Who Christmas Special Blends Sci-Fi Adventure with Poignant Themes

Steven Moffat's 'Joy to the World' explores loneliness, grief, and hope in a festive tale featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan.

• The 2024 Christmas special, 'Joy to the World,' follows the Doctor and guest companion Joy as they confront a time-traveling hotel and a dangerous star seed plot.
• Nicola Coughlan delivers an emotional performance as Joy, a grieving woman drawn into the Doctor's adventure, while Ncuti Gatwa shines in his first solo outing as the Fifteenth Doctor.
• The episode features a unique subplot where the Doctor spends a year living day-to-day at a hotel, forming a meaningful friendship with receptionist Anita, played by Steph de Whalley.
• Themes of loneliness and connection are central, with the story addressing the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through Joy's backstory.
• The special received praise for its inventive concepts, emotional depth, and festive spirit, though some critics noted moments of heavy-handed sentimentality.

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