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The UK members aren't flocking in to discuss it. I find that disquieting. neutral

Oh dear, this does *not* bode well for a year of specials in '09 ;.;

'Ill-judged', I think would be the least provocative way to describe the ramshackle cobbling together of assorted odds and sods that went into this year's Christmas special. It would have made a phenomenal novel, or old-fashioned serial like back in the days of yore. All the ingredients of greatness were there. Clever plot. Engaging characters. Period costumes. Two fantastic doctors. A genuinely decent use for the Cybermen for once and one hell of a finale. And yet, somehow, in shoehorning all this into a one hour special a lot, and I do mean a LOT, of necessary exposition and general narrative sense was chucked out the window. There just wasn't time for what RTD wanted to achieve, I feel, and so what we were left with was a sort of half-arsed lame duck of a show that just felt...silly.

Characters weren't explored the way they should have been, problems were encountered and solved in the space of seconds rather than minutes, and the general logic of the story seemed to rest upon a conceit that was ridiculous even by Who standards.

Namely, some daleks did it :/

It's a shame, because it did start out so promisingly ;.;

Well, the entire first 5 minutes / opening was given as a large preview some weeks ago.. neutral

How to tell if the special or plotline was written by RTD:
1) The Doctor uses 'What?' three times in a row near or at the beginning of the special.
2) Appearance of ultra-baddie at least once/twice per season. Bonus points if it's involved in that season's finale.
Triple points if there's more than one baddie at the same time.
3) Deus ex machina is used within the last 15-20 minutes of the episode/special.
Bonus points if it involves a companion becoming abnormally powerful.

Edit: Keep in mind, I haven't seen the current special yet. I'll probably be adding more to the list afterwards. xD

Ok.... I' sort of Uk veiwer... Ireland really but I did get to see it yesterday.

I LOVED IT!!
I thought the story was really interesting because they dont explain the new doctor's story unitl about half way through the episode.
I loved all the little things... The way DT's doctor smiled to himself when the other doctor introduces his companion as Rose(ita).
The other doctor's tardis! rofl
The "sonic" screwdriver
Just little things that made it fun.
In reference to the spoiler a few comments above mine, I agree it was going a bit over the top but I thought it wasn't the worst thing that they could have done. Yes the show is aimed at a younger audience, why else would it be on at 6 instead of 10 like torchwood. I think we just have to accept that now. Personally I thought the CGI involved was quite good and it shows just how successful doctor who has become.
The story was wriiten by RTD and it did show. But I dont see why that is a problem.
Overall I thought it was a very good episode. It made me laugh (and cry at the ending[which was unbelievably cute btw]) and I wasn't left with the same feeling of disappointment that I got after last year's xmas special. I was very happy with it and I cant wait for the next special. "Planet of the Dead"

Well, I got the link before it was pulled, so thank you! Being from the US there is no guarantee when it may be shown here, possibly not until Holiday 2009.

It was nice to see Tennant and Morrisey together again. I really like Viva Blackpool (US name) and they work together very well. The thing that struck me is that it was nice to see the Doctor with the main secondary in the show (Christmas episodes are not really companions, are they?) As being a male.

I take that as a complement. xd

And I forgot to mention the robot Santas! rofl

In general I really liked the special, especially the scene where the Doctor explains what happened to Jackson Lake. I wasn't thrilled by the appearance of a giant cyberking, but I just have to accept that on a show that children watch giant robots may show up once in a while. I can hardly wait to watch "Planet of the Dead"!

Considering you haven't yet watched the episode, that's pretty much spot on I'd say xD.
Without mentioning any spoilers, I have to say that in my opinion that was quite a weak episode/special overall. Although last years was possibly a bit depressing for christmas time (ie. death death DEATH!) and this one was generally lighthearted except for many dramatic pauses, I do think that other years top that one. Lol, sorry RTD.