I just realised - when Joy ends the call with her mum, the tablet says Royal Hope Hospital. That’s the hospital Martha worked at when she first met the Doctor.
It's so sad because he knows it's all true, but he has to continue the loop..I wasn't sure, but I've loooooved the 15th Doctor so far. 13 was great but her writing sucked, but 15 has been good and has had incredible writing.
So my fun fact for this episode is that the actor who played Tenzing Norgay (the Sherpa who was the first man to climb Everest alongside Edmund Hillary) was Norgay’s great great nephew! A neat little family connection for a human past celebrity!
The explorer George Mallory was determined to climb Everest. When asked why he wanted to climb it so much he said "Because it's there" That's why the Doctor gives that answer. Mallory himself disappeared on Everest a hundred years ago.
Similar joke years ago, I cannot recall the comic. The comic concocts a complicated ice cream confection, and says it's called a 'Mount Everest'. Straight man asks why, and comic replies, "Because it's there." Well, I thought it was funny at the time.
25:30 - My main complaint about this episode is that the T-rex ate the briefcase ... it would have been SO MUCH BETTER if the handcuff had slapped itself over one of those hilarious T-rex wrists.
No one was taking the toastie and latte because they were native to the time period the Doctor was popping in on. As a result, a) the idea of room service to those locations would have been inconceivable to them, and b) those time periods had neither latte's nor toasties. Maybe in Italy for the lattes, but definitely no toasties, which is one of the strangest sentences I've ever written. And yes, that was a door to a hobbit hole in the hotel.
@@timlemmens1087 Could be, we know they like planting all sorts of easter eggs, both significant and insignificant. I think the internet would break though if an episode was set on Middle Earth. Or if they followed through on the promise visit to Star Trek. :P
Peter Jackson is a Doctor Who fan and wants to direct an episode. He'd like a Dalek as payment. He and Sir Ian McKellen had a cameo in The Five-ish Doctors reboot. Jackson tells McKellen that McCoy's gone AWOL and he'll have to do the next scene without him. McKellen thinks that would be an improvement.
I have watched several heads-up-their asses "fans" give ridiculously nitpicky reviews about this episode. I love it much more when I just watch your reactions to new stories. They are so sincere and significantly less jaded!
if you're not open to criticism, that's worse than being nitpicky. You're just blinded at your love for the show, but you must be able to see the negatives on the episode, surely?
@@DBProds96 It's not about not being open to criticism, and (I speak for myself), I'm not "blinded by love" - I see plenty of potholes and absurdity, that has always been a part of the Doctor Who I have grown up with since the 1960s. The potholes are as essential as the holes in Swiss cheese. They just don't bother me because the show is like an old friend. Rather like my mate Jack, my god he's a grumpy old basket, and says the stupidest things, but I see through that facade and actually he's ok. You may not think so, but as the saying goes, "You don't know Jack." So those potholes, for me they are opportunities to devise some head-canon, to figure out what happened off-camera to make them not inconsistent at all. Sometimes they are resolved (sometimes it takes fifty years!) and then I get to find out if I guessed right or not. It's good either way. Also… nitpicking can be fun - I got "The Nitpickers Guide for Next Generation Trekkers" when it first came out, and it's a wonderful book, recommended for any Star Trek fan. It tears every episode into shreds - but it's done from a position of being a fan of the show, and that comes through in every sentence. What bothers me is people who are just here to diss the show - the Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers who hold the show in contempt, and use nitpicking like a weapon. Ugh.
a lot of american viewers might not understand what joy was referencing when she was telling the doctor about her mum - her mum died of (presumably) covid on christmas 2020, when a bunch of british poltiicians broke their own imposed lockdown rules to have a party in downing street.
@IsaacKuo i'm more so referring to joy specifically referencing the uk government officials partying over the christmas period of lockdown than anything else. i wasn't sure if that was talked about in overseas news much. just wanted to add that context as it's smth a lot of ppl might not have caught.
I really enjoyed this episode. The actor that played Trev played Hizdahr zo Loraq in Game of Thrones. He was the noble that Dani was going to marry in Meereen. I really liked Anita. I hope we see more of her some day. Her goodbye scene gave me Sarah Jane Smith vibes for some reason.
As soon as I saw there was a dinosaur in this, I couldn't wait for your reaction. Anita was awesome. She joins Shona on my list of wish they were companions. Also, great job Trev.
Reference Trivia: Villengard is a long-time Moffat background corporation primarily based (at its height) in the 51st-52nd centuries, Earth-relative time (so in this episode, which in the future takes place in the 41st century, we can presume in moderately early-on in their existence as a corporation). We first heard it referenced in "The Doctor Dances", as they are from whom Capt. Jack got his sonic square gun from in his home time period (51st century); they were later referenced in "Boom" and other background elements. (It's nice to have background touches like these across DW's history as a series.)
This could be a product from Villengard at any point in time, no? The Time Hotel could have rooms from the future that the guy could have broken in through, or they could just have access to Vortex Manipulators which don't seem too hard to come by in the time period we normally see them in. If Dorium can acquire one on short notice and without much trouble I am sure Villengard could. Wouldn't even be surprised to find out that they can make them.
@@SNMG7664 I'm not sure if you misread my comment -- I'm only citing "x" relative to the timelines we have established for Villengard as-presented; that is, I'm just noting it as "early" in Villengard's _Earth-relative_ timeline because the future point in this story is in the 41st vs 51st/52nd centuries that the corporation is more often referenced in. (And given that we know Earth isn't populated in the time leading into the 30th century and for some centuries afterwards until it's re-terraformed, this would be "early" for Villengard in terms of Earth's general history.) I'm not noting that as having any bearing relative to the star seed and its production, only relative to the hotel existing in the 41st century in its relative present -- the star seed could well be from further in the future, though implied to be from that local 41st century era in context. In Re: Vortex Manipulators and Dorian. But that's the thing -- they're *not* that easy to get a hold of. Remember: Dorian was one of the most powerful/influential individuals of his time/era, so his flunkies getting a hold of a VM is only "easy" in _that_ context, not more broadly/generally.
Moffat continues to be my favorite new Dr Who showrunner and writer. He knows how to circle a story and bring a tender heart to any of his projects. Davies is still good but he seems to miss on how the viewers have changed since that first season in the revived era. This was a great Christmas episode and something I really needed personally. Every Christmas is Last Christmas, a great Moffat one also.
I’m so glad this went down well. This is the sixth time I’ve seen that final scene and I keep crying at it. I wish we got more of Nicola Coughlan though.
I'm sure I wasn't the only person watching this on Christmas Day who saw the T-Rex and thought "Sesska is going to get very excited over this" and you didn't disappoint ;) Anita and Trev were probably the highlights for me with the former very much on the list of 'should be a companion' and I hope being at the Time hotel means we might see her again.
That was my reaction at the end wow 0001 Bethlehem, loved this Christmas special for so many different reasons, loved one’s not with us at Christmas, loneliness at Christmas, such a well written & thoughtful special, amazing
Ncuti was superb throughout this episode, if this is what we can expect from him next series we're in great hands. Maybe if The Doctor had offered the T-Rex a ham and cheese toastie and a pumpkin spice latte it wouldn't have been such a cranky pants
I really enjoyed this episode very much. So many characters to love in this one - Joy, Trev and Anita would have been great companions, love Trev especially.
The ending is only controversial if you think a TV show should be taken very seriously. And that rather reflects a desperate anger on the part of people who would take ANYTHING other than what they like down or simply haven't grown up. And it's sad. This is, at the end of the day, entertainment.
@@flaggerify this is a show about an alien who can change their face and travels in space and time in a blue police box from the 60s. Why would you want anything but fatuous?
Yeah, Moffat does continue to pack in the emotions in such a short time. The sad Silurian death. A beautiful yearlong friendship with Anita, a stalwart companion in Trev, and everything with Joy’s storyline. All of it packed the emotional punch. And it was all perfectly balanced by the Christmas miracle that was the surprise Betty appearance which I KNEW would delight you so. Nothing like the holidays on Doctor Who, huh, Jess?
I need Anita to be a companion, please and thank you. Another Moffat classic, with Betty the dinosaur as a lovely extra. Also, props to Moffat for attacking Boris Johnson and the Tories who partied during lockdown.
@nocturne8333 be neat if we let her wait a season like Donna then grab her on board when she's worked at the Hotel enough that she can work with a different level of historical and interstellar knowledge than the standard companion
Loved the Anita section of this episode. Having a heartwarming short film ostensibly take the place of a second act was a really unique choice, but it sadly left me not very invested in Joy.
Seen other reactors bashing on this xmas episode, so glad you liked it - idk why others went mental over it, it seemed to be a typical Doctor Xmas special - silly, 'scary' fun.. it's not supposed to be Shakespeare or Kafka.
@@dbilly121 Would very much find that surprising. This was a last minute written episode after RTD had already written the first 2 seasons as he didn't have time to write a Xmas special thus Moffat stepped in. Anita may return in another season but I wouldn't put money on it.
Yay! I'm so excited seeing you react to this Christmas special. 🎄 Hope you had an amazing Christmas & New Year. Wonder why he doesn't have a fridge. Does he not have a kitchen? The TARDIS had a library, pool, wardrobe, and office at some point. But no kitchen. 😆
Steven Moffat at not be show runner anymore, but he *still* has the ability to break us whenever he wants too. Russell, bring him back *moar* because I like it when Moffat gives me the feelings and makes me cry. Also: #AllHailBettyTheTyrannosaurus
Most people will say the original Jurassic Park from 1993 is the only one in the series worth watching. If you're a dinosaur fan then you probably disagree and that's fine, but the vast majority of people didn't enjoy the Jurassic Park/World sequels. If you're open to movie suggestions for reactions, then Zulu from 1964 would be mine. One of the greatest movies ever made in my opinion but I've never seen anyone react to the full movie before. I would honestly subscribe to your Pateron instantly if you posted a full reaction to Zulu.
I had the same reaction (although I don't call any dinosaurs Betty, but that's just me). Cried almost the whole time, found it so joyous anyway. I really like how some very small turns of writing tell us so much about the characters. My favorite is when Trev says, "It's gonna be the least I've ever let anybody down." What that says about how much he's let somebody down before, and how he feels about it, and how little he truly expects to live up to his promise this time ...
This is about the fourth reaction I've watched, just laughing at the same jokes over and over again. I love it. Glad to see you're still reacting, Sesska.
So much great stuff in this episode but, delightful though Joy was, the year-long friendship with Anita was the best part for me. And I felt that, even though he's already had an Xmas special and full season, this was Ncuti REALLY becoming the Doctor we love. Also... IT'S STILL CALLED MAVITY!! 😆😆
Anita is EASILY the best character in this entire new era of Doctor Who and it's no surprise... Moffat gave us River in a seemingly random episode with a big backstory... Moffat gave us Anita in this episode with the Doctor telling her he "can tell the Tardis likes her"... Never ignore a single thing Moffat writes, he isn't the fan favourite writer for no reason
I feel like Big Finish is missing out if they don't have any Doctor and Anita stories for that year. Honestly, she had very good chemistry with him and could have been a good companion. The Time Hotel should have an entire floor dedicated to times Earth was invaded but saved by one of those series of mystery people calling themselves :The Doctor"!
At last, Ncuti is allowed to act like the Doctor. This is his best story so far and it's no accident that it is Moffat who wrote it. Yes, it is sugary and indulgent, especially at the end but Christmas stories should be that way. The message for me from this story is hope.
That ending hit very close to home. I couldn't stop crying when I first saw it and I cried again watching your reaction. Also, isn't that ending score just fantastic?! Gold's compositions just 'fit' the show so well.
Christmas week was a good one for UK Dr Who fans. On Monday 23rd I sat and watched 'The War Games in Color!' with my older brother (he'd have been 6 when it was broadcast) and, although not terribly plugged into it all, he picked up on something that was about to become a big canonical debate in fandom. On Christmas Eve I sat through 'Dr Who at the Proms' and on Xmas Day we had this. My feeling is that it's relatively lightweight but did give us a very good opportunity to get to know Ncuti's Doctor. He's really the one you want to spend time with and it constantly amazes me how this show keeps throwing up variations on the character that you wouldn't expect. My other feeling is that there are elements of the story designed to preface an explanation about what we've seen already and what is to come. Which puts it more in line with the earlier RTD Xmas specials.
@@Forcy-20 The ending of the wargames (In colour) has some RTD/Nu who gluttony that has rubbed some people the wrong way. I'm more annoyed that they change the music in these, they where fine we don't need new music.
Great to see you back; glad you enjoyed/survived the holiday season. Wishing you a very happy new year when it comes, and hope 2025 brings you all the very best xx
I swear I forgot you're watching Modern Who too LOL hope you had a good holiday, Jess! There was word this was going to be Moffat's last installment, although much like the Doctor, he could be lying. Who knows. But what a way to end your tenure. Divisive but heartfelt, funny, and powerful, the usual beats of Moffat's Doctor Who. I love Joy (what a twist for her character), and Trev, but I REALLY love Anita. I hope she returns. Maybe on board the TARDIS where there will definitely be chairs now.
This episode does seem to have split opinion, but I thought it was pretty good. It highlighted loneliness, especially at this time of year. The scenes with Anita were sweet and funny, especially the plunger gag. The ending with the star was a bit predictable, but all in all, it was an enjoyable episode.
@@scottredding7357 That's right! I think it might even have been the same chair. Tall backed, kind of baroque/gothic looking. But my mind might just be filling that in.
If Joy to the World is Steven Moffat's last time writing for Doctor Who, then he ended his time on a joyous note. The entire segment of the Doctor living out a full year, working at the hotel with Anita was easily the highlight of the entire story and perfectly shows how well Moffat understands the Doctor.
Oh i would so much watch your reaction to JW Dominium i loved that movie i understand why people didn't like but for me was a great movie 🤗 I call every t-rex, tt,l. if you didn't watch Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous i totally recommend is a great Jurassic animation. Great react as always 😍! Happy New Year!!! 🎊
,,And basically so did the universe and nobody complains about that" - Actually it was you Doctor who ,,created" the universe - The Second Big Bang - so is that a ,,your welcome about that btw" moment... Or am I just reading too much into it?😅
Speaking of Betty, I feel like you'd enjoy the Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (takes place during and right after Jurassic World) and then Jurassic World Chaos Theory (takes place before Jurassic World: Dominion) animated shows on Netflix. ^__^ There are great connections between the Jurassic World movies and those two shows. Plus all the drama XD.
This was the first episode of Doctor Who I made a point of re-watching in a very long time. Moffat just fundamentally gets the character and the show in a way RTD doesn't anymore. Best Christmas/New Year special since Last Christmas.
I met up with members of my (adopted in some cases) family that I hadn't seen in years this Christmas and it was a very emotional time - although, as a product of my pre-war English parents, I didn't really have scope to express that. I think this appeals to those who can though and it will probably improve with age. I don't think it will top Moffat's previous specials (it doesn't really have a chance against 'A Christmas Carol') but I think it's a good time historically for it.
We thought Moffat couldn't get even more insane but he proved us wrong again and I wouldn't have it any other way - sure the logic behind the Time Hotel makes no sense if you think about it for more than a minute but I really don't care All the supporting cast was very well characterized and really felt for them when they died. I wasn't there for my dad when he died but it was after Covid so I had the chance but I was just too afraid, so I really sympathizes with Joy - something I thought about the 15th saying she will burn and she will die but Joy saying she is just changing can be seen as a commentary about different Doctor's views on regeneration. I'm so exited for more Doctor Who and wish you all happy holidays
P.S. I was too afraid to hug my Mum. This was two decades pre-Covid; but the hospital had an outbreak of MRSA while she was in there for (ultimately unsuccesful) cancer treatment, so what should have been a week or two of treatment for one condition before going home turned into months of her being isolated in a boring little room because of totally different condition... and I'd read all the stern warning notices on my way to the room she was in, so I sat at the far end of the room in my plastic gown, and tried to have a conversation with someone who felt a million miles away. Shockingly, the cleaning staff (and some of the nurses) hadn't ever read those notices... Or had just given up trying to follow the rules. =:o/ And yet, even after seeing them breeze in and out of the room, un-masked and un-gowned, I *still* didn't dare approach the bed, let alone hug my Mum.
Nicola Coughlin is just the most adorable woman and she plays so well off Ncuti and I wish she couldve stuck around! There must have been a way to have her guide the star without becoming it because I'm not ready to give up Joy as a companion!
my dream time hotel is a luxury rv in houston texas (rvs are too big for european roads unfortunately). who wouldnt love that! if a tent on mt. everest counts then so does this
I can't wait to watch this after work. Steven is so a good person at making such emotional episodes. No wonder RTD broke tradition to let him do Christmas.
It does have rewatch-ability. I've seen it, seen it reviewed by a few, and now seen a full blown reaction to it, and I love it every time via my eyes, others, now yours! It was one of my favorite Specials for awhile. Despite the eyeroll location banner at the end. Hope you had happy Holidays! And hey, Anita is your kind of Companion! She got to hang out and never be put in danger!
This was my favourite Moffat Christmse story. I know people disagree, but to me it was just beautifully written. Ncuti feels like he's really come into his own as the Doctor. I forget her name but the lady who plays Anita has actually never been on TV before. She was phenomenal! Have an amazing New Year! Cant wait to see you react to more Doctor Who in 2025! ❤
I just realised - when Joy ends the call with her mum, the tablet says Royal Hope Hospital. That’s the hospital Martha worked at when she first met the Doctor.
The best comment I heard on this episode was about the scene with two Doctors.
"The Doctor is beside himself with Joy".
Hah! =:oD [WILD APPLAUSE]
It's so sad because he knows it's all true, but he has to continue the loop..I wasn't sure, but I've loooooved the 15th Doctor so far. 13 was great but her writing sucked, but 15 has been good and has had incredible writing.
So my fun fact for this episode is that the actor who played Tenzing Norgay (the Sherpa who was the first man to climb Everest alongside Edmund Hillary) was Norgay’s great great nephew! A neat little family connection for a human past celebrity!
=:oo
🥹❤️
And when they cast him for the role they didn't knew about the family connection.
The explorer George Mallory was determined to climb Everest. When asked why he wanted to climb it so much he said "Because it's there" That's why the Doctor gives that answer. Mallory himself disappeared on Everest a hundred years ago.
At least they’ve found Mallory and part of Irvine
@nocturne8333 Partly intact due to the cold preserving this body too....
Oh, that is such a funny in-joke 😆
Similar joke years ago, I cannot recall the comic. The comic concocts a complicated ice cream confection, and says it's called a 'Mount Everest'. Straight man asks why, and comic replies, "Because it's there." Well, I thought it was funny at the time.
Oh, is "because it's there" not a universally recognised saying any more?
25:30 - My main complaint about this episode is that the T-rex ate the briefcase ... it would have been SO MUCH BETTER if the handcuff had slapped itself over one of those hilarious T-rex wrists.
It likely attached itself to either one of it's teeth, or it's tonsils (if they had them!)
Those arms are thicker that ours despite shortness
"A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE" 😂 Your sheer and utter delight at dinosaurs will never stop bringing me joy
No one was taking the toastie and latte because they were native to the time period the Doctor was popping in on. As a result, a) the idea of room service to those locations would have been inconceivable to them, and b) those time periods had neither latte's nor toasties. Maybe in Italy for the lattes, but definitely no toasties, which is one of the strangest sentences I've ever written. And yes, that was a door to a hobbit hole in the hotel.
Which might be an Easter Egg to Sylvester McCoy being in The Hobbit.
@@timlemmens1087 Could be, we know they like planting all sorts of easter eggs, both significant and insignificant. I think the internet would break though if an episode was set on Middle Earth. Or if they followed through on the promise visit to Star Trek. :P
Peter Jackson is a Doctor Who fan and wants to direct an episode. He'd like a Dalek as payment. He and Sir Ian McKellen had a cameo in The Five-ish Doctors reboot. Jackson tells McKellen that McCoy's gone AWOL and he'll have to do the next scene without him. McKellen thinks that would be an improvement.
@DEEJAYWAL I know. I saw that special. And The Hobbit.
The bit where Joy is shouting abuut how she was forced to let her mum die alone while the tories were partying during covid hit me like a brick
I have watched several heads-up-their asses "fans" give ridiculously nitpicky reviews about this episode. I love it much more when I just watch your reactions to new stories. They are so sincere and significantly less jaded!
if you're not open to criticism, that's worse than being nitpicky. You're just blinded at your love for the show, but you must be able to see the negatives on the episode, surely?
@@DBProds96 Never said there weren't negatives. When did you hear me say that?
@@DBProds96 It's not about not being open to criticism, and (I speak for myself), I'm not "blinded by love" - I see plenty of potholes and absurdity, that has always been a part of the Doctor Who I have grown up with since the 1960s. The potholes are as essential as the holes in Swiss cheese. They just don't bother me because the show is like an old friend. Rather like my mate Jack, my god he's a grumpy old basket, and says the stupidest things, but I see through that facade and actually he's ok. You may not think so, but as the saying goes, "You don't know Jack."
So those potholes, for me they are opportunities to devise some head-canon, to figure out what happened off-camera to make them not inconsistent at all. Sometimes they are resolved (sometimes it takes fifty years!) and then I get to find out if I guessed right or not. It's good either way.
Also… nitpicking can be fun - I got "The Nitpickers Guide for Next Generation Trekkers" when it first came out, and it's a wonderful book, recommended for any Star Trek fan. It tears every episode into shreds - but it's done from a position of being a fan of the show, and that comes through in every sentence. What bothers me is people who are just here to diss the show - the Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers who hold the show in contempt, and use nitpicking like a weapon. Ugh.
a lot of american viewers might not understand what joy was referencing when she was telling the doctor about her mum - her mum died of (presumably) covid on christmas 2020, when a bunch of british poltiicians broke their own imposed lockdown rules to have a party in downing street.
Here in the USA, we had lockdowns and hospital crisis rules also.
@IsaacKuo i'm more so referring to joy specifically referencing the uk government officials partying over the christmas period of lockdown than anything else. i wasn't sure if that was talked about in overseas news much. just wanted to add that context as it's smth a lot of ppl might not have caught.
@@leilanyx_ FWIW, it made the news here in the USA also. That was quite a scandal.
I really enjoyed this episode. The actor that played Trev played Hizdahr zo Loraq in Game of Thrones. He was the noble that Dani was going to marry in Meereen. I really liked Anita. I hope we see more of her some day. Her goodbye scene gave me Sarah Jane Smith vibes for some reason.
Steven Moffat’s writing really gels with Ncuti’s acting and you can tell.
As soon as I saw there was a dinosaur in this, I couldn't wait for your reaction. Anita was awesome. She joins Shona on my list of wish they were companions. Also, great job Trev.
Reference Trivia: Villengard is a long-time Moffat background corporation primarily based (at its height) in the 51st-52nd centuries, Earth-relative time (so in this episode, which in the future takes place in the 41st century, we can presume in moderately early-on in their existence as a corporation). We first heard it referenced in "The Doctor Dances", as they are from whom Capt. Jack got his sonic square gun from in his home time period (51st century); they were later referenced in "Boom" and other background elements. (It's nice to have background touches like these across DW's history as a series.)
This could be a product from Villengard at any point in time, no? The Time Hotel could have rooms from the future that the guy could have broken in through, or they could just have access to Vortex Manipulators which don't seem too hard to come by in the time period we normally see them in. If Dorium can acquire one on short notice and without much trouble I am sure Villengard could. Wouldn't even be surprised to find out that they can make them.
@@SNMG7664 I'm not sure if you misread my comment -- I'm only citing "x" relative to the timelines we have established for Villengard as-presented; that is, I'm just noting it as "early" in Villengard's _Earth-relative_ timeline because the future point in this story is in the 41st vs 51st/52nd centuries that the corporation is more often referenced in. (And given that we know Earth isn't populated in the time leading into the 30th century and for some centuries afterwards until it's re-terraformed, this would be "early" for Villengard in terms of Earth's general history.) I'm not noting that as having any bearing relative to the star seed and its production, only relative to the hotel existing in the 41st century in its relative present -- the star seed could well be from further in the future, though implied to be from that local 41st century era in context.
In Re: Vortex Manipulators and Dorian. But that's the thing -- they're *not* that easy to get a hold of. Remember: Dorian was one of the most powerful/influential individuals of his time/era, so his flunkies getting a hold of a VM is only "easy" in _that_ context, not more broadly/generally.
Moffat continues to be my favorite new Dr Who showrunner and writer. He knows how to circle a story and bring a tender heart to any of his projects. Davies is still good but he seems to miss on how the viewers have changed since that first season in the revived era. This was a great Christmas episode and something I really needed personally. Every Christmas is Last Christmas, a great Moffat one also.
This was easily one of his worst.
The two women that Basil knew could be Vastra and Jenny. I believe they lived on Paternoster Row which I think was destroyed during the London Blitz.
I will never not find it hilarious that you're terrified of snakes but you love dinosaurs lol
Dinosaurs are lizards
I’m so glad this went down well. This is the sixth time I’ve seen that final scene and I keep crying at it. I wish we got more of Nicola Coughlan though.
"I will not let you down sir" physically made me sob.
I'm sure I wasn't the only person watching this on Christmas Day who saw the T-Rex and thought "Sesska is going to get very excited over this" and you didn't disappoint ;) Anita and Trev were probably the highlights for me with the former very much on the list of 'should be a companion' and I hope being at the Time hotel means we might see her again.
This episode should have been called The Chair, The Toastie, The Moff and The Betty 😂
That was my reaction at the end wow 0001 Bethlehem, loved this Christmas special for so many different reasons, loved one’s not with us at Christmas, loneliness at Christmas, such a well written & thoughtful special, amazing
Royal Hope Hospital is the same Hospital where Martha Jones was working when the 10th Doctor first met her - the music Loving Klingon...
Ncuti was superb throughout this episode, if this is what we can expect from him next series we're in great hands. Maybe if The Doctor had offered the T-Rex a ham and cheese toastie and a pumpkin spice latte it wouldn't have been such a cranky pants
He's turning on the waterworks too much. The writers' fault though probably.
@Faction.Paradox Was he? 😂 his acting was crap.
Oh no! Apart from Capaldi, who almost destroyed the series with his awful acting, there is and always has been a great Doctor.
@@joshuajoshua2732
@@joshuajoshua2732Oh no! Apart from Capaldi, who almost destroyed the series with his awful acting, there is and always has been a great Doctor.
Capaldi was not a poor actor 😂
You need to understand acting before you understand what is and isn’t good acting
The Dalek/ Plunger joke is top notch!!!! I had to pause just to stop laughing.
Honestly my first watch of the episode I missed it but second watch it really got me, his surprised look it great
I really enjoyed this episode very much. So many characters to love in this one - Joy, Trev and Anita would have been great companions, love Trev especially.
I’m suprised people didn’t like this episode I thought it was beautiful
And I'm crying too again now, wonderful reaction to a lovely episode, thank you!
The ending is only controversial if you think a TV show should be taken very seriously. And that rather reflects a desperate anger on the part of people who would take ANYTHING other than what they like down or simply haven't grown up. And it's sad. This is, at the end of the day, entertainment.
I was initially taken a little aback, but then I remembered it was a Christmas episode after all, so why not?
It was a fatuous ending.
@@flaggerify this is a show about an alien who can change their face and travels in space and time in a blue police box from the 60s. Why would you want anything but fatuous?
@@flaggerify Sure, but like I said, it's a Christmas episode, which are inherently silly in Doctor Who.
@@ChrisKay-h1j Don't give me that lame argument. There still has to be some internal consistency.
Yeah, Moffat does continue to pack in the emotions in such a short time. The sad Silurian death. A beautiful yearlong friendship with Anita, a stalwart companion in Trev, and everything with Joy’s storyline. All of it packed the emotional punch. And it was all perfectly balanced by the Christmas miracle that was the surprise Betty appearance which I KNEW would delight you so. Nothing like the holidays on Doctor Who, huh, Jess?
Not one person died in it. Everyone was saved. AGAIN.
@@papalaz4444244 Which is getting abit boring that's the only thing Chibnall got right was keeping characters dead.
Dr. Who is not a soap opera.
@@papalaz4444244 Except everyone who became the star technically still died and for all purposes the star could be a form of heaven...so death.
Did anyone give a damn about the Silurian?
Fun fact… the woman on the train is Sylvia Trench from the first James Bond movie, Dr No.
Though not THE actual woman.
@BrodieVickers-tk9sd the actress that played Sylvia back then? No, of course not that would be impossible. She died around a decade ago.
@@danniemadsen1996 Well, more like 6 years ago
@@BrodieVickers-tk9sd That’s close to a decade. 😅
So James Bond is canon to Doctor Who. Well, I always did say he was a Time Lord, always changing his face like he does.
I have mixed feelings on this episode but I do really love how Moffat writes the doctor
Agreed, He breathes life into the character, However the episode itself was boring, my favorite part was the trailer for series 2
The episode was god awful
Thanks
Thank you!
I was thinking when we see Trev as a hologram at the end, that it was a wink to Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - he'd been saved.
I need Anita to be a companion, please and thank you. Another Moffat classic, with Betty the dinosaur as a lovely extra. Also, props to Moffat for attacking Boris Johnson and the Tories who partied during lockdown.
I liked that she got a great ending, with the job at the Time Hotel. Plus, means she could pop up anywhen!
@nocturne8333 be neat if we let her wait a season like Donna then grab her on board when she's worked at the Hotel enough that she can work with a different level of historical and interstellar knowledge than the standard companion
@@TheJokerAkaCirque That's a good idea, I ave wanted an alien companion for while, I know she isn't but it would be the next best thing.
Loved the Anita section of this episode. Having a heartwarming short film ostensibly take the place of a second act was a really unique choice, but it sadly left me not very invested in Joy.
"Its a Betty!" 😆
Seen other reactors bashing on this xmas episode, so glad you liked it - idk why others went mental over it, it seemed to be a typical Doctor Xmas special - silly, 'scary' fun.. it's not supposed to be Shakespeare or Kafka.
As soon as the teaser of the Betty scene was released I knew this would be a great reaction, such a lovely Christmas special
Anyone else notice that was the hospital Martha worked in?
And have you heard the rumours the Time Hotel could become a spinoff?
I didn’t realise! I did find it interesting how they held onto the shot of the hospital logo.
I've heard Anita will return in series 3, also an insane theory that Anita is Mrs Flood
@@dbilly121 Would very much find that surprising. This was a last minute written episode after RTD had already written the first 2 seasons as he didn't have time to write a Xmas special thus Moffat stepped in. Anita may return in another season but I wouldn't put money on it.
The Time Hotel would be a brilliant spinoff.
Yay! I'm so excited seeing you react to this Christmas special. 🎄
Hope you had an amazing Christmas & New Year.
Wonder why he doesn't have a fridge.
Does he not have a kitchen?
The TARDIS had a library, pool, wardrobe, and office at some point.
But no kitchen. 😆
Steven Moffat at not be show runner anymore, but he *still* has the ability to break us whenever he wants too. Russell, bring him back *moar* because I like it when Moffat gives me the feelings and makes me cry.
Also: #AllHailBettyTheTyrannosaurus
Most people will say the original Jurassic Park from 1993 is the only one in the series worth watching. If you're a dinosaur fan then you probably disagree and that's fine, but the vast majority of people didn't enjoy the Jurassic Park/World sequels.
If you're open to movie suggestions for reactions, then Zulu from 1964 would be mine. One of the greatest movies ever made in my opinion but I've never seen anyone react to the full movie before. I would honestly subscribe to your Pateron instantly if you posted a full reaction to Zulu.
I had the same reaction (although I don't call any dinosaurs Betty, but that's just me). Cried almost the whole time, found it so joyous anyway.
I really like how some very small turns of writing tell us so much about the characters. My favorite is when Trev says, "It's gonna be the least I've ever let anybody down." What that says about how much he's let somebody down before, and how he feels about it, and how little he truly expects to live up to his promise this time ...
This is about the fourth reaction I've watched, just laughing at the same jokes over and over again. I love it. Glad to see you're still reacting, Sesska.
Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Joy to you and me!
Hope you have had a lovely Christmas and New year surrounded by family friends and love. Robbie x
So much great stuff in this episode but, delightful though Joy was, the year-long friendship with Anita was the best part for me. And I felt that, even though he's already had an Xmas special and full season, this was Ncuti REALLY becoming the Doctor we love.
Also... IT'S STILL CALLED MAVITY!! 😆😆
Anita is lovely. I wish we had more with her. I would have watched an entire episode of their year together.
The joke I was really hoping for:
“And I’m gonna need money…what is your name?”
“Anita.”
“Anita. Anita…Anita make some money!” 😆
Hah! =:oD Yeah, that would have been a good one. Oh well, Moffat can't *always* get it right.
Anita is EASILY the best character in this entire new era of Doctor Who and it's no surprise... Moffat gave us River in a seemingly random episode with a big backstory... Moffat gave us Anita in this episode with the Doctor telling her he "can tell the Tardis likes her"... Never ignore a single thing Moffat writes, he isn't the fan favourite writer for no reason
I feel like Big Finish is missing out if they don't have any Doctor and Anita stories for that year. Honestly, she had very good chemistry with him and could have been a good companion. The Time Hotel should have an entire floor dedicated to times Earth was invaded but saved by one of those series of mystery people calling themselves :The Doctor"!
P.S. Yeah, @SesskaSays, that 10 minutes with Anita broke me, too! #BringBackAnita #DoctorWho #NcutiGatwa #DoctorWhoChristmasSpecial #DoctorWho2024ChristmasSpecial #StevenMoffatt
The way Nicola says "Doctor" in her little Irish accent is everything I wanted
how condescending
Thank you for the Reaction!! Happy New Year to you!!
Love watching your reactions because I cry along with you 💜💜➕🌈🟦
At last, Ncuti is allowed to act like the Doctor. This is his best story so far and it's no accident that it is Moffat who wrote it. Yes, it is sugary and indulgent, especially at the end but Christmas stories should be that way. The message for me from this story is hope.
He's acted like The Doctor plenty. The scene at the end of Dot and Bubble springs to mind...
That ending hit very close to home. I couldn't stop crying when I first saw it and I cried again watching your reaction. Also, isn't that ending score just fantastic?! Gold's compositions just 'fit' the show so well.
8:59 - This is what I miss when I'm not paying attention.
DODO BURGERS!!!
Christmas week was a good one for UK Dr Who fans. On Monday 23rd I sat and watched 'The War Games in Color!' with my older brother (he'd have been 6 when it was broadcast) and, although not terribly plugged into it all, he picked up on something that was about to become a big canonical debate in fandom. On Christmas Eve I sat through 'Dr Who at the Proms' and on Xmas Day we had this. My feeling is that it's relatively lightweight but did give us a very good opportunity to get to know Ncuti's Doctor. He's really the one you want to spend time with and it constantly amazes me how this show keeps throwing up variations on the character that you wouldn't expect. My other feeling is that there are elements of the story designed to preface an explanation about what we've seen already and what is to come. Which puts it more in line with the earlier RTD Xmas specials.
May I ask what big canonical recent debate from the Fandom did I missed? I have been on vacations without internet for over a week.
@@Forcy-20They implied that War Chief was actually the Master, through music cues.
@@Forcy-20 The ending of the wargames (In colour) has some RTD/Nu who gluttony that has rubbed some people the wrong way. I'm more annoyed that they change the music in these, they where fine we don't need new music.
@@TONES44 Ahhh. I see. Will have to check it out when I can. Thanks.
@@TONES44 [BLINKS] "gluttony"?
Perhaps this is some strange new meaning of the word I haven't previously been aware of... =:oo
Great to see you back; glad you enjoyed/survived the holiday season. Wishing you a very happy new year when it comes, and hope 2025 brings you all the very best xx
I should have known - Moffat episodes are crying episodes 😢😭🥲
I swear I forgot you're watching Modern Who too LOL hope you had a good holiday, Jess!
There was word this was going to be Moffat's last installment, although much like the Doctor, he could be lying. Who knows. But what a way to end your tenure. Divisive but heartfelt, funny, and powerful, the usual beats of Moffat's Doctor Who. I love Joy (what a twist for her character), and Trev, but I REALLY love Anita. I hope she returns. Maybe on board the TARDIS where there will definitely be chairs now.
The Doctor has seemed to forgotten that he took the last room at the inn.
This episode does seem to have split opinion, but I thought it was pretty good. It highlighted loneliness, especially at this time of year. The scenes with Anita were sweet and funny, especially the plunger gag. The ending with the star was a bit predictable, but all in all, it was an enjoyable episode.
😂 Happy tears.
I'd just like to point out that Capaldi had _a_ chair.
Didn’t 11 have a chair too? He was sitting down in it when River was talking about she had lessons on flying the TARDIS from the very best.
Eccleston's/Tennant's "coral" interior had chairs; as did Matt Smith's first console as well as his second that Capaldi "inherited".
@@scottredding7357 That's right! I think it might even have been the same chair. Tall backed, kind of baroque/gothic looking. But my mind might just be filling that in.
@@Redfern42 Really? I missed them all these years then... and I'm not being sarcastic or anything, I easily could have missed them and accept that 😅
@@adamcarlson2192 The fourth Doctor has had a chair in Season 14 in the alternate console room
"...But it's still microwaved."
I love that joke. All the reactors I've seen so far, miss it.
@@ameliacraig8789 "Well, you can't expect miracles." =:o}
@@therealpbristow No judgement. They're just laughing at the joke before, about receiving the pumpkin latte etc. almost prior to ordering it.
@@ameliacraig8789 I was quoting the line that follows. =;o}
If Joy to the World is Steven Moffat's last time writing for Doctor Who, then he ended his time on a joyous note. The entire segment of the Doctor living out a full year, working at the hotel with Anita was easily the highlight of the entire story and perfectly shows how well Moffat understands the Doctor.
I hope it was his last! 2/10!
@@malcy86well objectively, you’re just completely wrong. 8.5/10 for me
I thought it was great! And nothing is ever final in the doctor who universe. Don't you know that.
His time ended on "Twice Upon A Time" where he should had stayed.
@@malcy86agreed... don't listen, yours is the majority view... it was terrible...
There’s something about Moffat, idk. He just GETS Doctor Who. 8.5/10 for me. Maybe even higher.
Has she watched Derry Girls or Bridgerton? I think she would enjoy them!
Oh i would so much watch your reaction to JW Dominium i loved that movie i understand why people didn't like but for me was a great movie 🤗 I call every t-rex, tt,l. if you didn't watch Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous i totally recommend is a great Jurassic animation. Great react as always 😍! Happy New Year!!! 🎊
It's good to hear you had a good christmas.
21:41 - 22:49 The 7th Doctor
,,And basically so did the universe and nobody complains about that" - Actually it was you Doctor who ,,created" the universe - The Second Big Bang - so is that a ,,your welcome about that btw" moment... Or am I just reading too much into it?😅
Speaking of Betty, I feel like you'd enjoy the Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (takes place during and right after Jurassic World) and then Jurassic World Chaos Theory (takes place before Jurassic World: Dominion) animated shows on Netflix. ^__^ There are great connections between the Jurassic World movies and those two shows. Plus all the drama XD.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Jess!
Happy New Year's Eve, Jess!
This was the first episode of Doctor Who I made a point of re-watching in a very long time. Moffat just fundamentally gets the character and the show in a way RTD doesn't anymore. Best Christmas/New Year special since Last Christmas.
AGREED!
I met up with members of my (adopted in some cases) family that I hadn't seen in years this Christmas and it was a very emotional time - although, as a product of my pre-war English parents, I didn't really have scope to express that. I think this appeals to those who can though and it will probably improve with age. I don't think it will top Moffat's previous specials (it doesn't really have a chance against 'A Christmas Carol') but I think it's a good time historically for it.
Loving this hunny
That golden dust is like the flux just a different colour
I thought that too
Well based on what we know about Valengard destroying half a universe would be a good test for a weapon
Hope you enjoyed your holiday break!!!!
Now I'm wondering if there is a Time Hotel spin off in the works? or if Mrs Flood is Anita somehow...
We thought Moffat couldn't get even more insane but he proved us wrong again and I wouldn't have it any other way - sure the logic behind the Time Hotel makes no sense if you think about it for more than a minute but I really don't care All the supporting cast was very well characterized and really felt for them when they died. I wasn't there for my dad when he died but it was after Covid so I had the chance but I was just too afraid, so I really sympathizes with Joy - something I thought about the 15th saying she will burn and she will die but Joy saying she is just changing can be seen as a commentary about different Doctor's views on regeneration. I'm so exited for more Doctor Who and wish you all happy holidays
You could apply that logic to most of Moffat's efforts. Anita & Trevor made this watchable, almost.
"I was just too afraid"
That's a brave thing to admit, especially this publicly. You have my respect, and my sympathy.
P.S. I was too afraid to hug my Mum. This was two decades pre-Covid; but the hospital had an outbreak of MRSA while she was in there for (ultimately unsuccesful) cancer treatment, so what should have been a week or two of treatment for one condition before going home turned into months of her being isolated in a boring little room because of totally different condition... and I'd read all the stern warning notices on my way to the room she was in, so I sat at the far end of the room in my plastic gown, and tried to have a conversation with someone who felt a million miles away.
Shockingly, the cleaning staff (and some of the nurses) hadn't ever read those notices... Or had just given up trying to follow the rules. =:o/ And yet, even after seeing them breeze in and out of the room, un-masked and un-gowned, I *still* didn't dare approach the bed, let alone hug my Mum.
Thankyou for prompting me to open up about this. It's haunted me for years.
[OFFERS YOU A HUG]
@@therealpbristow i am so sad for you Losing Your Mother i wish i could say something more helpful
Have a close look at the Silurian, do you recognise a character from Sherlock? 🙂
Nicola Coughlin is just the most adorable woman and she plays so well off Ncuti and I wish she couldve stuck around! There must have been a way to have her guide the star without becoming it because I'm not ready to give up Joy as a companion!
That's the flimsiest bootstrap paradox I've ever seen.
Welcome back!
Really hoping you'll go thru the 6 episodes of Dune: Prophecy, season 1. Eager to see your reaction to that.
I cried almost straight from the start and didnt stop crying till it finished.... why wont they let it die....😢
yesss New year treat to have your reaction to this
Is that company not the same one from the mummy train epsode
I loved your Betty story! 😃
my dream time hotel is a luxury rv in houston texas (rvs are too big for european roads unfortunately). who wouldnt love that! if a tent on mt. everest counts then so does this
The moment I watched this special, I knew Jess would be a sobbing mess when she saw this.
Why is T-Rex Betty?
I can't wait to watch this after work. Steven is so a good person at making such emotional episodes. No wonder RTD broke tradition to let him do Christmas.
It does have rewatch-ability. I've seen it, seen it reviewed by a few, and now seen a full blown reaction to it, and I love it every time via my eyes, others, now yours! It was one of my favorite Specials for awhile. Despite the eyeroll location banner at the end. Hope you had happy Holidays! And hey, Anita is your kind of Companion! She got to hang out and never be put in danger!
I liked the Doctor living in the hotel for a year and Joy's breakdown over her mum's death but the ending was a bit ridiculous.
This was my favourite Moffat Christmse story. I know people disagree, but to me it was just beautifully written. Ncuti feels like he's really come into his own as the Doctor. I forget her name but the lady who plays Anita has actually never been on TV before. She was phenomenal!
Have an amazing New Year! Cant wait to see you react to more Doctor Who in 2025! ❤