December 25th, 2017
251 comments
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
What did You Think of Twice Upon a Time?
Now that the 12th Doctors final episode has been aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.
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…
Doctor Who Twice Upon a Time 2017 Christmas special DVD and Blu-ray
Available to order in the UK from www.amazon.co.uk
Available to order in the USA from www.amazon.com
Extras Include…
- Doctor Who Extra
- The End Of An Era
- Doctor Who Panel San Diego Comic-Con 2017
The Doctor Who Site
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Merchandise
Flickr
YouTube
Anonymous
December 29th, 2017 - 12:40pmTk I agree conpletely with what you say, I’m a life long fan and, no offence intended , but even from the off, after the regeneration it just didn’t give the presence or muster of the doctor, it feels like the doctor wasn’t on screen, it just didn’t work. It needs a male to give it vavavoom.
Doctor Stu
December 29th, 2017 - 3:57pmAs soon as she saw her reflection and pulled that huge grin I instantly got the feeling that she’s the Doctor
R1ch1e
December 29th, 2017 - 5:16pmSo did I Doctor Stu
Professor
December 30th, 2017 - 11:26amHaven’t see much of her yet but can’t see any qualities of the doctor. Plus the series has become a shadow of it former self by bad writing and bad casting.
Mick C
December 29th, 2017 - 1:36amWhen did PC creep into BBC and DR Who? 23 Nov 1963 when Verity Lambert became the 1st Woman to be appointed to be a show Producer on the BBC.
Dr Who has always been at the front of PC on the BBC.
nygel Harrot
December 29th, 2017 - 9:24amQuite right….but that ADDED to the program rather than take away. Go ahead and watch the first two stories of Hartnell. Barbara was the BEST strong women ever. But she DIDN’T …whine , bully or undermine the Doctor. The ‘strong’ female characters we’ve recently had never even get their hands dirty. Barbara gets stuck in… and is courteous , warm , strong at every turn… But then again so was the writing.
T.A
December 29th, 2017 - 12:03pmPc agenda has gotten over hand now in Doctor who, and I’m not saying about Jodie, I’m talking about the clear agenda in episodes, what certain characters say in such episodes as hell bent, husbands of river song, Doctor falls and more, and with all of theses it’s clearly one sided to one agenda.
Anonymous
December 28th, 2017 - 11:06pmI think i kind of ruined it for myself, because I just finished my favourite doctors seasons marathon, and I loved his final episode and with peter being my third favourite episodes I guess I had high hope but I didn’t.
Martin
December 28th, 2017 - 10:57amShould the BBC consider remaking the 1st Doctors adventures with David Bradley? I thought he was good and deserving of more air time. Maybe the missing episodes could be reshot?
T.A
December 28th, 2017 - 1:05pmNo that would be a disgrace to Hartnells name.
Doctor Stu
December 28th, 2017 - 1:20pmIt’d probably be a bit disrespectful to just erase hartnell but I agree with the fact that maybe the missing episodes could be re done. But I’d be thinking with maybe Bradley’s voiceover and animation rather than completely reshot
booboo
December 28th, 2017 - 2:02pmcant see that working, none are missing dialogue wise so all could be animated as is really
Exterminator
December 28th, 2017 - 1:48pmIn the latest fan show, Mark Gatiss does jokingly say ‘should we remake the lost episodes starting with Marco Polo?’ ‘With original 1960’s cameras and David Bradley.‘
The Moffat Paradox
December 29th, 2017 - 1:15amImitation is the highest form of flattery. We are lucky to have someone like David Bradley. who can so convincingly portray William Hartnell/The First Doctor. I think that as with Mark Gatiss ‘s “An Adventure in Space and Time ” it just puts back into focus how pivotal William Hartnell,Sydney Newman,Verity Lambert and Waris Hussein were to the creation of a sci-fi phenomenon.
With regard to the missing episodes I did suggest when ” Twice Upon A Time” was revealed as the 2017 Christmas special that maybe both David Bradley and Reece Shearsmith who briefly appeared in “An Adventure in Space and Time ” as Patrick Troughton on the verge of becoming the second Doctor should maybe both do missing episodes from the Hartnell and Troughton eras. One reply at the time made a fair observation that with future advances in CGI it might with the remaining and intact audio files be possible to go beyond animation and eventually virtually fully restore the missing episodes to a quality almost as though they had never been lost anyway.
Yet I still feel any opportunity to have David Bradley play the first Doctor should be taken. It’s not disrespectful to William Hartnell. It’s a tribute.
Tim M
December 29th, 2017 - 9:13amWhilst David Bradley makes for a wonderful First Doctor. Reece Shearsmith looks and sounds nothing like the Second Doctor! Fine as a brief cameo, but no more than that.
The one who monsters have nightmares about
December 29th, 2017 - 11:10amPersonally I would welcome this but I can understand the objections.
However isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
Anonymous
December 29th, 2017 - 12:30pmI think it would be good if they did a kind of “the trouble with tribbles”, deep space nine episode, like the doctor going back to the dalek master plan and seeing the first doctor, but the latest doctor story running along side the original story. Haven’t explain that very well but if you have seen the deep space nine episode you will know what I mean.
Mrs Davros
December 29th, 2017 - 2:51pmThe fact is the cost of remounting a missing story, recasting new actors, different directors, creating new scenery etc, wouldn’t be financially viable. Especially with the fanbase the only ones likely to invest in such a venture.
As we have the audio, I would much rather stick with the original sounds and voices, accompanied by animation.
Anonymous
December 30th, 2017 - 11:33amBut they create new scenery, have new actors and different directors for every new story so surely it wouldn’t cost much different, and if you need a first doctor, David Bradley is right there.
T.A
December 30th, 2017 - 1:34pmIt would be better to animated, it would be cheaper for the bbc as well.
Doctor Stu
December 27th, 2017 - 5:39pmWhere’s my comment go did it go through?
booboo
December 27th, 2017 - 6:08pmthe way you spelt one word blocked it i have changed it now
Doctor Stu
December 27th, 2017 - 6:11pmOh sorry XD hope I didn’t accidentally swear
booboo
December 27th, 2017 - 6:18pmno it was one of those innocent things with key words we have to have (the word was Decam)
Doctor Stu
December 27th, 2017 - 10:33pmOh I see why that could have triggered it seeing how I originally spelt it
The Temporal Jelly Baby
December 27th, 2017 - 5:17pmI’d like to comment a bit more on the female Doctor debate. I know it’s been debated to death already, but I still want to say a few more things.
First of all, I personally see no issues with contradicting previously established lore/canon. The complaint here is that the Doctor has always had a male body before and, until recently in the history of the show, there had been no real indication that Time Lords can change gender. My response to this is that, while it had not been explicitly stated that Time Lords can change gender until recently, the randomness of regeneration has been stated several times before. For example, the 9th Doctor:
“I might never make sense again! I might have two heads, or no head. Imagine me with no head, ha! And don’t say that’s an improvement… But it’s a bit dodgy, this process. You never know what you’re going to end up with.”
Therefore it really takes no stretch of the imagination to think that the Doctor could change gender and I believe no previously established lore has been contradicted. However, suggesting that gender is fluid for Time Lords would contradict some lore, but note how even for the General in Hell Bent every other body had been female – that was her only male body.
The change of gender can be explained through the random process of regeneration.
The second thing I’d like to address is the ‘PC agenda’. This criticism is about the motives behind the casting of a woman. The general claim is that Jodie Whittaker was cast not as a good choice for the character but actually in order to pander to the feminists and social justice warriors who want more female representation on screen.
Now, I know that Chris Chibnall was specifically looking for a woman though I actually doubt that ‘pandering to feminists’ is the main motive. I don’t deny that feminist thought may have played a part but I doubt that it is the primary reason for the decision. My theory is that it was done for a change – the show was getting a little stale for some viewers and this is a somewhat radical change to sort of freshen it up again. It’s a risk, but largely depending on the writing and initial promotion for series 11 one that may just pay off. But even if it was done for more female representation, that’s not a terrible thing, is it? There are still plenty of male role models on screen. And remember, the casting has been limited only to men for 50 years so the casting only being for women this time doesn’t suggest anything about Jodie’s ability to play the Doctor.
Finally, I’d like to address the idea that the Doctor is a male character just like James Bond is male and Wonder Woman is female. The fundamental difference here is that neither James Bond nor Wonder Woman are Time Lords that change their biology when they die. I think that sorts that one.
Now, I do agree with Peter Davison that those who disagree with the casting and are uneasy with the change shouldn’t just be cast out as sexists and bigots. I suspect it helps that I was also once against a female Doctor before I rethought my position. “It might be more helpful to be encouraging, and not simply scornful, of fans who are uncertain about change.”
With that in mind, I’m perfectly happy to see and reply to any thoughts and/or rebuttals regarding the above but let’s keep it nice. We’re allowed opinions.
T.A
December 27th, 2017 - 6:28pmI also agree with some of the things you say. In my opinion the many problem is the pc motivated things they have been saying during episodes such as hell bent, the Doctor falls and more, also with characters such as bill.
Pats86
December 27th, 2017 - 7:05pmDid you know the PM Teresa May has said James Bond should be female now that we have the first female Doctor?
So it looks like the agenda to change all things dear to us continues, I would be surprised by Bond changing gender but you never know in this universe!
T.A
December 27th, 2017 - 7:23pmIf he turns that just proves people point on everything becoming too pc.
Adam
December 27th, 2017 - 10:34pmAs long as the Broccoli’s are in charge of the Bond franchise a gender change of the character ain’t ever going to happen…not ever. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for our beloved Doctor…
Oh and Teresa may is one to talk…she’ll be soon ‘Regenderating’ back into a bloke..
Mick C
December 27th, 2017 - 11:39pmJames is a Male name, I’ve never meet a Female named James, so it automatically screams Male. Wonder ” Woman” is Female, Super “Man”, Bat “Man” are Males by definition.
Doctor is completely and totally Gender Neutral so they are poor comparisons to use.
James Bond 007 should always be Male. If they want to do a movie with Jane Bond 008 working alongside her Brother, fine.
The Moffat Paradox
December 28th, 2017 - 12:58amYou could maybe imagine Bond being captured by Blofeld and facing the prospect of forced gender altering surgery and being turned into Jane Bond but then that would no longer be in any meaningful sense Bond which is what we still fear is the case with Who.
May’s comment is beyond nonsense.
Doctor Stu
December 28th, 2017 - 1:23pmAnd in all fairness May’s comment isn’t to be taken seriously, it was probably just an on the spot answer like when she came out with her wheat fields remark or failed to name which Harry Potter character she’d be.
Mrs Davros
December 28th, 2017 - 1:58pmWell, lets start changing all well known fictional female characters into male characters. Little Women becomes Little Men, Wonder Woman becomes Wonder Man, Cinderella becomes Him-derella, etc…
The one who monsters have nightmares about
December 27th, 2017 - 3:11pmPersonally I liked it a lot.
It was obvious who the Captain was but having watched since the beginning one has to acknowledge that there are only so many ways to introduce plot elements.
I look forward to the new series.
When The Doctor Was Me
December 27th, 2017 - 1:27pmI’ve been thinking the last 2 days, the episode ended with a TBC at the end. Imagine if they decided to do a one off debut feature on new years day and then series 11 airs later in the year! I would have loved that!
Also with this era now well and truly over it would be nice to have the new logo reveal over the next week or so to mark a new year and new look show!
Doctor Stu
December 27th, 2017 - 12:20pmOn a rewatch there are actually some really beautiful bits in this episode, especially the music in the scene leading up to and during the 1st doctors regeneration. The bad wolf theme, singing towers, vale decam, doomsday. A nice tribute to Murray Gold. The music proabaly saved the episode for me because there are some tear jerking bits amongst the bad acting and clunky dialogue (‘I’ve got invisible hair’) and Jodie’s first scene was quite well done
Anonymous
December 27th, 2017 - 9:52amI don’t like Rusty. His can you have good Dalek. Davros created them without emotions. Though if it’s like the Cybermen who could feel pride from the classic series than I understand.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2017 - 4:52pmEr, the reason behind rusty was explained in the episode into the dalek. The dalek was damaged It was very clearly explained.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2017 - 9:46amI think Moffat should’ve taken inspiration from classic regeneration episodes because so far, in my opinion, the last good one we’ve had was Caves Of Androzani.
Pats86
December 27th, 2017 - 3:44pmThe Caves Of Androzani, now that is a classic.
R1ch1e
December 27th, 2017 - 5:18pmAgreed. A bonefide Doctor Who classic
Adam
December 27th, 2017 - 10:38pmAbsolutely!…a true classic in every sense of the word..
Mrs Davros
December 29th, 2017 - 4:14pmWell, it’s the brilliance of Robert Holmes. The Greatest writer of Doctor Who ever! Although the brilliant direction of Mr Harper is significant in the success of ‘Caves’.
Caolanmccoy
December 27th, 2017 - 12:02amJohn Simm needs to come back for a regeneration
Anonymous
December 26th, 2017 - 9:49pmThe last 2 minutes were ok.
Tk
December 26th, 2017 - 8:34pmI have,watched,this,show from the beginning and through many changes. Some good others in the gray area. But the formula was always respected. I do not think a regeneration into a woman is holding to that. And I am a woman but I think this is over the line and,will most likely stop my viewing for now
12th Doctor Fan
December 27th, 2017 - 10:37pmI’m female too not happy but if the scripts improve I’ll keep watching.
nygel Harrot
December 26th, 2017 - 7:41pmWell… as regenerations go … it was no tenth planet…war games….planet of the spiders…. but i shan’t go on….
I’m sure if you add ALL the regenerations scenes together it would still be five minutes short of the twelfth doctors end speech!!!
It all felt like a children in need ten minute segment.
4 out of ten (David Bradley was fantastic)
The Temporal Jelly Baby
December 26th, 2017 - 4:08pmOverall, I thought the episode was pretty good. The plot seemed a bit muddled with the whole Testimony thing but had some nice moments throughout and I thought the last 10 or 15 minutes with the Christmas truce were exceptional.
David Bradley did an admirable job as the 1st Doctor in my opinion. I thought the script slightly overdid the whole non-PC thing but that doesn’t mean that David Bradley himself didn’t do a great job. Also, as per usual, Peter Capaldi was brilliant.
Bringing back Rusty was certainly unexpected. Out of all the plot threads left hanging, it just seems like a weird decision to bring back Rusty unless Chris Chibnall asked Moffat to include that to build up something for series 11. The Doctor could’ve found out more about Testimony from any large database so it just seems a bit odd. Not that I mind knowing what happened to Rusty, but it wasn’t a plot thread that left me awake at night.
Murray Gold’s soundtrack was of course spectacular and it was pleasing to hear a few old favourites. My only criticism would be that the placement of certain pieces seemed a bit random and not especially well thought out. I’m glad that Peter Capaldi’s regeneration speech had the Heaven Sent music though. Speaking of which, I think it was a very good speech yet didn’t quite live up to Matt Smith’s “I will always remember when the Doctor was me” speech which I love. I think Peter Capaldi’s speech was quite appropriate though. Not only did it emphasise the theme of being ‘kind’ that was also present in the speech to Missy and The Master in The Doctor Falls but it actually helps to set up the next (somewhat controversial) incarnation: if Jodie’s Doctor is never cruel nor cowardly and always kind and so on then who is to say she isn’t the Doctor?
Now, the episode was clearly written for fans. The scene with Rusty is indicative of that. And, while that’s not a major issue for a big fan like myself, I do feel that a Christmas special should appeal to a wider audience and let in the casual viewer.
As for Jodie Whittaker’s scene, well, I can hardly judge a new incarnation after two words. I certainly enjoyed the scene though! I have hope for series 11.
Score: 8/10.
Caroline Foster
December 26th, 2017 - 2:48pmI seem to be in the minority here, but I thought the episode was boring. I am not a fan of changing the gender of the Doctor, but I am hopeful that the team can use this to reinvigorate the show and get back to having a Doctor I like, with that special dash of charisma that makes him(her) so beloved to all of us.
T.A
December 26th, 2017 - 2:52pmAt my first viewing I found it boring, my second viewing I enjoyed it much more, but there is a lot of stuff I don’t still like.
Tyler Prescott
December 26th, 2017 - 4:32pmI don’t like the fact that the entire story is unnecessary. It ends exactly as it started, with no differences. The first Doctor regenerates, the twelfth Doctor regenerates, and the Captain doesn’t die.
Tim M
December 26th, 2017 - 4:55pmTwice Upon A Time is really just a tacked on episode at the end of series 10. It’s only really playing for time, as an excuse to extend the avoidance of regeneration. Which is at the heart of the story. Clearly the un PC 1st Doctor was used more for laughs in the episode. This was played up much more than it ever was in the Hartnell era. But I couldn’t fault Bradley’s performance. He made for a very adequate version of the First Doctor. Whilst I greatly enjoyed this story (10/10), I do feel a lot of general viewers would have been put off by the opening scenes though. Not only is it boxed in black and white, it proceeds to say “previously, 709 episodes ago”…Which I feel would immediately make viewers think this is for the fans only, and what potentially awaits is a story which is heavily connected to events over 50 years ago! Surely that would be the first impressions of several viewers, who may have then switched over or switched off.
nygel Harrot
December 27th, 2017 - 9:53amIts ok Caroline… You’re not on your own…also, out here in the real world at least 15 people who i know (who are not fan fans but still enjoyed watching) did not have have the energy to even give the xmas special (or the last half of last season) a go. They got fed up.
:/
Adam
December 27th, 2017 - 11:15pmChanging the Doctor’s gender is not going to reinvigorate the show…but only alienate and split the fans…which it’s already doing…and that’s not a great starting point. Good writing,originality and characterization is all that’s needed…
The show needs to get back to basics…get rid of all that ‘mythology’ and ‘fan service’ that’s bogged it down under most of the Moffat era…
Pats86
December 29th, 2017 - 11:16amVery well said Adam, that is exactly what was needed but unfortunately…..?
When The Doctor Was Me
December 26th, 2017 - 1:41pmThoughly enjoyed that! Watched a second time this morning and my judement is little changed. Maybe the constant use of sexist remarks from the 1st doctor was going to far in places for some, but I found it funny because it was done light heartedly.
Bills return was good because it means she dead and gone, and she was there as a memory.
Bradley did very well, and I loved that the change in ratio to merge the two was used in the episode and not just the trailer.
The plot was far more character led, than big bad, but i liked that. I felt it reflected 12 more, as for me he’s at his best when hes not running around all silly and saving the world like a superhero. But instead using logic and thinking before taking action. Rusty was a nice touch but it could have been anything in that tower. The xmas day football match was beautiful and i really loved how the doctors just stood a rejoiced the peace before going there seperate ways and moving on.
Capaldi himself was stellar!! I loved every part of his performance. His final moments were good. And for a moment i thought his last words were going to be what i imagined (doctor, be a good man) but i was really happy with Doctor, I let you go. It was so heartfelt and reflected Capaldis feelings aswell as the doctors himself.
As for Jodies first moments. Very atmospheric. Very nicely shot, but I just wish her casting was kept under wraps. As the way it was done could have made for a hue revelation! The POV, the ring falling off the finger, the glimpes of her face in the screen and time rotor. And i’m really happy she had actually words that make sense. And not something to do with her body like previous new who regens.
Overall a very simple, but heartfelt xmas story. Maybe a little underwhelming for a regen story, but i think that played to its strengths.
Thank you Capaldi, you’ve done yourself proud.
Ash
December 26th, 2017 - 12:36pmThe Armistice scene absolutely made it for me and got me a bit teary too – a beautiful scene. I’m not Clara’s biggest fan but it made sense to see her here; great to see Nardole alongside the Doctor and Bill too though. Capaldi’s final moments were perhaps a little bit rambly, but I can appreciate it. I’ve loved his Doctor and he really hit his peak this year. Also, I remembered his comments earlier in the year about children being able to hear his name and I thought it was quite a nice touch to include it here. Loved Jodie’s first scene – the ring falling off was a gorgeous touch – but I’m glad we’ve got a while to wait actually. Rushing into a bold new era isn’t the best idea: let’s wait patiently, hope for the best, and see how it goes when the time comes. It’s very exciting though!
Tim M
December 26th, 2017 - 12:29pmWithout doubt, Steven Moffat has been one of the shows greatest writers. My main issue with his story telling, has been his often inability to write a straight forward story. With a beginning, middle and end…and in THAT order! Plus (certainly during the Capaldi era) stories peaking at a high point too soon, leaving the series finale being somewhat underwhelming. Heaven Sent and Hell Bent are a good example, as is World Enough and Time followed by The Doctor Falls. It feels like the build up is the wrong way round. Moffat has had a tendency to build things up too high, and too often the resolution hasn’t quite fulfilled it’s potential.
Pats86
December 26th, 2017 - 10:57amAs some of you will know I’m not happy with the drastic change of direction this show has taken in recent years, I’m going to struggle with Jodie as the Doctor but after watching Capaldi’s swan song again this morning I have decided to look at the positives rather than the negatives of what is to come.
1, Moffat has gone.
2, Jodie is from just over the hill from me in Huddersfield, I live in the Bradford district and we share the same accent.
3, Clara has also gone.
4, Doctor Who is still on air, I remember the dark days of the cancellation.
5, I still have the cassic episodes to watch.
6, I love Doctor Who and will give Jodie the chance to prove me wrong, I don’t dislike her personally it’s the changes in the 50 years of lore that I struggle with.
7, Hopefully Chibnall can explain the relationship between the Doctors lost wife and children now he is female (I can’t get my head around this) and if the Doctor meets Susan again will she call the Doctor grandma?
Doctor Stu
December 26th, 2017 - 11:45amI’m also glad moffatt has gone and yes he’s given us some good episodes but a sprinkle here and there isn’t really good enough when you’re supposed to be running the show. I’m seeing series 11 as a reboot, new writer, new music, new doctor. I think many people just despise the new doctor for their own reasons and whatever but some people are probably worried about how we haven’t had a change like this since Tennant and RTD left so it’s a lot to get used to. But I was always going to give her a chance for me we’ve had RTD (and I miss him terribly), we’ve had Moffat and now here comes Chibnall. I also liked Jodie’s first words, they weren’t over the top or misplaced they were simple. Even if she did then fall out of the TARDIS. I hope there’s a reason the TARDIS did that, for example, she’d never seen the doctor regenerate into a woman before and so immediately turned hostile or something like that. I imagine series 11 will just begin with her unconscious on earth somehow and yes I’m going off on a tangent for some reason
Caroline Foster
December 26th, 2017 - 2:49pmWell said.
TARDISDWDALEK
December 27th, 2017 - 12:04amPretty apt and appropriate. I completely agree with the order you’ve put that in as well as everything on the list – especially with Moffat leaving as the top one! Like you said, i’m not for a female doctor since it messes with the whole concept of doctor who. There has always been time lady’s and time lords yet new writers and producers of the show have seemed to have completely forgotten that instead re-writing the rules of the doctor who universe. Yet I hope that despite the change to a woman (not that i’m against feminism, I am a female myself) I will be proved wrong. I wasn’t that impressed at her opening lines and found it quite funny how after the regeneration the TARDIS almost seemed to try and through her out (in disgust maybe?). Anyway, I hope things do get better with Chibnall in the lead and Jodie as the Doctor though I highly doubt it. Every season seems progressively worse but I guess you cannot complain as long as the show keeps going. Hope the new season has some coherent story lines that make sense and characters that aren’t too ridiculous or cringe – inducing to ruin the show even more. (sorry for my negative outlook).
Pats86
December 27th, 2017 - 9:07amIt’s not a negative outlook really, you, me and many others are worried about the future of the show. It was an unnecessary and drastic change that could cause a lot of damage to it’s long term future.
T.A
December 27th, 2017 - 11:25amThe fans like us are being called not true fans or worse for having ideas against the show.
Pats86
December 27th, 2017 - 3:49pmAh yes we keep forgetting we have to be happy with all the forced changes. We must stop having our own ideas and thank the BBC and it’s puppet writers for giving us such……….?
Tim M
December 27th, 2017 - 4:14pmThe Doctor’s ability to have a female form has seemingly only been possible with his new set of regenerations, which the Doctor acquired in ‘Time of the Doctor’. Otherwise it makes no sense that the Doctor hasn’t been female before. The Doctor seemingly didn’t have the ability to change gender in it’s first set of 12 regenerations.
T.A
December 27th, 2017 - 5:19pmIn my opinion, people always think it’s about the gender, but in my opinion it’s about the pc propaganda their saying in the episodes such as hell bent, the husbands of river song, the return of doctor mysterio, the doctor falls and more, even with characters such as bill only to please a certain audience, who probably don’t take up 30% of the people watching.
Adam
December 27th, 2017 - 11:34pmWith the gender fluid nonsense now part of Who lore…Susan has probably changed gender as well and is now called Sean..or maybe it’s Shep…
47
December 26th, 2017 - 9:59amI enjoyed the episode.
It certainly wasn’t the best, or the worst – for that matter.
The glass creatures really only served as a vessel to move Bill’s memories along to
counter-point The Doctor (12)
For once, I did enjoy some of Moffat’s comedy – even if it was a bit over-trodden at times.
The Great War scenes were quite poignant.
I thought David Bradley’s 1st Doctor was really good, and worked well with Capaldi’s.
Capaldi was an excellent Doctor, and Whittaker after him will have the same, up, or downswing’s dependant on the quality of the writing, story and dramatic emphasis, which will overall determine the success of the shows change in direction on the lead..
My overall thought on the Moffat era is, that too much weight, gravity and drama was substituted by buffoonery, woeful comedy, and everyone has to be at the centre of the universe, especially the companions.
I will watch the new season, and look forward to it, as I enjoy the show, and I have no issue’s with Jodie Whittaker being cast- -However, I do believe the BBC should have kept the “white-male lead” – young lads need role models too, and a regeneration of Susan or Romana could have easily provided a long term powerful and positive female co-lead.
And as always, good narration of a story can provide a more effective example or moral compass with quality acting behind it, to stress equality or chosen issue/concern or social commentary that is required. You can’t just be “seen to be…”
Far too PC, the BBC has been.
Disappointed to read that someone has sabotaged the poll, tch, just leave your comment, and be prepared for people to respond – in agreement, or challenge – if not…
It’s an open forum…. be kind and/or respectful.
O’k, gonna have another cup of tea.
Exterminator
December 26th, 2017 - 12:14pmGreat review 47.
Neal T
December 26th, 2017 - 7:16amI’ve got to say I loved this episode, a great one-off for Peter Capaldi, and it looked fantastic. I was initially peeved by making the Doctor female, this mainly due to how the BBC handled everything, it all seemed forced to cover complaints off inequality, and the announcements of the box ticking companions (although Bradley Walsh will be interesting). The brief appearance of Jody’s Doctor (keeping her northern accent – yay!) had me hooked, and yes I am in the new, apparently “evil” demographic of being over 50, white, straight male. My only concern is the choice of forerunner, Chris Chibnall, I still shudder at his Cyberwoman episode of Torchwood. Dr Who has always been imaginative and had heart, and it’s fans the same. Give the next season a chance, and especially the new Doctor, and ignore the social politics surrounding it. Be smart, watch, and then make your own opinion. We Dr Who fans have always been mocked for our loyalty, but we have always been there after change, and Dr Who has always embraced change.
R1ch1e
December 26th, 2017 - 6:47amI thought the armistice scene at the end was a real thing of beauty. The First Doctors, shall I say, old fashioned ways were really amusing and the banter between the Two Doctors was so funny. and the way it fit so seamlessly into The Tenth Planet was clever. I almost forgot that a regeneration was coming.
Steven Moffat has had his critics but you have to admit he has written a fantastic episode here that has been respectful to two eras.
As for the future, well I have always been optimistic about Jodie and what I have seen of her so far has just made me more excited.
Thank you Mr Moffat and Me Capaldi for all your work and devotion over the years. You WILL be missed. Welcome Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker. I wish you ALL the very best!
The Living Shadow
December 26th, 2017 - 2:04amEh… not for me. Will definitely have to have a rewatch tomorrow. Maybe I was just tired as I watched it later in the day, so o couldn’t fully take it in… Whittaker looked great in the role though.
The soundtrack in 13’s first kind of disappointed me though as the reuse of old soundtrack kind of made the scene seem kind of ‘fan-made’ and not like a fresh start for a new doctor.. maybe that’s nitpicky, but when I think back to the 11th or 12th doctors first scenes, I distinctly remember how the new soundtrack really made me excited to see a new era!
Demdike@CultLabs
December 26th, 2017 - 12:57amDamn! Moffat must have a secret stash of believed lost Hartnell episodes because not once do i recall the first Doctor coming across like i’ve just witnessed in the Christmas special.
The final twenty minutes were excellent, the first forty, forgettable.
The Moffat Paradox
December 26th, 2017 - 12:46amWell seeing Rusty and deshelled Daleks provided a diversion from a damp squib in my view really and it was gratifying to be proved right about “the Captain” being the grandfather of Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart; although I didn’t think you needed to be Mark Gatiss’s Mycroft Holmes to see that possibly coming.
Tom
December 26th, 2017 - 12:40amMy reaction to Twice Upon a Time was that it was Okay although I was a bit miffed at the 3rd time in a row that the regeneration episode ended with the Tardis crashing? Surely there could have been a more effective ending ? David Bradley was superb with his own take as the 1st doctor. I had a suspicion that the Captain character played by Mark Gatiss was related to the Brigadier .? For me Capaldi was good in his potrayal of the doctor. Now we have a new female lead actor in the role and I think that the show will move in a radical and different direction. For a show that has had over 13 male lead actors in the role and been on air for 37 years it was time for the programme to have a reboot. That is the whole idea of this programme, that it cannot just appeal to Whovians, it also has to cater for the mainstream audience. Dr Who can be played by any actor male or female. Each lead actor has their own unique perspective on the portrayal of the role. Jodie Whittaker will shine like a star as the 13th Doctor and Chibnall with his own unique style will bring a fresh approach as I hope it will attract new viewers to the programme. Good Luck Jodi & Chris :-).
Exterminator
December 26th, 2017 - 12:18amI have to say I really enjoyed it and I think the Moff man has gone out on a high. It was a moving episode with just the right amount of comedy, Peter Capaldi was wonderful and will be missed and David Bradley was convincing enough as the 1st. Great to see Rusty the Dalek again. One of the best Christmas episodes in my opinion.
Adam
December 25th, 2017 - 11:49pmWell i needed a long lie down after that…I wasn’t expecting anything great…but right from the awful cosplaying Ben,Polly and 1st Dr beginning…to the over the top/over long 12th Dr goodbye speech it’s one long boring cringe fest…a parody of a parody of a parody…yawn..
And CLARA! I was half expecting the all knowing,all powerful CLARA to slap the Doctor in the face again and help force the new regenderation…
Ah, i can’t wait for Chibnall’s explanation as to why after 900 plus years being a bloke the Doctor now wishes to be a woman…yeah that should win him a bafta…if nothing else..
But after saying all that…i loved the 1914 christmas armistice segment…which gave me more of a lump in my throat than the regenderation scene…it was beautifully done with Mark Gatiss being as watchable as ever(i still think he would have made a fine Doctor…maybe one day he will)…And Peter Capaldi…being so effortless as the Doctor..he will be missed…
Strange that in the same week…i’ve just witnessed the death of two ‘once’ great sci-fi franchises..
Doctor Stu
December 27th, 2017 - 9:17amThe death of doctor who happened a long time ago right around the time Matt Smith started to bark when talking to an alien in the rings of akhaten. Since then there’s been a sprinkling of passable episodes here and there but nothing at all spectacular
Anonymous
December 27th, 2017 - 9:48amI agree with Doctor Stu
Adam
December 27th, 2017 - 11:50pmI agree in part…but the same could be said for most of ‘new who’…there’s been just as many over the top grandiose speeches and dud episodes in the RTD era as well..
Changing the gender of the Doctor after 54 years is a whole different ball game though and is the final nail in the coffin for many fans including myself…