From ‘The Church on Ruby Road’ to ‘Joy to the World’: Doctor Who’s festive, wibbly-wobbly ride through time

Some introductions are cosmic. Others are downright spooky. Last Christmas, "The Church on Ruby Road" delivered both in spectacular fashion, marking the first meeting between Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday. This wasn’t your typical “hop in the TARDIS” moment. Instead, it was wrapped in folklore, timey-wimey twists, and a sprinkle of Christmas cheer—if your idea of cheer involves goblins and disappearing children.

Now, as we hurtle toward "Joy to the World," This year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, it’s time to reflect on the ghostly chills, emotional thrills, and unpredictable spills of the season gone by. So, allons-y, Whovians!

The Church on Ruby Road: A haunted start for a timeless partnership

Christmas on Ruby Road isn’t exactly cozy. The ancient church at its heart whispers secrets older than time, and strange things are afoot—like disappearing children and sinister goblins lurking in the shadows. Enter Ruby Sunday, a sharp-tongued, resourceful Mancunian whose life has been anything but ordinary. When she crosses paths with the Doctor, it’s not love at first sight—it’s more like skepticism at first sarcastic comment.

The Doctor, of course, is investigating the temporal disturbances emanating from the church (because where there’s trouble, there’s usually a Time Lord with a screwdriver). Together, they uncover that the goblins are harnessing an ancient artifact buried beneath the church to open time portals. Oh, and plot twist: Ruby has a personal connection to the artifact because she was the baby left on the church’s doorstep 20 years earlier.

Their dynamic is electric from the get-go. Ruby is quick to challenge the Doctor, balancing his erratic energy with her grounded pragmatism. By the time they seal the artifact and send the goblins packing, it’s clear this isn’t just another companion recruitment drive—this is the start of something special.

A season of growth, goblins, and goodbye

As the season unfolded, Ruby became much more than the Doctor’s plus-one. She brought heart, humor, and a refreshing dose of common sense to the TARDIS, whether she was saving space babies or outsmarting musical deities. (Yes, we’re looking at you, “The Devil’s Chord.”)

But in true Doctor Who fashion, all good things must come to an end—or, in Ruby’s case, a pause. Her decision to leave the TARDIS wasn’t about monsters or catastrophes; it was about reconnecting with her biological mother and rediscovering herself. It’s a rare kind of exit in a series known for heartbreak and drama, and it was all the more powerful for it.

Of course, this is Doctor Who, where time is a big ball of wibbly-wobbly… well, you know the rest. Ruby’s story isn’t over, and we can’t wait to see how she’ll pop back into the Doctor’s life.

Joy to the World: A Christmas special worth singing about

With Ruby gone, the Doctor is back to flying solo—until "Joy to the World." This year’s Christmas special introduces Joy, whose arrival promises to shake up the TARDIS in all the best ways. The setting? A fancy London hotel on Christmas Eve. The stakes? Probably apocalyptic, knowing the Doctor’s track record with “relaxing” holidays.

Early teasers hint at a festive adventure packed with humor, heart, and enough chaos to make you wonder if the TARDIS is powered by Christmas spirit. Joy might just be the dose of unpredictability the Doctor needs, and we’re ready for whatever wacky, wonderful shenanigans they get into together.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor: Allons-y meets fantastic

From his first moments in "The Church on Ruby Road," Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor has been a revelation. He’s got the eccentric energy of Eleven, the wit of Ten, and the emotional depth of Twelve—all rolled into one dazzlingly original package.

Gatwa’s portrayal balances whimsy with gravitas, giving us a Doctor who can crack jokes about goblins one moment and deliver a monologue about the weight of time the next. His chemistry with Ruby Sunday was nothing short of brilliant, and his ability to carry the emotional heft of the season proves he’s a Time Lord for the ages.

A TARDIS full of possibilities

From the haunted halls of Ruby Road to the promise of festive chaos in "Joy to the World,"
this new era of Doctor Who has been nothing short of a wild ride, reminding us that the Doctor’s greatest strength isn’t just running away from danger—it’s running toward connection, even when it’s messy, painful, or downright terrifying.

As we look to the future, one thing is certain: wherever the TARDIS lands next, it’s going to be fantastic, brilliant, and utterly bananas. Because that’s the beauty of Doctor Who—it’s not just a show; it’s an adventure. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.