2 xmas episodes?

"Ahead of me this year, I've got FOURTEEN Doctor Who episodes and three Sherlock films."



http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/enterta...0j2sOv7rFCp.97

I don't think he'll be writing all the episodes but he will have to pull them all into shape. But yes, the good news from this is that it seems to confirm Christmas 2017...

Moffat will have the most Doctor Who episodes under his belt of any Who writer

It would be a bit strange if Chibnall's first episode was a Christmas special, and I don't think it would make a very good jumping on point for a new showrunner.

I'm fine with the idea of Moffat writing one last episode after Series 10 though, as I intend to make the most of it while he's still the showrunner. I don't know what the show will be like under Chibnall, but whether I like it or I don't I'm sure I'm going to miss Moffat's era.

His Doctor Who credits are quite extensive! 6 episodes during the RTD-era, 6 episodes for each series with Matt Smith (Christmas specials included), the anniversary and Smith's swansong, and then 5 episodes in each Capaldi series (Christmas specials included) - not to mention other little bits and pieces and the co-written episode credits he also has. If he does, say 6 more for Series 10 it'll bring his main episode count up to over 40!

I know it's all about quality rather than quantity but that's rather impressive

People seem to be taking this as confirmation that he will be writing the 2017 Christmas special, but it might not necessarily be the case.

Considering there is such a lack of who in 2016, it could be that Christmas this year is a two parter over Christmas day and new years day, like the specials year.

Another option could be that, since there were rumours that the bbc wanted more episodes, it could be that series 10 itself has been bumped back up to the proper 13 episodes a series used to be.

I know the idea of him writing the 2017 special is probably the most likely, but I'm just pointing out that it is only one of 3 possibilities that I can think of, so I don't take Moffat saying 14 episodes as a definite confirmation of him writing the 2017 special.

Well, many will disagree with me here but I think the ratio of strong episodes he's written opposed to mediocre or poor ones makes it all the more impressive.

After ten years on the show, six of those as showrunner, and he still can come out with classics like Heaven Sent and The Witch's Familiar, in my opinion he's probably the most impressive name in modern Doctor Who.

...and an OBE for drama to boot

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/enterta...orking-7310742

I wonder if he will continue to write episodes for Doctor who after leaving as show runner, it would be a terrible shame to lose him, im still gutted RTD hasn't had a story since he left.

You're going to fuel my unrealistic desire/quasi-theory for a two-part Peter Jackson directed Christmas special again! I personally thought it would be over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day though...given that that constitutes a weekend by itself this year.


Totally agreed. I've had a love/hate opinion of him over time, but it's always veered more towards positive than not.


As near to impossible as it seems, I'd still love to hear him confirmed for Series 10!

Probably unintentional, but that's a very impish thread title there, whoswho1!

(Moffat detractor) "Oh God, (click) now the egomaniac's gotten rid of all the other write...oh, thank heavens for that."

Echoing the above, it would be nice if RTD contributed to SM's last series, but since he's been asked a lot already, it's probably unlikely. Never know though....

In terms of episodes, that will quite possibly always be Robert Holmes. Though Moffat easily has the most stories / hours now.

I'd say he's written some impressive individual episodes, but hasn't really successfully ever pulled off a good series story arc (River's story is the only long ongoing story he has done well in my opinion).

To me, RTD successfully brought the show back to life in a format suitable for modern times, wrote some amazing individual stories, had briliant story arcs and subsequent finales, not to mention creating the most popular doctor of modern times, and all whilst creating and maintaining two completely different spin off shows at the same time. It is for these reasons, on top of personal preferences of style, that for me, RTD holds the 'most impressive name in modern doctor who' title.

Makes sense for his last one to be Christmas 2017.

I have a feeling it'll be Capaldi's final one too.

I swear you could lock some people in a room, on their own, a million miles from civilization and they would still be able to start an argument over RTD vs Moffat. Remarkable.

Yup..(Sigh)

I don't see any argument - merely a difference of opinion as to what deserves the title of "Most Impressive".

Well done Steven Moffat on getting the OBE !

I did smile at the thread title as I think Moffat wouldn't get past the end of this year if he had to write the whole series.

It would be an interesting experiment if he did seeing a pure 'Moffat ' Doctor Who series but lets not impose that on the poor guy. He looks exhausted enough and relieved to be going

I honestly don't think he's ever written a bad episode. Even his weaker episodes, by my reckoning, like 'The Beast Below', 'A Good Man', 'Day of the Doctor', 'Widow, Wardrobe etc' are watchable 3 star type episodes.

I agree, and rate most of those higher. Except for the Doctor, Widow, Wardrobe'. That was appalling, and I always find something to like in episodes...the first few minutes were good...

So probably 2 christmas specials and 12 regular episodes.
Think Missy and or Davros will be back at some point.

Plus we might get a few surprise returns old enemies and maybe even some old freinds Captain Jack would be great.

Also Christmas 2017 might be PC's last episode if it is hope they give him a good exit.

I would almost agree with you Tom. I think he's only ever written one BAD episode, which was Doctor, Widow, Wardrobe, but I agree that most of his weaker episodes (Beast Below and Good Man as listed, also Bells of Saint John and Magician's Apprentice) are very watchable and enjoyable.

Seconded. His hit ratio (for me at least) is staggeringly good.

Thirded and during a recent Christmas special re-watch, I gave Widow/Wardrobe another chance. I was dreading it, but even at its worst (I think it was probably hastily cobbled together), it still held some touches of magic and Moffat-y twists. The comedy guest stars were totally wasted and it veered into schmaltz rather than sentiment, but that seems like a recurring theme.

I appreciate what Widow/Wardrobe was trying to do and it did send a heartwarming message in the Christmas spirit, I just didn't enjoy the script or the excessive childishness of the Doctor. The Beast Below is one I just can't seem to enjoy even six years later, I found it very dull and convoluted and I couldn't stand Liz 10. Last Christmas is one I thought could have made a brilliant horror story but was ruined by the Christmas elements and Santa Claus which were stark out of contrast and felt forced in. The Girl Who Died had some fine moments but was overall disappointing and far too silly, the weakest episode of Series 9 in my opinion and one of the only ones last year that didn't impress me.

I think every other episode by him though ranges from solid entertainment to outstanding. He's a very bold and ambitious writer for Doctor Who and I think people will remember him for that.

He has made some mistakes along the way though, especially that scene in Flesh and Stone where an engaged Amy tries to borderline rape the Doctor, which I thought was terribly unfunny and rather unsettling.