I’ve been thinking about this post a little. I am not a religious person but am from a religious family, and feel very warmly to religion due to my upbringing.
My church going sister was surprised and pleased to see such an overt reference to the nativity, as nowadays Christian imagery tends to be taken out of things.
I suppose a viewer’s instinctual reaction could range anything from it being “overly sincere / religious” to “cheeky / refreshing” to even “insulting, mixing fiction with scripture”.
Maybe some instinctual negative reactions are informed by fan knowledge of how Moffat has written about religion in the past? Perhaps that knowledge informs opinion on the intent of the message?
The whole Bethlehem scene was as much, or as little, as you care to make of it. Religious belief of the audience seems, to me, irrelevant. It makes perfect sense that the Time Hotel would have a portal to that time and place as there would be many who would want to visit. That could mean, for those who believe, that it is the literal events from the Bible or, for those who don’t, simply a company taking advantage of a sales opportunity (which, of course they would do). After all, the only things shown on screen (other than the star) are the location (which really exists) and the date. The viewer is free to read into that what they like. No problem for me.
Hmmmm yes but that’s a bit of a stretch, how many worlds within viewing distance of that star have sentient life on them that can experience joy when viewing it?
Over the lifespan of a star? Also, given the revelations of several potentially promising avenues of exploration for extraterrestrial life on moons in our own solar system (let alone the vast number of worlds within visible distance of a star) … and especially given that DW has confirmed (in Whoniverse) life on several planets not that far from our solar system (not to mention Mars etc.), the answer may be more than we think for the Whoniverse!
Joy: […] I will shine. Everywhere and forever. […]
Intellectually, I agree with you, @shauny, but somehow, at the same time, this line works for me to explain the worlds stuff → special magical star, special properties.
I was debating on watching this (for reasons unrelated to the quality of the show, my interest has been waning with Doctor Who canon recently), but seeing everyone say how good this episode was (and how the ending can be controversial), I was intrigued.
I didn’t get it.
It started off great (Trev is definitely one of my favorite non-Doctor characters in the show now), but once the two Doctors showed up, none of it made any sense to me. I don’t understand how he got the code, or what the Joy monologue at the end was supposed to mean in the context of everything that happened; and I don’t see what the religious aspect was? Was it because it ended with the words Bethlehem?
I’m still not sold on Fifteen, but the episode was entertaining enough. I gave it a 3/5, just fine.
Also, the sonic needs to be retired (but I know they won’t anytime soon). That thing is used far too often and with no rhyme or reason. So he can use it to fiddle with everything including the box itself, but he can’t use it to remove the handcuffs? Please.
I agree with you, 
