Doctor Who fans were initially pleased to tune into the Christmas Day special on Wednesday, but some were left disappointed, claiming the episode was too “woke” and “political”.
The BBC aired its usual festive instalment, with Ncuti Gatwa back at the helm as the current Time Lord.
However, viewers were left baffled by a number of political references made in the episode, including the Partygate scandal.
Actress Nicola Coughlan made a special appearance at Joy in the instalment, but her character soon infuriated fans as Joy made a subtle dig at former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In an emotional scene, Joy explained to the Doctor how her mother had died on Christmas Day.
She added: “I had to say goodbye to her through an iPad because of the rules.”
Doctor Who fans weren’t all pleased by the Christmas special
BBC
The Doctor responded: “I bet you were good at obeying the rules.”
“She died on Christmas Day,” Joy continued, recalling how her mother had “died on her own because of the rules.”
“And all of those awful people with their wine fridges, and their dancing and their parties, and I listened to them, and I let my mother die alone,” she reflected.
Her character’s story is a clear reference to the scandal involving the Conservative Party during lockdown which saw some member admitting to socialising despite to social distancing rules.
Nicola Coughlan appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special as Joy
BBC
“Okay, did not expect this to become about Covid…?” one wrote.
“#DrWho isn’t #DoctorWho anymore #DoctorWhoJoyToTheWorld full of woke,” another fumed.
A third agreed: “FFS doctor who has gone mega woke on Christmas Day.”
“I’m sorry, huge fan of dr who BUT this was so woke and political , not a proper dr who story at all #DoctorWho,” one fan wrote.
“How woke can you get-Joy just happened to have a mother who was in hospital and Joy could only face time her because of “the rules” and then she died while “people were dancing” #DoctorWho,” argued a fifth.
“Yet more woke BBC/Disney b******s from #DoctorWho can we just go back to stories without political bulls***,” someone else raged.
Doctor Who fans accused the Christmas special of being ‘woke’
BBC
However, there were some fans who did enjoy the latest offering of the classic BBC show.
“Well I bl**** enjoyed that, Ncuti Gatwa nailed The Doctor here, Anita Benn joins the list of brilliant not quite companions and Nicola Coughlin was as excellent as ever.
“Well written and directed, well done all #DoctorWho,” one shared. (sic)
It comes as recent episodes have seen a similar backlash, with last year’s Christmas special inciting the same criticisms.
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