Rewatching Doctor Who: The Snowmen

[vivdunstan]

Continuing my Matt Smith rewatch and it was time for this festive episode. It has the fairy tale quality typical of so much Steven Moffat storytelling, but in a rather more straightforward way, and refreshingly historical. It's interesting that the Doctor isn't present for so much of the early portion of the story, which in itself is reminiscent of the approach taken in The Christmas Invasion. This time he's almost introduced as a side kick of Vastra and Jenny, who are initially more prominent. And of course the episode revolves around the Victorian version of Clara. Who is a sparkly mix of Cockney barmaid and prim governess, and oh so very smart. With more than a hint of Mary Poppins. Part of me wishes we could have kept her as the companion. It would be nice to have a companion again from a historical time. And she was so very perfect for the role in personality. But almost too perfect, and doomed to die. But then come back in another form ... The ending is heart rending, but again with hope. And there are also some gems throughout, not least the early memory worm scene with Strax, which is so very, very funny. And Ian McKellen in a voice role. Plus the lovely nods forward to Second Doctor story The Web of Fear.

I was trying to decide if this episode or the previous one - The Angels Take Manhattan - was my favourite Eleventh Doctor one. I oscillate between the two. But right now I'd go with this one. Magical festive set Who, with a fresh introduction for the Doctor, a sparkly Doctor-companion repartee, and added Paternoster Gang. Not exactly typical Matt Smith era Who, but I just love it.