Here we look back at the best bits from ‘The Time of the Doctor’…

 

Tasha Lem

Orla Brady’s role as head of the Church of the Papal Mainframe continues Steven Moffat’s trope of having the Eleventh Doctor engage with strong, feisty, psychopathic females, but Brady and Smith share a certain intensity and chemistry in their performance that makes it really interesting to watch. So much so that when the Dalek eye stalk emerges from her head, it really hits home.

It would be welcome to see the character return alongside Capaldi at some point.

 

The destruction of Christmas Town

Often overlooked because of the weighty scenes that follow it is the destruction of Christmas Town during the various assaults over the years the Doctor is on guard.

A deft mix of CGI, live action, pyrotechnics and some stunning model work, it all comes together as the Daleks launch a huge assault on the town.

 

Clara’s development

Having had little character development to work with in Season 7, here we see Clara and Jenna Coleman at their best. Now with a job, a home life and a family in tow, Clara shows how much she loves the Doctor when she travels back to Christmas Town on the outside of the TARDIS, begs the Time Lords to help him overcome the Daleks and even shares a poignant moment with her gran that makes her realise how important the Doctor is to her.

We even get a clear definition of her character when Trenzalore’s truth field makes her blurt out: “Bubbly personality masking bossy control freak!”

 

The humour

It’s easy to get caught up in the emotional side of goodbye episodes, but the early parts of ‘The Time of the Doctor’ perfectly showcase Matt Smith’s brilliant gift for physical comedy.

Later on, the aged Doctor’s dry wit adds a necessary layer of levity to Smith’s farewell: “The trouble with Daleks is it takes so long to say anything. Probably die of boredom before they shoot me.”

 

Peter Capaldi

Not to detract anything from Matt Smith, but a major draw of a regeneration episode is always going to be the first glimpse of the new Doctor.

Capaldi’s brief debut showed a brooding, dark intensity; staring Clara out before launching into a lovely line of humour, yapping on about the colour of his kidneys.

“Do you happen to know how to fly this thing?”

 

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