And just like that, Doctor Who‘s 60th Anniversary celebrations come to a close – and what an ending it is. If last week’s Wild Blue Yonder was the calm before the storm, then this week’s The Giggle lays down the full force of a hurricane. Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Chanya Button, The Giggle offers a chaotic, barnstormer of an ending to this 60th Anniversary miniseries. Bombastic from its opening scene, packed with over-the-top performances and breathtaking action, and littered with one surprise after another, The Giggle is easily the most celebratory of the 60th Anniversary specials. But it’s not just a self-congratulatory fun-fest, no. Davies’ script pushes the Doctor and Donna to breaking point in a story that will change everything you know about Doctor Who – for better or worse.
Note: This review contains major spoilers for Doctor Who: The Giggle.
A Game to End All Games
As the Doctor and Donna land in modern-day England, they witness an apocalyptic scene of epic proportions. The human race has gone mad, leaving behind a trail of chaos and destruction. Everyone’s convinced their opinion is the correct one, any dissenting opinions be damned. And at the center of it all lies a sinister giggle, a giggle burrowed deep in the minds of humanity. And who else could be responsible for such a sinister giggle than one of the Doctor’s oldest foes, the mysterious Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris)? But how has he broken into our universe? And what havoc does he have in store for the Doctor’s favorite planet? It’s the Fourteenth Doctor’s final day, his final adventure. And it all comes down to this – one last game, winner takes all. But can the Doctor come out on top, or is this a battle he’s destined to lose?
The Giggle comes out of the gate swinging and never takes its foot off the gas. The episode races back and forth between modern-day England and Soho, 1925, where John Logie Baird (John Mackay) broadcasts the very first television image – a creepy puppet and its sinister giggle. And pulling the strings is none other than the Toymaker, playing a game of his own creation. It’s a bit of a mindbend trying to track exactly what the Toymaker’s up to and why. But at the center of the chaos is the Doctor’s guilt. Here, one of the Doctor’s biggest regrets haunts him in the most devastating of ways. Narratively, the episode is a bit all over the place – especially in the final act. But emotionally, it’s a captivating, often heartbreaking story about Tennant’s Doctor coming to terms with his trauma in the most compelling of ways.
The Doctor and Donna vs The Toymaker
Once again, it’s David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s absolute commitment to their roles that carries the entire episode. The mixture of fear, anger, and absolute desperation Tennant juggles throughout the episode is breathtaking to watch. This is the Fourteenth Doctor at his lowest, his most hopeless, facing a foe he last saw lifetimes ago. A villain with an axe to grind and, in many ways, one of his own making. Once again, Tennant wears his Doctor’s guilt on his sleeve. Here’s a man unafraid to grapple with the sins of his past, whatever the consequences may be. And it’s captivating to witness. Tate’s Donna, on the other hand, fades a bit into the background this week. She’s good, and watching her both comfort and chastise the Doctor remains genuinely moving. But really, this is the Doctor’s story; a story of redemption.
Then there’s Neil Patrick Harris’ Toymaker, a true force of chaos. As a villain, the Toymaker is as formidable a foe as the Doctor’s ever faced, filled with the Master’s penchant for chaos and a gift for manipulating reality to his whims. And Harris exudes that chaos with his trademark charm and whimsy. He’s clearly having the time of his life here, balancing high camp with a genuine menace. The Toymaker is one of those villains who could easily take on the Doctor, bound only by the rules of whatever game he’s playing. And Harris relishes in that danger, relishes in the way he can really push the Doctor’s buttons. In a way, his performance is reminiscent of Sacha Dhawan and Michelle Gomez’s turns as the Master/Missy. But Harris always feels wholly unique, delivering a villain worthy of the show’s 60th anniversary – even if the narrative greatly underutilizes him.
A True Celebration of Doctor Who‘s Past and Future
But they’re not alone in the fight, of course. Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), Shirley Anne Bingham (Ruth Madeley), and the rest of UNIT return to wage war against the Toymaker’s antics. Joining them is one of the Doctor’s old friends, Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford) – a friend of the Sixth and Seventh Doctors. And it’s so nice to see UNIT back and thriving – even if, once again, the episode doesn’t use them to their fullest of potential. UNIT, Mel, and the Lethbridge Stewarts are an important part of Doctor Who, and their inclusion feels both celebratory of the show’s past – and of its future. Here, Davies deftly lays the groundwork for storylines and characters that are sure to pop up in the Fifteenth Doctor’s upcoming seasons, unveiling his vision for this new Whoniverse.
For starters, you’ve got UNIT’s resurgence – newly rebuilt after the chaos of Flux and Power of the Doctor. And not only that, but they’ve partnered up with some mysterious alien known only as the Vlinx (voice of Nicholas Briggs). And then you’ve got Davies very blatantly teasing at future storylines like the Master being trapped in the Toymaker’s golden tooth, the unhappiness of the Meep’s boss, a mysterious being known only as “The One Who Waits”, and the imminent arrival of the Toymaker’s legion. Naturally, The Giggle doesn’t do anything with these teases, and their existence distracts as frequently as they delight. But it shows that Davies is thinking of the show’s future, laying the groundwork for Doctor Who to keep going for decades to come. And they are fun little tidbits, nestled deep within a deeply enjoyable hour of television.
Enter Ncuti Gatwa
But Davies’ script doesn’t just rest on its laurels. No, this is a story fully prepared to uproot everything you thought you knew about Doctor Who and push it in bold, new directions. Which brings us to Ncuti Gatwa’s introduction as the Fifteenth Doctor. Normally, when a Doctor regenerates, one actor wholly transforms into the next. But that’s not what happens here. Instead, after being shot by the Toymaker’s laser, the Fourteenth Doctor splits in two. One version remains as Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor and the other transforms into Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. Bi-generation; a Time Lord myth. Except, it’s not a myth. Now, two Doctors coexist at the same time: Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor, content to live a life of tranquility with his found family, and Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, flying off in search of new adventures. It’s a decision that makes narrative and thematic sense while also ringing hollow.
On the one hand, how else do you bring closure to both of Tennant’s eras than to allow his Doctor to have the one thing he’s always wanted – a family? And implying this unusual regeneration is the result of the Toymaker’s influence lends it credibility. But on the other hand, keeping Tennant’s Doctor alive risks undercutting all future Doctors. What’s to stop the show from just bringing back Tennant whenever it needs a new shot of nostalgia? It’s a bold decision, but it also feels too referential to the past. It works, but only just. And that’s a real shame because Gatwa is immediately captivating as the Fifteenth Doctor. Even while sharing the screen with Tennant, Gatwa commands focus. He’s charming, warm, and vulnerable in a way most Doctors have shied away from. A real breath of fresh air and, hopefully, a good sign of what’s to come.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The Giggle is as messy as it is delightful; a very Russell T. Davies Doctor Who finale if there’s ever been one. Narratively, it’s all over the place; far too fast-paced for its own good, hardly stopping long enough to properly explain itself or provide any depth to its chief antagonist. But on the other hand, it offers an emotionally satisfying farewell to a fan-favorite Doctor while also giving the newest Doctor ample room to stretch his legs. Whether or not the idea of a bi-generation proves to be a smart one remains to be seen. But it’s a bold decision, that’s for sure. The Giggle is a Doctor Who finale unlike any other and a worthy capper to this 60th Anniversary miniseries. And with the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, the future’s looking bright for Doctor Who.
Doctor Who: The Giggle is available now on Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer (in the UK). Doctor Who returns on Christmas Day with The Church on Ruby Road.
Bound to be divisive among longtime fans, "Doctor Who: The Giggle" brings the show's 60th Anniversary miniseries to a chaotic, bombastic conclusion. Narratively, it's all over the place, all at once rushed and underdeveloped. But on the other hand, it gives Tennant's Doctor an emotionally satisfying sendoff - one wholly different than his original departure nearly fourteen years ago. And, as a celebration of Doctor Who's past and future, it succeeds with flying colors.
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GVN Rating 8.5
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