Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Doctor Who special, and “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” duly arrived to fill our screens. Expectations were, perhaps, tempered this year, and rightly so for some seasoned viewers. The trailers hinted at a superhero theme, a direction that might raise eyebrows amongst long-term fans who have witnessed the show’s many evolutions. Is Doctor Who simply following trends by embracing superheroes, especially when its history involves deconstructing and reimagining iconic characters from its own universe?
This special, however, adopts a more understated approach compared to grand season finales and some past Christmas extravaganzas. The core narrative is a familiar, fast-paced adventure: an alien invasion plot unfolds in New York, requiring the Doctor and a newly introduced masked hero to save the day. While the storyline treads well-trodden ground, there’s a subtle shift in the antagonist archetype. The villain is not the stereotypical figure often depicted in such narratives, adding a slight, if perhaps unintentional, point of interest in a family-friendly context.
Ultimately, “Dr Who The Return Of Doctor Mysterio” delivers a reasonably enjoyable viewing experience, perfectly acceptable for a festive afternoon. It’s an episode that entertains without demanding too much, and while it may not be destined to become a classic, it provides a comfortable and familiar dose of Doctor Who for the holiday season. Perhaps the key is to approach it without expecting a groundbreaking television event, and simply enjoy the light-hearted adventure it offers.
