I never knew he was in it!!
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It’s for like maybe five seconds and a handful of lines but yeah! He’s that police guy who looks concerned when all the people are on the roof haha
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7/10
Solid episode, Tennant cements what kind of person he is really quickly (well, quickly when he gets out of bed). The human drama is the best part of RTD1, and I love how much attention the often side characters get, the killer Christmas tree is hilarious.
Also you get more of Harrient Jones and the first mention of Torchwood, so what’s not to love?
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My boyfriend said this episode was his favorite and that statement still baffles me. It was fine, but nothing amazing about it imo
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Oh yes, I do get that. I replied in haste as I was about to go out on a run, so may not have expressed myself so clearly. My apologies. I see your point and I mostly agree. I do cut this story a lot of slack, though, as the first Christmas special. Moreover, Clara responding to the Doctor’s change in behaviour (I LOVE “Deep Breath” for many reasons and this is one) achieves something different to Rose having to cope without the Doctor and realising that, however proactive she is, there’s a limit to what she can do. It’s different. It isn’t quite as polished but it was important at it’s time and I think just as successful in it’s own way. 
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I really like The Christmas Invasion. Sure, not one of the best episodes, but it’s a lot of fun and has a lovely Christmas atmosphere. I quite like the idea of the Doctor having to recover after regenerating, for me it adds to the seriousness of what it is and is more realistic than the Doctor springing into the next adventure immediately, though there is nothing wrong with that, a mix is nice. And I like seeing the Rose and co having to adjust and help this new incarnation. I like the mars probe bit and the continuation of Harriet Jones here, the Doctor’s decision at the end has big repercussions for the rest of this era. The ending with the Doctor in the Tardis wardrobe is a rare glimpse of the Tardis beyond the console room, something we rarely see in New Who, and sitting down for Christmas dinner was lovely.
I liked the Target novelisation though it sadly doesn’t add that much, but still an enjoyable read.
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Yeah, I’m with you on that. The first glimpse of the Sycorax on the monitor was a particularly lovely moment and generated a palpable sense of fear associated with the realisation that alien life might well not be friendly. I adore moments like that!
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See, I never used to be a fan of the Time Lord Victorious, but it’s really grown on me over the years. I think the Doctor needs to go to difficult places (psychologically) from time to time. It kind of mirrors the Third Doctor’s hubris from the classic era. It wouldn’t be wstchable if it was a permanent trait, but as a deep flaw for a given incarnation (one so popular and charming), it really works for me. I think much of Eleven’s persona is a reaction to this (and he goes onto dark territory in a completely different way).
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Yes, yes. This. Absolutely this! We are right to feel the Doctor has gone too far. We should call out our heroes from time to time. No one is beyond critique, and the more powerful you are (just six words), the greater the potential for harm (the unravelling of a potential Golden age).
Wow! I love this show so much. Even when discussing divisive elements in an OK story (I’m fond of it, but there are much better out there), we can have interesting discussions like this.
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Another incarnation I’m not keen on.
I obviously just don’t like my Doctor being an arrogant twat even just occasionally - but that’s okay because I know the enthusiastic Tigger-ness of 11, 13 and 2 can sometimes annoy others.
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Indeed! Personally, I like both sides at times. The Doctor is a character of such contrasts. I love the Pertwee years, and I love his flaws because it makes his softer side (and it’s there so delightfully in so many episodes) all the more winning for me.
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In my opinion, the 13th Doctor also has a judgmental and self-righteous aspect. For example, when she scolds Karl for defending himself in her very first episode (she had everything sorted out, but Karl couldn’t necessarily know the danger to his life was over).
I guess she doesn’t act on it like the 10th Doctor did (Karl got a - imho slightly unfair - scolding but nothing more, no lives derailed), which I take as character progression.
In case that’s intentionally done by the writers, I think it’s good writing, having them share similar core traits but showing growth.
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True - and 11 and 2 go very dark sometimes too. I just don’t like it when it’s persistent (like 10 towards the end or most of Series 8) and the bit with Harriet Jones just seems so unnecessary and mean-spirited.
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It’s always a balancing act. We won’t all agree on what is exactly the right balance, but it’s a conversation worth having (and welcome depth that so many other shows never really develop).
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I think the more “clownish” Doctors 2 and 11 being great examples) often use that to cover a darker side. Very interesting TV. More overtly prickly incarnations often wear it as armour to hide their softer centers (e.g. 3 and 12). A fascinating inversion.
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Almost as bad as a devious manipulative 7th Doctor??? 
Cat, may I introduce you to some pigeons.
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Ahhh, McCoy is soooo good! 
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I agree with this. It would have been interesting to see the character a few times and see what she does with her power. Perhaps she would have created a Golden Age for Britain but at the expense of making some dodgy decisions, with the destruction of the Sycorax being the first. Maybe they could have tied her into Torchwood in some way with Torchwood being the real power behind the PM.
It’s a shame as they could have done more but RTD turned her into the Doctor Who equivalent of Liz Truss.
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Well, in terms of longevity maybe.
There’s QUITE the difference in terms of how loved they both are, and their lasting legacy. People, to this day, still talk fondly of Harriet Jones. Truss? Not so much! 
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Very true - that’s an important distinction to make!
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