Doctor Who's Most Underrated Christmas Special

Doctor Who and Christmas goes hand in hand, but that doesn't mean every Christmas special is beloved. Indeed, 2016's "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is often considered one of the worst specials the show has ever aired, seeing the 12th Doctor team up with a literal superhero. But 7 years on, is it actually better than most fans give it credit for?
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#DoctorWho #Review

[@HarboWholmes]

Merry Christmas! www.patreon.com/harbowholmes

[@henrybartram9854]

The green screen did not exist in the 70s, so christopher reeve never used green screen as sup

[@sparkingmarnie]

@@henrybartram9854 chroma key did exist in the 70s. They even used it on Doctor Who. Blue screen was more common though

[@henrybartram9854]

@bethanyanne802 And back projection a lot. But my point is still valid and correct, Green Screen was only really used in the 90s onwards. The 70s had no green screen, and Superman was wires and back projection as well as lighting tricks. You are correct, too, but the Chroma key was very bad and very poor quality, even back then.

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

What is ironic is that the BRITISH Superman in Doctor Who, is Justin Chatwin... the United States Son Goku from Dragon Ball: The Action Movie.

[@JoeNayDoh]

As a big superhero fan. I think this was the best way to integrate a superhero into the Doctor Who universe and it came out at just the right tim before a lot of the superhero fatigue really set in. That said they probably should of had Grant lose his powers at the end of the episode. Yes, he retired from being The Ghost, but you run into the situation where everytime there's a world ending event in Doctor Who. Grant is just sitting on the couch or something. Think he might need to read the whole, "With Great Power.." speech again lol

[@HorRyda]

I do think part of the hate towards this episode comes down to the fact it was the ONLY Doctor Who we got that year so it felt like a letdown to many - personally though it’s one of my favourite Christmas episodes of all

[@unityedits3722]

Rewatched it for the first time today, and that's honestly all I can think of. Had fun during the binge, but it's not something I'd want to wait a year for, especially as the only episode

[@robertelessar]

As a long-term comic collector and superhero fan, I particularly loved this Christmas special. One of my favorites. I had no idea that a lot of people disliked it.

[@Dreamprism]

Yeah, I also liked it and didn't know it was disliked.

[@vashtanerada2731]

because is doctor who, The hero character is cringe and unecessary.

[@robertelessar]

@@vashtanerada2731 But surely the entire show, like EVERY show, like every movie, like every book, like every sculpture, like every painting, like every other work of art ever created, is "unnecessary". One person's cringe is another person's hilarious perfection. From the point of view of an antinatalist or a promortalist, life itself is "unnecessary". And "cringe" is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I got the impression that the aspects that could be called "cringe" were deliberately so in this episode.

[@ig_4220]

It's a fun episode but I'd say it's probably the most forgotten of the Christmas specials considering it's lack of strong ties to other episodes and the next series creating a whole new reason for Nardole to be a regular.

[@FTZPLTC]

If I had a nickel for every time a quirky British TV show made quirky creative use of its localised foreign-language title, I'd have two nickels.

[@vullord666]

Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice right?

[@DriverHenryWho3245]

What's the other show?

[@FTZPLTC]

@@DriverHenryWho3245 - Psychoville, which was the Korean name for The League Of Gentlemen.

[@kickdumbos]

I love the back and forth between the Doctor and Nardole. Doctor: "He promised me he wouldn't use them" Nardole:"Like the Time Lord promise not to interfere in the affairs of other peoples or planets"

[@aeloswindrunner]

I definitely prefer Husbands of River Song, but I do like this episode too. Capaldi and Lucas bounce off each other so well here and it plays with superhero tropes well too

[@maswarm4585]

“Weakest 12th Doctor special” doesn’t really mean much though since they’re all great

[@clampchowder9569]

I actually love this one, the german guy is so creepy and the split face brain aliens are super cool and freaky and that's the main reason I love this one. And the superhero story is fun too! Plus I just love Capaldi not having a proper companion it's a shame we didn't get more episodes like that and we got Clara's bloated arc eating into series 9.

[@StarblazerTV]

It's a fun riff on superhero tropes. Rewatched it while on my NewWho rewatch leading up to the 60th anniversary specials, and it's a fine episode. Wouldn't mind if they did another superhero parody in the future.

[@davertronlebosta9430]

Really enjoy that with the ship crashing matching River and 12 crashing. He doesn't have someone who he cares about and cares about him to save him from the crash. He has to reach out for help willingly, which I feel like the doctor doesn't do a lot or rather doesn't like doing a lot. He shouldn't be so reckless, but he does and then has to ask for help, I feel like this is a lesson and realisation for 12 in a way.

[@matty_mls]

I wish harmony shoal were the ones who infiltrated unit in the chibnall era, theyre excellent villains and its set up here couldve been capitalised on excellently by chibnall, rather than the forgettable snake bloke.

[@OkMakuTree]

Dr. Mysterio isn’t one of my favorite episodes, but it’s perfectly decent. 12 shutting down Harmony Shoal’s leader with a flick of the Sonic and 12’s closing speech about endings are both standout moments, I’m glad Harbo agrees lol

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

@13:10 - ain't that the rooftop setup used for the Master & Missy tying up 12th with poor Cyber-Bil unable to help until she gets her willpower back! Atop the angels save manhatthan set as well like you mentionned

[@jonathanward2527]

It's such a good episode. I've never been able to understand how some people don't like this episode.

[@888bangthory]

It’s cute , I like it more in retrospect but at the time they’d been a long hiatus in new episodes and it felt like a waste of Capaldi and it was very basic , I assumed Moffat would put his own spin on the superhero genre and subvert it but no

[@sparkingmarnie]

Mostly the cringe moments

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I agree, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But it's all down to personal taste. I like some episodes others despise, and feel "meh" at best about others that are really popular. E.g. (oh god I'm crap at remembering titles) Spy fall or whatever it was called. I stopped watching it about halfway through the first part. That's the first of the "nu Who" stories I've done that with. It just didn't work for me, but others have raved about it. One man's meat, and all that. The difference with me, and those like me, is that I don't go online and kvetch about it. I just wait for the next one. I thought that Journey's End was terrific (even the corny bit at the end. It was like they were having a party in my mind)! As was Hell Bent. Others complain that they're not as good as the first parts (forgive me if I've muddled up the names. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about). I thought both parts of both two-parters were damned close to being equally good, only for different reasons. Perhaps it's my age. I've stopped getting mad about things that don't matter anymore and reserve my peaks of high blood pressure for the important things. Though I'm a lifelong petrolhead (Dr Who is only a few years older than me), I haven't had a favourite Formula One driver since Damon Hill retired (self-confessed fangirl! ☺️🏆), and I really enjoy any great performance by anyone, regardless of whom, what team, and even if they end up with no points but had a great scrap! Since then, I think I've enjoyed F1 more than I otherwise would have. When it comes to TV, after Stargate SG-1 was completely destroyed by the change of writers from the start of season 4 who knew absolutely nothing about the characters(🤬!), I've learned how to stop watching something that makes me wish that person X would come back and person Y would bugger off (if a permanent change has been made). Sorry for the essay, I get carried away sometimes. There are those who undoubtedly wish that I would be... 😉

[@O_Chleirigh]

Harbo I swear so often you are my Doctor Who fan equivalent to the "Oh my God it's like this song was written for me" person. This episodes not breaking any barriers but just really enjoy it 😁

[@lucypreece7581]

I never really used to be into superheroes and stuff as a kid. This episode is what got me into them. I like it a lot. Also it took me way too long to realise that the guy in this episode who is The Ghost/Grant Gordon is the dude who plays Jimmy/Steve in Shameless USA. Having watched that show it feels very weird seeing him in this role compared to his role there.

[@enriqueavina4807]

Same here!! It was on my rewatch of both shows that I realized 😅

[@barry1369]

I remember when it first came out I thought it was very meh but recently I liked it a lot more and had a lot of fun watching it. Capaldi is so good and at the end when he’s grieving River is very emotional

[@caberknight9013]

I rewatched this episode for the first time since 2016 the other day (which I hated on broadcast) and was super surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think the mix of me missing Moffat as well as being separated from the 2016 hiatus has warmed me up to it quite a lot, and I think more people should give it a second chance and view it as the camp, tongue and cheek parody that it is

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

What is ironic is that the BRITISH Superman in Doctor Who, is Justin Chatwin... the United States Son Goku from Dragon Ball: The Action Movie. Being Canadian, we are a British crown country neighbor to the USA. Who have got since the 1970s japanese animation from France translations... Kinda among the peak locations for entertainment convergence before the internet

[@StephenLeGresley]

Actually New York is not the inspiration for Metropolis. Americans like to think this but Toronto, Ontario, Canada was the true inspiration for it and the town at the time of London, Ontario was the inspiration for Smallville. Joe Shuster was born in Toronto and used that as his inspiration. Now American writers have altered it to have more New York elements in modern day but originally it was based on Toronto.

[@vullord666]

I always assumed it was based on silicon valley in general. At least with how it's a tech center.

[@jeremyb5640]

One of my go-to feel good Doctor Who episodes. Always loved this one.

[@user-rbyee]

❤

[@rkah6187]

Same :) This and 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' for me. Always cheers me up.

[@dw7704]

I love this special. I grew up loving superheroes, cartoon, TV shows, comics, movies I was into them before I even heard of Doctor Who. So including one in Doctor Who was a lot of fun And it works poking fun, as an affectionate parody of superhero tropes, etc. It works for me It’s not my favourite Who Christmas Special, (That’s Husbands ofRiver Song), but it’s far from the worst. And Capaldi is my favourite Doctor (Although Last Christmas ranks low for me)

[@Kranitoko]

I like to joke Goku was in Doctor Who with this episode 😂

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

and poor Justin Chatwin : started under the tutelage of crazyhead scientologist Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds...

[@Zork-iv6rr]

As a stand-alone episode? It was fine. As a Special? Yeah Naah... Fans expect something a little more Whovian than a rehashed superhero story for a Special.

[@henryboy3656]

I really like this episode, and one thing I love is how Harmony comes back from the previous episode. I had hoped that they would play a larger piece in the next season, as a reoccurring villain. At some point, I want to see Harmony again face off against Ncuti.

[@guguig9746]

I like this episode because it has Nardole, and based on the end quote alone.

[@jbcatz5]

It’s a fun special that dips into a genre Doctor Who rarely explores. There’s no major continuity elements in terms of plot or character, which worked as this was after a year where eight episodes of Class was all we had of broadcast Whoniverse. Other Superman references, the creators of the character are name dropped at the press conference and the scene where Grant is having issues with x-ray vision evokes Man of Steel where young Clark had a tough time coming into abilities like super hearing (Smallville also did the slightly risqué approach when that Clark started developing x-ray vision and a red kryptonite episode indicated he was using the power irresponsibly). Harmony Shoal being sentient brains evokes the imagery associated with Brainiac, a major Superman villain and an alien who has done body takeover storylines in various media.

[@TimBiddle]

When/are you going to do series 10 reviews. Love these videos.

[@cheeseandchocolate3816]

I've never quite understood why some people take the Christmas specials so seriously. Some i can somewhat understand when they involve important plotlines for the overarching series, but ultimately when it comes to a Christmas special, i just want to have fun. I don't mind things getting a little bit silly and increasing the fantastical elements. This episode was very much a pinnacle of that for me.

[@jennifernorburg2441]

No, prefer Husbands of River Song, but prefer it to ANYTHING that comes after 2017.

[@0th_Law]

TBH, as an american, I didn't hear anything wrong with Lucy's accent.

[@eloquentornot]

I remember this episode came out right as I was starting to really love the concept of superheroes so it was super fun for me lol! Looking back on it after Spider-Man: Far From Home came out a few years later, it's funny that a fan of Spider-Man comics named the Doctor "Mysterio" as a compliment!

[@bobtomlin6813]

A great synopsis of the episode, well done. I agree with you allround Harbo, especially with your comment that it's preferable to 'Husbands of ......' agree 100 %

[@pettytyrant2720]

I think you are mistaken in saying this was trying to be on the tails of modern superhero popularity. It's nothing like modern superhero movies, it's clearly based on the 1970's Reeves Superman films, particularly the first one. And there is an odd xmas reason for this, I happen to be about the same age as Moffat and so I too have this odd association between those Reeves Superman films and Xmas. Back in the day, prevideo recorders even, you only saw big blockbusters on television if you missed them at the cinema, and the biggest films got saved for the xmas schedule. So for many years the only time you ever saw the Reeves Superman film was every xmas. So I can see why Moffat associated the two things.

[@cat_sanwich]

yeah I've got basically the same opinion as you on this one. I've never liked superhero movies at all and I actually had pretty negative expectations going into this episode but I ended up finding it very likeable and charming, and a sincere homage as you said, and still being sufficiently Doctor Who-ish. The characters are engaging and Peter Capaldi is wonderful in this episode. Definitely one of the most underrated episodes in the revival imo

[@Road_to_Dawn]

I remember when I first saw this one on the shelves at the store after a year-long gap. I rolled my eyes at the thought that Doctor Who did a superhero hype cash-in. And then I watched it and loved it! Genuinely a fun episode.

[@manny2248]

Im so excited to see bill, she is my favourite, season 10 is my golden season

[@Jiub_SN]

It's fascinating how rewriting history of today is so simple, a few passing comments about how this is modern because things used to be this way is enough to convince smart people like you that that's the truth. If you wanna know what I mean: Women in comics have never been portrayed as helpless in the way you believe them to be. While yes they were damsels in distress, they didn't have super powers. With Superman, his damsel was usually Jimmy Olsen, and with Spider-Man, Mary Jane was always capable in her own way. She was a "modern" for the time, being a smart and caring party girl and having flaws related to her childhood and was never portrayed as being just a damsel. Lois Lane was the same, and so were many many others. Basically, as with many things people of today seem to have the wrong idea about things because they see anything in the past as sexist because it happened in a time where sexism was more prevalent which isn't really true. The capaldi had this issue with Hartnell as well, portraying the first doctor as overtly sexist when he was never actually sexist , not in the manner that he was portrayed at least. I find stuff like this interesting, because I don't understand why it happens. Is it just confusion or ignorance, or is it some way to make us feel virtuous for being better than the people before us?

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I thought this was really sweet, and a breath of fresh air after the heavier emotions of the previous episodes (not saying they were bad! Far from it!). I didn't mind at all that the references were obvious even to someone like me whose last superhero film was Superman III (yes, that old). Sometimes Dr Who requires an episode when the viewers can just smile and relax.

[@kindachaos9775]

i really love this episode and i have no idea why lmao

[@vullord666]

Definitely not peak fiction, I thought it was a simple fun episode that really set the stage for series 10 which was absolutely needed after the emotional roller-coaster the last 3 episodes of series 9 were and the bittersweet Husbands of River Song. Plus it made me actually like Nardole and the ending did a REALLY good job of closing River's story (and series 9 as a whole) and moving forward.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

"Superheroes" We all have em. Who needs em? They're just like us.

[@Tyranniod]

It's not my favourite but it's fun and capaldi gets to stretch his comedic muscles.

[@GeriatricFan1963]

"Misunderstanded" is not a word.

[@jbcatz5]

I don’t know if it was an intentional inspiration by the costume designer, but the Ghost’s mask has vibes of Green Lantern Kyle Rayner’s, in that it’s more designed than the domino mask you’d get on the likes of Hal Jordan or Nightwing and comes off more like the crab mask artists probably would prefer he didn’t wear.

[@chriswagg1354]

I really have no idea why so many people don't seem to like this one...I loved it and see it as one of the best Christmas specials especially better than Husbands which as you say without the tragic ending is simply a fairly entertaining farce

[@hblancoramos6873]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Yah. Simple as it is. Has a good vibe. Is a great one shot. Is not pretentious *and* very self aware. If you have a super hero fan between your friends you can introduce them to Doctor Who with this, they will probably like the parody tone and vibe, like the premise, get blown away by better episodes, and you got a Doctor Who fan. Also has Goku. What more do you want?

[@rkah6187]

Funnily enough, my favourite episodes of Doctor Who are usually the simple, fun little episodes like this one. Yes, it's no 'Midnight' or 'Waters of Mars' but I am more likely to rewatch it because it's just nice and comforting. This and 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' are my most watched episodes.

[@hblancoramos6873]

@@rkah6187 This. "World enough, and time" is my favorite episode, but is not a one that I revisit often. The ones I revisit often, are the ones that are just a nice little ride. This has its merits.

[@dougsfilmtv9810]

I really like this story and I do love the superhero take in this story. I think the ghost is a good superhero name. I wonder if we could see Dr. Sim in Ncuti Gatwa's next series because I could see Russell continuing with this.

[@sbi168]

I've always liked this episode and I was shocked when I found out how most people don't like it. I always assumed it was partly due to the doctor who drought and partly the over saturated comic book movie landscape

[@ProxyExpy]

I actually missed this episode when I was binging 12; I realized I missed it after I had finished Twice Upon a Time, so I was ecstatic to get one last Doctor Who story with 12 (who is my favorite)

[@unityedits3722]

I also thought the Doctor was planning to visit the Ponds! Why else would he be trying to "fix time" around Christmas in New York, if not to reclaim his seat at their table?

[@BlueStarTwo]

I knew I recognised Grant from somewhere. Never noticed it was the same guy from DB: Evolution

[@caedusxix1445]

The Manhattan comment hit me, never noticed it before

[@alexcolson7662]

Might be a stupid question and may have missed awnser but if 12 got his memory wiped of Clara would that mean his memories of 11 with Clara would go to so did he never question how he regrenrated into 12 as would have no memory ?

[@ogpandamonium]

Capaldi had the best christmas/holiday specials, no-one else even compares

[@darkglasses87]

What source is there to say that the name 'Mysterio' came from Mexico? I thought it was from South Korea?? It also explains the choice of the Gimbap/sushi snack in the middle of the episode.

[@kommandantgalileo]

Can't wait for Series 10!

[@TheSpartanL106]

This was hated? I loved this one

[@evdomos]

While the special itself wasn't that great to me, I loved how Moffat tweaked Nardole in it and was thrilled when he became a mainstay in the next season. Bill and Nardole needed two seasons, Clara did not need three.

[@CyberSpider35]

For me Mysteryo will always assosiate with that stunt guy, Spider-man's supervillain, so I really prefer them choose some other name.

[@JoeyK3]

If 12th split of from Jodie, where would the "maybe" future spinoff start from !?! From the new Lore drop! Maybe start off with Bill getting split up from Heather & her journey to find The Doctor/A version of The Doctor...

[@TheMelloyMan]

I always forget the superhero in this episode is played by live action Goku

[@SuperRandoms.]

Nardol carries🥱

[@theruoc147]

Though I completely understand why someone may not like this episode. Particularly as a Christmas special. But as a comic book nerd I can’t help but have a soft spot for it

[@sarahberkner]

It was a great episode, people who didn't like it simply didn't see it. It's supposed to make fun of superheroes and I don't normally like superheroes and I liked this. And I"m making a video of this episode to Holding Out for a Hero from Shrek 2.

[@wrathofscorpias]

Am I the only one who remembers this as a smith episodes and not capaldi ?

[@maldon3659]

The only problem with the episodes title is that i think of the Spider-man villain Mysterio

[@BeersNFags]

I think the dislike towards this episode is pretty justified honestly, I mean I’m not even against a ‘superhero’ like story in Doctor Who but it was so unoriginal, forced and incredibly lacklustre. And they really should’ve made this an alternate universe cause a literal superman on Earth causes so much continuity problems in a show like doctor who

[@RedMadMichael]

I disagree, i very much think that Ghost is meant to sound robotic and awkward cuz Grant just had no idea what else to do to disguise his voice

[@ellisr.kinnear164]

I adore this. Top 3 Christmas Specials. Its so camp and its one of Capaldi's most fun performances

[@egg9495]

Personally I hated this ep 😂 but I'm already not a super hero fan

[@sparkingmarnie]

This episode is complete garbage. It's my least favourite episode of the entire revival.

[@happyfreightdawg]

Have you seen the current series?! The bar has lowered! 😞

[@selatidos]

why not a video explaining the "spy" master and if he comes after the lumiat is canon ,sorry i mean if really happened or not, i mean missy reedeemed some way but the dhawan master is crazy Psychopath in summary of personality again ,so why not a better video than the whole master story explaining if the recent master comes before(fan theories ) or after (the logic with big finish)missy

[@Drekal684]

... Really? People don't like that one? It's a load of fun, why would anyone dislike it? The worst special is, most likely... The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe. At least, in my view. That was a really, really bad one.

[@oxenford539]

forgot it existed

[@icarusandtherabbit]

Absolutely the worst Capaldi Xmas episode. Not underrated at all, total shite

[@brobro9169]

Once agen…just like everything in Capaldi’s era, this episode is unfairly hated since ppl never gave Capaldi a chance in the first place

[@jennifermcilvenny4630]

Yeah, Capaldi is my favourite doctor and I love his era. I do feel though that in the years since he left, more people are beginning to realise just how good his doctor was. It's just a pity he wasn't appreciated more when he was in the role.

[@selatidos]

class reviews along series 10 in 2024 ,please

[@androstempest]

One thing that occurred to me watching your vid was the false flag ending was also a major plot point in watchmen. Might have been worth a mention. Understanded? I think you meant misunderstood.

[@talonmage40k]

I loved that Christmas special.

[@tomski120]

Lil i watched this instead of ruby road. Great episode 👏

[@caseygibson7266]

I finally got around to watching it last year, I thought it was pretty good

[@nik9911]

Imma be honest, I didn't even know about this one

[@jefflol3446]

My favourite moment in the return of doctor mysterio is when doctor mysterio shows up and says “it’s mysterio time,” and mysterios all over the place

[@jimfranklin9770]

Agree.

[@bigmemvb]

In my opinion, it is definitly unfairly hated, but it's also not a great episode.

[@yalieyal4362]

Bro finally you got some good fucking takes like yo youre too much of a clara fan for us to agree on 7-9 but im glad that you like this underrated episode

[@RandomMan__]

YES I LOVE THIS SPECIAL! So glad HW did it justice.

[@lpc9929]

The the bacteria neuron microorganism the the bacteria. Sour cream harbors the fungus. The

[@androidaxolotl8311]

Did I just have a stroke?

[@lpc9929]

@@androidaxolotl8311 sour cream harbors the fungus. The

[@lpc9929]

Hey Alexa go to Google hey Google open Google search

[@Redboots]

honestly? the return of dr mysterio is possibly one of my favourite christmas specials. I think it works incredibly well as the lone episode of 2016, and if it had been attached to a series it would've been weaker. I don't know how to explain why I think that (mostly because I am incredibly hung over) but I just think it's neat

[@philiprandall9994]

When I first saw the episode, I thought it was certainly a slight improvement on what we had had the year before. Some bits were a bit stupid, but it didn't outright suck.

[@ruthalber4658]

Arabic story arc has a beginning middle and 12th doctor would say every any every bad thing happens but there is always good to so sit back pull up a chair and let's dive into this mess well that's what I'm saying

[@mathieuleader8601]

this episode would have fared better if it was set in the Land of Fiction

[@JLD22591]

Love this special. Love a good cheesy superhero story.

[@lasseehrenreich5502]

I love the episode. It was what got me back into Doctor Who after I stopped watching it after Capaldi's 4th episode. Super excited for next review.

[@redjirachi1]

This and Zamasu's dub VA was redemption for Dragonball Evolution

[@alanbeaumont4848]

It made no impression on me, unless you include apathy. Potentially great villains, everything else is dross.