Matt Smith’s Doctor is known for being a few notches higher on the Bonkers Scale than his predecessors, a measure that arguably reaches its peak in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe. His captivating antics early in this story — where he takes a London family on a tour of a country manor that he’s upgraded with with playrooms, hammocks and taps that spout lemonade — underscore the 11th Doctor’s “mad man in a box” appeal, and set the stage for a emotional story with surprising weight. The script almost blows it, though, but, as we discuss, showrunner Steven Moffat adds a key ingredient to perfect this pleasing Christmas treat. Hint: It’s not the wood.
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Story Essentials
Christmas Special 2011
Story number: 228, per the The Pull To Open Codex
Writer: Steven Moffat
Showrunner: Moffat
Aired 25 December 2011
Pull To Open: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe
Season 4
Episode 5
Hosts: Pete Pachal and Chris Taylor
Feedback loop and interlude music: Martin West/Thinking Fish
Outro music: Chronos by Alexander Nakarada
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