Specials, Episode 3 | 1 part | First broadcast: 25 December 2007 | Writer: Russell T Davies | Director: James Strong
Cast
- David Tennant as the Doctor
- Kylie Minogue as Astrid Peth
- Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott
- George Costigan as Max Capricorn
Summary
Investigating a mysterious materialization aboard a replica of the Titanic, revealed to be an alien pleasure cruiser orbiting Earth, the Doctor teams up with waitress Astrid Peth and a small band of survivors after the ship is deliberately sabotaged by its bankrupt owner. As meteoroid strikes tear the ship apart and homicidal robotic angels stalk the corridors, the Doctor must get the survivors to safety before the wreck crashes into London on Christmas Eve.
Interesting Facts
- Pop star Kylie Minogue’s guest appearance as Astrid Peth was heavily promoted and drew one of the largest Christmas Day audiences in the show’s history.
- This episode marks the first appearance of Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, a character who would return as Donna Noble’s grandfather throughout Series 4.
- The story reimagines the Titanic disaster in space, complete with a robotic “Host” modeled on angelic imagery.
- Astrid’s fate, and the Doctor’s failed attempt to save her using Max Capricorn’s teleport technology, was noted as an unusually bittersweet ending for a Christmas special.
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