Paul Evans It's Christmas Eve 1851, and the Doctor lands, with no companion, he encounters Rosita, searching for her Doctor, who turns out to be David Morrissey. The Doctor thinks he's his future self, but certain things don't quite make sense, a pocket watch may hold the key. New Doctor explains the Cybermen are at work in the area, aided by local Miss Hartigan. At the funeral of the local Reverend Miss Hartigan turns up wearing a bold red dress, and a Cyber attack takes place on the gathered guests, killing some and rounding up select members. They then round the children into the workhouse, with one aim, re birth of the Cyber king.There are quite a few surprises in store, the Cybermen pop up in some unexpected ways.I think the scene when Miss Hartigan attends the funeral in that red dress is one of the most visual I can think of in the show's history, it looks so good. The episode rather a fun romp. Dervla Kirwan is rather brilliant as Miss Hartigan. I must applaud David Morrisey, no wonder he was touted to play the Doctor, he was so brilliant, I loved his performance. A slight tease as Morrisey was tipped to take over the reigns of the TARDIS at the time. A Christmasy Oliver feel, the Children, the Workhouse etc. Not so sure about the Cyber King, it's a little bit over the top. Overall it's fun and quite heart warming. 7/10

Theo Robertson ... And that is the DOCTOR WHO specials are festive frivolity lacking in hard drama and substance .I'm sure everyone was looking forward to this Christmas special especially when it was announced beforehand that David Tennant would be leaving the show . Somewhat intriguingly the underrated David Morrisey was one of the bookies favourite to succeed Tennant in the title role and with a title of The Next Doctor this special must be a type of turning point for the series right ? . Add to this the return of the legendary Cybermen and what could go wrong ? Quite a few things actually First of all was RTD's script which is just basically a runaround with several aspects involving an ice maiden villainess , modified Cybermen , a Cyber-king and children from the work house . But none of this really jells . In many ways the plotting resembles that of a Hollywood blockbuster with spectacle overkill replacing everything else . A giant Cyberman stomping across Victorian London might be a good concept on paper but on screen it can be surprisingly dull There's also an aspect of cheating too when it's revealed that Morrisey's " Doctor " isn't in fact a future incarnation of the timelord but is something entirely different . It's interesting to note how perceived fan wisdom preferred the " doctor " performance of Morrisey but I disagree since he just comes across as an equally irritating version of Tennant's mockney geezer which I dislike . Morrisey performance improves when his character realises he's a mere mortal human DOCTOR WHO Christmas specials have quickly become national institutions since December 2005 but while they are welcome , and not to mention are massive rating success , they lack substance and I hope the next special the intriguingly named Planet Of The Dead will live up to the title of special

kevinprov I enjoyed the story, the pacing, and especially Morrisey's acting. I would not have a problem with him being the next Doctor, tho we now know who will be. I did also enjoy Dervla Kirwan as 'Miss Hartigan'. Oh, and to all those who say the show was too silly, I must remind you all that "silly" is at the very core of the show. Come on, lighten up. Its a KIDS' show. One aspect I did not like: I am getting tired of this ending, which has been used a lot lately. The Doctor gives the villain a chance to give up and live, or be destroyed; the villain does not give up; the Doctor kills the villain. Just this once I would have liked to see 'Miss Hartigan' repent/survive. After all, she was sort of a victim here, too. She never wanted to be CyberKing. Was she a villain, yes. Did she deserve to die, perhaps not. The Doctor could have thought of a way to save her. One reviewer mentioned the crassness of disrespecting a graveyard. I submit the producers/writers have also developed an indifference towards killing people off! Remember your audience, writers. Lots of kids watch this. (It IS a kids' show after all.) Shouldn't you be setting a better example?

Welshfilmfan This Doctor Who episode was featured as the main programme of the evening on Christmas Day 2008, I have to admit I'm not really a Dr Who Fanatic as I've only dipped in and out of the Current Series although I have found David Tennant The Best 'Doctor' of all time a huge improvement on Christopher Eccleston who made the character Too cocky and unlikeable.The Story starts as The Doctor (David Tennant) arrives in London during the Christmas of 1851.... He soon becomes puzzled as there seems to be another 'Doctor' (David Morrissey) along with his companion Rosita (Velile Tshabalala)Soon enough The Cybermen are on their tail along with a mysterious lady, Mercy Harttigan (Dervla Kirwan) and both men have to work together to defeat Evil and save the World.Pretty Good Christmas Fare - One of the better episodes****1/2 out of *****