Doctor Who: Ranking Each NuWho Christmas Special

Following the epic 50th anniversary celebration, the Matt Smith era draws to a close in this Christmas special; Time Of The Doctor. The show had backed itself into a bit of a corner on this one, having made a big deal in the preceding seasons about predicting The Doctor’s death. Several times over the course of the Matt Smith era we heard parts or the whole of the following prophecy;

“On the fields of Trenzalore, at the fall of the Eleventh. When no living creature can speak falsely or fail to answer, a question will be asked. A question that must never ever be answered.”

Surprisingly, this episode successfully pulls everything together and fulfils the prophecy. Set in the town of Christmas on the planet of Trenzalore, the Doctor discovers another of the cracks in the universe, the cracks that had spread throughout time. From this crack a signal echoes. A Gallifreyan signal, and it asks the oldest question in the universe; Doctor Who?

This episode is essentially a siege episode, with the Doctor forced to remain as the protector of Trenzalore. As seemingly every enemy he has ever faced attempts to get in and stop him.

Clara feels a little wasted in this episode (indeed as she had for most of her time with Eleven) but the remainder of the episode is very clever. Moffat ties up not only the prophecy arc but also finally gives us an explanation as to the origin of The Silence.

Of course the episode ends with a regeneration which packs an incredibly emotional punch as we get the impression it is not just Eleven saying farewell, but Matt Smith also. If you didn’t cry when that bow tie hits the ground, well, you’re heart is stonier than a Weeping Angel.