DS Forums

 
 

It's the annual 'favourite Christmas special' thread


View Poll Results: Which is your Favourite Christmas special?
The Feast of Steven 3 4.55%
The Christmas invasion 8 12.12%
The Runaway Bride 5 7.58%
Voyage of the Damned 8 12.12%
The Next Doctor 0 0%
The End of Time (parts 1 & 2) 3 4.55%
A Christmas carol 18 27.27%
The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe 1 1.52%
The Snowmen 8 12.12%
The Time of the Doctor 3 4.55%
Last Christmas 7 10.61%
The Husbands of River Song 2 3.03%
Voters: 66. You can't vote on this poll right now - are you signed in?

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 12-12-2016, 14:19
doctor blue box
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,355
They're all a bit naff.
Well Bah Humbug to you as well...

......Just Kidding
doctor blue box is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 13-12-2016, 00:15
Boz_Lowdownl
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,588
Indeed. Makes you wonder if we 'deserve' all the hate and then some for having the audacity to like it!

I rather hope not...
Er, where exactly was the "hate" directed towards you?

The hate was directed towards a very poor piece of television which us poor licence fee payers had to pay for.
Boz_Lowdownl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 06:21
GDK
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Wigan
Posts: 4,877
Er, where exactly was the "hate" directed towards you?

The hate was directed towards a very poor piece of television which us poor licence fee payers had to pay for.
I didn't say it was (directed at me).

But I do find the use of the word "hate" in the context of a mere TV programme unnecessarily unpleasant. It's not really worth the hate, even for someone who found it to be poor, and, for me at least, sours the atmosphere.
GDK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 07:36
Nelson_De_Souza
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
Er, where exactly was the "hate" directed towards you?

The hate was directed towards a very poor piece of television which us poor licence fee payers had to pay for.
Oh not this argument! Out of the yearly license fee, the Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe is barely a pittance!

A bit of perspective needed I think.

And I agree with GDK, the "hate" thing for episodes really is unpleasant at times. It's not very nice on here when it gets like that.
Nelson_De_Souza is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 07:48
Theophile
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,830
Yes it really does deserve all the hate. And then some.
Amen, Amen and Amen. The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe is, in my opinion, hands down, the worst episode of Doctor Who ever filmed. And, yes, I am including The Space Pirates.
Theophile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 08:21
Sam_Gee1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 695
Oh not this argument! Out of the yearly license fee, the Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe is barely a pittance!

A bit of perspective needed I think.

And I agree with GDK, the "hate" thing for episodes really is unpleasant at times. It's not very nice on here when it gets like that.
Sorry but this is so incredibly hypocritical considering what i've seen you post about S8 and S9.
Sam_Gee1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 08:24
Sam_Gee1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 695
Amen, Amen and Amen. The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe is, in my opinion, hands down, the worst episode of Doctor Who ever filmed. And, yes, I am including The Space Pirates.
I personally couldn't possibly put it below Timelash and the Time and the Rani. I have nightmares about those episodes, like who produced that and thought this will trick The Doctor that the Rani is Mel.
Sam_Gee1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 08:55
Nelson_De_Souza
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
Sorry but this is so incredibly hypocritical considering what i've seen you post about S8 and S9.
I at least give a list of reasons behind my not liking of those episodes, so don't try and lump me in the same wagon.

Just saying "I hate it and it deserves all the hate it gets" isn't the same as what I write.

This from the user who says my criticisms are unneccesarily picky when I at least expand on why I don't like things....
Nelson_De_Souza is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 09:49
Boz_Lowdownl
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,588
I didn't say it was (directed at me).

But I do find the use of the word "hate" in the context of a mere TV programme unnecessarily unpleasant. It's not really worth the hate, even for someone who found it to be poor, and, for me at least, sours the atmosphere.
My vote went to The Snowmen as I like the story and I like that version of Clara and the original, neat twist on the whole "smaller on the outside" thing. And the Paternoster Gang.

Honourable mentions go to A Christmas Carol, and Last Christmas. Oh, and to The Husbands of River Song too for being fun after the gloom of series 9.

Also nice to see The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe getting some love. It really doesn't deserve all the hate. It's sweet.
It was you who introduced the word into the discussion! I was only using it in response to your post, I wouldn't have used it otherwise.
Boz_Lowdownl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 09:53
Boz_Lowdownl
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,588
Oh not this argument! Out of the yearly license fee, the Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe is barely a pittance!

A bit of perspective needed I think.

And I agree with GDK, the "hate" thing for episodes really is unpleasant at times. It's not very nice on here when it gets like that.
Yes, agreeing with GDK, the person who introduced the hate to this thread!
Boz_Lowdownl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 09:58
Nelson_De_Souza
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
Yes, agreeing with GDK, the person who introduced the hate to this thread!
Would it not have been better to have not responded to it then? Just add your say separately and just move on?

This could all have been avoided then.
Nelson_De_Souza is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 10:55
Boz_Lowdownl
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,588
Would it not have been better to have not responded to it then? Just add your say separately and just move on?

This could all have been avoided then.
The same argument can be made: "Would it not have been better to have not responded to me?" !
Boz_Lowdownl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 11:20
Nelson_De_Souza
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
The same argument can be made: "Would it not have been better to have not responded to me?" !
I was just trying to kindly offer a suggestion.

Oh well...
Nelson_De_Souza is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:47
GDK
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Wigan
Posts: 4,877
It was you who introduced the word into the discussion! I was only using it in response to your post, I wouldn't have used it otherwise.
Introducing a word is not the same as the way it's used. I should not be surprised that you think there's some sort of equivalence between my usage and yours. Your comparison is hardly reasonable, but I accept that maybe you would not have used it in this particular instance.
GDK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:48
GDK
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Wigan
Posts: 4,877
I was just trying to kindly offer a suggestion.

Oh well...
Sorry you're caught up in this, when all you (and I) wanted to do was stick up for TDtWatW.
GDK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 16:24
doctor blue box
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,355
Can we please keep the spirit of Christmas in this Christmas thread and try to enjoy talking about these episodes without having some big argument?

Everyone should feel free to shout their love of the favourite episodes from the rooftops, figuratively speaking, within this thread, whatever that episode may be. That is the main point of the thread after all.

Similarly, saying episodes you don't like so much can be an interesting point of discussion.

People can say both of these types of thing without having to quote each other's opposite opinion to argue about those things.
doctor blue box is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 16:29
doctor blue box
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,355
To get this thread back on track, I'm wondering as a side note, what are people's stand out one off character's from any Christmas special?

For me, I remember a few years ago, it was said that Micheal Gambon had commented that he didn't think he was very good in who, which baffled me because I think his portrayal of Kasran Sardik is absolutely fantastic, and yet another element which add's to an episode which is already strong in so many area's. Had a lesser actor played the role, the episode, even with it's strong writing, may have not connected as well, and might not have enjoyed it (and continue to enjoy it) as much.
doctor blue box is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 16:40
Dan R
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,113
Dunno really.
I think Christmas Invasion had far more potential than it utilised - I wanted more of Jackie/Mickey/Rose coming to terms with the Doctor's new face, and I wanted to see more of David Tennant in action. That said, the Christmas tree scene is hilarious.

The Doctor, Widow and Wardrobe was actually a good concept and had good atmosphere but was ruined by that terrible, unbelievably cringe-inducing resolution.

End Of Time felt most like an event, so I'll go with that. There was palpable hype for the regeneration.
Dan R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 17:03
Michael_Eve
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,078
I actually don't mind TDTWATW that much. I mean, it's not very *good* IMO and has that line that even Matt Smith couldn't pull off (which is saying something as he's so great) "Humany Wumany". Arghhh. But it's quite sweet and inoffensive on the whole.

And in the spirit of the season, I'll find some kind words for 'Voyage of the Damned' while I'm here; the early scenes had a bit of an 'Enlightenment' vibe before we go full on Poseidon (love 'Enlightenment') the Robots riffed on an earlier, albeit better, story (Robots of Death), it's well designed and directed, we got to see the great Geoffrey Palmer in Who again for a bit and, well, we see a certain funny cove who would return and become an all-time favourite character after a Xmas Special appearance (ie He 'did a Tate') for the first time.....Cribbins!
Michael_Eve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 18:33
Abomination
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London or Valencia
Posts: 5,732
To get this thread back on track, I'm wondering as a side note, what are people's stand out one off character's from any Christmas special?

For me, I remember a few years ago, it was said that Micheal Gambon had commented that he didn't think he was very good in who, which baffled me because I think his portrayal of Kasran Sardik is absolutely fantastic, and yet another element which add's to an episode which is already strong in so many area's. Had a lesser actor played the role, the episode, even with it's strong writing, may have not connected as well, and might not have enjoyed it (and continue to enjoy it) as much.
I rewatched The Next Doctor yesterday and whilst it's nowhere near one of my favourite episodes (or specials) I really love Jackson Lake's character. He was well written and wonderfully acted by David Morrissey. I think he admittedly works best when he's allowed to have fun for the first twenty minutes or so. It all gets heavier after that, but he's still very good.

Kazran Sardick is another. Regardless of what Gambon has said about his appearance in the show I thought he was superb! He plays the 'Scrooge' figure fantastically, with an added sense of genuine villainy and tragedy to him that not everyone who assumes the character manages to pull off. I felt he was brilliant, as was Katherine Jenkins, the two of them great together. The personal highlight for me is just as the Tardis leaves at the end and he sees the sleigh parked there, a small smile creeping on his face... it was such a wonderful character moment, and the two of them had given me hope that Moffat could write characters I could care about (after Amy and Rory had disappointed me in Series 5).

I think Last Christmas may have been Moffat's best effort at an ensemble cast. RTD was typically better at writing large and likeable casts, but I think I liked everyone in this episode - particularly Shona.

And on a seperate note, also being positive, I think Moffat somehow made a Cyberman head a genuinely decent one-off kind of character. Utterly ridiculous of course, but I liked Handles
Abomination is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2016, 19:06
Theophile
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,830

And on a seperate note, also being positive, I think Moffat somehow made a Cyberman head a genuinely decent one-off kind of character. Utterly ridiculous of course, but I liked Handles
I love Handles. Oddly enough, if you count him as a companion (although that would be a stretch), I think that he would be the companion who stayed with The Doctor the longest in terms of story-time (not number of episodes or seasons, but just in story time).
Theophile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-12-2016, 02:34
So 3008
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Gallifrey
Posts: 1,934
I'm currently rewatching all the Christmas specials and have just finished TDTWTW. To my surprise not only did I not hate it, I actually enjoyed it. In fact, I think it may rank above The Runaway Bride and The Next Doctor, and definitely above The End of Time Part I. Quite the step up from it being the only episode that has ever made me embarrassed to be a Doctor Who fan (oh, how I cringed and squirmed on Christmas Day 2011).
So 3008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-12-2016, 08:07
Theophile
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,830
I'm currently rewatching all the Christmas specials and have just finished TDTWTW. To my surprise not only did I not hate it, I actually enjoyed it. In fact, I think it may rank above The Runaway Bride and The Next Doctor, and definitely above The End of Time Part I. Quite the step up from it being the only episode that has ever made me embarrassed to be a Doctor Who fan (oh, how I cringed and squirmed on Christmas Day 2011).
I am not sure what you are drinking, but can I have some?
Theophile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-12-2016, 11:32
doctor blue box
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,355

And on a seperate note, also being positive, I think Moffat somehow made a Cyberman head a genuinely decent one-off kind of character. Utterly ridiculous of course, but I liked Handles
I love Handles. Oddly enough, if you count him as a companion (although that would be a stretch), I think that he would be the companion who stayed with The Doctor the longest in terms of story-time (not number of episodes or seasons, but just in story time).
There seems to be something of a handles fan club on this forum in general. I think if someone were to make a poll of one off Christmas guest companions, he do well. It would be a hard poll to work out the options for though - would Wilf count for example since he was in other episodes but only really the companion in the end of time? Would Kasran sardick and/or catherine jenkins character(who's name I can't currently recall) count, since they were the closest things to one off companions in that episode, but weren't really companions in the traditional sense?.
doctor blue box is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-12-2016, 14:51
Dave-H
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West London
Posts: 6,931
So who's going to start the thread for Sunday's episode?
I don't feel worthy to do it, I don't think I contribute often enough here.
Is it still too early to do it anyway maybe?
Dave-H is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:05.