Surprisingly not a vehicle for a single guest star, this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special features a Time Hotel, Dinosaur shenanigans, Thanos glitter, a bootstrap paradox with a lantern firmly attached, and a stunning ten minutes where the Doctor does time at a non-time hotel. Oh, and yeah, a really famous star is introduced. Chip and Jason break it all down. Happy Christmas to all!

Jason Snell and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We wrap up this first Disney+/BBC season by accentuating the positive where we can find it, before finally giving in and explaining all the ways this episode failed. Perhaps things will be better at Christmas. We’ll see you then!

Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

It’s part one of a two-part finale, which leaves Jason and Chip struggling with how to judge it. But somehow we find a way—and it mostly leaves us feeling frustrated.

Chip Sudderth and Jason Snell

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The roguish Jonathan Groff appears amid an extended riff on “Bridgerton.” Jason recommends a different Netflix series. Erika gives this episode a very high rating. Chip wonders about the metatextuality of it all. Was this episode for the cosplaying birds? Or could we not get it out of our heads?

Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Did you enjoy the work? Afterward, did you spend time thinking about what it meant? When you start to analyze it, does it offer several interesting interpretations? Does the intent of the author inform, or is it irrelevant? We’re talking about art in general, and this week’s episode of “Doctor Who” in particular.

Jason Snell and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

A spooky story told around a campfire, involving the adventures of Ruby Sunday and the mystery of the woman standing 66.66666667 meters away from her at all times. Vibes! We’re here for the vibes.

Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Former showrunner Steven Moffat joins the new-new-series party with an episode set almost entirely in a bomb crater. The Doctor can’t move, and can’t emote too much, but he can still attempt to control the world around him. We talk about Moffat’s return, the importance of getting Ruby up to speed as a companion, and much more!

Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Jinkx Monsoon stars in an episode where an otherworldly force beyond the Doctor’s abilities manages to steal all music and potentially set off a human apocalypse. Oh, also the Beatles are there—but they don’t really matter. And there’s a musical number at the end—but it doesn’t really matter, either. These are the problems.

Erika Ensign and Jason Snell

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

“Doctor Who” regnerates for a whole new first season on Disney+. Russell T Davies has a plan to welcome new audiences, but do his showrunner machinations balance out with the narrative elements of this episode? Chip and Jason consider what RTD’s up to, why he’s doing it, what works, and what doesn’t.

Chip Sudderth and Jason Snell

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Merry Christmas! The Ncuti Gatwa era begins! We judge this episode as a Christmas special, as a Doctor introduction, as a jumping-on point for new viewers, and as the last new “Doctor Who” we’ll see until May.

2023 Special 4

Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.