Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road: Review

This latest Christmas special for Doctor Who is in many ways a reset for the show, a jumping on point for new fans who've been taken in by the Disney+ involvement in the long-running series.

It's also a signal of intent from showrunner Russell T Davies about the future direction of the series - but it's also a true Christmas episode that's less interested in serious edges, preferring to let the excesses of the season paper over some of the sillier portions of the story.

Mixing Gremlins with a tale of foster children, The Church on Ruby Road marks the introduction of Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday, a foundling whose heritage is a mystery (perhaps a sign of a series' arc being laid down by Davies). On Christmas Eve, after a series of bad luck moments, Ruby meets Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor and ends up on a collision course with a ship in the sky populated by goblins...

It's obvious where The Church on Ruby Road is going with its opening lines "Once upon a time"; the show's headed to fantasy, and elements of Time Bandits mix with the bluster and silliness of a Gremlins-styled chicanery throughout.

But in the middle of this fast-paced seasonal romp, it quickly becomes very clear that Davies' penchant for writing real characters in real social situations hasn't lost any of its edge.

From Ruby's mum being a foster parent to many children through to another mention of The Timeless Child mythology, Davies' quick carefree approach to coloring the characters and their backstories is obvious from the beginning. 

It's a welcome touch but throughout the episode, all eyes are really on Gatwa and Gibson.

Gatwa chiefly owns the screen from the start, carrying on the charisma that was obvious in The Giggle and presenting a Doctor who can go through a range of emotions and manic behaviours in just seconds, while continuing to command the mavity of a situation. But he's now also a Doctor who's most adept at human interaction, who's at ease with himself (largely) and less encumbered with his past. 

As a result, it feels like Doctor Who has become a more caring and compassionate show that weaves its strongest tales from a family dynamic and from a friendship.

Equally, while Gibson's Ruby will draw comparisons to Billie Piper's Rose given her no-nonsense approach to life in general, there's a sense she as she says is "still waiting for my life to begin" but is willing to try anything to kickstart it. Gibson's by turns, punkish, feisty and vulnerable - a perfect foil for the Doctor's companion.

While The Church on Ruby Road is not flawless (its resolution ultimately feels rushed), it is the perfect addition to the excesses of the Christmas season - an adventure that doesn't require too much from its viewers, but signals the show's intentions when it returns in 2024.

The Church on Ruby Road airs on the BBC on December 25, and on Disney+ worldwide from December 26.