Another era of the long-standing show draws to a close, and with it a return to past ages. To kick off a few major changes to the show and even to introduce a number of new ideas, we have a multi-Doctor story. A full one, connecting the classic series fully with the modern one - at least as fully as can be hoped given the decades that have passed. It needed to make this memorable as a result, to have it close out Capaldi's era and Steven Moffat's work on the series, set up a new status quo and leave room for an entirely new writer to take the reigns. They were facing an uphill battle no matter the outcome, and perhaps that's why the story opts to subvert expectations for better and worse.
The Synopsis
Kneeling in the snow, the Doctor fights against his body. Actively denying the constant push toward its regeneration, he tries to finally end it once and for all. Yet, his struggle is interrupted by an old and very familiar face: The Doctor. The First Doctor, the man who started it all. Yet, even as they begin to talk, they realise that events are in motion which shouldn't be. A mysterious force lurks about them, one capable of even trapping the TARDIS, and they seem especially interested in the fate of a mysterious soldier of the Great War.
The Good
It's very easy to quickly pick out what works with this episode from the start, with the Doctors being the most obvious here. While it has been a tradition for incarnations to bicker or even feud with one another (something Pertwee and Troughton turned into a fine art) the take here adds some real life to the story. The First Doctor and Twelfth are polar opposites of one another in every sense, from their mannerisms to values. This goes beyond the mere trading of insults to more of a commentary on how times have changed for the show. Social attitudes, styles and even how threats are dealt with are among the big ones, which help to show just how much the show has changed over the decades. Better yet, this isn't some one-sided exchange of comments. There's an equal level of banter from both sides, which is less a direct old vs new take than it is a clash of different experiences.
Much of the above works thanks to the actors involved. By this point, Capaldi needs no justification nor defending, as he is an excellent Doctor. Even in episodes which gained only a single star rating, he's the reason it kept that star in the first place. However, David Bradley proves himself a worthy successor to William Hartnell and Richard Hurndall in the role. While he clearly takes a multitude of ideas and inspirations from the former actor, he isn't above adding his own slight quirks and spins on the character. This was essential as, along with allowing Bradley to stand out, as well as preventing him from coming across like a simple replacement. Many of the best scenes stem from how Bradley conveys someone who is both younger and less weighed down by events than his later incarnations, but is still wise and caught in a moment of severe personal conflict.
Interestingly still, the story actively tries to subvert many tropes which have weighed down past regeneration tales. Typically these sorts of stories have been presented as the blockbuster events of the franchise, with each typically featuring all of reality at stake and a billion Daleks facing them down. While this sets up to follow that same direction, a twist takes it down a very different route. The benefit of this allows it to stand out from its predecessors and focus more upon character qualities, developments and conversations over running battles. There are certainly action moments, right down to a full battlefield, but it doesn't play out in quite the way you expect.
Easily the best part of the episode is how each incarnation comments and reflects upon the other. Whether it's the First Doctor discussing his departure from Gallifrey to Bill (Welcome back, by the way, Pearl Mackie) or the Twelfth being oddly set in his ways, you see how each made their mistakes but also won their victories. You also come to understand why they made their decisions, and it comes about with a message of respecting the past while at the same time celebrating the future. It's a remarkably well handled one, and the smaller moments of the episode serve as a reminder as to why the Doctor is needed, and all the good that his various incarnations have done over the centuries. From the small victories which led to massive improvements for all, to seemingly impossible feats no one could have hoped for. It's signifying an end of an era in more ways than one, but it isn't nearly so disrespectful as one might think, nor does it try to sacrifice the past to purely support the future.
The Bad
For all the good present, it isn't hard to pick out exactly what's wrong with the story. In fact, listing off every story error would make this review seem like a broken record. Nine-tenths of them stem from Moffat's old sins, and a number reflect the overarching issues with his attempts to build upon the mythos of the series. Perhaps the biggest one is how he has emotion and human commentary override basic continuity or even logic at many points.
To offer a minor spoiler as an example - Neither Ben or Polly show up in this past the introduction. While the two do put in an appearance and even have new footage provided via replacement actors, the second the fanservice is done they up and disappear without any excuse offered. It's not the result of the frozen time event, nor is even an offhand comment about the subject. They're gone and that's it.
This same flippant attitude towards basic continuity or trying to brush over big "we don't have to explain it" moments keeps cropping up as the story moves further and further along. While they are not obvious at first, by the time the third act comes into play, the flaws become extremely apparent. It's obvious that few to no answers will be granted to justify any points offered in the episode, and even major groundbreaking changes which should seriously alter fate are brushed aside. It's the same "Just because" attitude which has unfortunately served as a major hindrance to the stories of the past era. The sort which go beyond simple narrative convenience to moments of such rampant stupidity, it's impossible to ignore them. There's no single massive moment, no gigantic crossing of the line, it's a thousand tiny cuts in this regard which rapidly wear away at the script as it goes along.
Another definite problem is how the script itself is so visibly bloated. It doesn't reincorporate ideas, nor does it focus upon maintaining a singular cohesive action. Instead, it sprawls about, trying to jam in a bit more fanservice and shout-outs to get the fans on its side. These can be worked into a streamlined story, and we have seen such a thing in past episodes. Here though, they arise, have something happen, and are promptly discarded, each never to be seen again. At least part of this is almost certainly intended to help disguise the nature of the story. Yet, that doesn't fully excuse how it keeps struggling to maintain a clear focus upon its core message, nor how it actually keeps distracting from its main themes. In its effort to pull a bait and switch, and establish an entertaining alternate story, it ends up effectively being two very different tales. In a move comparable to The Angels Take Manhatten, you end up with a very good episode hidden away inside a rather bland if not outright bad one.
Perhaps the most pressing problem is how it, while trying to wipe the slate clean for Chris Chibnell's new era, may have left a great deal of baggage for him to cope with. This cannot be commented upon further until the next story is seen of course, or even just the next few years, but the ideas it abruptly introduces with little restraint seem like the sort of thing which should have a major impact for years to come. The sort of thing which might alter the entire history of the show, and even the fates of multiple companions, if not a multitude of massive storylines involving life and death. While this might sound petty, it's inclusion is one of a few which weakens the sense of desperation and real threat which can stem from the life and death struggles the Doctor faces. Especially the sort which require gaining information from those long gone.
The Verdict
Rather fittingly, Twice Upon A Time serves as a culmination of everything from the last few years. In fact, in thematic terms it could be seen as a reflection upon all that has come before it. The story is notably bloated, retains more than a few unnecessary scenes which exist purely for fan service and author appeal. It utilises the fairytale logic and moments of humour to try and gloss over major logical fallacies and inconsistencies, and there is an infuriating lack of answers.
Yet, for all that there is great characterization here. Bold, stark figures who play off of one another near perfectly, and a very balanced level of irreverence for past and future, while paying it respect when needed. The tale isn't unwilling to play towards the unconventional, and to take risks when it feels there is a better story to be told. Finally, it pushes to create moments which will stick in your memory. Send-offs, character discussions and arguments which culminate in a few excellent moments. It's a mess of a tale. but a beautiful one nevertheless. In that regard, it reflects wholly upon Capaldi and Moffat's contributions to this series to date.
This is hardly Moffat's best work, nor is it the highest note to go out on, but it is still the best regeneration story we have seen for some time. To what degree you will enjoy this will largely come down to the style of storytelling you favour, the "return" of the First Doctor, and the major twist toward the end. As overengineered as it was however, it's hard not to smile when the Doctor passes on a few words to his future self.
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