Context
Aired in 2014 as the Doctor Who Christmas Special between Series 8 and 9, Last Christmascame from a mix of festive tradition and Steven Moffat’s usual dream-layered storytelling. The episode was written while the production team was still figuring out how to balance Peter Capaldi’s darker and sharper Doctor with the warmth expected from a holiday special. Steven Moffat wanted something both Christmassy and psychologically strange, with clear inspiration from Inception and Alien. Part of the script was shaped by the possibility that Jenna Coleman might leave the show at that time. Because of that, the episode was built to offer Clara a possible emotional exit. Even though she stayed, the emotional weight remained in the final version.
While the episode is less impressive from a budget or spectacle standpoint compared to the two previous specials, it focuses more on character-driven ideas. It works with surreal dream spaces, smaller sets, and moments that matter emotionally for the characters. This gives it a unique atmosphere built on tension, introspection and a bit of holiday magic.
Synopsis
The Doctor visits a remote Arctic base with Clara and finds a group of scientists under attack by dream crabs. These creatures trap people inside dreams, creating layers of false realities. Santa Claus appears to help, along with his elves, and the characters must figure out what is real and what is only another dream. Clara faces her own emotional struggles when she encounters Danny Pink inside a dream. By the end, everything seems resolved, but a tangerine left behind hints that they may still be dreaming or that Santa is real after all.
Review
Last Christmas is one of the strongest plot-focused Christmas specials in the show’s history. It blends the dream-within-a-dream structure of Inception with the more physical, creepy tension of Alien. The result is a story that feels tightly built, surprising and emotional. Instead of telling a single huge adventure, the episode forms a series of small self-contained story pockets. Each dream layer works like a short episode on its own. This makes the special feel inventive even though the scale is not as large as the previous years.
A major highlight is how the episode gives us a more light-hearted version of Capaldi’s Doctor. After a serious and sometimes cold first season, this special lets him be a bit more playful. Jack Frost’s Santa Claus is not as funny as expected, at least in my personal opinion. However, Capaldi fully carries the comedy. His dry delivery and timing offer some of the best laughs. One of his standout lines is “There is a horror movie called Alien? No wonder everyone keeps invading you.” Even simple moments, like the Doctor flying with Santa’s reindeer at the end, feel bright, silly and genuinely charming. They show a side of this Doctor that feels refreshing.
The episode also shines in Clara’s emotional storyline. Bringing Danny Pink back inside a dream is a thoughtful way to offer closure on their relationship. The dream takes place inside a warm house filled with firelight. This soft, glowing space feels familiar and comforting to Clara. It contrasts strongly with the cold Arctic base and the strange presence of Santa. Because of that contrast, the scene becomes very moving. It shows Clara trying to hold onto comfort even while facing fear, grief and confusion brought by the dream crabs.
One of the most meaningful parts of the episode is how it handles the relationship between the Doctor and Clara. In the season finale leading to this special, both characters lied to each other to protect the other person. In this story, they finally face those lies in a clear and honest way. There is no dramatic shouting. Instead, the episode allows their connection to rebuild through honesty. This moment becomes a turning point. It marks the start of real trust between them and helps define their relationship throughout the season that follows.
The ending is simple but very effective. The sudden appearance of a tangerine leaves the story open to two possibilities. Either the characters are still inside a dream or Santa Claus truly exists. Both ideas fit the episode’s themes. The existence of Santa is an important question throughout the story, and the final hint keeps that question alive without forcing one answer.
Overall, Last Christmas is a creative, emotional and memorable Christmas special. It may have less ambition in scale and visual spectacle, but it makes up for that with personality, strong character development and a smart plot. It balances fear, warmth and wonder in a way that feels special. It stands as one of the most interesting Christmas episodes of Doctor Who and remains a highlight of the Capaldi era.