Joy to the World

Context

We didn’t get a traditional Christmas special this year, but Doctor Who still managed to deliver something festive with Joy to the World. While it doesn’t take place on Christmas Day 2025 as I’m writing this, the events unfold on Christmas 2024 and Christmas 4202. A nice touch is that for one brief moment, it is Christmas Eve 2025, which makes the timing feel connected to the real world, adding a bit of seasonal magic to the Doctor Who universe. It’s not the typical holiday episode, but it still brings a unique twist and captures the spirit of the season in its own way.

On a personal note, I had originally booked and paid to stay at the Sandrigham Hotel in Cardiff, which happens to feature in the episode. However, when I went to visit the room, the atmosphere was so unsettling and eerie that I decided to spend extra money and switch to the Marriott Hotel instead. It’s a strange coincidence that the hotel ended up being part of Doctor Who, but in hindsight, I’m glad I made the change. It was a memorable experience nonetheless, even if it wasn’t quite the Doctor Who adventure I had imagined.

Synopsis

In Joy to the World, the Doctor finds himself at the mysterious Time Hotel, a luxurious and strange place where time can be explored through doors. The Doctor meets Joy (played by Nicola Coughlan), a woman grieving the loss of her mother during the COVID pandemic. The story explores Joy's journey as she confronts her grief and her past, all while navigating the time-bending hotel and uncovering its hidden truths. As the Doctor helps her, they travel through time, making connections and discoveries that ultimately lead to a heartwarming and emotional resolution. It’s a festive special at its core, but also a deeply human story about love, loss, and the passage of time.

Review

While Joy to the World might not be the typical Doctor Who Christmas special, it is a truly beautiful and emotional episode. The Time Hotel is one of the most interesting settings in recent Doctor Who history. The concept of a hotel where time bends is so creative, and the way it’s used in the first act sets up a captivating atmosphere. The hotel feels both mysterious and alive, and it perfectly frames the Doctor’s adventures, drawing you in from the very start.

Joy is strong, though her character spends most of the episode in a possessed state or in moments of panic. I do wish we saw more of her outside of these extreme moments, but she really shines during a pivotal scene where she confronts the Doctor over her grief. This moment, where she breaks down about the loss of her mother during the pandemic, is one of the emotional highlights of the episode. It’s a subtle yet powerful commentary on the way people were affected during that time, especially when political figures were hosting dinners while families couldn’t even visit their loved ones in the hospital. This scene adds real-world depth to the episode, making it resonate more than just a typical festive adventure.

The second act of the episode is a surprise that takes the story in a different direction, and while I appreciate the unexpected twist, it does disrupt the pacing. The last parts of the episode, while beautiful, feels a little rushed because of the second act’s shift. That said, the moments spent with Anita are some of the best Doctor Who storytelling. The quieter, more emotional moments with the Doctor and Anita are peak Doctor Who, they truly ground the episode and make the fantastical elements feel even more poignant.

Joy to the World is a very beautiful episode, especially toward the end when Joy’s mother reaches the star and Anita gets the job at the Time Hotel, all accompanied by a moving musical score. These moments, filled with emotional payoff, leave a lasting impression. The inclusion of Bethlehem was a funny and unexpected touch, lightening the mood just when needed. While the pacing isn’t perfect, the visual storytelling and emotional depth of the episode make it one of the more touching Doctor Who specials.

24 dec. 2025

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