Doctor Who: I thought one of the elves looked familiar but in looking him up (he was in Misfits), I discovered that the other elf (who I did not recognize at all) also plays Strax!

Doctor Who: I was so bummed that they said tangerine rather than satsuma!

I discovered that the other elf (who I did not recognize at all) also plays Strax!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Whaaaaaaaaaaaat.

That was generally fun but holy God Moffat how many times can you use the same trick. (I actually kind of admire how many different variations and tweaks he's been managing on the same concept for years—and this one turned into something else entirely—but it's also kind of tiring.)

I was also mildly miffed that the lady scientists turned out not to be actual lady scientists. I liked Shona, though. She should find Clara and hang out.

So, I was pretty unimpressed by last year's Xmas special and subsequent first episode of Capaldi's Doctor, so I didn't watch the rest of the season till yesterday in preparation for this year's Xmas special.

To my surprise, I really liked the season! I think it's my favorite since Moffat took over. I enjoyed last night's episode - it was relatively straightforward plot-wise, which gave opportunities for some great character moments and emotional beats. I was glad that Clara (and us, I guess) got a little closure with Danny Pink. I love him, and loved his character arc.

Going through 1500 Boxed Set posts, I came across this:

Ichabod Tours Microbreweries with Nora and Drinks.

Ahahahaha! Thank you for thinking of me in your awesome list of Ichabod activities, Teppy.

I have a lot of thoughts on the overall season, because of the mainlining of it. I thought it was structured well and was well focused.And well executed. I liked that Clara finally had a character arc that was independent from the Doctor and a, you know, actual character. I love, love, love Capaldi's Doctor. And I thought that the dynamic between him and Clara was super interesting.

And of course, Danny Pink.

I actually want to go back and rewatch the season, and I haven't felt like that for a very long time.

Minor fun point: The line about "I told you Mr. Pink was OK so you could go to Gallifery" "I told you I'd found Gallifrey so you could spend time with Mr. Pink" - had to be a reference to O'Hnery's "Gift of the Maggii" (sorry till I get new tablet many many more unccrrect typos than usual._

Typo, I thought the same thing. Heh.

Nora, yeah, this season was pretty well done, and I really liked Clara. I'm glad the rumors that she was leaving in this episode weren't true.

had to be a reference to O'Hnery's "Gift of the Maggii"

Yes!!! I was wishing one of them had actually referenced it since I would think at least one of them would have read it at some point.

Given that they actually referenced the movie Alien to hilarious effect.

I really enjoyed that. Agree with all P-C said - yes, Moffat has yet another monster that depends on tricks with perception. It's a great trick though, and kind of appropriate for a TV executive to be coming up with.

Also, he has a habit of making stories that run on story logic rather than real-world logic. Sometimes I mind that (In the Forest of the Night especially) - at its worst it comes across to me as talking down to children - but here it worked for me. Partly because it was lampshaded, largely because a dreamscape story is kind of perfect for that, lastly because it's a Christmas special.

Oh, another trick he's used before, using repetition to indicate 'something is very wrong here'. Compare "It's a long story" to Asylum of the Dalek's "Where did you get the milk?"

Also agree about the women scientists. I mean, sure, in a comforting dream you're going to dream yourself up, not down; but still. (Conversely, of four scientists, three were women, the guy was a creeper and treated as such, and he was the only one to bite it. So there's that, I suppose.)

To my surprise, I really liked the season! I think it's my favorite since Moffat took over.

Me too, unquestionably. Especially thanks to Clara's character arc. The fact she had one is a huge advance, and it was a corker. She's now my favourite new Who companion. (Not sure where she's going next season, she could have a very satisfying exit at this point - but unlike after last year, I'm kind of eager to find out.)

More generally, I do think Moffat's been much better on gender this season compared to his first three, most apparently in Clara's character. I'm becoming better disposed towards the Eleventh Doctor's tenure over time, but Nine and Ten were must-watch TV. Eleven was just pretty good TV. This last season was must-watch again.

Oh, a bit of trivia: the male scientist was played by Michael Troughton, the son of Patrick Troughton (the Second Doctor). His older brother David is one of the few actors to have appeared in both classic and new Who.

More generally, I do think Moffat's been much better on gender this season compared to his first three, most apparently in Clara's character. I'm becoming better disposed towards the Eleventh Doctor's tenure over time, but Nine and Ten were must-watch TV. Eleven was just pretty good TV. This last season was must-watch again.

Yep.