The Enigmatic Conclusion of the Doctor Who Christmas Special

2023 Doctor Who Christmas special hints at the time-travel shenanigans of its third act right from the start, during the opening flashback.

The Fifteenth Doctor's (Ncuti Gatwa) future companion, Ruby Sunday, is left on a church doorstep as a baby on Christmas Eve. The Doctor himself arrives, suggesting that there are time-travel complications at play. Things take a dramatic turn when time-traveling goblins appear and seemingly erase Ruby from existence. The Doctor Who Christmas special's closing moments reveal the outcome of this intense situation.

Doctor Who Christmas special ending explained

“The Church on Ruby Road” ends with the Doctor rescuing baby Ruby from the goblins, restoring the original timeline (and her place within it) in the process.

The Doctor realizes something is amiss when grown-up Ruby disappears, and his concern grows when Ruby's adoptive mother and grandmother no longer remember her. He soon deduces that goblins went back in time to snatch Ruby on the night her mother left her at the church. This action has "cracked the timeline," and the Doctor is determined to set things right.

Traveling back to Christmas Eve 19 years earlier, the Doctor steps out of the TARDIS just as Ruby's mother walks away, mirroring the scene from the Christmas special's opening. Though he's unable to stop the goblins from taking baby Ruby, he is able to bring their ship back to Earth. The ship and its leader, the Goblin King, end up impaled on the main spire of the church, and the Doctor rescues Ruby. As the goblins' ship vanishes, the Doctor returns Ruby to the church steps, restoring the core timeline of the Whoniverse.

After completing his mission, the Doctor makes his way back to the TARDIS. Before leaving for the present day, he shares an emotional glance with Ruby's mother, whose true identity is still unknown.

Upon returning to 2023, the Doctor ensures Ruby's safety. Initially believing he is destined for a solitary life, he decides to change his mind and reunite with Ruby, setting the stage for their upcoming adventures in Doctor Who Series 14.

What happens in Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road’s mid-credits scene?

But the tale of “The Church on Ruby Road” doesn't end there. The Doctor Who Christmas special surprises viewers with an additional scene during the credits, introducing another intriguing mystery.

Ruby’s neighbor, Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson), engages in a comical conversation with local resident Abdul (Hemi Yeroham) after witnessing the disappearance of the Doctor and Ruby in the TARDIS. Abdul is understandably startled, while Mrs. Flood remains surprisingly unfazed.

After Abdul departs, Mrs. Flood turns to the camera with a smirk, asking, "Never seen a TARDIS before?" This indicates that Ruby's neighbor may have more knowledge about Time Lords like the Doctor than initially believed, although it could also simply be a light-hearted joke.

Stream Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road on BBC iPlayer (UK & Ireland) and Disney+ (everywhere else). Stay updated on the latest Doctor Who news and updates with Dexerto’s full coverage.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I found the ending of the Doctor Who Christmas special to be a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the episode. The time-travel shenanigans and the introduction of the goblins added an exciting element of adventure and suspense to the story. The Doctor's determination to save Ruby and restore the timeline showcased his heroic nature and emphasized the importance of protecting the Whoniverse. The mid-credits scene with Mrs. Flood hinted at a potential deeper connection to the Doctor and the Time Lords, leaving me intrigued and eager to discover more about her character in future episodes.

Overall, I believe that the ending of the Doctor Who Christmas special successfully captured the essence of the show, blending action, mystery, and heartwarming moments. It effectively set the stage for the upcoming adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby, leaving me excited to see what lies ahead for the beloved sci-fi series.