2005 Christmas Special: The Christmas Invasion

[Dave]

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Special: 'The Christmas Invasion'

Starring
David Tennant....The Doctor
Billie Piper.............Rose Tyler

With
Camille Coduri..........Jackie Tyler
Noel Clarke..............Mickey Smith

Written by...............Russell T. Davies
Directed By.............James Hawes

Guest Stars
Penelope Wilton..........Harriett Jones

Executive Producer.......Russell T. Davies
Executive Producer.......Julie Gardner
Producer.....................Phil Collinson
Script Editor................Helen Raynor
Script Editor................Simon Winstone
Visual Effects..............MillTV
Costumes...................Louise Page
Make-up.....................Sheelagh Wells
Special Make-up...........Neill Gorton
Models & Miniatures.....MikeTucker
Incidental Music...........Murray Gold
Theme Arranged by.......Murray Gold
Theme Composed by.....Ron Grainer

Tennant's first full story as the Doctor.

Set report (no spoilers) here: http://www.unitnews.co.uk/story.php?article_id=301Rose and the newly-regenerated Doctor continue their adventures together in this Christmas Special episode. Christmas becomes a time of terror for Planet Earth, as the whole of mankind falls under the shadow of the alien Sycorax. Rose needs the Doctor's help, but can she trust a man with a new face?

[Dave]

Both the UK Tabloids 'The Sun' and 'The Mirror' had spoilers on this yesterday, based on special extras contained within the Season Boxed Set DVD that was just released. Don't read on if you don't wish to know more. While the Doctor's regeneration continues to go wrong, Rose and Mickey go shopping. There they are attacked by a gang of alien Santa Clauses. Meanwhile at home, Rose's mum is attacked by a Christmas Tree.Not sure if they are serious or if it is all 'tongue in cheek'.

This will be the BBC's prime-time Christmas Day drama, and it looks like becomming an annual event as they have already planned a Christmas Special for 2006.

[Abstract]

Here in England, Christmas being only a week away is not the only thing people are getting excited about. It has been known to me, for some time, that a special episode of the new Doctor Who is being shown on Christmas day, entitled 'The Christmas Invasion'. I myself being a Doctor Who fan, am looking foreward to this, as a change from the bog standard orray of children's films every other channel seems to slap on. The adverts for this have been nothing short of brilliant too- first there was one that started off as just a Christmas tree, then it begins to spiral. All goes black, and then the screen shows up with 'Doctor Who...The Christmas Invasion'. There was another also, of a group of robotic Santas, playing Christmas music, and then turning evil- followed by the same black screen, and 'Doctor Who...The Christmas Invasion'. I just love it.

[rune]

I'll be watching this, though Im not too hopefully it will be as good as when we had Eccelston on board.

[Foxbat]

I'm looking forward to this - as much as anything else, it will give us a chance to gauge Tennant as the new Doctor

[hermi-nomi]

It's the only thing I'm looking forward to on Christmas Day (bah humbug!)
Killer Santas and Doctor Who in pjamas ~ whats not to like?
I'll be counting down the days now that I have a use for an advent calendar :-)

[cornelius]

saw an add, finally understand the fuss about doctor Who... sorry, just a nOOb, and they don't show this on Belgian networks

[nixie]

Loved David Tennant as the Doctor....Not going to say anything about it except brlilliant don't want to spoil it for others.Although he is not as sexy as Eccleston

[Dave]

This had to be something special, broadcast at prime time on Christmas Day, against the most popular game shows and old films that the other channels could find. It didn't disappoint, and wish I'd recorded it as I would like to see it once more. There was a lot of humour in it, but also some dramatic moments and they don't seem afraid to do anything with the franchise now. The Doctor's hand, and Harriet Jones ordering Torchwood to be deployed shows that. American's will need to tell us how long we have to keep putting spoilers here.

synopsis from WikipediaStill seriously affected by his regeneration, the Doctor is taken by Rose to rest at her flat. His illness appears to be affecting his hearts and mood swings.

The Sycorax race have captured a probe sent by the UK destined for Mars and carrying - amongst other artifacts - a vial of A+ blood. They use this to generate a hypnotic signal to drive a third of the earth's population to the brink of mass suicide. The Sycorax threaten to send the hypnotised masses to their death unless the planet's rulers surrender. Taking on her role as self-appointed leader of Earth, Harriet Jones, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, attempts to negotiate with the Sycorax race.

The Doctor's regeneration-related illness appears almost impossible to cure, as his coma-like state is deepening. With Earth now in the shadow of the Sycorax ship, Rose, Mickey and Jackie take the Doctor to the TARDIS, the only safe haven available. With Rose, Mickey and the Doctor inside, the TARDIS is teleported to the Sycorax ship. During this transit, the Doctor is returned to his full powers through inhaling the 'free radicals' and tannins provided by a TARDIS-boosted flask of tea.

The Sycorax race are defeated with a three-pronged attack; the self-assured might of Harriet Jones, the Doctor's swordsmanship (and his temporary ability to grow a new hand), and their own blind arrogance. A swashbuckling sword fight between the Doctor and the Sycorax leader is concluded by the blade and the accurate throw of a satsuma at a door-release switch.

Harriet Jones orders the Torchwood unit to destroy the fleeing ship, which the Doctor considers to be murder. He does not believe that the aliens any longer posed a threat to the Earth. Jones justifies her actions by saying that it was possible that the Sycorax would drawn the attention of other potential enemies to the Earth, but she is soon facing a political crisis which is most likely due to a rumour started by the Doctor's well chosen words to her aide: "Don't you think she looks tired?"

The Doctor is reunited with a trusting Rose to return to the TARDIS and more travels.

There was a definite anti-war message in the storyline. Especially when Jones tells her aid to reply to the American president "He's not my boss, and he's certainly not turning this into a war!" Though she keeps that honour for herself later.

from ekklessia.co.uk
Peacenik Doctor Who to ruin Blair's Christmas
Peace and goodwill may be in short supply around the world right now, but Britain’s leading fictional hero, Doctor Who, is about to pitch in with an anti-war Christmas message targeted at the Blair household – which is reputed to be devoted to the show.

The revamped Doctor Who – which also numbers the family of Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams among its fans.

David Tennant is going to be just right as the new Doctor, no problems there. There is a scene at the end where he chooses his new clothes that is just like the old show. His first words as the "new" Doctor are "Here we are then!" There is even a reference made to Arthur Dent as he spends most of the episode in pajamas and dressing gown.

It was something a little more scary than usual family gathering around the television set. As the Sycorax invasion proceeds, a third of the world's population - two billion people - are hypnotised like zombies and are seen walking to roofs across the world, ready to throw themselves off. Jones comments that the Royal Family are also on the roof of Buckingham Palace, and the London "Gherkin" building has exploded along with most other glass panes due to a sonic shock wave.

U.N.I.T. appear again, this time with a hugh underground complex in the heart of London. We also learn that Micky is still able to hack into their computer system, and that Rose's mum has been having someone called Howard to stay, who is the owner of the night clothes that the Doctor borrows.

They continued the new idea of trailers for the next show at the end, this time trailing the whole of the next season. Look away now if you don't want to know: New-look Cybermen, The Face of Boe, Sarah Jane Smith and a very sad and damaged K9, an evil Anthony Stewart Head, Rose kissing the Doctor!My kids exclaimed "All that in one episode!" but quickly realised it wasn't.

I'm not sure how Captain Jack Harkness fits into the new 'Torchwood' series now that we have learnt what "Torchwood" is. It's something that I didn't expect.

[rune]

It was OK, a bit silly at times. I didnt think much of the new Dr though, he just didnt have the presence of Eccleston

[Foxbat]

I found the Christmas episode a bit of a disappointment (although to put that in context - still better than most of the rubbish on TV at this time of year). I suppose it was just a way of introducing the new doc - which means they can launch into the next series with everything in place.

I thought the best thing about this episode was the trailer at the end for series 2....Elizabeth Sladen, K9, The Cybermen....can't wait

[Abstract]

I watched it too, and felt that it was really good- rune is right in saying that it was a bit silly at times, but I still thought it came across as a very well constructed episode. The fact that the Doctor recovered the regeneration fully by just drinking tea made me feel a bit proud for the old 'cuppa' too. Rock on Tennant!

[PTeppic]

Great all round. Loved the "lion king" quote...

[obcooke]

[Originally posted by Dave: American's will need to tell us how long we have to keep putting spoilers here.]

Goodness, such responsibility. Actually, within the episode threads the only spoilers are the previews for future episodes. For instance, I am avoiding the other episode descriptions until I have a chance to see the actual show.

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[Originally posted by Dave: They continued the new idea of trailers for the next show at the end, this time trailing the whole of the next season.]

I didn't realize that. Last season I avoided the trailers because I got all the episodes at once and could just watch the next one - surprises and all. This time I watched the trailer because I couldn't wait until next week. Now I'll have to wait longer to see all that great stuff.

As an old Buffy-head it was great to see ASH again, even briefly. I still think that he would make a great Doctor. Even if he appears as a villain, that doesn't rule him out one day - remember that Romana II chose to look like Princess Astria (spelling?)?

And it was great to see Sarah Jane, she seems to have held up well. That will be some reunion.

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[Originally posted by Dave: There is a scene at the end where he chooses his new clothes that is just like the old show.]

Yeah, but I was, well - very disappointed, I must say. The Doctor's clothes seem to be more conventional than even the last one. I'm used to a Doctor that dresses like a man out of his time. You used to know just by looking at him that here was an eccentric. Now you wouldn't notice him if you passed him on the street.

I did like the scene in "Sir Elton John's closet". Did you notice that in the foreground on the left there appears to be an outfit on a clothes rack that looks a lot like Tom Baker's - brown coat, brown hat, yellow & brown scarf? And on the right is a whitish hat that could be either Sylvester McCoy's or Peter Davidson's.

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Hey, what's with all the Earth-centric stories? I mean I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't seen the last season, but everything is about the Earth in some way. Are we ever going to break the bonds and really see the universe - at least Barcelona? (That's a rhetorical question - I'm not really soliciting spoilers.)

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"That's the kind of man I am - no second chances."

I guess Harriet Jones found that out.

It was pretty funny the way she kept introducing herself to everyone, just like she did in her last episode. And everyone including the aliens answered, "Yes, we know who you are."

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The jabs at Tony Blair are pretty heavy-handed. PM Jones seems to send a message at every opportunity that she is not at all happy with the way the U.S. has taken the U.K. for granted.

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[Originally posted by Dave: I'm not sure how Captain Jack Harkness fits into the new 'Torchwood' series now that we have learnt what "Torchwood" is.]

It occurred to me that since I don't recall what alien ship crashed to Earth ten years ago and gave up it's technology that maybe Capt. Jack had something to do with that. That may be how he ends up on modern-day Earth.

Of course, I don't claim to be all-knowing of Doctor Who lore, so it may be an older story or an upcoming story that explains that.

[rune]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I found the Christmas episode a bit of a disappointment (although to put that in context - still better than most of the rubbish on TV at this time of year). I suppose it was just a way of introducing the new doc - which means they can launch into the next series with everything in place.

I thought the best thing about this episode was the trailer at the end for series 2....Elizabeth Sladen, K9, The Cybermen....can't wait

The trailer at the end actually didnt give me much hope. K9! please, not that