December 25th, 2017
251 comments
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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
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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.
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!
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 2:00amIndestructible like the TARDIS is indestructible? Post-Regeneration energy might help, but I doubt it would save 13 if she ends up hitting the ground from such a high speed. Hell, I wonder if the Doctor would even be able to Regeneration from that high a fall. Well, 13 better hope her past self stored a Jet-pack in one of his coat’s pockets.
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 1:54amWhy do my comments about 1 and his out of character _____ lines get deleted? Is the 6 letter word beginning with s a trigger word for the auto delete?
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 1:53amYeah, they really did. Especially the “women made of glass” one. The 1st Doctor would never say that, lest of course, he be written by Moffat or someone who thinks he was a rampant sexist.
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 1:51amWe are all free to voice our opinions here. If there is something you disagree with, you can reply to it and argue it out, as long as you are civil. The site is only as skewed as the people who are actually bothering to leave comments.
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 1:44amUmm, I think my comment talking about 1’s Chauvinism in this episode was removed.
The Outcast
December 26th, 2017 - 1:38amI though the 1st Doctor’s protrayal was alright, bar the sexist gags. The first sexist gag was explainable for me and I would have been fine with that being the only one…
But then we got the women are made of glass one. Dear god, that was an utter disgrace. The 1st Doctor would never have said that in a million years.
I’m going to explain this away as the 1st Doctor saying sexist stuff to annoy 12, I think that is the only way I can possibly ignore this utter stupidity.
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 :-).
The Moffat Paradox
December 26th, 2017 - 12:28amLOL.Female Timelord drivers.
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.
Tom.
December 25th, 2017 - 11:56pmI had a suspicion that the Captain was related to the Brigadier. The change to a female doctor is needed, as the show needs a radical reboot both to liven it up and change the dynamics of the programme. A programme which has run for over 50 years, (although only been on screen for 37 years and has had 13 male actors in the lead role) needs to move withe times in order to stay fresh and appeal not just to Whovians like myself but cater also for the mainstream audience. If people do not like the idea of Change as that is what the whole regeneration idea is about and they dont agree with the choice of lead actor either male or female then they should decide if they want to watch it or not. ! I think Jodie Whittaker will be tremendous in the role of the Doctor. and a change of not only lead actor, and producer/ lead writer will move the programme in a more radical and different direction. Michelle Gomez was a hit as Missy the female version of the Master. Bring it on Jodie and Chibnall 🙂
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..
whovian
December 25th, 2017 - 11:09pmFrom the episodes that Chris has written, I enjoyed most of them. and regarding the Doctor, it’s like The Moment said, same man, different face, but obviously it’s the same character, just a different gender. And the change from Capaldi to Whittaker was flawless to me.
Doctor Stu
December 25th, 2017 - 10:59pmWe need a writer that can actually write decent realistic characters like RTD, I can’t think of a piece of dialogue in this episode that sounded like something a normal person would say. Everything has to be so poetic and metaphorical and ‘quote’ worthy for some reason under moffat it’s tiresome
doctorwhomad
December 25th, 2017 - 10:48pmCan’t wait for Series 11!
booboo
December 25th, 2017 - 10:17pmcore fans yes, but the vast majority of viewers and not core fans, they are just viewers.
at the moment the younger audience are not that interested, that’s pretty obvious from the total absence of Doctor Who merchandise in the high street and toy shops these days.
Galactic yo yo
December 25th, 2017 - 10:14pmShe’s still within 15 hours of her regeneration, so she’s basically indestructible.
Galactic yo yo
December 25th, 2017 - 10:10pmI’m glad they had a little reference to the fact he was being played by a different actor.
T.A
December 25th, 2017 - 10:01pmI never remembered the first doctor being old fashioned, when I watched his episodes.
THE ERGON
December 25th, 2017 - 9:54pmBut they know’ whos who’ surely as far as actors who have played what even on a casual basis. I would have thought the younger audience and new fans want to know more about its history.
Whovastron
December 25th, 2017 - 9:39pmThe sexism was so disrespectful to Hartnell, his character was nothing as ridiculous as that. I’m not saying there wasn’t sexism back then, but my god this was ridiculous
the master
December 25th, 2017 - 9:32pmI think most of this generation only concentrate on the last 12 years and many of those on a casual basis , its only the core fan base that acknowledges its complete history
THE ERGON
December 25th, 2017 - 9:20pmAnd that interesting cliffhanger might just be enough for you to come back.
OpticalSpectre
December 25th, 2017 - 9:17pmSuch a amazing episode
THE ERGON
December 25th, 2017 - 9:16pmAlso any generation that grows up with the history would Know Hartnell is the original in the same way they knew Hurndall wasn,t.