The upcomingDoctor WhoChristmas episode has been teased by writer Steven Moffat, and it rings a few bells for another Matt Smith story from earlier in the show. TheDoctor WhoChristmas episodes are always a magical affair, with holiday themes and wacky one-off adventures. Traditionally, these episodes feature snow, frequently adapt a classic Christmas story, or simply take place at or around Christmastime.
However, Steven Moffat has been tasked with writing the 2024Doctor WhoChristmas episodeby showrunner Russell T Davies, and in a recent interview for the BBC,Moffat let slip some scintillating details for the upcoming adventure. While his comments only give away what adds up to essentially the logline of the episode, it’s enough to bring another episode from Matt Smith’s era, which was headed up by Steven Moffat as showrunner, to mind.
The Hotel Premise Of Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Episode Sounds Similar To “The God Complex”
Doctor Who Crossing Over With Itself
Moffat depicted a scene where a hotel had gained access to time travel. He speculates on what such a hotel would do with this remarkable power, and then answers the question, by stating that they would fill their vacant rooms with people in need throughout time. This certainly feels like the type of thought experiment oriented episode that Moffat enjoys writing most, and so it makes perfect sense that he would create a narrative around this idea, but itdoes resemble the 2011 episode, “The God Complex.”
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In “The God Complex,“Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctorfinds himself trapped inside a large mysterious hotel with a group of eclectic aliens from around the galaxy. Before long, he comes to understand that the hotel has something clearly wrong with it, and the guests who remain are running scared due to the presence of some evil monster. As it turns out, this creature is an alien Minotaur, feeding on the nightmares and fears of the guests, andpopulating each room with the most terrifying scenarios possible.
Obviously, the shape of the episodes could be quite different, with one episode relying on a psychic induced vision, and the other employing actual time travel science, but the similarities are evident. There have been several episodes that feature hotels, such as the recent “Arachnids in the UK,” from Jodie Whittaker’s era, but thepresence of rooms that change to suit guestsis a commonality between “The God Complex” and the 2024 Christmas special, “Joy to the World.”
Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Episode Will Have A Key Difference To “The God Complex”
Doctor Who Isn’t Quite Repeating Itself
While the two episodes clearly have some things in common, it’s also true that there will be notable differences. For one, theChristmas episode is likely to be a much lighter, more enthusiastic, and fun episodeofDoctor Whothan the dark broody mystery featured in “The God Complex.” The Christmas episodes tend to draw in massive amounts of attention from families around the UK and beyond, even those who do not watchDoctor Whoon a regular basis.
As such, it needs to be a solo adventure, and it needs to be a fun, family-friendly event that won’t send the kids to bed with nightmares. As seen in the clips so far, the episode will have plenty of exciting twists and turns, and is sure to be a delightful and engaging adventure for everyone to enjoy. And on top of that, theDoctor Whoepisode is being written by Steven Moffat, as opposed to the writing duo who worked on “The God Complex.” Moffat is never short on ideas, so “Joy to the World” is unlikely to pull inspiration in large parts from earlier episodes.
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Ultimately, the Christmas special stands apart from much of the rest ofDoctor Who. Moffat has had plenty of experience delivering these special episodes in the modern era, and that experience and creativity will surely come out in the episode. Whatever twists and turns await, “The God Complex” is likely to be a far cry from the upcoming episode, especially when considering the look and feel of the recently released sneak peek from the BBC’s Children in Need fundraising special. So strap in for a spectacular adventure inDoctor Who’s2024 Christmas special, “Joy to the World.”
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Doctor Who: Released on June 18, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
