Every Doctor Who Christmas Special Ranked From Worst To Best

The Time Of The Doctor had a heck of a lot of story to get through as it worked towards Matt Smith's exit, addressing loose ends like the origin of the Silence, the Doctor's lack of future regenerations, and his hotel room from The God Complex.

And while it does feel a bit overstuffed at times (Clara's family didn't need to be here), answers to some lingering questions, a spectacular regeneration scene ("love from Gallifrey, boys!") and a heartbreaking reunion with Amy Pond helped ensure Eleven's final episode was a poignant, satisfying ending to his story.

This is one of Matt Smith's best performances too, as he flits between the energetic young man and the tired old warrior with ease. By the end of the episode, the Doctor becomes an old, wizened figure who has accepted that his death is imminent (a nice bit of growth from Series 6, where he actively ran away from his fate), but seconds later, he's dancing around a rooftop, blowing up Dalek ships with regeneration energy. Smith is the youngest actor to play the role and he capably handles the lighter, bouncier side of the Doctor, but he's also one of the best at portraying the Time Lord's great age and general world-weariness, as proven here.

We'd be remiss not to mention Murray Gold again too, and the way that his score effortlessly moves through the episode's epic action scenes and its quieter, melancholic moments. Infinite Potential might be his best work on the show; a triumphant, majestic track tinged with just the right amount of sadness and sorrow, one that paired beautifully with Amy and the Doctor caressing each other's faces.

The Time Of The Doctor closes out the fairytale that began back in The Eleventh Hour. Those who haven't kept up with Smith's adventures will find it confusing, but for fans of all things fish custard, bow ties, and suspicious cracks in walls, the episode puts a neat, heart-wrenching bow on Eleven's story. Raggedy man... goodnight.