The 2000’s Christmas vibes are strong here and it’s glorious. Overall, Ten is out of action for most of the episode, getting a good post-regeneration nap in. Leaving Harriet Jones & Co. to figure out the big picture stuff of the Sycorax invasion and Rose to corral Jackie and Mickey into helping protect the Doctor, we see lots of strong character moments and the resourcefulness of our human protagonists when there’s no one around to help. Just in the nick of time though, Mr. Sleeping Beauty swans in and sword fights the alien threat into submission. While I think this is a very fun special, Ten’s introductory characterization doesn’t gel with me as well as it used to. His cockiness and abject unforgiving actions just don’t seem super in line with all the work that Nine did. Perhaps I’m a bit miffed at what he did to Harriet Jones. Ten is undeniably petty whether it’s earned or not. Regardless of his other qualities, I do appreciate his more silly moments. Also, if you had any doubt that feelings between Rose and him were platonic or romantic, it becomes abundantly clear that some major flirting is happening. Alas, off we go into Series 2.

10 being brought back to life by a cup of tea is literally me after a night out

New Who Review #14

The Christmas Invasion ❄️

This episode was fun. It had some great performances by Billie and David. The whole idea of the world being invaded by Aliens while the doctor isn't able to help is good. It's definitely something we haven't seen in new who yet. The Aliens were cool I liked the design of the Sycorax. The acting at the end when Harriet Jones ordered torchwood to shoot the sycorax spaceship out of the sky and then the doctor getting mad was phenomenal. David really gave a good angry doctor in that. This is a solid 7/10 story

Good first regeneration episode

The Doctor is out of action for most of this story but when he is awake he is the center of focus. This episode emphasizes the difference in personality regeneration can bring

Humanity is having to deal with aliens once again, Harriet Jones seems to handle it well at first but then murders the retreating Aliens, causing the Doctor to turn on her

It is absolutely so much fun rewatching NuWho now that I've seen a bunch of the classic series. This special surprised me with how many funny lines it packs into almost every scene! Christopher Eccleston's 9th Doctor did the heavy work of bringing The Doctor back after the time war so that David Tennant could accidentally quote The Lion King to the Sycorax. Brilliant stuff!