Tag Archives: Peter Capaldi

Doctor Who Christmas Special Review: Twice Upon a Time

0
Posted on by
Two Doctors Doctor Who Twice Upon a Time

Two TARDIS’s are better than one. The First Doctor (David Bradley) and the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi).

For many, the family, feasting, and festivities of December 25 have merged with the tradition of the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Since the rebirth of the Doctor Who series in 2005, we’ve come to anticipate the Christmas spirit that emerges from the intersection of space and time. “Twice Upon a Time,” written by Steven Moffat and directed by Rachel Talalay, does not disappoint. Continue reading →

Doctor Who Christmas Special Review: The Husbands of River Song

4
Posted on by

 

Doctor River Doctor Who The Husbands of River Song

The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and River Song (Alex Kingston) reunite

Doctor Who is like an old family friend who visits on Christmas Day–prompting past memories, eliciting conversations, and bringing multiple generations together. The 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Husbands of River Song,” provided us moments of loss and love framed within a tale full of excitement and humor. In holiday fashion, Doctor Who reminds us that it’s the connections we have with others, whether running from a headless cyborg or sitting down for a meal together, that gives the story of our lives meaning.

 

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: The Doctor Reunites with River Song in the 2015 Christmas Special

0
Posted on by
Doctor Peter Capaldi River Song lights Alex Kingston Doctor Who The Husbands of River Song

The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and River Song (Alex Kingston) reunite

Every holiday season we look forward spending time with family, traditional foods, and the Doctor Who Christmas special. This year’s special, “The Husbands of River Song,” will air at 5:15pm on BBC One and 9/8c on BBC America on December 25.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who S09E12 Review: Hell Bent

1
Posted on by
Doctor guitar Doctor Who Hell Bent

In the Season 9 finale of Doctor Who, “Hell Bent” the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) plays a song of remembrance.

In “Hell Bent,” Doctor Who returns to the desert, causing a coup in Gallifrey and revisiting America for a last goodbye. It’s taken billions of years, but the Doctor has finally returned to Gallifrey for a less-than-joyful reunion with his fellow Time Lords. In “Hell Bent” it’s revealed that the struggle the Doctor endured in “Heaven Sent” was less about keeping the secret of the hybrid and more about establishing a bargaining chip to save Clara. Peter Capaldi uses his impressive ability to convey intensity and power even while being still, increasing the drama of “Hell Bent.”

Continue reading →

Doctor Who S09E10 Recap: Face the Raven

3
Posted on by

Doctor Clara Doctor Who Face the Raven“Face the Raven” leaves us mourning the loss of another Doctor Who companion with the death of Clara Oswald. Though it had been announced that Jenna Coleman would be leaving Doctor Who in Season 9, closing out Clara Osgood’s chapter through death makes her departure stand out. “Face the Raven” is a strong episode not only because of the loss of companion Clara, but also because it’s grounded with the return of Rigsy and heightened with the appearance of Ashildr. It’s also fantastic because the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) changes into a maroon velvet jacket after the youth apparel he’s been wearing lately is destroyed during an adventure with Clara.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who S09E01 Recap: The Magician’s Apprentice

4
Posted on by

Handmines long Doctor Who The Magician's Apprentice

In the opening episode of Season 9, “The Magician’s Apprentice,” Doctor Who reminds us that though he is a fearsome and dangerous opponent, that best part of the Doctor is his compassion. He may not exactly be a man of peace, but he is man that, at his best, finds the good in others. In the prologue to Season 9, the Doctor says, “An enemy’s just a friend you don’t really know yet.” The Doctor has lost many friends and loved ones over the course of his long life, and at the same time he has battled some of his foes for more than a millennium. In “The Magician’s Apprentice” we learn that being a Time Lord makes for some very complex relationships.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: What to Expect in Season 9

7
Posted on by

series-9-promo-clara-doctor-artThe 9th season of Doctor Who premieres on September 19th. Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman return as the Doctor and companion Clara Oswald. The fascinating dynamic between the Master/Missy and the Doctor will continue in Season 9, with Michelle Gomez returning for the series. We’re still reeling from her maniacal reveal in “Dark Water” and can’t wait to see what Missy will bring in Season 9.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: Season 9 trailer reveals old and new villains

3
Posted on by

TARDIS Doctor Who Magician's Apprentice narrow

Season 9 of Doctor Who will include classic Doctor Who aliens such as the Daleks and Zygons, while also giving viewers some fun twists with a highway man, Vikings, ghosts, mercenary robots, creatures with eyes on their hands, and even a Dragon! It has also been reported that the Judoon and the Hath from The Doctor’s Daughter will also make a cameo. In an interview Peter Capaldi noted “There is an epic sweep to this season and I think the villains and monsters reflect that. Great new ones, brilliant old ones, and some very scary creatures looming in stories with real emotional ambitions.”

Continue reading →

Doctor Who Christmas Special Recap: Last Christmas

5
Posted on by
FC and his elves arrive 2 pix watercolor

Who did you expect? The Easter Bunny?

As the holidays drew near, we began to wonder what this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special would bring. Even the name of this year’s special, “Last Christmas,” helped get us in the holiday spirit. Enjoying an episode of Doctor Who after Christmas dinner has become a regular tradition, with this year being the 10th special. There have been a lot of good Christmas specials, which we recently ranked in “Doctor Who: Christmas Specials from Best to Worst.” After seeing Santa appear in the TARDIS at the end of the last episode of this season, “Death in Heaven” (S08E12), the anticipation for “Last Christmas” was high.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: Christmas Specials from Best to Worst

10
Posted on by

FC and his elves arrive 2 pix watercolor

The Doctor Who Christmas special “Last Christmas” will show at 6:15pm on BBC One and 9:00pm ET on BBC America on December 25. It will mark the 10th anniversary of the Doctor Who Christmas special. The convention of having a episode on Christmas Day was started in 2005, with the new series of Doctor Who, and has grown increasingly popular. They are set during the holidays, always involve snow, and, unless the Doctor has just regenerated, they often end with the Doctor standing outside the TARDIS being asked to come to Christmas dinner.

We have enjoyed all of the Doctor Who Christmas episodes so far, but we have certainly enjoyed some more than others. Part of ranking these specials is to understand they are not just regular episodes. They are watched on Christmas Day, with family and friends, to a larger than normal audience. On such a day we expect the Doctor to do more than be heroic, clever, and funny—he should also make us more merry. The storyline, performance, and engagement are important considerations, but holiday spirit is key when ranking the Doctor Who Christmas specials.

Continue reading →