells 1 about saving Gallifrey one day and plants the idea into his head to maybe explain why Doctors 1-9 took part in saving Gallifrey as that part of the 50th made no sense whatsoever and was purely just so fans could freak out.

  • Caolanmccoy

    December 5th, 2017 - 9:49pm

    Jodie Whittaker is almost here

    Reply
  • Caolanmccoy

    December 5th, 2017 - 9:46pm

    John lumic might return

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      December 5th, 2017 - 11:27pm

      Well Roger Lloyd Pack is dead so I wouldn’t count on it

    • Whovastron

      December 6th, 2017 - 9:06am

      By far the most bizarre comment I’ve seen here

    • The Outcast

      December 6th, 2017 - 12:26pm

      +Doctor Stu well, technically he’s the Cyber-Controller now, so maybe by “John Lumic might return” he means “the Cyber-Controller might return”, so if that is the case, they could just have someone wear the Cyber-Controller costume.

  • R1ch1e

    December 5th, 2017 - 9:26pm

    I am really looking forward to this special now but I’m really going to miss Peter Capaldi. Such a legend! These past few years have really flown by with him as the Doctor haven’t they? I can’t wait to see Thirteen either.

    Reply
  • Weeping Angel

    December 3rd, 2017 - 8:47am

    How do people know that the enemy for this episode is glass people? Also, is that what was in the background of the shot in the trailer where 1 and 12 jump onto a chain or something?

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      December 3rd, 2017 - 10:34am

      The synopsis says ‘enchanted glass people’ and it looks like some sort of glass person behind them both when they jump on the chain

  • 12th Doctor Fan

    December 1st, 2017 - 6:16pm

    I’m gutted Peters going if only Clara had left S8 no Missy no Thor’s how brilliant would s9 have been I love s10 except Missy arch boring story.

    Reply
  • Loren

    December 1st, 2017 - 7:00am

    No doubt it will be the usual Moffat rubbish,badly written emotional twaddle coupled with the meddling of Who lore. Instead of just a cracking good adventure. I liked Bill but her ending was poor and too similar to Clara’s and I would rather neither of them return.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      December 2nd, 2017 - 5:48pm

      Same

    • The Outcast

      December 3rd, 2017 - 4:20am

      I agree on the Lore meddling part. I swear, if Moffat brings back Clara and has her be the be all and end all of the First Doctor I will be mad.

    • Big minty Dave

      December 4th, 2017 - 5:27am

      My hair will completely fall out if this happens, but I can just see that “impossible girl” talking to the first doctor before his regeneration and making it all about her, why oh why did Moffat think it was a good idea to come up with the Clara storyline. He’s meant to be a fan of Who but has completely messed up with the last few series.

    • Adam

      December 4th, 2017 - 12:39pm

      First and foremost Moffatt’s a fan of Moffatt…and Who comes second..or maybe third behind the all knowing,all powerful CLARA…

  • the ergon

    November 30th, 2017 - 3:14pm

    Neil corry confirms there are Autons for series 11. my 2nd favourite.

    Reply
    • TARDIS H

      November 30th, 2017 - 4:39pm

      How would he know?

    • Jordan Scott

      November 30th, 2017 - 5:34pm

      He was joking.

    • TARDIS H

      November 30th, 2017 - 6:10pm

      Oh yeah I have just seen the tweet sorry

    • the ergon

      December 1st, 2017 - 1:04am

      sorry . but all it takes is a drop of the hand.

  • Adam

    November 30th, 2017 - 12:43pm

    Looks like another festive Moffat Dr who parody…of a Dr who parody…But i’ll have a tear in my eye as the great Peter Capaldi says goodbye…

    Reply
  • Space Helmet for a Cow

    November 30th, 2017 - 9:12am

    When is ‘Twice Upon a Time’ getting a DVD and Blu-Ray release?

    Reply
    • booboo

      November 30th, 2017 - 9:14am

      February 20 in the USA but thee are no UK listings yet

    • Space Helmet for a Cow

      December 1st, 2017 - 2:58pm

      How odd?

  • Pats86

    November 29th, 2017 - 7:21pm

    Other than The Snowmen the Xmas specials have been total garbage, an absolute waste of time and effort.
    I will watch simply because it is the great Capaldi’s swansong, such a shame he never had a strong showrunner to work with, considering he is Moffats only major achievement by casting him as the Doctor, he was also able to rise above the dire writing throughout his time and become one of the best Doctors if not then perhaps the best of them all! What an achievement and yet just think how better it could have been?
    Good Capaldi, well done sir you will be missed ad possibly as the last real great Doctor.
    As for the new one one? Well I wish you the best, just don’t overstay your welcome.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      November 29th, 2017 - 7:22pm

      Good bye Capaldi

    • Pats86

      November 29th, 2017 - 7:24pm

      Glass people? Could be a cracking episode?

    • Doctor Stu

      November 29th, 2017 - 9:29pm

      I loved all the Christmas specials 2005-2009 and the end of time and I really liked a christmas carol and time of the Doctor and the husbands of riversong was alright if you take away the cringy bits as it had some nice character moments with the doctor and river especially the final scene but the ones I haven’t mentioned Weren’t the greatest

    • Pats86

      November 30th, 2017 - 6:50am

      The Christmas Invasion wasn’t too bad I guess Doctor Stu, but on the whole I found them disappointing at the very least. That said you are right in that the Xmas specials 2005-2009 are better than anything Moffat gave us at that time of year.

    • Doctor Stu

      November 30th, 2017 - 11:04am

      Voyage of the Damned has to be my favorite it had everything, comedy, drama, great acting, death, peril, action and Russel Tovey

    • pats86

      November 30th, 2017 - 12:04pm

      Difference of opinion then, I hated it. When I think about it The Snowmen which I actually enjoyed should be the one I hate most because it introduced us to Clara who I cannot stand on any level?

    • Adam

      November 30th, 2017 - 1:02pm

      The Christmas Invasion is the only one i enjoyed…maybe because it was the first and had the whole new Doctor thing etc going on…
      They’ve been all pretty poor since then and a waste of an episode..

    • 12th Doctor Fan

      December 1st, 2017 - 9:40pm

      So agree 12s been pushed out of his show a bit part at least s10 much better

    • whovian

      December 2nd, 2017 - 3:50pm

      Pats86 you say that you hate Clara, yet if you think about it, in the canon of the show, if not for Clara Oswald, the Doctor would have been gone a very long time ago, she was born to save the Doctor, hence being The Impossible Girl

    • Pats86

      December 2nd, 2017 - 5:47pm

      whovian you are quite right, so that gives me more reason to hate her and Moffat’s self indulgent destruction of a once great show.
      Can it ever get back to greatness? time will tell but I have serious doubts.
      You mention the Doctor having been gone along time ago had it not been for Clara, well perhaps that would have been better that having to see the ×% £* we have had to put up with the last few years?

    • whovian

      December 3rd, 2017 - 12:21am

      Well, it’s got to be said then, if you hated Clara that much, sorry to be rude, but why did you even bother watching the show? Plus I’m definitely not Moffat’s biggest fan, but there are a select few things he created that were good such as Weeping Angels, River Song and Clara (in my opinion anyway). And admittedly some good stories like The Empty Child and Silence in the Library. I can see your point to an extent however, I myself cannot stand Peri Brown at all.

    • The Outcast

      December 3rd, 2017 - 4:18am

      Without Clara, the Doctor would have been fine. The impossible girl arc was only done so Moffat could stick Clara into the lore of the show where she really wasn’t needed or wanted. And he didn’t just stop there. No, he had to make her to reason he left Gallifrey (screw Hell Bent) and have her visit him as a child (which makes no sense because of the timelock on Gallifrey’s past). It’s like he was trying to make the best companion, but instead of doing that the proper way (e.g. actually making a good character) he decided to just stick her into the lore instead.

      I hate Clara, she is by a good long mile the worst companion and the many of the plot arcs she was involved in stained my love of the show.

    • whovian

      December 3rd, 2017 - 3:35pm

      Have to disable regarding Clara being the worst companion, as I mentioned before, for me that title goes to the god awful Peri. I don’t see why most people hate Hell Bent, it was Heaven Sent that I found weird. Although if talking about stories, Sleep No More, along with In The Forest of the Night, have to be two of the worst Doctor Who episodes in history.

    • Pats86

      December 3rd, 2017 - 4:33pm

      I continue to watch whovian because I am a life long fan, I vaguely remember Jon Pertwee’s Doctor but grew up with Tom Baker’s golden era.
      I always have hope that the show will get better, unfortunately under Moffat it never did, and Clara is as The Outcast says “the worst companion by a long mile” I have always said Moffat has done good things like the Weeping Angels, The Empty Child and Silence in the Library and best of all Heaven Sent no Clara you see, then he gave us the worst ever with Hell Bent, that was the first time I was ready to give up and not bother anymore but as I said I’m always hopefully of something good coming along. What happens? Moffat screws with the lore and ruins everything and it might be detrimental to the shows future?

    • T.A

      December 3rd, 2017 - 8:40pm

      Most people hate hell bent, because it did not probably rap up the season, brought back Clara who had a good exit in face the raven, had one of the most agenda pushing scene in Doctor who and wasted the doctor going back to Galifery.

    • Pats86

      December 3rd, 2017 - 9:36pm

      Could not put it better T.A you are not wrong at all!

    • T.A

      December 3rd, 2017 - 9:39pm

      Thanks.

    • whovian

      December 4th, 2017 - 2:15am

      Agenda pushing? I assume that’s the regeneration of the Time Lord that became a mixed race Time Lady. Well you can’t please everyone all the time I suppose. I didn’t like the 12th doctor when he first came into the series, but am now sad that he’s going to regenerate again

    • Adam

      December 4th, 2017 - 11:47am

      PERI !!…I’d much rather travel through space and time with Perpugilliam brown than that awful annoying ‘know it all’ Clara, the equally annoying Amy and the even more annoying Adric!

    • Adam

      December 4th, 2017 - 12:33pm

      T.A..i agree with you on Hell bent..the whole ‘Clara return’s’ for one last encore was stupidly written…and then the awful ‘crowbarred in’ gender fluid nonsense!….And to think we had one of the best,and near sublime episodes in Heaven sent before it…
      Oh and i wouldn’t bet against Clara making another encore in the up coming Pantomime special..

    • T.A

      December 4th, 2017 - 3:48pm

      Whovian I did not care when he turned into a woman the thing that upset me the most is what she said next. If the 14 doctor becomes male says that I wonder what he would be called.

    • whovian

      December 5th, 2017 - 3:32am

      T.A she said it was the only time she had ever been a man was her tenth incarnation (which the Doctor shot). what I can’t understand is that Doctor Who is always about changes. Weather or not its the Doctor regenerating, a companion departing or dying, any of the monsters being revamped or the TARDIS or sonic screwdriver getting a change of design, that’s what it’s been about since the first ever regeneration.

      I personally can understand that it will be hard to accept that the Doctor is going to be a woman, I was one of the first people to hit the roof, but after I thought long and hard about it, is it really fair to judge without seeing the evidence?

      I don’t think it’s anything to do with being politically correct or agenda pushing, I think it’s a bit like an experiment just to see how it goes. I made a comment a while ago saying that if 13 doesn’t do too well amongst the audience, it could be written in that it (series 11) was a dream and that 12 actually turns into a new male.

      I will find it quite interesting to see on Christmas day after the episode airs, if all those, myself included, say that they actually do like Jodie as the Doctor. Albeit only a minute or so of screen time regardless.

    • T.A

      December 5th, 2017 - 7:49am

      I am fine with the gender, it is what she had say said about being a male, saying “back to normal” what is that?

    • The Outcast

      December 5th, 2017 - 10:00am

      I understand the “back to normal” bit, she began life as a female, as she says, “the only time I’ve been a man that last body”, so that doesn’t come off as sexist to me. What comes off as sexist to me is the “how do you cope with all that ego” line, inferring all men have big egos and women don’t.

      But the General’s regeneration is only the tip of the iceberg of Hell Bent’s garbage.

    • The Outcast

      December 5th, 2017 - 10:01am

      What happened to my comment? Did one of the words I put in my comment auto delete it?

    • pats86

      December 5th, 2017 - 2:31pm

      Hell Bent is the worst thing that ever happened to the show, Clara, the General`s regeneration and first words spoken and then the ending!
      So sad to see an agenda shoved into our faces like that, made me want to throw the TV out of the window, I was fuming that the lore of Doctor Who could be tampered with like that and lets not forget how it split the fans, and then Jodie`s announcement that further split the fans and all down to some ridiculous agenda by the BBC, could I be more upset after this? apparently yes I could and I am still trying to come to terms with it, if it turns out to be a dream like whovian said it could be.

    • Adam

      December 5th, 2017 - 8:32pm

      Lets hope this ‘alternate universe time lady’ version is indeed a dream…or maybe it will be one long nightmare..
      And going back to the worst companion ever…i’ve just got back from a little trip into the future and i’ll be adding Graham to the list..

    • Pats86

      December 5th, 2017 - 8:49pm

      Well if the general thought she was back to normal hopefully the Doctor will go back to normal after the next series. Now before anyone says “it is normal to change gender” then you would be wrong considering the general said!
      After all it’s now cannon what she said so it clearly is not normal as she was happy to be female again. The self indulgent Moffat should have thought if that before he wrote it, but then that’s Moffat for you.

  • DalekAgent

    November 29th, 2017 - 11:43am

    “Things end, that’s all. Everything ends, and it’s always sad. But everything begins again too, and that’s… always happy”

    Im really looking forward to this episode and seeing Jodie Whittiaker’s first scene but its going to be hard watching it knowing hes obviously going to regenerate at the end of it

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      November 29th, 2017 - 2:04pm

      I’d love to have a series where the regeneration isn’t spoiled or a returning villain, monster etc. is just a genuine surprise for people

    • DalekAgent

      November 29th, 2017 - 2:25pm

      Yeah that would be good, but who knows, maybe theres some suprises in store in this episode

    • whovian

      November 29th, 2017 - 7:16pm

      I feel there is going to be a major surprise, nothing like a returning character or anything, buy something else. As the old saying goes: expect the unexpected.

    • Doctor Stu

      November 30th, 2017 - 11:07am

      Let’s just hope that the sun doesn’t ruin it for everyone as usual. I’ve already had Star Wars more or less ruined by certain papers but I’m taking it all with a pinch of salt

    • whovian

      December 3rd, 2017 - 3:38pm

      I don’t think the Sun would even be thinking what I’m thinking. It’s kind of strange, but I think Twice Upon A Time has thrown a massively huge red herring to the audience

    • Doctor Stu

      December 3rd, 2017 - 8:15pm

      Hmmmm I’m intrigued you need to post here again after the ep airs I’m interested to hear this theory

    • whovian

      December 4th, 2017 - 2:10am

      Doctor Stu, there’s no problem there, I certainly will. I personally think it’s strange that no one else has had my theory, but of course I could be completely wrong. Just a gut feeling really. If I’m right I’ll be amazed that I saw it coming and if I’m wrong, then oh well never mind.

    • whovian

      December 17th, 2017 - 7:49pm

      Just thinking if I should mention my theory now, so that if it’s actually correct, I don’t look like I’m trying to take credit and also I can be proven wrong if it’s not correct?

    • The Outcast

      December 18th, 2017 - 7:20am

      Please tell your theory. I’m all ears (though, eyes would be more appropriate, seeing as I would be reading it).

    • whovian

      December 18th, 2017 - 3:56pm

      Before I start, I just want to say that I am optimistic about Jodie as the Doctor.

      My theory is that back in July when Jodie Whittaker was announced as the Doctor, taking over from Capaldi, it was Just a way to genuinely find out what the audience would think and to stop the media from sparking rumours about the next doctor who.

      I Am fully aware that Chris Chibnall has stated he wanted a female doctor for his series, so ignore that for the time being. Before Jodie was announced, there were talks of Kris Marshall, Idris Elba and suspiciously Bradley Walsh being “rumoured” to be the Doctor.

      So, what if Jodie being announced was just a way to shut the audience up about it (in a nice way) and to stop viewers from constantly making assumptions. its also somewhat strange that Bradley Walsh was announced as being the companion to Whittaker’s new Doctor.

      Normally in Doctor Who, the Doctor is a male with a younger female companion/assistant, so throughout over 50 years, why is only now in 2017 that the Doctor becomes a woman? It just doesn’t make any sense to me.

      As I say, I’m optimistic about Jodie as the Doctor, but I just have a feeling that it won’t be her we see when that regeneration energy fades from the 13th Doctor’s face. I’ve seen filming pictures online, but that doesn’t necessarily mean what the picture shows.

      Plus when Bradley Walsh appeared on BBC’st he one show, he wasn’t very vocal about the filming of the new series, and chose to make jokes about the readthroughs of the series.

      However, if it does turn out that I’m completely wrong, then it’s just my mind working overtime and really hope I don’t get a load of comments trolling me about how wrong I am, it’s just a theory.

    • whovian

      December 19th, 2017 - 6:47pm

      The Outcast, i did explain my theory, but lools like its been removed. Typical

  • whovian

    November 28th, 2017 - 11:34pm

    Am i right in thinking that Moffat has written all the Christmas specials since 2010? Cus glass people actually makes sense.

    A Christmas Carol – air sharks.

    TDTWATW – “wooden” King & Queen with terrible you-can-tell-its-a-rubber-costume.

    The Time of the Doctor – Tasha Lem and a mash up of popular villains.

    Last Christmas – a very dull, very boring episode.

    The Husbands of River Song – final appearance of River Song 🙁

    The Return of Doctor Mysterio -a superhero/doctor who crossover and weird brain things including one that took over a UNIT soldier.

    And now Twice Upon a Time – glass people.

    Didnt mention The Snowmen because i enjoyed that episode.

    I use to look forward to a Christmas Day Doctor Who from 2005-2009 when RTD was still head writer, but the stories since 2010, i just wasnt engrossed in them when they aired.

    The best parts about the upcoming episode is 12 meets 1st, Bill being back (regardless if its the real Bill or an alien), Ben & Polly and the regeneration when we meet the new Doctor and get a first look at what she is like.

    But since finding out the enemy is glass people, im on the fence.

    Reply
    • Doctor Stu

      November 29th, 2017 - 9:21am

      For me it’s because each series between 2005-2009 were really strong so the prospect of just new anything to do with doctor who was exciting whereas now the quality has declined greatly so the Christmas special is just something else to watch rather than a blockbuster event for me

    • the ergon

      November 29th, 2017 - 9:41am

      Also why does the the doctor have to regenerate in some christmas special. In some festive setting. I doubt we,ll ever see the likes of another androzani style regeneration and that went out in march of 84. I,m looking forward to the regeneration as much as anyone but couldn,t they set at any other time of the year in some heroic,explosive boys own type story.

  • Caolanmccoy

    November 28th, 2017 - 10:51pm

    The Glowing Hand I’m looking forward to seeing Peter Capaldi Regeneration And
    Jodie Whittakers First Secne

    Reply
  • The Dalek Whovian

    November 28th, 2017 - 8:47pm

    This photo has great meme opportunities. Just saying

    Reply
  • Jordan Scott

    November 28th, 2017 - 7:19pm

    Have to say I was hoping the villain would be a reoccurring one like the Daleks considering it’s Capaldi’s last episode. Plus “Glass People” to me just makes me think CGI, which isn’t the shows strongest area. That’s the only concern I have though, everything else sounds amazing.

    Reply
  • Borg

    November 28th, 2017 - 12:36pm

    Enchanted glass people… Yes! First Doctor… Yes! Bill… A silent tear of disgust runs down my cheek. Why, Moffat, Why!?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      November 28th, 2017 - 7:03pm

      Why? Bill was the best thing in doctor who for quite a few years.

    • Anonymous

      November 28th, 2017 - 7:33pm

      She was at better than any other companions the 12th Doctor had **cough** **cough** (Clara)

    • Anonymous

      November 28th, 2017 - 8:05pm

      Bill may well be good, but really she had no reason to come back. Image how horrific it would have been if she had died as a cyberman in The Doctor Falls without being saved by Heather? What a great but grisly end that would have been…

    • R1ch1e

      November 28th, 2017 - 8:08pm

      Bill was great! Best companion since Donna for in my opinion.

    • Anonymous

      November 28th, 2017 - 9:03pm

      She was good, but some time felt like an agenda push.

    • Doctor Stu

      November 28th, 2017 - 9:37pm

      We don’t know if this is proper Bill yet or past Bill or future Bill we don’t know the full circumstances yet.

  • the ergon

    November 28th, 2017 - 10:44am

    Enchanted glass people. Mm.

    Reply
    • Tyler Prescott

      November 28th, 2017 - 3:40pm

      It wasn’t the best part of The Snowmen.

  • When The Doctor Was Me

    November 28th, 2017 - 9:08am

    I’ve asked for tissues for christmas. This is gonna be sad…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

By clicking submit you agree to our terms and conditions (below), we reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate messages.

Comment rules

The Doctor Who site welcomes constuctive comments related to the news article in question. Links posted in comments may not be displayed. We reserve the right to delete or edit any post entirely at our discretion. If you leave unacceptable comments your IP address will be banned and reported

Click here to read full comments terms and conditions

Twitter

Facebook