An Utterly Ludicrous Christmas Romp: Russell T. Davies’ Doctor Who Misses the Mark for Millions
The much-anticipated Doctor Who Christmas Day Special, The Church on Ruby Road, left many viewers scratching their heads and questioning whether showrunner Russell T Davies has finally lost his once-masterful touch. In an episode that can only be described as nuts, the plot ventured into the realm of the ludicrous, leaving fans yearning for the halcyon days of Daleks and Cybermen.
The central flaw of this festive disappointment lies in the choice of monsters—or rather, the lack thereof. Goblins? Really? It seems Davies has mistaken a children’s fantasy book for the beloved sci-fi series. While Doctor Who has a rich history of terrifying extraterrestrial adversaries, goblins are more likely to induce giggles than genuine chills. Surely what Britain wanted on Christmas Day was the return of iconic foes, not creatures that wouldn’t be out of place in a B-list fantasy flick.
Adding insult to injury, the episode took a dark turn with a plot point that left many viewers questioning the appropriateness of Christmas Day viewing. Eating babies? It’s a shocking and distasteful choice that seemed to have abandoned the family-friendly spirit of the holiday season. Doctor Who has thrived on the balance of whimsy and peril, but this script veered recklessly into the realm of the macabre.
The saving grace of the episode, however, was the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor. Gatwa’s performance was a breath of fresh air, injecting a delightful energy into the character that has been lacking in recent iterations. Gatwa managed to capture the charm and charisma reminiscent of the beloved David Tennant, making the character instantly likable. Unfortunately, even Gatwa’s stellar performance couldn’t salvage an episode drowning in a sea of narrative absurdity, and for me, seeing the Doctor perform a song and dance number was more than a step too far.
As fans clamor for the return of the great days of Doctor Who, they’re left wondering whether the show can ever recapture the magic of its earlier seasons. While the new Doctor offers a glimmer of hope, the nonsensical plot choices and misguided monster selection in this Christmas special suggest that the series is in need of a serious course correction. Perhaps it’s time to bring back the tried-and-true villains that made Doctor Who the cultural phenomenon it once was, and steer clear of goblins and inappropriate storylines that leave viewers more perplexed than entertained.
Photo: BBC Publicity.
