Steven Moffat Had A Better "Final" Doctor Who Episode Just 7 Months Earlier

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Doctor Who

Steven Moffat is one of only three showrunners to have been involved with Doctor Who since it was revived in 2005, but "Joy to the World" was not the best episode from the former showrunner in 2024. Doctor Who first began airing in 1963, and with that substantial legacy spanning more than 60 years, the show has seen countless writers come and go. However, in the modern era, there have only been three showrunners in the last 20 years helping to shape and guide the series.

Russell T Davies brought the series back in 2005, and he worked closely with a team of trusted writers to deliver episodes that saw the show come back from obscurity to the point of becoming a national treasure again in the UK. Then, Steven Moffat, another writer who worked under RTD during that early revival era, stepped up as the showrunner, and with his considerable success working on both Doctor Who and Sherlock simultaneously, the show soared to new heights. Now, with RTD back in the hotseat after a brief run from Christopher Chibnall, Moffat has also come back to write for the iconic series.

As A Final Doctor Who Episode, "Boom" Was A Better Exit For Steven Moffat Than "Joy To The World"

Boom Had A Stronger Premise For Doctor Who

Steven Moffat is no doubt an extraordinary writer, who has been able to create enchanting episodes of this sci-fi epic with incredible success. In addition to creating villains like the Weeping Angels, The Silence, and navigating multiple deaths of the Doctor, Moffat has a gift for storytelling. And often, he does not require a massive stage or setting, with plenty of special effects and other details, but he can craft a meaningful story around a single setting, or in small moments.

A composite image of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor reaching toward the camera with The Doctor and Ruby lounging in the TARDIS in Doctor Who

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And when watching his contribution to Ncuti Gatwa's premiere season of Doctor Who, "Boom," it's clear to see how well Moffat does this. The entire episode revolves around the Doctor standing still on a mine, or else he will explode, killing not only himself, but also all the nearby soldiers and refugees within a considerable radius. The episode is emotional, thought-provoking, and simple in its approach, which makes it a wonderful moment for Moffat to retire from writing for the series on a high note.

"Joy To The World" Still Works As Steven Moffat's Doctor Who Swansong

Joy To The World Is A Solid Doctor Who Christmas Special

To date, Steven Moffat has been the showrunner to write the single most holiday special episodes of Doctor Who. Despite handing over the role of showrunner to Chris Chibnall, he stayed on to write "Twice Upon A Time" when Chibnall was focusing on the incoming season starring Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. And now, despite RTD being the showrunner, he entrusted the responsibility of writing the 2024 Christmas Special to Moffat. And as incredible as "Joy to the World" is as a Doctor Who story, it's less of a final entry for Moffat than his previous story.

Showrunner	Number of Specials
Russell T Davies	7
Steven Moffat	9
Chris Chibnall	4

"Boom" has a connection to the rest of the season it was included in, and it even stars an actress who is set to star as the Doctor's new companion, but Doctor Who holiday specials tend to be slightly disjointed from the mainline series. However, it is a great example of Moffat's gift for storytelling, and taking small, ordinary details, and turning them into something magical. However, there is no confirmation that Moffat is done with the series at all.

Is Steven Moffat Done With Doctor Who? Don't Count On It

Steven Moffat Is Unlikely To Step Away From Doctor Who For Long

While Moffat took time away from the series when Chibnall took over, and he created some new original shows outside of the Whoniverse, as soon as RTD returned, he appears to have leaped at the opportunity to write for the show again. With two episodes already under his belt after just one new season, Moffat appears to be very happy to contribute to the series. Perhaps with the reduced responsibilities as a writer rather than the showrunner, he feels more freedom and flexibility, and still has time to focus on other projects.

Peter Capaldi, Ncuti Gatwa, and Matt Smith at Christmas

Do you prefer Doctor Who Christmas specials that are set in the past, present, or future?

Like any Doctor Who episode, the Christmas specials often rotate in terms of setting and time period. I personally prefer the episodes that are set in the present day, because it brings the Doctor to the same time as the audience. However, I did like how "A Christmas Carol" jumped across time, with the Doctor interacting with the younger and older versions of Kazran.

However, with no clear confirmation that he will be writing any future episodes yet, "Joy to the World" could be his final entry. But, considering how open and communicative and involved he has been in the press and marketing for the show, it feels inevitable that he will return again. All things considered, it appears as though Steven Moffat is not likely to stop working on Doctor Who any time soon, as long as the showrunners involved are happy to receive his contributions.

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The latest season of Doctor Who introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday. Their first adventure begins with "The Church on Ruby Road," where they face powerful new foes and unravel the mystery surrounding Ruby's origins. The Doctor grapples with the aftermath of a unique regeneration event and battles enemies more formidable than ever before.

Release Date December 25, 2023

Main Genre Sci-Fi

Franchise(s) Doctor Who

Cast Ncuti Gatwa , Millie Gibson , Susan Twist , Michelle Greenidge , Angela Wynter , Jemma Redgrave , Yasmin Finney , Anita Dobson

Character(s) Commander Millington , Polly , Gordon Lowery , Dervish , Wheeler , Radar Technician , Uncredited , Dr. Grace Holloway , K9 (voice) , Lieutenant Carstairs , Peladon , Chancellor Flavia , Curtis , Mike , Self , Ted Moss , Sarah Jane Smith , Miranda , Mykros , The Master , Arek , Megara Voice , Dodo Chaplet , Peter Warmsly , Jackson

Creator(s) Donald Wilson , Sydney Newman

Producers John Nathan-Turner , Innes Lloyd , Peter Bryant , Philip Hinchcliffe , Verity Lambert , John Wiles

Seasons 1

Writers Russell T. Davies , Dave Gibbons , Kate Herron , Steven Moffat

Streaming Service(s) Apple , Britbox , M , Dis

Directors Douglas Camfield , David Maloney , Christopher Barry , Michael E. Briant , Barry Letts , Michael Ferguson , Richard Martin , Peter Moffatt , Pennant Roberts , Lennie Mayne , Chris Clough , Ron Jones , Paddy Russell , Paul Bernard , Michael Hayes , Timothy Combe , Morris Barry , Gerald Blake , Graeme Harper , Waris Hussein , Rodney Bennett , Mervyn Pinfield , Hugh David , John Gorrie

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