It’s here. I was genuinely disappointed when recent series of Doctor Who left the Christmas special for a New Year’s episode, so seeing a return to form was a true delight for this guy. Hopefully you’re a fan of the Christmas specials yourself.

So we’re taking a leisurely stroll to The Church on Ruby Road, the fourth of the 60th anniversary specials, where goblins (or maybe gremlins) run amok and the Doctor dances in a kilt. Timeless classic or festive flop?

It was a fun holiday break for us. I visited my family at the Know-It-All compound in Florida, and now I’m back and have I got some catching up to do. If you haven’t seen the special, be warned. We’re going to spoil this whole thing rotten.

Gatwa Grabs the Reins

Ncuti Gatwa grabs the reins as our beloved Doctor, and folks, he sprints onto that stage. Right from the get-go he’s rescuing his new companion from the clutches of what seem like goblins, or I mean, they could be gremlins, whatever, and he does it twice. Let me tell you, Gatwa runs a marathon in those iconic shoes.

The biggest thing I look for in a new Doctor is whether the actor can truly carry the weight of the role. I mean the in-universe mantle, the one we’ve seen passed on from actor to actor, more than the iconic role we’re watching.

When Tennant took over from Eccleston, it was the Sycorax speech on Christmas Day in his pajamas. When Matt Smith took over from Tennant, it was the speech he gave to the Atraxi. When Peter Capaldi took over, I didn’t feel like he was the Doctor until his third episode, “Listen,” which was brilliant and showed us what he was all about. Sadly, I couldn’t get a bead on Jodie Whittaker’s portrayal until after The Timeless Child and into Flux. It seemed like the devil-may-care facade she’d been giving us her entire run was beginning to crumble under the weight of her mysterious new origin, and even that felt oddly muddled.

Mrs. Know-It-All and I agree that right out the gate, Ncuti Gatwa felt very much at home in the role. The moment I started to see who he was going to be as the Doctor, for me anyway, was in the street with the policeman. “That precise ping was detecting a two carat diamond in your pocket, which says engagement ring.”

I don’t know why, but that interaction felt very Matt Smith, in that he over-explained in an almost Sherlock manner. Mrs. Know-It-All pointed out the difference. Matt Smith would explain every single part of his thinking. Ncuti made us feel like he had it all worked out and then gave us the CliffsNotes version.

As the Doctor, Gatwa is a whirlwind of charisma, flipping from charming to dead serious in a heartbeat. He’s saving lives, real-life UK presenter Davina McCall’s included, and his debut is a fun-packed extravaganza. He brings a depth to the Doctor too, showing us a wounded side when it comes to the frivolity of time travel. He embodies the Doctor’s spirit with every fiber of his being.

Ruby Sunday Is Rose 2.0, and I’m Okay With That

Enter Ruby Sunday, played by the ever charming Millie Gibson. Can I just call it like I see it? To me she’s Rose 2.0, and I’m absolutely okay with that. She’s this optimistic girl next door, and in classic RTD style there’s a hint of a mystery lurking beneath the surface. Together they’re a duo that brings a fresh energy to the series, and the Know-It-All household is over here wondering just what Russell T Davies has up his sleeve for these two.

The episode starts with a type of flashback to Ruby’s origin. She’s a foundling. That’s a British term for an abandoned child that was found (I mean, obviously, duh), literally left on the doorstep of the church on Ruby Road, which is where she gets her name and where we get the title of the episode.

Beyond that we see her all grown up. She was adopted by her foster mother and lives in an attic apartment with her mom and her foster grandmother, Cherry Sunday, a pistol if there’s ever been one. I love the family dynamic, and the contrast later in the episode, when it seems like the goblins have erased Ruby, is physically felt. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

We start out with an interview featuring real-life British presenter Davina McCall, who does a very passable job, like any celebrity playing themselves on the show. RTD explained on the official Doctor Who podcast that she was actually the inspiration for the opening scene, because she does foundling features on her actual television show. “You’re a foundling. You were fostered by Carla, who then went on to adopt you. Is that right?”

A lot happens in this opening to set us up for Ruby and her origin. RTD is nothing if not succinct in giving us the highlights and then going back and fleshing out the characters more deeply later.

A Goblin King, a Church Spire, and the Vocabulary of Rope

A Jabba the Hutt-like Goblin King impaled on a church spire. A Christmas single about eating a baby. It sounds like the writers had quite the field day with this one, but that’s the magic of Doctor Who, and I love it so much. It takes you on a journey you never expected and turns the most outlandish scenarios into riveting television.

This felt very reminiscent of the series 3 episode with Shakespeare, in that we’re given something supernatural and the Doctor defines it as just another type of science. That’s precisely what happens when Gatwa’s Doctor tells Ruby, “I am learning the vocabulary of rope.” This stuff is their version of wires and electricity. His awe at being introduced to new things, still, even in his old age, felt very much like the Doctor to me.

And when Ruby mistakenly calls the goblins time travelers, the Doctor’s reaction was pure gold. “They are not time travelers. Excuse me. Time travelers are great. Like the best. Like, wow.”

The episode touches on deeper themes too. Gatwa’s Doctor opens up to us about being an adopted foundling, giving us a glimpse of the vulnerability that lies beneath the surface. It’s a moment of connection that sets the stage for what comes next.

As for the villains, the goblins are more mischievous than menacing, but they bring their own flavor of chaos to the story.

The Christmas Without Ruby

Let’s not overlook the heart-wrenching scene with Carla Sunday, a glimpse into a lonely alternate reality. “Christmas Day, Mum’s asleep by three and I’ll be all on my own.” And then the Doctor asks her, “Then why are you crying?”

It was the kind of moment that speaks to those who face dementia every day, and it took me by surprise. In a good way. No, in a real good way.

The Doctor is very much seeing ripples around him, and this is the second time I saw the Doctor as we’ve known him, regardless of who plays the character. He works out quickly what’s happened, and then we come full circle to where we saw him in the beginning.

I saw some people online who were confused, because we see him show up in the TARDIS in the opening moments and then we get the whole Doctor in the past at the start. I had to explain that this is a classic RTD era writing trope. He plays with time travel, with some events happening out of linear order for us as well as for the Doctor.

Who Is Mrs. Flood?

And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Mrs. Flood breaks the fourth wall in a sensational twist. “Never seen a TARDIS before?”

Who is she, really? A regenerated Susan? The Rani? Missy? The speculation is going to keep us all busy for probably the next few months. Let’s be honest.

I’ll say this. First, RTD has said it wasn’t a one-off gag. Everything in the episode matters and sets up things that will be revealed in the long run. Second, the instant it happened, Mrs. Know-It-All shouted, “It’s Ruby!” She explained that she believes it’s an older, retired Ruby watching events.

I haven’t got a clue who it is. But I’m certain that when we find out, it’ll be well worth the wait. That, or RTD will have finally figured it out for himself as well.

For fans of the classics, there are plenty of nods to the past. From references to Henrik’s department store to allusions to Harry Houdini, the episode is a treasure trove of Easter eggs. And the tradition of fourth wall breaking continues, a nod to the show’s longstanding whimsy and self-awareness. For the hardcore fans, the connections to previous episodes, the mentions of old companions and the return to iconic locations like Henrik’s and Cardiff are all part of the rich tapestry that makes Doctor Who the cultural phenomenon it is.

What Shines, and What Flickers

Ncuti Gatwa, what a revelation. He steps into the TARDIS with such gusto it’s like he was born to play the Doctor. He’s got charm and intensity, and in my opinion he’s showing off the ease of a Time Lord navigating the cosmos. His chemistry with Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday? They’re two cosmic peas in an intergalactic pod, bringing an uplifting energy to the screen.

And the story is delightful. It’s a blend of whimsy and danger, keeping us on the edge of our seats while tickling our funny bones. The goblins, the surprise celebrity cameos, the nods to the past: it’s a festivity of creativity that captures what we love most about Doctor Who.

Now the cons. The episode’s packed with fun, but some might find the kitchen sink approach a bit much. There’s a lot going on, and if you blink (and as we all know, you should never blink) you might miss a crucial bit of wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff.

And while the goblins are entertaining, they might not leave you hiding behind the sofa in fear. Mischievous over menacing works for some, but it might leave other people longing for a more formidable foe. I mean, for a Christmas special, it’s actually pretty decent to have a light and whimsical enemy.

The pacing can feel a little like a roller coaster ride through the time vortex. At moments it’s exhilarating, but it might leave you wishing for a moment to breathe, to soak in the emotional depth that the Doctor’s universe is known for.

The Verdict

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road, the final 60th anniversary special, gets a solid 9 out of 10 on the Know-It-All Index.

It is most definitely a roller coaster of emotions, packed with action, laughter and the odd tear or two. It’s a bold new era for Doctor Who, and if this special is anything to go by, we’re in for a thrilling ride.

It’s a gift that keeps on giving, filled with the wonder, the heart and the adventure that make Doctor Who a timeless classic. It’s got highs that reach the stars and a few bumps along the way, but isn’t that what adventure is all about? Strap in, hold tight and enjoy the ride.

Whether you’re a fan of the classic chills or here for the modern thrills, there’s something in this episode for everyone to talk about. Who do you think Mrs. Flood really is? The conversation lives in the comments on the video above.