Doctor Who: The Snowmen (2012)

Steven Moffat writes 2012's Doctor Who Christmas Special, and, after two incredibly unpopular specials (2010's 'A Christmas Carol' and 2011's 'The Doctor The Widow And The Wardrobe') which were, in fairness, terrible, I was worried coming into this episode. Thankfully, I had no need to be worried.

This story carries on some time after The Angels Take Manhattan, and The Doctor (Matt Smith) has changes his costume (which is odd, seeing as they keep doing that) and now wears a more Victorian garb with some crazy top hat - he looks more like a psychopath version of Willy Wonka rather than the Time Lord - but it works for the story. He no longer wears a bow tie (until later in the episode) and instead wears an incredibly scruffy-looking tie.
The TARDIS has also changed. In the summer of 2012, Doctor Who got a new studio, and they couldn't transport the 'old' TARDIS to the new studios, so they got their new production designer to design a new one. It looks fantastic - more like a spaceship, and resembles the classic TARDIS. It seems more like they've got the original and given the programme a budget, allowing for the original designs to come through. It's a dark green colour and looks grim. Hopefully it will stay this way, but become a bit more blue over time, although it works with Matt's sonic screwdriver.
But of course the main focus of the episode is Clara [Oswin Oswald] played by the ever-lovely Jenna-Louise Coleman. She seems to be a bit more of an interesting version of Amy Pond with a bit of River Song mixed in, only from the Victorian Era. I loved this new concept instead of having a modern companion, but when she died, I realised my hopes were over. It appears the modern Clara looks after kids (and probably works in a pub down the road) in just a different time zone. She's interesting and it is truly tragic when she dies.
We also have the return of Vastra and Jenny, who are fun to watch, especially the line "I'm a lizard woman from the dawn of time, and this is my wife", but nothing more. Vastra rambles on, Jenny says nothing funny and the two characters are just there.
It's clear that Strax is the main focus of the trio, and although some of his humour is forced, most of it works brilliantly! (e.g. "Sir! I think I've been run over by a cab!" and "Attempt to escape and you will be obliterated. May I take your coat?") Dan Starkey is a true highlight of the episode.
Then we have Richard E Grant, of whom does nearly nothing, of which I love, because I am definitely not a fan of Mr Grant. Pity that can't be said about Sir Ian McKellen though.
The new titles are great as well, and the story is fantastic, emotional, dramatic, hilarious and all-round Steven Moffat Doctor Who bundled into an hour-long episode! It's not rushed like The Angels Take Manhattan and The Power of Three and is just a joy to watch.
The 'Coming Soon' trailer makes the second half of the series look brilliant - lets hope it is!
Overall -

10/10