Review: The Church on Ruby Road

NB: When I finished my 60 favourite Doctor Who stories strand back on the 23rd November, the plan was to continue with reviews and other stuff. Life however with Christmas, work courses and various bereavements took priority. 

So here's my review of the 2023 Christmas special. 

Christmas hasn't been the same without the Doctor. As much as I enjoyed the frankly wonderful New Year specials written by Chris Chibnall, it felt the series has slipped somewhat from being a high point of the Christmas Day offerings to propping up the New Year’s Day schedule because there was nothing else.

So the restoration of the show's position on Christmas Day is seen as a positive by many fans. But given the uneven nature of the festive specials in the past, how does The Church on Ruby Road fare? 

On a scale of Voyage of the Damned down to the Doctor, Widow and the Wardrobe, how does this hold up? In my opinion, it's upper mid table. 

As a showcase for the new Doctor and companion, it's perfect. Ncuti Gatwa IS the Doctor, there's no doubt. He has a joy and energy that is infectious and engaging. Whether he's dancing in a club, or having a heart to heart discussion, Ncuti sweeps us along and we're quickly on his side.

Millie Gibson also has an energy and presence as Ruby, with the traditional feisty attitude attributed to many companions. There's a vulnerability to her as well, which Millie plays well. She and Ncuti spark so well off each other, I can't wait to see what happens to them next.

The plot is slight perhaps, but with the focus on establishing both the new Doctor and companion, that's not a major issue. There's a similarity to the Christmas Invasion with a massive spaceship above the earth, although this one is strangely unseen. It can't be too high up, otherwise how does Ruby breathe?

Design wise, the Goblin ship reminded me of a similar vessel in the Terry Gilliam fantasy film Time Bandits. The Goblins were well realised while the massive Goblin King had obvious Jabba overtones. 

And then there was the song...

Ok, as it's Christmas, I'll let it by. Actually, it wasn't too cheesy. I'm sure there were some fans who were throwing their freshly unwrapped toys out of their prams as Ncuti and Millie sang, but frankly I was very impressed with their singing.

It's not the first time songs have been part of an episode in the new series, or even further back with the the ballad of the Last Chance Saloon. Here it's an integral part of the plot and cleverly forms part of the Doctor's escape plan. The Goblin plot seemed to play second fiddle to establishing the new Doctor /companion dynamic, but the destruction of the goblin ship and the goblin king being kebabed by the church spire was effective, if a little predicable. Who says the church doesn't have an important part in the world anymore? 

Of course being a Russell T Davies episode, we have a family with our companion and Michelle Greenidge was as Ruby's mum, Carla. While she lacks the nagging steel of a Jackie Tyler or Sylvia Noble, Carla has enough charm to win us over and her relationship with Ruby seems far more positive and nurturing. The sudden switch to her without Ruby in her life was clever and brought echoes of Turn Left. 

Angela Wynter as Cherry didn't have a lot to do apart from a recurring gag about not getting her cup of tea. (my Gran had cups like hers too!) but i'm sure we'll be seeing more of them in the future. 

Anita Dobson made the most of her screen time and her final scene where she appears to recognise the TARDIS is interesting. My moneys on her being the Rani. For me, it all adds up; Anita Dobson was in EastEnders, which was also the setting for Dimensions in Time, which featured the Rani. Mel is back in the new season and she's appeared opposite the Rani too. Is it too much to hope RTD has made a sequel to Time and the Rani? (OK that last paragraph might not be entirely serious!)

So, it's a thumbs up from me. And the new season teaser looked impressive with some high quality guest stars, a plot line about the Beatles, a period drama and some new monsters. Let the 15th Doctor's era begin!