Doctor Who Blog

How to Get Ahead in Marriage

So, come all ye faithful and let us know what ye thought of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, The Husbands of River Song. Too much of a romp? Not enough of a romp? Too many husbands? Not enough Rivers? This may be the last new episode (on television at least) for nearly a year, so don’t rush, take your time, polish off that leftover turkey, and let us know what you thought in the comments section below.

5 Comments...

Not a single comment? I think this show needs a break. The current incumbents both in front of and behind the camera just aren’t drawing in the audience. Something needs to change.

Posted by The Observer  on  01/01  at  10:12 AM

> Posted by The Observer
>
> Not a single comment? I think this show needs a break.
> The current incumbents both in front of and behind the
> camera just aren’t drawing in the audience. Something
> needs to change.

The Observer might be confusing fan comments with general audiences.

To help be more observant…

Initial BBC broadcast ratings for Series 9 were down, but the consolidated UK viewing numbers were normal. And worldwide numbers continue to rise.

Locally, Canada’s Space reported that Doctor Who remained the most watched program on Space with Series 9, and also the most watched in the key demographics.

So the current incumbents both in front of and behind the camera ARE drawing in the audience.

I would suggest that the question is more, from a fan perspective, are we still thrilled ten years on?

Posted by Andrew  on  01/02  at  12:06 PM

Now, to eat my words a bit…

While Husbands did well in North America, the UK ratings for were the lowest the Christmas Special has ever got.

It pulled 7.7 million. Last years got 8.3 and the lowest before that was 9.3 with the Donna special back in 2006.

The highest was Kylie Minogue in 2007 with 13.3 million.

Posted by Andrew  on  01/07  at  11:57 AM

I always have a problem when I look at the current edition of Doctor Who, and at the back of my mind is that niggling definition of shows which have passed their peak: “jumped the shark.” I keep asking myself the question whether Doctor Who has indeed jumped its shark.

I’m uncertain whether this is the case. For both the Davies and Moffatt eras, there have been times when I’ve felt the series is on top of its game, and times where I cringe and fear the series is a mockery of itself. I think my problem is that I haven’t adapted well to the trend in current TV, of shorter series built around a specific arc and building to a climax. I’m surprised to discover this, having been a fan of anime for many years and knowing full well that’s exactly how many of them work plot-wise.

What seems to be different here is how contrived I feel the continuity thread of the arcs seem to be. I find myself missing the “good old days” of a new place in time and space every 4-6 weeks, with no connection to previous episodes except for the occasional returning baddie. The Doctor as intergalactic tourist and troubleshooter seems to be a long-forgotten format, but I wish it would come back.

This Christmas episode is a perfect example of how it could work, yet Moffatt keeps trying to reach for that extra moment of emotion. Maybe it’s time to retire the Christmas episode and give it back to the regular season arc, just for a change.

Posted by David H. Olivier  on  01/11  at  10:31 AM

Absolutely Love it

Posted by Thingswebs  on  02/04  at  02:49 PM

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