'Doctor Who' Recap: 'Twice Upon a Time'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

I suppose that if there is one word to properly describe the Doctor Who Christmas Special as a whole, it would have to be bittersweet. Because despite all the heroic and uplifting moments we’ve witnessed the Doctor perform during these particular specials, they have also signaled the end of incredible eras for incredible doctors and while they often times go out like champions, doing amazing things that save entire civilizations, make no mistake about it, it’s an utterly heartbreaking experience to say goodbye to them, regardless of the fact that we know the Doctor will continue on by way of Regeneration.
 
What makes their farewell so incredibly heartbreaking is the sheer fact that we find a way to connect with each and every Doctor we are introduced to. Something about them simply resonates with us on a deep and personal level and that makes the goodbye all the more difficult when the time for them to depart has finally arrived. It’s why we see fans lament Regeneration openly on social media and why we all watch these specials with baited breath because we know the end is coming and last night, the clock struck twelve for the talented Peter Capaldi, who said his own farewells to the series in his final performance as the Twelfth Doctor in ‘Twice Upon a Time’.
 
So, let’s just get it out there right now…this finale was as the Thirteenth Doctor put it, ‘brilliant’, simply due to the fact that this was by far the boldest Christmas Special I’ve seen when it comes to the modern series. Because this particular special, didn’t deliver some impossible task to save the universe, instead this story turned out to be nothing more than a powerful character study. One that took the time to answer a question that has plagued Steven Moffat’s Doctor for the entirety of his existence, as to whether or not he’s a good man, and as an added bonus, it also had an inspiring message to deliver unto the audience as well, when it comes to the notion of letting go of the past.  

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​It accomplished all of this, by forcing the Doctor to stare down the possibility of true death for the second time in his existence since The First Doctor was pondering upon skipping regeneration as well, but for vastly different reasons, and that’s where the story quickly piqued my interest. Because as it turns out, the First Doctor contemplated the end simply due to the fact he was struggling with an important question; as to how exactly good can succeed in the universe and well, and that question gave me some serious pause because it was the first time that I can recall where the Doctor viewed the universe as a bitter and ugly place where things rarely go right and it was refreshing to hear him say such a thing, and that his question led to so many enlightening moments for the Doctor as well.  
 
Because the reason that good succeeds is because there are men and women in this universe that don’t believe that Evil should prosper in the slightest and the Doctor is of course one of those people, and seeing the good that Twelve does in this episode, is what inspires The First Doctor to go on and regenerate…and oddly enough, One’s decision to do so and why, is what finally answers Twelve’s burning question. Because One finally saw what he would become, a good man, one that gave his all to make sure that evil will not succeed in the universe, and after coming to realize that his past iteration viewed him in that manner, and after some fine prompting from those that meant the most to him during his existence…Twelve finally relented, and let Regeneration take its course…
 
If anything, this was truly a magnificent way to say goodbye to Peter Capaldi. Because not only did it wrap up every storyline he’s ever dealt with, it let Peter truly shine and deliver his finest performance as the Doctor and I love how intimate this story was when it came to Twelve’s struggles, and I also like that it had something to say to the audience about letting go of our past to move forward. Either way, this one was a tear jerker through and through, and sadly, Twelve’s time has finally come to an end and we will have to wait to see what incredible adventures await a new Doctor and a new era of the show, and I might add, if the tone and design of the Thirteenth’s Doctor introduction are any indication of what’s to come, we are in for the quite incredible treat. However, while we wait for Jodie Whittaker to take control of the TARDIS, we can bask in the glow of a beautiful story that reminds us all that we are the difference between what makes the world a good place or a bad place with the acts we perform every day and sometimes all it takes to make the world a better place…is to simply be kind. Until next time. 

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