Doctor Who: The Giggle Review - 8 Ups And 4 Downs

Before we move on to pastures new, RTD didn’t waste his opportunity to give us one more hefty helping of the show’s most popular pairing. These two are just phenomenal together, and we love how much age has changed the both of them, with even more warmth and love radiating back-and-forth.

This is a companion who knows the Doctor very very well, even without the advantage of having been inside his head, and Donna’s ability to read him is unmatched. We loved that she could see how tired he’d become since his previous adventures, in all the years since. Likewise, this is a companion the Doctor has so much affection for to the point that just being around her is enough for him to be happy, even if that means no adventures. She really is his best mate in the universe.

One standout scene took place in the Toymaker’s house of horrors, in which the Doctor talks about his past mistakes and his encounter with the Toymaker all those years ago, and we can see how genuinely terrified he is of this villain who lives outside his understanding.

We also get another glimpse into how much the events of the Moff and Chibs eras have rattled the Doctor. He is not the same person anymore, and is starting to crumble under all that weight and loss, giving us a portrayal who is really rather insecure and unsure of himself – a hero who needs to pass on the mantle. The latter half of this episode would not have worked if these two didn’t sell this idea, but they really do.