christmas carol doctor christmas carol episode british science fiction television programme doctor sixth doctor christmas special programme revival broadcast december bbc making episode premiere day united_kingdom united_states written directed episode newly companions trapped crashing space liner caught strange cloud belt doctor lands planet meets man control cloud layer refuses help inspired christmas carol episode doctor attempting use time travel alter past save spaceship enjoyed writing episode fan story story features flying sharks fish things afraid child episode features acting debut welsh singer sang episode song written specifically christmas carol filmed july august mainly sets designed new set designer special seen million viewers received generally positive reviews critics plot synopsis space liner carrying passengers including honeymoon loses control passing strange electrified clouds human inhabited planet doctor summoned amy unable use tardis save ship instead lands planet discovers centre large city influencing atmosphere owner bitter old refuses operate controls allow ship land safely doctor observes fear father built creates scheme inspired christmas carol ventures past meets kind hearted young boy interested unique properties planet atmosphere allow fish swim doctor experiments leading shark entering room doctor sonic doctor able recover shark wounded effort unable swim atmosphere offers solution taking father kept people storage security loans including young woman released sings shark doctor uses unit transport shark atmosphere doctor return storage promises christmas eve doctor keeps promise tardis jump forward year helping reunite watching relationship falling love eventually kissing visit tells young adult secret requests doctor end practice keeping storage indefinitely old present pleased new memories remains bitter fate refuses help save ship result doctor actions instead cruel bitter soon visited images ship crew present observing effects singing crew singing christmas sound frequencies helping ship prevent crashing amy appears help waves away doctor appears future care dies old reveals disease entering day live decide day doctor believing change mind unbeknownst doctor brought young bitter future self resembles feared father causes change heart making memory future self version ghost christmas come quickly agrees release controls save ship doctor finds changes past locked controls doctor solution having sing half broken sonic half shark atmosphere disrupt storm allow ship land safely releases knowing time understands believes time share christmas day plan works successfully resulting cloud break creates snowfall falls city doctor amy prepares young past old enjoy shark led carriage ride continuity earlier outfits series appear christmas carol wears outfit eleventh hour wears roman outfit seen opens christmas doctor spend present long fourth doctor trademark appear item clothing doctor fond big bang controls means use mars tardis controls said subsequent adventures feature retained ignored plot demands production writing writer head writer executive producer series wanted special previous christmas special darker usual led tenth doctor regeneration stated excited writing laughing christmas songs april stated christmas carol probably favourite christmas story lent doctor aspect similar time travel story pointed doctor intentionally based reform story exists character doctor universe having appeared episode dead concept sky shark based childhood fear sharks evolved swim outside water noted unlike villains found doctor completely wicked instead damaged character doctor recognises demonstrates inability hit little boy reminding father beat allowed doctor want change past soul phrase halfway dark episode reference fact hard winter metaphor casting starting episode achieved regular status british actor cast role casting director believe available surprised accepted role smith honoured work stated distinguished actor imagine fact means known millions children played boy young adult director said acting came naturally captured story drew audience episode features acting debut welsh singer shortly 30th birthday june asked accepted unaware acting experience originally interested acting thought like try doctor iconic producer believed perfect fit role nervous found doctor team encouraging supportive believed act right thing came filming effects read took place cardiff thursday july production started july lasted august episode marked debut new set designer worked create town incorporating elements needed society shared daily life fish nearly windows town round reminiscent submarines structures metal filmed local steel works study designed large spent scenes feel walls intended look like copper turned green combined red created christmas colours red green painting father created taking picture lightly printing canvas painting details controls inspired church organ doctor scene episode falling chimney presenting smith pleased entrance character noting similarities doctor performed scene scene sky fish sonic tapped pen create effect fish maintain secrecy episode plot model shark given scenes characters ride air pulled flying sharks filmed fact crew members forth wind machine created effect flying air impossible film underneath miniature model shots underneath computer generated effects music episode features song specifically written titled song script written song unique specific doctor composer contacted write song demo sang song filming actual scene thought look natural sang final version new lighter arrangement composed selected pieces music special composed gold released soundtrack march broadcast reception christmas carol broadcast united_kingdom bbc christmas day according overnight figures christmas carol tied come fly second watched programme christmas day united_kingdom average viewership million peaking million final rating bbc making episode fourth highest rated entire canon series revived previous specials voyage damned million doctor million end time million christmas carol highest rated week ending december addition watched bbc making eighth downloaded december special appreciation index christmas carol episode doctor broadcast day united_kingdom united_states united_states viewers watched christmas carol increase previous holiday special special broadcast canada space december australia day overnight ratings viewers critical reception episode received generally positive reviews guardian described episode triumph website den geek applauded taking easy way adaptation saying mad undoubtedly treats source material respect wondered young children enjoyed christmas carol adults gave special naming best doctor christmas special seen praised smith actors playing younger thought given commented ethereal presence lovely voice actress sfx gave episode half stars explaining moments adult christmas special given complex story telling techniques plot driven characters mind bending concepts praised debut smith described force nature screen ign rated episode describing clever remix christmas carol praising smith writing squad praised woven story mtv called easily best episodes series modern era populated right humor drama sentimental reverence classic story inspired narrative zap2it said enjoyed christmas carol special aired series restarted thought parts absolutely silly absolutely frantic pace considered amy responsible heavy laughs left doctor delight episode daily_telegraph enthusiastic episode saying started nicely time singing shark thinking old like got kick beginning episode thoroughly end christmas carol nominated hugo award best dramatic presentation short form lost preceding series finale opens big bang dvd blu ray release christmas carol released dvd blu ray standalone region january followed region release formats february contained associated doctor confidential episode cut version doctor special included complete sixth series box set released november region november region christmas specials christmas invasion christmas inclusive released titled doctor christmas specials october
A Christmas Carol (Doctor Who)