7. Vastra, Jenny and Strax
One of the most exciting things about the Christmas Special is that it sees the return of the Lizard Woman of Paternoster Row, Madame Vastra, and her companion/maid Jenny. For those who do not know, Vastra and Jenny first appeared in last years A Good Man Goes to War as old friends of the Doctors who helped him rescue Amy from Demons Run. That same episode also introduced Commander Strax, a disgraced Sontaran who is forced to work as a nurse on the battlefield. Strax is known by many fans for his infamous statement; I have been genetically modified to fulfil all the duties of a nurse. I can produce magnificent quantities of lactic fluid! Thankfully, Strax is also back this Christmas, now working as Vastra and Jennys butler. With these three great creations featured, this specials bound to be bags of fun.
6. A Different Side to the Doctor
Matt Smiths Doctor has previously loved Christmas but this year weve been promised a more Scrooge-like Doctor, left morose and withdrawn after losing Amy and Rory in The Angels Take Manhattan. In fact, according to the Children in Need prequel to the special, the Doctor has retired; to save planets and defeat monsters no more. Now, none of us believe that for a second but it sounds like an interesting avenue for the Doctors character to go down even if (we think) we know it all be all right by the end.