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The end of 2023 brought with it the highly anticipated Dr Who 60th Anniversary Specials and the Christmas Special. This blog post is about the themes from these specials, looking at each episode individually. I’ve done a themes type post for Series 11, Series 12 & Series 13 of Doctor Who.

At the end of Series 13, the Doctor regenerated back into an old face (played by the fantastic David Tennant). Prior to the ending of Series 13, the superb news came that Russell T Davies would be returning to Doctor Who as the lead Writer.

David Tennant returns to Doctor Who:

David Tennant is accompanied by the return of Donna Noble (played by the hilarious Catherine Tate):

A new cast member is Rose Noble (played exquisitely by Yasmin Finney). Yasmin’s character is particularly important to the Trans community, as both Rose and Yasmin identify as Trans. Rose Noble:

Episode 1 – The Star Beast

• Cute & fluffy, doesn’t necessarily mean that a creature has good intentions.
• Representation and visibility remain as important as ever for the LGBT+ community, but especially for Trans people who still suffer stigma, discrimination and sometimes hate crimes because of who they are. Some people think it’s okay to dead name Trans people, which is just cruel.
• People with disabilities don’t want you to make them the problem.
• Sometimes the best thing to do for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is to let go.
• The TARDIS redesign is beautiful. There is no other word for it, just: beautiful.

Episode 2 – Wild Blue Yonder

• Mavity replaces Gravity due to a misunderstanding by Sir Isaac Newton.
• The Doctor finds Sir Isaac Newton as “hot” and notes “Oh, it’s like that now.” Suggesting he might be gay or bisexual.
• The TARDIS can literally disappear if it senses danger. It has an Hostile Action Displacement System (HADS).
• There are probably weird life forms out there that would cause us to redefine our definition of life. Some are likely to be good, but others, like the ones in this episode could be quite sinister.
• The universe has an edge.
• Wilfred Mott (Donna’s Grandfather, played by the brilliant Bernard Cribbins) waits in the alley for Donna & the Doctor to return.

Episode 3 – The Giggle

• Old adverseries can return.
• Bi-generation is a thing.
• Even the Doctor needs a break from travelling and a family for a sense of belonging.
• Ncuti Gatwa is the 15th Doctor.

Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor:

Christmas Special – The Church on Ruby Road

• The character Ruby is introduced and her back story is given.
• Goblins are real and have a knot language.
• Who is the old woman that seems to know all about the Doctor and the TARDIS?

Write soon,

Antony