**The Comeback of *Doctor Who* with a Holiday Episode: “Joy to the World”**

The festive season has arrived, bringing with it the eagerly awaited comeback of *Doctor Who*. This year’s Christmas episode, titled “Joy to the World,” offers an enchanting mix of action, adventure, humor, mystery, and touching moments. Before even engaging with the storyline, there’s much to look forward to. The episode heralds the return of Ncuti Gatwa as the charming and canonically queer Fifteenth Doctor, includes *Bridgerton* star Nicola Coughlan in the leading role, and is written by former series showrunner Steven Moffat.

With Moffat collaborating with current executive producer and showrunner Russell T Davies, viewers can anticipate the type of enchantment that characterized earlier holiday specials such as “The Runaway Bride,” “Voyage of the Damned,” and “The Husbands of River Song.” Together, these two creative giants have crafted a Christmas episode that honors the season with themes of love, loss, and a timey-wimey quest to rescue Earth.

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### What Is “Joy to the World” About?

The episode commences with the Doctor (portrayed by Gatwa) once more traveling alone after returning his previous companion, Ruby Sunday, to her own timeline. However, his solitude compels him to visit strangers from various time periods: Manchester in 1940, Italy in 1962, and Everest Base Camp in 1953. Eventually, he finds himself in a modest (slightly rundown) hotel in London in 2024, where he encounters Joy (played by Coughlan), a young woman adorned with a beaming smile, festive attire, and plans for a solitary Christmas celebration.

Joy’s tranquil holiday takes an unexpected twist upon the Doctor’s arrival, drawing her into a mystery surrounding a peculiar briefcase that clings to her. The briefcase urges her to speak cryptic phrases: “The star seed will bloom, and the flesh will rise.” Eager to solve the riddle, the Doctor brings Joy along on an adventure through the Time Hotel, a fantastical establishment offering rooms that span all of human history—and even before. (Indeed, dinosaurs are included!) Throughout their journey, the Doctor must confront his own battles with loneliness and self-doubt.

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### A Christmas Story of Isolation and Connection

At its essence, “Joy to the World” delves into the subject of loneliness, illustrating that even the Doctor, equipped with two hearts and the power to navigate all of time and space, cannot escape feelings of seclusion. In one notably poignant moment, the Fifteenth Doctor meets a future version of himself and erupts in frustration: “Do you get it? This is why no one cares for you! You always have to be enigmatic. That’s why people abandon you. That’s why you’re perpetually alone.”

While the Doctor’s statements aren’t entirely accurate—he’s been valued by countless companions, allies, and even adversaries (a nod to you, Missy)—they reflect a form of self-doubt and anxiety common among many individuals. This scene emphasizes how fear and insecurity can warp our self-image, leading us to the bleakest beliefs. For the Doctor, known for evasion, this moment requires him to face his inner conflicts.

As the episode progresses, the Doctor is nudged out of his comfort zone, remaining in one place and building a meaningful bond with Anita Benn (portrayed by Steph De Whalley), the hotel’s desk clerk. Anita perceives him not as the fabled time traveler but as an eccentric individual who revels in puzzles and whimsical tales. Through their companionship, the Doctor begins to view himself differently. By the conclusion of the episode, he manages to help Joy confront her own fears and self-imposed solitude, resulting in a heartwarming conclusion for both characters.

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### Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa Shine Brightly

The cast of “Joy to the World” presents remarkable performances, yet it’s Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan who genuinely captivate the audience. Gatwa’s limitless charisma pairs perfectly with Coughlan’s luminous presence, creating an electric dynamic on screen. As their characters engage in both conflict and collaboration, their chemistry injects humor, warmth, and emotional depth into the narrative.

Coughlan’s interpretation of Joy is especially noteworthy. With her expressive features, sparkling blue eyes, and festive red beret and coat, she embodies the essence of the holiday season—its warmth, desire, and bittersweet charm. Whether she is sparring with the Doctor over the nuances of time travel or confronting the emotional peak of the episode, Coughlan’s performance is both enchanting and sincere.

Together, Gatwa and Coughlan traverse the peaks and valleys of their adventure, emerging transformed. The episode’s finale is sure to tug at your heartstrings.