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“CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: A FORGETTABLE FESTIVE DETOUR”

Released for free online in 2016, Cavan Scott’s Christmas Special was billed as the Ninth Doctor’s long-overdue festive episode in short story form. Serving as a bridge between Official Secrets and Slaver’s Song, this short adventure brings the Doctor, Rose, and Tara onto an intergalactic talk show hosted by Slist, a returning Slitheen character from the Titan comics.

A TALK SHOW WITH LITTLE TO SAY

The premise is lighthearted: the Doctor is invited as a Christmas guest alongside a grudge-holding dictator general, who is quickly sidelined after becoming the target of an assassination attempt. The story leans into comedy rather than tension, rendering the general more of a joke than a real antagonist. However, the plot doesn’t really go anywhere, as the Doctor’s only real action is shutting down the broadcast, declaring that Christmas should be spent with loved ones.

COMPANIONS LEFT ON THE SIDELINES

Neither Rose nor Tara contribute much to the story, which makes their presence feel almost unnecessary. Rose’s usual jealousy over Tara is also absent, which, combined with Jack’s noticeable absence, makes its placement within the comic timeline feel somewhat off.

SLIST’S RETURN – A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?

While it’s a novelty to see a Slitheen who isn’t actively trying to kill the Doctor, Slist’s presence doesn’t add much. The story could have worked with almost any alien host, making her return feel more like an Easter egg than a meaningful inclusion.

📝VERDICT: 5/10

A harmless, festive-themed diversion that delivers a bit of holiday cheer but nothing particularly memorable. While it’s nice to see the Ninth Doctor finally get a Christmas story, the lack of real stakes, sidelined companions, and the absence of any lasting impact make it an easily skippable entry in the Titan comics run. Fun for the moment, but ultimately forgettable.

I totally forgot for a Moment that this Short Story existed, anyway it's okay-ish, I guess. While it was heavily prominent as the long awaited 'Christmas Special' for Nine (seriously, everywhere I go that's the main Selling Point), it being a Christmas Special felt almost tacked on. Similarly, I don't think the Character work is particularly great here, a lot of the Companions are getting sidelined, and really I don't have much to say, at best it's fine, at worst it's just kinda forgettable really.