Doctor Who Series 7, Episode X Review: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe

What did you think of this episode?

• Sonic!
• Good!
• Bumpy-wumpy!
• Exterminate!

Christmas specials in Doctor Who have always had a certain charm, they are often not meant to be taken too seriously and are just harmless, festive romps, with a message of joy and hope sprinkled on the top. The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe seems to be a Christmas special that doesn't get much love, so let's review it and see what I think.

In a nutshell is this the greatest Doctor Who special of all time? No! Is it a bit of fun with a message of joy and hope sprinkled on top? Yes! It is actually better than I remembered. It is a bit on the corny side, but it fits with Matt Smith's era nicely and looks great.

"Multi dimensional triple encoded temporal interface. Not really susceptible to pointy things."

The episode follows Madge Arwell, a mother who unknowingly encounters the Doctor just before World War II. When her husband goes missing in action, she tries to keep things normal for her children over Christmas - if going to a massive house with nobody there counts as normal - only to find the Doctor has set up a magical adventure for them. What starts as a whimsical journey into a wintery forest soon turns into an environmental message about preserving life, with Madge proving to be the real hero of the story.

One of the highlights is Matt Smith - obviously! He is effortlessly charming, bringing an almost childlike excitement to the Doctor’s antics, whether he’s setting up a dream house for the Arwells or explaining Androzani trees with enthusiasm. Claire Skinner also delivers a strong performance as Madge, and while her character doesn’t necessarily stand out among other one-off companions, she has some great moments, particularly when she lays the shit down on the miners.

"I’m usually called the Doctor. Or the caretaker. Or “Get off this planet.” Though strictly speaking that probably isn’t a name."

Visually, the episode is stunning and you can see why Moffat wrote the story that he did. The snowy landscape and glowing Androzani trees create a genuinely magical atmosphere, and the design of the wooden king and queen is both eerie and beautiful. The concept of the forest needing a mother to guide it ties well into the story’s themes, even if it feels a little on the nose.

Having got used to RTD Christmas specials, it always felt like we were a bit short changed by Moffat's. In hindsight they are great stories, but they lacked a bit on the World/Universe being in danger and the epic scale of RTD's. That isn't to say one way of writing is better than the others, it was more that we had come to expect such grand showdowns.

"Your mother is flying a forest through the time vortex. Be a little impressed!"

The resolution, where Madge’s love literally brings her husband home, leans into the sentimental side a little too hard, and is starting to become a bit tiresome by this point, but given that it’s a Christmas special, a bit of festive cheesiness is almost expected, so I have decided to let that slide.

Overall, The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe is a solid Christmas special that balances fairy tale charm with sci-fi adventure. It’s not quite on the level of A Christmas Carol or The Christmas Invasion, but it has enough warmth and heart to make it a worthwhile festive watch.

RATING: Good!

BEST LINE: "Okay. Suddenly the last nine hundred years of time travel seem a bit less secure."

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