4. The Snowmen
No, not an adaptation of The Snowman - despite Moffat's previous Christmas specials, this is a purely original story (although it does turn the tradition of the snowman come to life on its head in a rather gruesome manner), and an anomaly for the Christmas special in that it comes mid-series rather than as the usual standalone story between series. As such, The Snowmen had some duty to perform in carrying on the series 7 arc. Thankfully the story itself doesn't suffer from such an obligation. The Snowmen introduces Richard E Grant's cold, debonair Dr. Simeon and resurrects classic villain The Great Intelligence - a disembodied, malevolent consciousness with the voice of Ian McKellen at his most Magneto-esque sinister. All good in the villain department then, we love Withnail and Gandalf as the bad guys, but how about the heroes? Matt Smith is in a 10th Doctor style slump following the death of the Ponds from the previous episode - throwing a paddy by hiding the TARDIS on a cloud and changing to a rather gloomy desktop theme - but he's quickly won over and back to his old self. The mopey stuff is actually quite refreshing for an incarnation usually so bouncy, and also - fittingly for the season - allows for the Doctor to undergo a Scrooge-like transition when he claws back his joy de vivre. Clara too, living a double life as a governess and a barmaid, is a treat (part of me wishes the Victorian incarnation survived instead of the modern). Then we have the Paternoster Gang - namely Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax. These three have quite rightly become fan favourites since their first appearance in series six, and they really come together as a unit that could rival, well, UNIT in this story. Strax is incapable of saying something that isn't laugh-out-loud hilarious, and the meta-joke that Conan Doyle is secretly basing Sherlock Holmes on Madame Vastra is a fun touch (does that mean Moffat is adapting his own character with Sherlock? Timey wimey...) The Snowmen isn't quite the all-out Christmas assault on the senses usually typical of the annual special, but it's a highlight of its series and a triumph for all players. And the snowmen themselves are bloody creepy.