I hold a Tardis load of bias towards this episode. The 11th Doctor is my Doctor and will forever be my Doctor. Matt Smith is one of the best to ever do it and is absolutely magical in the role. He has my favourite opener, theme, TARDIS interior (until they bulldozed it for some reason) and sonic screwdriver. He is part of the reason I love the show and will forever be the first person I think of when someone mentions The Doctor.

All of that being said, some time towards the end of season 6 the cracks began to show (hold on, I thought that was season 5???) and by the time we reach 'The Time of the Doctor' the quality was not what it was at the beginning. This episode is quite confusing, suffering from late stage 'Moffatphrenia'. I like the idea of this linking back to the arcs of the Matt's previous seasons and the Doctor finally staying - the battle being so great that he has no choice but to stay - which as we see in 'The Power of Three' is almost agony for him. It's nice to see the Doctor finally have a home again and become such a beloved part of the community. Whilst this idea is nice, in practice it is quite messy. The plot becomes overcrowded and the stakes confused and the re-introduction of the cracks / the Time Lords really doesn't help this. Not to mention the ridiculous insistence of making the question of the Doctor's name work this late in the game. Following this, not only is the kitchen sink thrown at the script, but every single appliance Steven could find (including the plug sockets). It just becomes a point where it's sort of too much and too ridiculous, not to mention Clara is back on Earth for most of this whilst the Doctor interacts with a townful of people we, the audience, have no attachment to.

Now, I understand this is terribly negative for an episode I have rated very highly and favourited. As I say there is bias, but also genuine love. More love than hate I promise. The emotional beats in this episode hit like a kitchen sink (maybe its the same one from earlier?). And as always, Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman are on top form - especially with the new and improved Clara personality (see Name of the Doctor review for whatever that means). Seeing the Doctor age in real time and the affect he has on the village is so incredibly moving. The reunion between Clara and The Doctor is heart warming and heart-breaking at the same time. Watching The Doctor's youngest face finally reflect his age is such an incredible choice and yet so hard to watch. Seeing this Doctor, so famous for his energy and youth, barely able to open a christmas cracker - WTF??! Merry Christmas to you too Steven. Oh, and I would also be lying if I said that the Endgame esque team up with all of the Doctor's foes didn't work on me, even if it is a worse version of the Pandorica -it doesn't have to be good, to make me happy.

I should also say, the eventual regeneration is my favourite ever. The speech is typically beautiful and, to me, is a better interpretation than RTD's incredibly bleak version. Yes I know that Karen Gillan and Matt Smith were both wearing wigs, does it matter? No. I love that we saw her again (even if it does slightly undermine Clara's being there and probably made her suspect if The Doctor had developed schizophrenia).

I think many people are too harsh on this episode. It's short comings (which are worth pointing out) really aren't that big of a deal and certainly don't effect my appreciation for the incredible send off my version of the Doctor received.

My favourite favourite special...love the concept of the Doctor die of age this time

the eleventh doctor really had a strong introduction to the show, season 5 and 6 were solid plot wise but i think 7 couldve tried being more episodic than plot because after a certain point i just stopped caring and wasnt really invested. i adore matt smiths acting as the doctor but hes been overstaying his welcome for me, so this episode just didnt hit as hard as it couldve. and i just didnt care for the concept. i think the idea of the doctor just growing old and waiting for his end to come can be really emotional but this just didnt do it for me as far as elevens farewell went.... it just feels like they tried to build up for something crazy and the result was underwhelming. i cant really word it quite well. this review is honestly more just complaints about season 7 falling off as a whole. i guess they just lost all the momentum from how crazy season 6 was

There’s so much fun to be had with this story. Only 20 minutes in, you’ve already encountered the Silence, the Weeping Angels, and The Daleks. There’s also Matt Smith’s bald head, which was a clever use of a unique opportunity. However, the episode does feel overstuffed for its runtime and perhaps a bit unfocused. The appearance of the crack in the wall was a thrilling moment. The feeling it gave me is a testament to how much I loved Series 5.

Tasha Lem, the “sexy priestess” doesn’t resonate with me as a character. It felt unnecessary and repetitive given similar female representation in the form of other Moffat characters. Dedicating so much of Matt’s final story to this one off character he was supposed to know dearly felt off. The introduction of a new romantic interest undermines the emotional weight of River Song’s story, which was central to Matt Smith’s arc. It adds a dud note.

The episode also suffers from having too many villains and not enough focus. While some parts, like the Barnable subplot, were charming, the pacing felt bloated. The concept of the Christmas meal spanning the entire episode was delightful, but much of the dialogue felt like characters making grand speeches instead of truly connecting. That said, Matt Smith’s very final speech—his quieter farewell, not the one before the bombastic regeneration energy scene —was absolutely beautiful and deeply moving. Amy Pond’s return to say goodbye to her “Raggedy Man” perfectly recaptured my nostalgia of Series 5. Bittersweet as it’s just before he disappears forever.

Peter Capaldi’s introduction at the end was electrifying. It’s a thrilling moment that leaves you eager to see what’s next…!