**Steven Moffat Makes His Comeback to *Doctor Who* with Touching Christmas Special, “Joy to the World”**

Former *Doctor Who* showrunner, executive producer, and screenwriter Steven Moffat has successfully returned to the cherished sci-fi series with the captivating and emotional Christmas special, *”Joy to the World.”* This episode, which revolves around a Time Hotel, a solitary yet charming woman (portrayed by *Bridgerton* star Nicola Coughlan), and an enigmatic briefcase, has thrilled fans with its combination of whimsy and sentiment. Throughout the episode, observant Whovians have discovered a wealth of Easter eggs that reference everything from classic British television to obscure *Doctor Who* lore — even including a wink to *James Bond*.

One subtle nod, however, might have gone unnoticed by even the most passionate fans: an allusion to the beloved duo Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint, the detective pair hailing from Victorian London.

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### Who Is Madame Vastra?

Madame Vastra, a Silurian investigator frequently characterized as a “lizard-humanoid Sherlock Holmes,” made her debut in the Moffat-written episode *”A Good Man Goes to War”* (Season 6, Episode 7). Together with her clever and resourceful spouse, Jenny Flint, and their devoted Sontaran butler/nurse, Strax, Vastra has become a cherished figure in the *Doctor Who* universe. Renowned for her keen sleuthing abilities and her striking mix of scaly alien traits and Victorian attire, Vastra has made a lasting impression on the series.

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### Spotting Vastra and Jenny in *”Joy to the World”*

The Christmas special opens in a bleak environment: Manchester during the Blitz of 1940. Amid the turmoil of air raid sirens and burning structures, the upper-class Flockhart couple — Basil (Peter Benedict) and Hilda (Julia Watson) — share a serene moment in their residence. Basil nostalgically mentions knowing someone who once lived near the now-ruined cathedral, leading Hilda to suspiciously inquire if it was a woman. Basil responds, “Two women, in fact.”

Although the reference is brief and ambiguous, *Doctor Who* has a longstanding tradition of leaving hints for fans to piece together. While Vastra and Jenny are generally linked to Victorian London, might the “two women” that Basil refers to be a subtle wink to the iconic couple?

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### Steven Moffat Confirms the Connection

In a recent Zoom conversation with *Mashable*, Steven Moffat confirmed the speculation. When questioned about the Flockharts’ enigmatic reference, Moffat disclosed that the scene was originally crafted with Vastra and Jenny in mind, although the location was later moved to Manchester. “They could have been,” Moffat stated. “I mean, we’ve seen more extraordinary events in *Doctor Who* than people living in multiple cities. So we could have it, yeah. It could be. That it was [the intention], originally.”

With that, the connection is established as canon. While the Manchester backdrop may seem unusual for the Victorian-era pair, it corresponds with what fans have learned about Vastra and Jenny in other narratives.

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### The Fate of Vastra and Jenny

In the *Doctor Who: Redacted* podcast series, listeners uncovered that Madame Vastra thrived well into the 20th and 21st centuries, while Jenny eventually succumbed to old age. This timeline implies that, during the events of *”Joy to the World,”* Vastra and Jenny could have been nearby, enduring the ravages of the Blitz side by side. Given their tenacity and history of confronting remarkable challenges, it’s easy to envision the duo huddled together, braving yet another tempest.

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### A Celebration of Moffat’s Legacy

*”Joy to the World”* is rich with callbacks to Moffat’s past contributions to *Doctor Who*, including references to the Weeping Angels (*”Blink”*) and Vastra and Jenny (*”A Good Man Goes to War”*). These allusions showcase Moffat’s lasting influence on the series and his talent for crafting intricate connections that delight long-time fans.

For those excited to embark on this enchanting holiday journey, *Doctor Who: Joy to the World* is currently streaming on Disney+.

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**How to Watch:** *Doctor Who: Joy to the World* is available for streaming on Disney+.