The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe

"Naturally occurring Christmas trees... how cool is that?"

Writer: Steven Moffat
Format: TV
Broadcast: 25th December 2011
Series: 2011 Christmas Special

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor

Synopsis

Christmas Eve, 1938. Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel, the Eleventh Doctor, who promises to repay her kindness - all she has to do is make a wish. Three years later, Madge escapes war-torn London with her two children for dilapidated house in Dorset. Crippled with grief at the news her husband has been lost over the English Channel, she wishes to give her children the best Christmas ever. The Arwells are greeted by the Doctor, who acts as their madcap caretaker. However, a mysterious Christmas gift from him leads them into a wintry, magical world. Madge must learn how to be braver than she ever thought possible... and that wishes can come true.

Verdict

The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe was an excellent episode of Doctor Who and whilst maintaining its lighter feel as a Christmas Special, it was still a terrific story. Now I know it's a little weird to be doing a Christmas episode in the middle of summer but it had been such a long time since I blogged a performed Matt Smith story that I just had to do one. He is my favourite incarnation of the Doctor and the only stories of his I had left to blog were Christmas ones so this one got the nod. It has much of a different feel to the ending of Series 6 and obviously some of that may be down to the broadcast date but I was just delighted to see the Eleventh Doctor on my screen again. Matt Smith was as wonderful as ever and his delight at showing Cyril and Lily their bedroom was a wonderful scene. He really is the most childish Doctor and I think that is why I love him so much. The initial setting of 1941 in the midst of World War Two was excellent and I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was because it wasn't a story about the War. We just saw the effects it was having on one family and I think that really helped bring home its trauma. This family had been torn apart and had Christmas ruined because their father had died fighting in the air over the English Channel. It was really tough to know that Madge was hiding the information from her children because she didn't want the special times that come with Christmas to be overshadowed by the grief that the death of their father would bring. The Doctor's reaction to that was terrific and I loved the idea of him repaying the favour for Madge helping him through a wish. That was a nice Christmassy feel. I have never actually seen The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which this episode is obviously loosely based on but the similarities to what I do know about that story were terrific. The curiosity of Cyril was excellent and I really enjoyed how much the Doctor liked this young lad. He really admired the old bear and blanket trick which was a nice moment. The links this story had to The Caves of Androzani were great and I also loved the moment in the forest where Madge mentions she was looking for her children whilst holding her gun. That really was outstanding. The Wooden King and Queen were very intriguing and I loved the concept of aliens made out of wood. That obviously brought problems when it came to the sonic screwdriver and the Doctor's comments regarding that were wonderful. It was bound to happen in all of time and space. The forest itself looked mesmerising and the way it was so alive and alien was certainly appealing. I loved Lily's reaction to stepping foot there but she also realised that they needed to save Cyril. His adamance that his mother would come simply because she always does was excellent and the moment she did show up, Madge really did take centre stage. She took on the role of the pilot for the life-force of the forest and I loved how she was strong enough because she was a mother and a mothership was needed. The forest was saved from harvesting and a lovely Christmas family reunion occurred. The Doctor's mentions of happy tears being so human was intriguing and I loved the ending when he returned to Amy and some of his own. A lovely end to a terrific Christmas Special. Overall, an excellent episode!

Rating: 9/10