From ‘The Church on Ruby Road’ to ‘Joy to the World’: Doctor Who’s festive, wibbly-wobbly ride through time

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As a seasoned Whovian with more TARDIS miles under my belt than I care to admit, let me tell you, the journey through the Doctor Who universe this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the chilling start of “The Church on Ruby Road” to the impending festive chaos of “Joy to the World,” it’s been a wild rollercoaster ride that’s left us all gasping for breath and begging for more.

In an extraordinary manner, some openings are as vast as the cosmos, while others can send shivers down your spine. Last Christmas, “The Church on Ruby Road” managed to blend these elements masterfully, introducing Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday for the first time. This wasn’t just a regular jump-into-the-TARDIS scenario; it was steeped in folklore, time-travel conundrums, and a dash of Christmas magic – but a type of merriment that includes goblins and vanishing children if you consider such things festive.

As we approach this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special titled “Joy to the World,” let’s take a moment to reminisce about the spine-tingling hauntings, heartwarming moments, and unexpected twists that marked the past season. So, let’s get going, Whovians! (French phrase: Allons-y, which is Doctor Who’s catchphrase)

The Church on Ruby Road: A haunted start for a timeless partnership

At Christmas on Ruby Road, things aren’t quite as charming as they seem. An old church standing proudly in its center holds secrets that outdate even time itself, and there are odd occurrences aplenty – such as missing children and shadowy goblins that give one pause. Enter Ruby Sunday, a quick-witted, resilient woman from Manchester, whose life has been anything but mundane. When she meets the Doctor, it’s not an immediate connection born out of love – instead, it starts with skepticism, laced with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

The Doctor is examining the unusual occurrences in time stemming from the church (since trouble often leads to a Time Lord wielding a sonic screwdriver). Accompanying them, they discover that sinister goblins are exploiting an old artifact hidden beneath the church to create time gateways. Interestingly, it is revealed that Ruby shares a significant past with this artifact, as she was abandoned as a baby on the church’s steps two decades prior.

From the outset, their relationship sparkles with intensity. Ruby immediately questions the Doctor, providing a counterpoint to his unpredictable spirit with her practical sensibility. By the point they lock away the artifact and drive off the goblins, it’s evident that this isn’t just another attempt at recruiting a companion – it’s the beginning of something extraordinary.

A season of growth, goblins, and goodbye

Over time, Ruby transformed from merely being the Doctor’s companion into an integral part of the TARDIS crew. She infused the ship with warmth, wit, and practical wisdom, whether she was rescuing alien infants or outwitting divine beings such as in “The Devil’s Chord.

Just as typical of “Doctor Who”, everything eventually concludes – or for Ruby, takes a break. Unlike the usual monsters or crises, her choice to depart from the TARDIS stemmed from a desire to reunite with her biological mother and explore her identity once more. This departure, though uncommon in a show recognized for its emotional upheaval, added an extra layer of intensity to it.

Absolutely, this is about “Doctor Who,” where time is a large, unpredictable… err, you’re familiar with the explanation. Ruby’s tale hasn’t concluded yet, and we’re eagerly anticipating her reappearance in the Doctor’s adventures.

Joy to the World: A Christmas special worth singing about

Without Ruby present, the Doctor resumes his solo adventures – at least until “Joy to the World”. This year’s Christmas episode introduces Joy, whose arrival is set to disrupt the TARDIS in a delightful manner. The scene unfolds within a posh London hotel on Christmas Eve. Given the Doctor’s history of making holidays anything but tranquil, the risks involved are likely apocalyptic.

Hints in previews suggest a lively journey brimming with humor, emotion, and enough chaos to leave you questioning if the TARDIS derives energy from Christmas cheer. The joy could serve as an unexpected boost for the Doctor, and we’re eagerly anticipating any zany, delightful escapades they might encounter together.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor: Allons-y meets fantastic

Since his debut in “The Church on Ruby Road,” Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of The Doctor has been nothing short of astonishing. He embodies the quirky vitality of Eleven, the intelligence and humor of Ten, and the emotional intensity of Twelve – a captivating blend of familiar characters in a fresh, unique way.

Gatwa skillfully blends lightheartedness with seriousness in his portrayal, making the Doctor capable of joking about goblins one instant and delivering profound reflections on the significance of time in the next. His acting alongside Ruby Sunday was exceptional, and his capacity to shoulder the emotional burden of the season demonstrates he’s a Time Lord for all eternity.

A TARDIS full of possibilities

Journeying through the spooky corridors of Ruby Road to the lively pandemonium of “Joy to the World,”
this latest phase of Doctor Who has been an exhilarating rollercoaster, demonstrating that the Doctor’s most powerful asset isn’t merely escaping peril—it’s embracing relationships, whether they’re messy, agonizing, or utterly petrifying.

Looking towards the future, there’s no doubt about it: wherever the TARDIS takes us next, it’s bound to be extraordinary, amazing, and completely bonkers! That’s the charm of Doctor Who, after all – it’s not simply a television series; it’s an exhilarating journey. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.

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2024-12-07 20:15