Spoilers The Church on Ruby Road grade and discussion thread

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Christmas is around the corner, but more much importantly, The Fifteenth Doctor's first proper adventure is almost here! Time to meet Ruby Sunday, discover the newest sonic screwdriver (ugh), and...singing goblins?! What better way to celebrate than that?

While I never begrudged Chibnall for changing the Christmas specials to New Year's Day specials, I am excited for the return to the classic format...which also means the return of my old Christmas poll options!

 

I haven't watched any of the teasers, I just want this to drop. I'll probably bitch about everything but I'm still really anticipating seeing this. The wait for the next episodes will be interminable.

 

Just yesterday I found myself thinking "holy shit, we're less than a week away from Ncuti Gatwa's first full episode." Definitely looking forward to this a lot more than that other thing happening on Monday.

 

Meet the goblin band

 

Do we know that was actually down to Chibnall or the BBC?

Love the band names, suspect you have to be British and of a certain age to appreciate Ralph McTelf

 

Ralph McTell
Pixie Lott

 

Like that ever stopped people from blaming Chibnall!

But to answer your question, I don't remember who made that call.

 

Can't wait for it to be released and I've seen the teasers. One of which is great, one is okay, and the other makes me question... As with previous eras, the level of interminability depends on how good or bad the episode is... then again, we all survived season 24 (17, too) but some find either or both of those to be the best ever, as that's a reminder that it's all good...

What else is happening on Monday? I can think of a few things... some I wouldn't put many tv show episodes above. Depends on your point of view. It's all good...

 

The trailer for Ncuti's first full season will premiere immediately after the Church On Ruby Road


https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/doctor-who-christmas-gift/

 

Just like for seasons/series past? At least for the modern era.

 

Lets be honest here, if we will: RTD's Christmas specials, for a lack of a better term, mostly suck. With the solid exception of The Runaway Bride, they've all been fairly lacklustre. But, this will be my first one by him, that I'll watch live that is, and the first one of a new Doctor. So, let's go.

 

I wonder what the Daleks are up to these days?

 

Agreed. I always wanted to enjoy his specials and "The Next Doctor" and "Voyage of the Damned" came the closest, but their second halves cratered the good of the first halves. Overall, I was always frustrated with Davies' Christmas specials.

It wasn't until Moffat that I finally enjoyed the Christmas specials. But, to be fair, he also had his fair share of stinkers.

 

The only one I can remember is the first one they did with the twist ending

 

If you looked at them as mni-blockbusters, they really did work. But of course, we're only human, so they fall apart when you think about them - let's not forget, this is still the guy who did Love and Monsters (and I mostly like it more than most!).

Even when they weren't firing on all cylinders, they were almost always magical. They felt extremely appropriate for the Christmas period and they felt very light on purpose.

That said, I can definitely admit that the superhero one never did it for me, save some choice moments.

 

I definitely prefer Moffat era Christmas specials to RTD ones, but as @The Scrooge Doctor says, even some of his were lacklustre. My opinion ha shifted on some, I think upon first watch I didn't like The Husbands of River Song but on rewatch I loved it.

 

I have a feeling I'll enjoy "The Husbands of River Song" a lot more now since I know how it's structured...and considering how much I love Nardole after his stint as The Twelfth Doctor's companion. Aside from clips, I don't think I've seen it since it's original airing.

 

That'd be Bryan Ferry.

 

Don't you mean (for one last time) allons-y?

Capaldi and Kingston were so good together!