Even though I have problems with End of Time, I might have to agree with you, probably because it's the least Christmasy of all the specials. Not to be a Scrooge, but one of the oddest things about New Who has been the endless parade of Christmas specials. I have no problem with them doing a special episode to fill in the gap between seasons, but for the Doctor to suddenly have big things occur on Christmas when he managed to go 40 years without having to do so has always annoyed me a little. When they do stuff like name the city Matt Smith dies in Christmas, it just feels silly and forced.
However, judging them as Christmas specials, I would have to go with Christmas Carol - it did the best job of dealing with the holiday, and telling a good Doctor Who story. If Who were an American show, they would probably just rerun that episode every Christmas, because it pretty much gets everything right.
I just noticed this thread. Coincidentally, this is the same question posed to our Wanderers in the 4th Dimension podcast listeners earlier this evening. If you wish to reiterate your answers to this question on our Facebook page as well, your replies may be eligible to be read on the podcast.
As for myself, I'll echo rebis' sentiments. Katherine Jenkins truly earns her "Voice of an Angel" description. Good Lord, that woman can sing. The Christmas Carol episode worked for me on many levels. The singing, the story, the ambiance, it had it all. I've re-watched it every year since it first aired, and I plan to continue that tradition for years to come.
Though not asked for, the worst Christmas special (IMO) has to be The Feast of Steven.
Christmas Carol was probably the best of the bunch for all the reasons mentioned, but I always liked The Next Doctor, too. I thought Jackson Lake and Rosita were fun characters (despite the tragedy inherent in Jackson's story), and it was the first time (and, sadly, one of the few times overall) the current series used the Cybermen in a way I thought was half-decent. Yes, the giant Mecha-Cyber-King tromping on London was silly, but in the best possible way.
Plus, I liked Jackson's TARDIS ("Tethered Aerial Release, Designed In Style!") and sonic screwdriver ("Well... it makes a noise, doesn't it?"). I love a good, clever/dumb gag.
dennist888
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However, judging them as Christmas specials, I would have to go with Christmas Carol - it did the best job of dealing with the holiday, and telling a good Doctor Who story. If Who were an American show, they would probably just rerun that episode every Christmas, because it pretty much gets everything right.
Coincidentally, this is the same question posed to our Wanderers in the 4th Dimension podcast listeners earlier this evening. If you wish to reiterate your answers to this question on our Facebook page as well, your replies may be eligible to be read on the podcast.
As for myself, I'll echo rebis' sentiments. Katherine Jenkins truly earns her "Voice of an Angel" description. Good Lord, that woman can sing. The Christmas Carol episode worked for me on many levels. The singing, the story, the ambiance, it had it all. I've re-watched it every year since it first aired, and I plan to continue that tradition for years to come.
Though not asked for, the worst Christmas special (IMO) has to be The Feast of Steven.
Plus, I liked Jackson's TARDIS ("Tethered Aerial Release, Designed In Style!") and sonic screwdriver ("Well... it makes a noise, doesn't it?"). I love a good, clever/dumb gag.
Having seen the reconstruction of it, I'm actually okay with that.