Doctor Who The Giggle: 60th Anniversary Special Episode Recap

Manda Garcia
Dec 10, 2023
Dec 12, 2023

In the latest Doctor Who special, "The Giggle," which was released on December 9, 2023, Neil Patrick Harris makes a memorable debut as The Toymaker, adding a new dimension to the beloved series. The story takes an unexpected turn, shedding the whimsy of previous episodes and introducing a mysterious villain who weaves a chilling atmosphere.

Doctor Who The Giggle - 60th Anniversary special recap

Doctor Who: The Giggle begins, now streaming on Disney+, shedding the whimsy of its predecessors. In Soho, 1925, The Toymaker introduces a mysterious tone. An assistant to inventor John Logie Baird acquires the unsettling ventriloquist's dummy, Stooky Bill, from the enigmatic clerk (clearly The Toymaker). Hastening to aid Baird, they embark on testing a live television system prototype, diverging from expected lightheartedness.

A Step Back In Time: The Toymaker's Origins

The narrative kicks off in 1925 Soho, where The Toymaker runs a peculiar toy emporium. A ventriloquist's dummy named Stooky Bill becomes the centerpiece of a groundbreaking live television experiment led by inventor John Logie Baird. Little do they know, this innocent test sets off a chain of events leading to chaos in present-day London.

Present-Day Crisis And UNIT's Involvement

Fast forward to present-day London, where things have gone haywire. People are turning on each other for no apparent reason. The Toymaker, now a fashionable villain, is causing chaos. The Doctor, along with Donna and Wilf, gets involved, and the situation escalates. Enter UNIT, with Shirley Anne Bingham returning to help. They explain the worldwide madness, introduce the Zeedex armbands, and suspect a troublesome signal.

Discovery Of The Signal And Time Travel

The Doctor unravels the mystery – a hidden recording of Stooky Bill's giggling is driving everyone mad. The source? October 2, 1925. The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Donna back in time. They find The Toymaker, but facing him is no walk in the park. A maze, creepy dolls, and puppetized assistants add to the challenge.

Confrontation With The Toymaker

Separated in the maze, Donna and the Doctor face bizarre trials. They reunite in a theater, treated to a puppet show of the Doctor's adventures. A card game challenge is thrown down, and things get tense. Escaping The Toymaker's shop becomes a race against time, turning into a tiny music box.

Resolution In The Present And Introduction Of New Doctor

Back in the present, UNIT targets the satellite boosting The Toymaker's signal. The Doctor and Donna return just in time to witness The Toymaker's dramatic appearance. A sudden regeneration occurs, introducing the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. The Doctors join forces for a final game, beating The Toymaker and banishing him.

With the crisis averted, the Doctor, now retired from Time Lording, spends a quiet afternoon with Donna and her family. Is this the real end? Maybe not, but it's a welcome change for the Doctor. "The Giggle" delivered a thrilling ride with Neil Patrick Harris as The Toymaker, and the introduction of the Fifteenth Doctor promises exciting adventures to come.

Doctor Who The Giggle - 60th Anniversary special review

Doctor Who: The Giggle - 60th Anniversary special enchants with a grand celebration, seamlessly blending nostalgia and innovation. Russell T Davies orchestrates a tale where David Tennant's Doctor meets the exuberant Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, introducing the concept of bigeneration. Amidst a surreal showdown with The Toymaker, portrayed by the charismatic Neil Patrick Harris, the episode explores the Doctor's past, balancing a haunting puppet show with emotional depth.

Gatwa's debut shines as he embodies the Fifteenth Doctor, radiating joy and wisdom. The magic trick lies in the Doctor's inner peace, a rejuvenating journey depicted with finesse by Davies. The episode concludes with a heartwarming resolution, offering fans closure and paving the way for a refreshed

While lingering questions about multiverses and The Master arise, the focus remains on the emotional payoff and the anticipation of Ncuti Gatwa's return. Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary special is a triumphant celebration, leaving fans eager for the next chapter in the Time Lord's journey.

Doctor Who The Giggle: 60th Anniversary Special Ending Explained