The 2024Doctor WhoChristmas Special marked Steven Moffat’s final stint as a writer on the legendary British series, and he found numerous interesting ways to communicate that in the episode, including referencing his firstDoctor Whoepisode. Scottish television writer Steven Moffat got involved withDoctor Wholong before the rebooted series even launched in 2005.Doctor Whoseason 14bore the hallmark of Moffat’s writing in the “Boom” episode and the Christmas Special signaled Moffat’s huge influence on the entire franchise with one smart and subtle Easter egg.
Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa has triumphantly ledDoctor Whoseason 14 as the Fifteenth Doctor, with his first appearance on the show in the last episode of the 2023 60th anniversary specials. Gatwa will be returning forDoctor Whoseason 15, but Steven Moffat confirmed in an interview withTV Choice Magazinethat he would not. This huge milestone in the BBC show was evident throughout “Joy to the World,” Moffat’s 2024Doctor WhoChristmas special episode, which called back Moffat’s brilliant “The Empty Child” fromDoctor Whoseason 1.
“Joy To The World” Contains A Clever Callback To Doctor Who Season 1’s “The Empty Child”
The 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special Called Back An Old Episode
TheDoctor Whoepisode “Joy to the World” recalled “The Empty Child” with one simple Easter egg. However,Steven Moffat’s lastDoctor Whoepisode referenced his legacyin a few different ways, including paralleling some of the atmosphere and tonality of “The Empty Child.“The main Easter egg signaling the circularity of Moffat’s tenure on the show was the Blitz posterin the lobby of the Time Hotel. This refers, of course, to the timeframe and setting of “The Empty Child,” which took place in 1941, at the height of London’s Blitz.
“Joy To The World” Is Spiritually Similar To Steven Moffat’s First Doctor Who Story
Steven Moffat Writes Symmetry Into His Doctor Who Episodes
“Joy to the World,” starring Nicola Coughlin as Joy, launched into many exciting threads that recalled Moffat’s firstDoctor Whostory. “The Empty Child” was the ninth episode of season 1 and had the Ninth Doctor, Billie Piper’s Rose, and John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness adventuring through London. It set up thecharacters ofDoctor Who’sseason 14for more intrigue in “Joy to the World” by introducing the planet Villengard.Joy and the Doctor encountered Villengard, who had some problematic and dangerous plans, in “Joy to the World.”
Doctor Who Doubles Down On Season 14’s Controversial Sutekh Ending With 1 Subtle Joke
Despite the backlash from some Whovians, the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special doubles down on Sutekh’s ending with an easy-to-miss joke.
Villengard is a planet and an organization inDoctor Who, with the organization taking its name from its home planet. This villainous weapon manufacturer has been a Moffat emblem since “The Empty Child,” reappearing throughout his episodes. As such, it makes for a perfect end to Moffat’s time onDoctor Who.“The Empty Child” and “Joy to the World” shared a tonality, in a sense. Both episodes had incredibly sentimental endings, which emphasized the end of an era in many ways. Steven Moffat will be missed in future seasons ofDoctor Who.
Doctor Who
Cast
Doctor Who: Released on August 19, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
