Doctor Who - 2012 Christmas Special - The SnowMan

[ctg]

Broken Doctor has given up chasing monsters and bendy plots in the time continuum, and decided that it's nicer to wander around in raggedy old Victoria era dressed like good old Scrooge. But the Winter is Coming and with it, the inevitable snowmen.

Scary Snowman.

 

[ctg]

There's an extra treat in store for this year's Doctor Who Christmas special, as Sir Ian McKellen is lending his voice to The Snowmen...


The countdown to the Doctor Who Christmas special is well and truly on, with the BBC confirming that the eagerly-awaited The Snowmen is set to be transmitted at 5.15pm on Christmas Day. Matt Smith is starring of course, with Steven Moffat having penned the script.


As well as the new episode introducing, properly, Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new assistant, we've just discovered another piece of interesting news about The Snowmen. And that's that the role of Voice Of The Snowman has gone to Sir Ian McKellen.


We shall thus hear Gandalf himself in Doctor Who, but not see him.

http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/23725/ian-mckellen-joins-doctor-who-christmas-special

 

[ctg]

The BBC has released their press pack for next week's Christmas special, "The Snowmen", and here are some key hints from Steven Moffat:

The Christmas episode is Doctor Who, only more so, and this year we're going for more epic. The Doctor, when we meet him, isn't in a good place. A bit like when we first encountered William Hartnell as the Doctor in 1963 - or indeed Christopher Eccleston in 2005 - this a cold and withdrawn Time Lord, wanting no part of the world around him. It's going to take a lot of Christmas spirit to get him back out those TARDIS doors.
​

This episode welcomes Jenna-Louise Coleman. What can you tell us about her character?

It's going to quite a journey of discovery with Jenna and her character - and it doesn't start here, it starts on Christmas day. For now, enough to say, that the Doctor in his darkest hour, long ago in a Victorian winter meets the exactly the right person. Or does he?
​

And new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman discusses her character Clara, who according to this first meets the Doctor while working as a barmaid at the possibly significantly named Rose and Crown pub, then starts following him:

"She is from the Victorian era and a mysterious one. Very down to earth, but feisty and curious too with numerous jobs. He has the answers to her questions. She isn't intimidated by the Doctor. Instead, she finds him amazing and ridiculous. But she is on her own mission and lives by her own means. She is very resourceful."
​

And finally here's a hint from guest star Tom Ward about his character, Captain Latimer:

"He hasn't been used to dealing with his children. He wants to love them, but he is an old naval captain that has struggled to build a relationship."
​

http://news.********************/76X-The-Snowmen-Press-Pack.aspx

 

[Ursa major]

It seems we have at least one new story arc for the new series....

I liked this Christmas special (which I wasn't really expecting to, given some of the previous efforts): the story made more sense than usual, and the series-relevant twist at the end made it less of a standalone story.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Yes, have to agree that I enjoyed it much more than previous Christmas specials.

Loving the new opening bit! Very seventies-esque, complete with creepy Doctor face (that's one of my earliest memories of the Doctor Who series). Also like how the TARDIS has changed. Much colder and smaller -- reflecting the Doctor's mood. And again, looking more like the TARDII (that's the plural, right ) of old.

And Moffat getting very meta with the Sherlock bit, complete with snatches of Sherlock score. Very funny, rather liked it. Especially the Doctor trying Sherlock's signature deducing

Oswin (going to keep calling her that) looks to be a good companion. Though looks to be filling in Rory's deadly shoes. I forgot that the Doctor hadn't seen her face the first time around. I hope they answer her strangeness with something cool and that it doesn't spin out into some series-long craziness that falls rather flat because of its complexity (a la The Silence/Melody Pond etc).

But then the 50th anniversary is approaching and I'm expecting it to be something massive! There are so many rumours flying about who (Who ) might be coming back. Tennant and Barrowman and everyone are all being shifty-shifty "What? Asked to come back? Well, I couldn't possibly comment..."

 

[Ursa major]

One tiny missed opportunity: instead of "Colin", the Doctor should have said "Wanda".

 

[ctg]

I absolutely loved the seasonal episode. It was wonderful and full of magic. Not just good old Doctor magic, but that sparkle that makes some of the episodes so much better than anything else. One could say that it was the best Christmas special and I wouldn't be arguing with them.

SnowMan is the king.

And I don't have any nickels, just praises for the Doctor Who 50th year in the small screen. Well done Mr Moffat, Very well done Matt Smith and thank you BBC.

 

[JunkMonkey]

Well this year's Christmas special was better than last year's Christmas special (actually it was a LOT better - last year's was *****). The Coleman wench may turn out to be fun and Number One daughter (semi-obsessive Aspi-girl that she is, was bouncing with OMG!ness at the Great Intelligence / London Underground references - episodes involving the Third Doctor - so I guess the Yetis will be back.

The raining tears bit was a wee bitty Christmas sentimental pants though.

 

[Lenny]

There was quite a lot I liked:

* The new desktop theme for the TARDIS
* The revamped theme song and title sequence, which look and sound a lot more like classic Who
* Some amusing sequences with Strax ("What's the next thing you look for?" "A grenade!"; the Time Worm)
* A novel way to hide the TARDIS ("taller on the inside" - should have seen that coming)
* Richard [Zombi-]E. Grant of Winterfell

However, I did not like the episode. It just felt so flat, and forced, and badly written. I struggle to believe that this came from the same pen as Sherlock. Unfortunately, it seems to be a continuing trend, with Moffat's episodes getting weaker and weaker as time passes.

Unfortunately, I find myself intrigued by Clara Oswin Oswald, and Coleman's pretty good portrayal of her. Having said that, as much as I like her thought processes ("It's smaller on the outside!") and general craziness (and I'm a sucker for brunettes), I'm still left wondering if Moffat has only ever met a single woman in his life.

In short, a terrible episode with intriguing plot elements for the series. Seeing as Wikipedia doesn't employ a crazy brunette, I'm going to have to continue watching (and join the hordes of moaning cynics). Dammit.

EDIT: And that's another thing! Did Moffat's "Television Writing for Children" textbook abruptly end after the chapter on Chekhov's Gun? Not only did we get Chekhov's Time Worm, but then we got Checkhov's Freakin' Jedi Mind Trick. What gives, Moffat?

 

[JunkMonkey]

Incidentally,is Richard E Grant the first actor to have portrayed the Doctor - and then one of his enemies?

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Well, I like Oswin, and I'm glad she turned out to be Oswin. She almost had to be, but still....

I'll have to wait for the second viewing after the small and noisy ones are asleep, but overall I enjoyed it. I like all the Christmas specials, though.

 

[PTeppic]

As Zebra said, whilst I think it went okay on first viewing, want to see it again for a second opinion.

 

[Foxbat]

Didn't like it. Got bored and only watched it all because I glanced at the clock and saw there was only ten minutes to go.

Christmas Specials just feel too laboured. Time to knock them on the head.

One thing I did like was Coleman. I think she will make a very good companion for the Doctor.

 

[Warren_Paul]

SPOILERS IN THIS POST FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T WATCHED THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL YET.
Although why read this thread if you haven't watched it.




I wasn't too impressed with the plot of the episode; it was too forced - especially the Sherlock Holmes bit, and Clara leading a double life (the father having a sexual interest in her; one of the worst clichés they could've done and just felt tacked on for no good reason) - but I really liked Clara and think she will make a great companion. Been a few years since we've had a companion that can outdo the Doctor - not since Catherine Tate played Donna Noble. I also liked it that this was the start of the next story arc, rather than just a standalone episode.

Although I cringed at the kissing scene. I really hope they don't follow that up. That was one of the things that made Donna so great; no love interest.

I didn't like the idea of her being reborn in time though. It makes for an interesting concept, granted - similar to Amy's crack in the wall scenario, maybe too similar - but I'd have much preferred to have her death fixed in time and the Doctor knowing it was always working up to the point where she'd be turned into a Darlek. When I knew she'd be coming back, that's what I thought they were going to do, but looks like that isn't the case.

The final moments just before she died appeared to show us that she remembered him from when she was a Darlek, so unless he saves her after the destruction of the prison and brings her back to this time, then I guess the reborn in time is the way it has to go. Oh well, should be interesting, but would be better drama having to deal with the becoming a darlek issue.

Strax was hilarious as always and probably made for the best part of the episode - although his presence confused me at first, as last I knew, he was dead, although they did answer that - but I've never liked the other regulars. Coleman can certainly act though, she's awesome. Unfortunately I thought Matt Smiths acting in this episode was a bit weaker than his norm - not terrible - just not as good as it could be.

 

[MemoryTale]

Incidentally,is Richard E Grant the first actor to have portrayed the Doctor - and then one of his enemies?

Nope, William Hartnell was the first, playing both the first Doctor then a robot version of himself, and also he played an evil cardinal or something like that in another episode. Patrick Troughton played both the 2nd Doctor and a villain who just happened to look exactly like him, and Tom Baker would go on to play both the fourth Doctor and a shapechanging cactus who stole his likeness.

Colin Baker meanwhile did it the other way around, playing an antagonistic guard in a fifth Doctor series then going on the be the sixth Doctor.

Richard E Grant is the first man to play the Doctor then a villain several episodes later, however.

...Geeky and proud of it

 

[thaddeus6th]

I don't want to sound like Captain Humbug... but I wasn't all that taken with this.

I missed the first few minutes, but caught up fairly easily. Oswin remains absolutely lovely.

However, I'm sick of villains being defeated not by a coherent plot or cunning plan, but by emotion. It's the same every time the cybermen appear (just hug them and they'll wet themselves, causing a massive electrical fire), and now in this special as well.

On the plus side, Ian McKellen has a fantastic voice. Shame he didn't get a bigger/recurring part (he could be a great Master, and Jacobi would've been if he'd had more than six seconds in the job).

 

[Foxbat]

However, I'm sick of villains being defeated not by a coherent plot or cunning plan, but by emotion. It's the same every time the cybermen appear (just hug them and they'll wet themselves, causing a massive electrical fire), and now in this special as well.

I agree. You can go right back to the season where Martha has to save the world by getting everybody to think of the doctor. It's just a variation on the Save Tinkerbell if you believe in fairies scenario. What makes it worse is the number of times this has been repeated in some form or another in Doctor Who. It's really getting quite tedious now.

 

[Dave]

I have been getting rather tired of Dr Who recently, especially the last Season, and usually with all Christmas specials in general, so IMHO I thought this was a turn for the better, despite all the nitpicking here.

Strax was hilarious as always and probably made for the best part of the episode - although his presence confused me at first, as last I knew, he was dead, although they did answer that.

I much preferred the Sontarans when the were invincible (apart from their probic vent) and not some bumbling comic foil. When I saw him and the green lady and wife, I thought this was going to be the introduction to some new spin-off series, like some kind of Victorian Sarah Jane Mysteries. If it was only to promote Sherlock Holmes then I would agree with it being rather weak. If for comic relief then I think it did the job.

I didn't like the idea of her being reborn in time though... the final moments just before she died appeared to show us that she remembered him from when she was a Dalek, so unless he saves her after the destruction of the prison and brings her back to this time, then I guess the reborn in time is the way it has to go.

This 'woman that died twice' business - I didn't understand it and it is too complicated as a plot device for children. Also they keep doing these overly complicated plot arcs; you wait ten episodes for an explanation and then are disappointed by some wishy-washy excuse. Lets just go back to basics having good guys fighting bad guys with big explosions and lasers, with Daleks that had suction plungers as really formidable weapons, and that could not climb stairs.

I'm sick of villains being defeated not by a coherent plot or cunning plan, but by emotion.

Have to agree with that too, I'm afraid. The villains need to be defeated by some techno-babble and by reversed polarities, with the bomb timer stopped seconds before it is about to explode. This is what kids want to see, not that love conquers all and that tears can melt snowmen. This used to be a boys programme. It is far too girly girly now. What on Earth is the world coming to?

 

[JunkMonkey]

Nope, William Hartnell was the first, playing both the first Doctor then a robot version of himself, and also he played an evil cardinal or something like that in another episode. Patrick Troughton played both the 2nd Doctor and a villain who just happened to look exactly like him, and Tom Baker would go on to play both the fourth Doctor and a shapechanging cactus who stole his likeness.

Colin Baker meanwhile did it the other way around, playing an antagonistic guard in a fifth Doctor series then going on the be the sixth Doctor.

Richard E Grant is the first man to play the Doctor then a villain several episodes later, however.

I bow to your uber-geekness. (Can I be on your team at the pub quiz?)

Now answer me this one: How did Drax know where to drive Oswin when the doctor told him to "take her back where we picked her up," when 30 seconds before he didn't remember who she was?

and

B: How long and hard did Moffet resist the temptation to specify that the umbrella, in the hands of a Victorian governess about to 'fly' off a roof, had a parrot-shaped handle? It must have been agony for him.

 

[ctg]

I think you're watching this wrongly. The story that began as the 11th doctor is over and this one is totally new arch. You're not willing to give in to a good story, are you?

The Doctor Who was never just a boy's story. It was always a family story that in times has got really cheesy. I mean drippin' in fondue like. But this one I saw nothing wrong. It worked very well as a story and I wouldn't had any problems saying problems.

The Sherlock Holmes trip over wouldn't had been any problem to Moffet. It's his creation and I'm sure doctor could had brought him in the play if he would had wanted, yeah?

And giving in the fact that those snowmen were feckin' scary the producers brought in the best Christmas story for ages. Trust me. Would I lie to you my friend?

The thing is that this served as the pilot episode for the new series. People just don't realise it as they are too busy saying this is not it. To me the old Doctor Who wasn't it. Mister Tennant lost it couple of times. Not talking about he-who-we-should-not-name-rtd, moffat has been doing pretty well in the helm.

Although, it's true that in times the series could had turned a bit more darker I'm thinking first time for a long time that I'm actually a bit excited to know where we're heading. And I have a suspicion about who the mysterious lady is?

Don't you wanna know who she really is?

Or should we wrap DWho here and now, and say so-long and thanks to the fish?