2.2 - Better Watch Out

This story crosses the line between "story set at Christmas" and an actual Christmas story; but it does it in an odd way, since Liv and Helen are clearly engaged in an adventure set at Christmas, while the doctor is having a Christmas story. Not only does he repeatedly say it is his favourite time of year, but he sets out to teach the Christmas spirit to a landlord that seems to have escaped from a Dickens novel. Are hard working property investors really more evil than daleks?

This honestly could have been half the length, as the very good adventure of Liv and Helen keeps getting broken up with the Doctor's self indulgence and an awkward framing that hovers over the whole piece.

Much like "Master" the Doctor frames the story by trying to teach a lesson to someone. One can only hope that there is a payout for this in the next part.

The Doctor takes Liv and Helen to Salzburg for the Holiday Season on Krumpas Day, which is little more than a fun celebration on Earth. However, it becomes far more serious when the Imps come to claim the souls of anyone who have done wrong.

This is an absolutely solid story. While occassionally, Doctor Who will take a potentially terrifying idea and fail to deliver it, Better Watch Out really does deliver the great sense of atmosphere that makes the imps that their actions unnevering and the entire situation constituting a dark and scary story. At the same time, Paul McGann delivers an outstanding performance. He manages to show compassion as well as some chilling moments. The Doctor has some narration and its brilliantly performed by McGann. The story has several pieces that are a mystery including the man the Doctor is telling the story to as well as another situation of the story being told which is left open.

Overall, this features a superb performance by McGann and solid directing make this story a winner and closes with a great cliffhanger to set up the next story.

This story forms a two-parter with the next one and has all the characteristic attributes of a Christmas special, and little to no connection to Ravenous.Volume 1 or the Ravenous species.

Quite a few common traits with the TV episode 5.14 "A Christmas Carol." Some nice examples of "companion power". Some interesting choices in narration order. On the whole, nice to listen to, but nothing special.