This was one of the better Christmas special episodes of Dr Who, but the plot clearly owes much to the first "Trolls" animated movie, except this time the tables have turned because the trolls - sorry, "goblins" - in 'The Church on Ruby Road' have taken on the role of the "Bergens" - the antagonists of the movie, who (just like the goblins, or at least their leader) were relative giants who were desperately trying to eat the trolls - and the baby girl assumes the role of the intended goblin leader's dinner, just like the trolls in the Trolls movie. I thought that the goblins secretly causing people to have repeatedly "coincidental" incidents of bad luck was mildly amusing (especially in Davina McCall's case), but it wasn't clear what the motive was, as they didn't seem to be interested in eating adults, only young children, specifically babies. I don't recall it ever being clarified that they ate any other types of human, (although I may have missed that), or why they had come to Earth in the first place, or where they were from.
Ruby Sunday was perhaps a little irritating to start with (but then so was Donna Noble when she first encountered The Doctor). I think she has potential to be a pretty decent assistant/travelling companion for said Timelord. As for Gatwa's Doctor, I actually think he performed very well in what is always a difficult role for any actor for the first few episodes, until they have become comfortable in the role, because they are always so deliberately different from their predecessor and the viewers need to adjust to the new behaviour style. The bigots on here who've whinged about this Doctor's camp dancing and it suggesting that he may be gay need to get a grip - and keep their homophobic hatred off public platforms. Do they not remember Torchwood / Captain Jack Harkness, or that one of the former Doctors (possibly it was even David Tennant) actually flirted openly with Captain Jack on more than one occasion, and If I remember correctly, may have even shared a kiss at some point? It's completely irrelevant anyway what The Doctor's sexuality is, as there is never anything more explicit in 'Doctor Who' than a (usually-fully-clothed) kiss or perhaps one scene of family-friendly semi-nudity (as with the special episode where Gatwa was introduced). People making such comments are being deliberately provocative, and obviously completely misunderstand the nature of Timelords, and especially The Doctor, as beings that are above such pathetic prejudices, loving other people for their personalities, not their gender. I actually think it would be quite refreshing for there NOT to be any romantic chemistry between The Doctor and their opposite-sex assistant; for the relationship to be a purely platonic, but very deep and genuine, friendship brought about by shared experiences that frequently include saving each other's lives, as well as those of all humanity. I think Gatwa may yet surprise us all with his take on The Doctor once his first season is underway.
Review by TygerboiBlockedParent2024-01-01T03:10:42Z
This was one of the better Christmas special episodes of Dr Who, but the plot clearly owes much to the first "Trolls" animated movie, except this time the tables have turned because the trolls - sorry, "goblins" - in 'The Church on Ruby Road' have taken on the role of the "Bergens" - the antagonists of the movie, who (just like the goblins, or at least their leader) were relative giants who were desperately trying to eat the trolls - and the baby girl assumes the role of the intended goblin leader's dinner, just like the trolls in the Trolls movie. I thought that the goblins secretly causing people to have repeatedly "coincidental" incidents of bad luck was mildly amusing (especially in Davina McCall's case), but it wasn't clear what the motive was, as they didn't seem to be interested in eating adults, only young children, specifically babies. I don't recall it ever being clarified that they ate any other types of human, (although I may have missed that), or why they had come to Earth in the first place, or where they were from.
Ruby Sunday was perhaps a little irritating to start with (but then so was Donna Noble when she first encountered The Doctor). I think she has potential to be a pretty decent assistant/travelling companion for said Timelord. As for Gatwa's Doctor, I actually think he performed very well in what is always a difficult role for any actor for the first few episodes, until they have become comfortable in the role, because they are always so deliberately different from their predecessor and the viewers need to adjust to the new behaviour style. The bigots on here who've whinged about this Doctor's camp dancing and it suggesting that he may be gay need to get a grip - and keep their homophobic hatred off public platforms. Do they not remember Torchwood / Captain Jack Harkness, or that one of the former Doctors (possibly it was even David Tennant) actually flirted openly with Captain Jack on more than one occasion, and If I remember correctly, may have even shared a kiss at some point? It's completely irrelevant anyway what The Doctor's sexuality is, as there is never anything more explicit in 'Doctor Who' than a (usually-fully-clothed) kiss or perhaps one scene of family-friendly semi-nudity (as with the special episode where Gatwa was introduced). People making such comments are being deliberately provocative, and obviously completely misunderstand the nature of Timelords, and especially The Doctor, as beings that are above such pathetic prejudices, loving other people for their personalities, not their gender. I actually think it would be quite refreshing for there NOT to be any romantic chemistry between The Doctor and their opposite-sex assistant; for the relationship to be a purely platonic, but very deep and genuine, friendship brought about by shared experiences that frequently include saving each other's lives, as well as those of all humanity. I think Gatwa may yet surprise us all with his take on The Doctor once his first season is underway.