Well that certainly was a lovely Doctor Who Christmas Special, wasn't it? Even the Moffat-haters cautiously rejoiced, I think. As I said when I watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, I'm not a hater-- I know, the irony is apparent-- & I tend to give fiction the benefit of the doubt. I know this, & I also really only care about Moffat's Who. Blasphemy, I know, but I recommend everyone start with "The Eleventh Hour". I'm not uncritical of him, & I realize that there are other elements in play-- budget, Matt Smith & company, the writer's room, so forth-- but I'm aware that is the baggage I bring to the table. That said, come on. Lesbian dinosaur Sherlock Holmes. I double dog dare you not to like that! & then realize that Moffat is spoofing his other BBC success, Sherlock, as it the Doctor prancing around in a deer stalker, & just soak up the giggles. All of that is far secondary to the story. Moffat goes to the "modern fairy tale" well again, & good thing, too, because there are strong headwaters for the Doctor, there. Did I mention the adorably psychopathic mass-produced soldier as a sidekick? Oh well, frankly, who cares. I know what you're here for. Jenna Louise Coleman! A new companion! We've seen the actress before in "Asylum of the Daleks" so we know she has no problem keeping up the pithy banter. There are deep waters here, so I won't tread too much further, only to say that she's got a definite Mary Poppins thing going on here. I'm...well, I think her story is one Moffat can tell, on his good days, & I hope he manages to do so. What else? Oh, very notably: kudos to the prop people. Really, the bit with Amy's glasses? Great. The wardrobe-- no bow tie, then bow tie-- yes, perfect. Bow ties are cool. The umbrella? Just loads of Chekhovian firearms, all neatly fired & accounted for. Top it off with new credits & a new TARDIS? Listen, I'm still not over the end of the Ponds-- come back!-- but we're on our way to a place where I can see the possibility of getting over it.
