Doctor Who- The Husbands of River Song.

[The Romulan Republic]

Seriously? No one else put up a thread for this?

Absurd and full of the usual Moffat nonsense as it was, I actually enjoyed it somewhat. Considering the concept and the hammy presentation, the villain was surprisingly menacing at times, and River's explanation of her view of her relationship with the Doctor, and 12's response, was quite touching. It was a reasonably good note to end River and the Doctor's relationship on, and I'd like to see this be the last River episode rather than dragging it out still further.

[Solauren]

With Peter C. doing a reduced scheduele next year, and that probably being his last series as the Doctor, I'm wondering if they are busy cleaning up the lose ends before either
a) - Ending the series for a while
b) - Casting a new doctor without any ties to his previous lives. (Possibly because the Doctor regenerates as a female)

[The Romulan Republic]

With Peter C. doing a reduced scheduele next year, and that probably being his last series as the Doctor, I'm wondering if they are busy cleaning up the lose ends before either
a) - Ending the series for a while
b) - Casting a new doctor without any ties to his previous lives. (Possibly because the Doctor regenerates as a female)

I hope not. Well, except for the female Doctor thing. That I both want and expect to happen.

Where did you get Capaldi leaving from? I certainly haven't heard anything announced. Is it just the fact that no Doctor so far in the new series has lasted more than three full seasons? Or has Capaldi said something?

But River is very much Moffat's pet project, and I do recall reading that Moffat was thinking of leaving after Christmas, and that he wrote the episode with that in mind. So yeah, tying up loose ends.

[DaveJB]

Capaldi's been dropping hints in the UK media that next year might be his last. And to be honest, I'm half-expecting that he and Moffat will leave the series at the same time, paving the way for the type of major overhaul that Moffat did when he replaced RTD.

As for the episode, nothing standout, but definitely not the awful piece of crap the trailer on the end of Hell Bent made it appear to be. It's nice at least that they didn't have the Doctor moping about the loss of Clara (and yeah, I know his memory of her was partly erased, but I still wouldn't have been surprised to see it).

[The Romulan Republic]

Normally, one would expect the Doctor to grieve for a time over a fallen Companion. But I think they pretty much covered that in the last episode, and yeah, their's the memory wipe. And with the way Moffat drew out Clara's departure beyond all reason, I'm rather glad to see it not revisited. Even if it is to further draw out River's story instead.

Edit: The Doctor did show his grouchy side a bit, though. Remember the sign at the start saying that carollers will be criticized?

[Tychu]

I really enjoyed this year's episode. Much better than last year's "is this a dream, what's real? Santa?!?!" One

[madd0ct0r]

For me, the opposite.

[Hillary]

What I enjoyed most about it was the performance of Capaldi. He finally felt like the Doctor to me. I've always been critical of the focus on Clara and I think it's hampered Capaldi's development. There's also the fact that she was a fairly ordinary actor and so he had little to bounce off. Heaven Sent and this Christmas episode have been his best outings in my opinion, largely as he has not been encumbered with Clara. His interactions with River were far more convincing for me.

I found this episode highly enjoyable.

[Thanas]

They still haven't finished with fucking River Song yet? Boy am I glad I have stopped watching several years ago.

[Hillary]

Thank you for your insightful comments....

[Thanas]

You are welcome.

[The Romulan Republic]

This might be the last River Song episode (I rather hope so). She hadn't shown up since before the 50th. anniversary as far as I recall, and this episode was by Moffat's own admission him indulging himself because he thought it might be his last episode. Their was definitely a sense of tying up loose ends with River, as previously discussed in this thread.

I doubt Moffat will stick around more than another year or so, and I doubt anyone will do much with River afterward, because River is Moffat's pet project.

[Broomstick]

I thoroughly enjoyed that one!

Lighthearted romp, didn't take itself too seriously, I liked the switching of positions between the Doctor and River from when they first met, the bantering, give-and-take, the wrapping up of loose ends. Laughed outright a few times.

Also enjoyed the older couple thing - I'm nearly the same age as Kingston, and Capaldi is the same age as my husband. I like seeing old farts in love at this point in my life.

One of the better Moffat stories, and definitely one of the better River Song stories. Nice book-end to when they first meet, as the audience knows that this will be the last time she sees him before the Library.

[Parallax]

It was definitely better than last years xmas story.
The scene where the Doctor did the whole bigger on the inside thing was great.
The tech behind the power armour is ... interesting. It does it's own thing, to the extent where it overrides express orders from the head. Rather bad design choices there.

That bald guy is really, really annoying. In every single show I've seen him in, he's done nothing but made me want to punch him in the face. A lot.

I really, really loved the sign left on the TARDIS door.

[Broomstick]

I got a giggle out of the TARDIS putting hologrammtic antlers on the Doctor. I think she was trying to cheer him up.

[The Romulan Republic]

I love it when they include those little reminders that the TARDIS is actually a person, not just a machine.

[jwl]

With Peter C. doing a reduced scheduele next year, and that probably being his last series as the Doctor, I'm wondering if they are busy cleaning up the lose ends before either
a) - Ending the series for a while
b) - Casting a new doctor without any ties to his previous lives. (Possibly because the Doctor regenerates as a female)

I think the "capaldi's leaving next year" and "not a full schedule next year" come from a misquote and a satirical article respectivly. I think a more reliable sources I read said Moffat himself was intending to leave on this episode, and after talking to RTD he thought bringing back River would make a good last hurrah. Then he changed his mind about leaving but kept the script. Like how Jenna Coleman changed her mind about leaving in Last Christmas and the S8 finale.

On River Song, I think it would have been better if she was used more sparingly (once per series or less) over a longer time period.

[Broomstick]

From the moment Capaldi was cast there's been one contingent saying he's a disaster and another crowd has been predicting his imminent departure. After watching this sort of hyperventilating in the fan base for the past 30 years I just don't worry about it anymore. Happens every time they change Doctors. I love Capaldi in the role and I'll be happy to get as many episodes with him as he cares to give us.

Recommendation: Chiilllllll.....

[Starglider]

Moderately fun episode in itself, but what stood out was that it was soooo much better than Clara's ridiculously overwrought send-off. That was an appropriate way to conclude River's arc.

[Batman]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. The Doctor's row with the TARDIS was awesome

[Eternal_Freedom]

That was considerably better than I expected it to be. I wouldn't give it a five because it quite honestly was not the very best the series can do (like Day of the Doctor for instance) but it was pretty good.

Capaldi and Kingston have much better chemistry than she and Smith did IMHO. It wrapped it up neatly with what we learned at the very start, was fun and entertaining in the right places and serious in others. Probably the best Xmas episode the new series has produced.

Also, in the restaurant at the very end, it might just have been my mind playing tricks on me but Capaldi looked very much like an older David Tennant.

[Iroscato]

0/5.

How DARE they break the tradition of the Christmas Special being a big bag of shit!

No but seriously, that was great - I much prefer the lighter, fluffier tone combined with a breakneck pace for Xmas specials, I think. Normally they're the TV equivalent of having far too much turkey and cake on the day. And as someone who's never really disliked RS per se, I probably got more enjoyment out of it than some.