Doctor Who perfected the Christmas special with Voyage of the Damned

As someone who has grown up with Doctor Who as a constant companion in my life, I can confidently say that the 2007 Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned, holds a special place in my heart. This episode encapsulates everything I love about the show: adventure, humor, heartbreak, and the unwavering heroism of our beloved Time Lord.

Every Christmas, the Doctor Who special is eagerly anticipated and watched by countless families, who look forward to sharing the Time Lord’s yuletide escapade on a grand scale.

Something special about Doctor Who seems to resonate during Christmastime, and there are sound reasons for this: it often presents a self-contained adventure that appeals to various generations within a family, airing at the perfect moment on Christmas Day when everyone is eager for some peaceful relaxation after a large meal.

However, much like the magic associated with Christmas, Doctor Who possesses an enchanting essence. Hearing its theme song ignites anticipation within us, as we’re aware that the unexpected is about to unfold.

For me, one Christmas special exemplifies this above all – Voyage of the Damned.

It’s a remark that has drawn skepticism – and rightfully so – from dedicated Doctor Who fans. After all, when we weigh the groundbreaking impact of the first modern special, The Christmas Invasion, the captivating acting in A Christmas Carol, and the monumental television event that was The End of Time, it’s hard to imagine how Voyage of the Damned could possibly stand up to them.

If you missed out on being among the 13.1 million viewers who tuned in on Christmas Day 2007, visualize this setting instead:

In June of that particular year, preparations were underway for a special episode. At the conclusion of the thrilling three-part series concluding season 3, the Tenth Doctor encountered an unforeseen event – the hull of a vessel named Titanic piercing through the TARDIS barrier (eliciting a memorable exclamation from David Tennant, “What? What? WHAT?!”).

At Christmas time, we were all prepared, and the story didn’t fall short of expectations. It trailed the Doctor as he embarked upon a spaceship named Titanic, only to uncover that someone had intentionally set it on a destructive path towards Earth. Moreover, robots disguised as angels were found to be assassinating individuals aboard the ship.

In a remarkable twist, our beloved Doctor must find a clever solution to rescue all of humanity using only his trusty sonic screwdriver and an eclectic band of companions he’s met on his travels – Happy Holidays!

It’s quite evident that this moment holds a deep sense of nostalgia for me. I was 11 years old when Voyage of the Damned was broadcast, and David Tennant was already two years into his memorable portrayal as the Tenth Doctor. Reflecting on those times, it feels like a golden era of the show.

However, there’s much more to it as well, and upon rewatching it in the year 2024, I believe I can confidently assert that The Voyage of the Damned embodies all the necessary components for a contemporary Doctor Who Christmas episode.

To begin with, a radiant guest character. As Steven Moffat, the author of this year’s Christmas special, Joy to the World, has mentioned, the specials frequently serve to bridge the time between regular companions. So, why not make use of this opportunity by introducing an exceptional guest star?

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must say that some extraordinary actors, such as Catherine Tate, Michael Gambon, and Nicola Coughlan, have graced the screens in Doctor Who’s festive episodes. However, it was 2007 that truly stole the show when they brought Kylie Minogue to life on screen!

Despite mixed opinions about Kylie Minogue’s performance initially, it’s clear that she infused the special with the delicate charm it required. As Astrid Peth, her character, she held her own against Tennant, serving as a captivating guide for viewers throughout the episode. She offered comic relief, romance, and most importantly, a poignant dose of emotional depth.

Absolutely, I think it’s fitting that the Doctor Who Christmas special should have a touch of sadness as well. There’s often a certain wistfulness associated with the holiday season, and Doctor Who shines when it captures that mood.

In my opinion, the TV show “Voyage of the Damned” truly outdid itself when it came to heart-wrenching scenes, turning quite brutal at times. Characters like Morvin (Clive Rowe) and Foon Van Hoff (Debbie Chazen) met their tragic ends by falling into a fiery chasm. But in a selfless act reminiscent of a heroic tale, Astrid, played by Kylie Minogue, seized control of a forklift, hurling the episode’s antagonist and herself into the flames below, all in an effort to safeguard humanity.

Indeed, I’ve been avoiding the subject up until now, but it’s impossible to ignore the central controversy of the episode: Max Capricorn, the ruthless cyborg entrepreneur, who has devised a sinister plan to cause the Titanic and Earth-wide catastrophe as part of an insurance scam. This is all in pursuit of a comfortable retirement for himself.

Apologies for any confusion, but I must clarify that I don’t dislike him. George Costigan delivers a riotously entertaining act, and it’s simply delightful to watch. While Max Capricorn might not be remembered as one of Doctor Who’s greatest villains, he contributes significantly – by infusing Voyage of the Damned with its whimsical humor.

After all, there are many moments in the special that prove why it shouldn’t be taken so seriously.

In this production, Wilf (Bernard Cribbins) makes his debut wearing reindeer antlers, grumbling about the annual alien disruption of Christmas in London. There’s also “allons-y, Alonso”, a prickly red robotic character named Bannakaffalatta, an unusual portrayal of the queen and her corgis, but Max Capricorn’s false tooth gleaming particularly stands out.

Despite the humor and frivolity, Voyage of the Damned manages to instill a real feeling of peril. Geoffrey Palmer’s chilling portrayal of Captain Hardaker, who steers the ship towards its doomed fate, is hard to ignore. Similarly captivating are the intense conversations between Russell Tovey’s Midshipman Frame and the Doctor as they struggle to rectify the situation.

Beyond everything else, Voyage of the Damned features one of Tennant’s most memorable Doctor speeches – a scene that every Doctor Who enthusiast is familiar with.

Behind him, sparks of electricity fly, and he addresses Astrid and her companions: “I’m the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey within the Kasterborous Constellation. I’ve lived for 903 years, and I intend to rescue you, along with every one of the 6 billion people on the planet below. Do you have an issue with that?

Allow me to express it another way: That experience seems to have significantly changed the way my brain functions, possibly permanently.

Ever since I witnessed the chilling Voyage of the Damned, 16 Doctor Who Christmas and New Year specials have graced our screens (with Joy to the World being the 17th). And let me tell you, each viewer has their own unique idea about what makes a flawless special. Some elements are easy to pinpoint, like an enchanting companion that shines brighter than a starry night sky. But other factors are more elusive, harder to define with mere words.

Fundamentally, the Doctor Who Christmas special continues to captivate us with its enchantment, and we hope it always does. This year, the responsibility lies with Steven Moffat, Ncuti Gatwa, and Nicola Coughlan to deliver a magical experience. Here’s to an exciting journey! (French: “Allons-y” means “Let’s go” in Doctor Who, often said by The Doctor)

2024-12-24 22:04

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