The BBC recently teased a glimpse of the Doctor Who Christmas special, showcasing the Fifteenth Doctor's (Ncuti Gatwa) initial meeting with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Titled "The Church on Ruby Road," the special signifies the Fifteenth Doctor's inaugural complete adventure, subsequent to his introduction in the final Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, "The Giggle."
Ruby will make her debut as the Doctor's new companion in Doctor Who Series 14/Season 1, with her mysterious past set to play a crucial role in the upcoming episodes. According to the official "Church on Ruby Road" synopsis, Ruby was abandoned as a baby on Christmas Eve and is currently living with her adoptive mother and grandmother when she encounters the Doctor.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor meets Ruby Sunday in hilarious new Doctor Who clip
Fans got their first glimpse at said meeting courtesy of a recent preview clip posted by the official Doctor Who X account.
Prepare to meet the Doctor and Ruby! Don't miss the exclusive preview of 'The Church on Ruby Road', premiering on Christmas Day #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/HyFrrZ6YnY
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 15, 2023
Ruby is seen clinging to a ladder hanging from an unseen aircraft, with the Doctor racing alongside her on the rooftops. He scolds her for risking her life, but Ruby explains that she is pursuing a kidnapped baby. The Doctor then joins her on the ladder, and they exchange introductions. The clip ends, leaving fans to wonder about the duo's future adventures.
The Doctor Who Christmas specials bring goblins to the Whoniverse
Plenty of assistance has already been provided in this area. The BBC is consistently putting out a variety of content related to the Doctor Who Christmas special leading up to the release of the bumper-sized episode. This content includes numerous first-look stills, some of which feature the special's villainous goblins.
The goblins are believed to be the ones who kidnapped the baby mentioned in the preview clip. This theory is supported by "Goblin Song," a creepy tune about stealing and eating children that the goblins perform in "The Church on Ruby Road," which has already gained a devoted following among fans of the franchise.
One fan even referred to the campy song as the "Best Christmas song ever," while another expressed a wish for Janis Goblin, the lead singer of the goblin band, to stow away on the TARDIS. "Just have her and some goblin backup singers sneak aboard... and the Doctor can never get rid of them," the fan requested. "They just sing at really awkward moments."
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of Doctor Who, I am thrilled about the upcoming Christmas special and the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. Gatwa's portrayal of the Doctor is sure to bring a fresh and exciting energy to the series, and I can't wait to see how he interacts with his new companion, Ruby Sunday. The sneak peek clip released by the BBC has only heightened my anticipation, and I'm eager to learn more about Ruby's mysterious past and how she came to meet the Doctor.
The inclusion of goblins as the villains in the Christmas special adds an element of whimsy and danger to the story. The "Goblin Song" is particularly catchy and has already become a fan favorite. I appreciate the show's ability to blend humor and horror, and I'm excited to see how the Doctor and Ruby will face the threat of the goblins. Overall, I have high hopes for the Doctor Who Christmas special and believe it will be a festive treat for fans of the series.