“Joy to the World” premieres Wednesday, December 25 on Disney+.
2024’s Doctor Who Christmas Special, “Joy to the World,” masterfully blends the present’s signature whimsy with heartfelt storytelling, delivering a comfortable, deeply human story concerning the transformative energy of friendship. Anchored by a full of life but considerate time-bending journey, and that includes Nicola Coughlan’s charming flip as visitor companion Joy, the particular leans into its festive cheesiness so earnestly that it feels equally magical and shifting.
Steven Moffat’s glorious script is central to the episode’s success. Returning after his standout season 1 episode, “Boom”, former showrunner Moffat showcases his mastery of dialogue, balancing sharp wit with poignant sincerity. The story begins at a breakneck tempo, throwing viewers straight into high-energy chaos inside the Time Hotel, a futuristic vacation vacation spot providing entry to all of human historical past on Christmas Day. The idea is quintessentially Doctor Who: wildly imaginative and enjoyable, but deeply tied to human curiosity. From its dazzling mix of futuristic opulence and festive heat to its eccentric clientele, the Time Hotel seems like the proper quirky setting, tailored for the collection.
Moreover, it’s nice lastly having a considerably solo journey with Ncuti Gatwa’s fifteenth Doctor. While season 1 touched on the Doctor’s struggles together with his vulnerability, “Joy to the World” absolutely unpacks these layers, providing a uncommon glimpse into the Time Lord’s emotional complexity. Gatwa’s efficiency is as soon as once more a standout, capturing the loneliness and self-reflection of a Time Lord who not often slows all the way down to course of their feelings. It’s exhausting to not discover how emotional and tear-jerky Gatwa’s Doctor can get, even on the strangest occasions, however on this episode, it feels completely warranted. One of my favourite moments is when he stops mid-adventure to berate himself, fairly actually in essentially the most timey-wimey means doable.
“Joy to the World” begins in a rush, but it surely’s the extra private moments between The Doctor and the supporting forged that really resonated with me. Each healthful scene imbues the episode with an intimacy that constantly surpasses the standard vacation fare. While I loved the rebooted introductory season of Doctor Who on Disney+, it was relentlessly fast-paced all through, leaving little time to breathe or settle into issues. There have been simply 9 episodes – two of that are Doctor-lite outings with minimal display time for Gatwa – so it’s a delight to lastly get a while simply to hang around with my favourite alien.
It’s not a 100% solo journey for The Doctor, nonetheless, because the companion for a day, Joy (Nicola Coughlan) additionally options prominently all through. The heat and relatable power Coughlan beforehand delivered to Bridgerton and Derry Girls suits so comfortably right into a Christmas particular, together with her journey and The Doctor’s mirroring the episode’s themes of connection and rediscovery. (She supplies an ideal foil for the Doctor’s introspection.) Interactions between The Doctor and the facet characters like Joy are particularly touching, reminding us that regardless of its sci-fi core, Doctor Who is at its greatest when it grounds the chaos of adventures in time and area in a way of humanity.
Fully embracing its sentimental facet, “Joy to the World” blends much-needed character work with a touch of festive magic, standing as one of many present’s greatest vacation episodes. While Moffat’s tendency to botch convoluted endings has been a severe bugbear of mine up to now, “Joy to the World” sees him on the prime of his recreation. The ending, whereas nonetheless undeniably tacky, suits the spirit of a Christmas particular completely. It’s delightfully heartwarming – the form of conclusion that leaves you smiling, even in case you roll your eyes somewhat alongside the way in which.
