Doctor Who review: Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories

The Sixth Doctor, Peri and their new fellow companion Joe face four Christmas themed adventures in Doctor Who: Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories.

Once again, we have another year without a Doctor Who Christmas special. At least, on television. But thankfully, Big Finish have got us covered. Last year, they gave us the wonderful Better Watch Out/Fairytale of Salzburg, a two-part Christmas epic in the Eighth Doctor box set Ravenous 2. This year, we’ve been given another great Christmas release: Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories.

As the title implies, this is kind of an anthology release. This isn’t the first anthology we’ve been given, but it has to be said that Blood on Santa’s Claw is a little different to most. Along with having a distinctly Christmas theme to the whole anthology, this release also features a brand new companion: Joe Carnaby, joining the Sixth Doctor and Peri.

Surprisingly, there’s no “introduction episode” for Joe – the story essentially just leaps in, making it clear that this is still early days for him travelling in the TARDIS. It also makes it clear that he’s Peri’s new boyfriend, which means that Peri feels responsible for looking after him and trying to ease him into the TARDIS life.

The cast and crew of the brand new Christmas anthology Blood on Santa’s Claw. (L to R) Steven Elder, Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Luke Allen-Gale, Louise Kempton and Nev Fountain.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/Big Finish Productions. Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions.)

A distinct mix of stories

The four stories that we’re given in this anthology feature a wide range of emotion and tone. The opening titular story is extremely bizarre and quirky, but still enjoyable. The second episode, The Baby Awakes, is much darker. Peri gets a deep glimpse of what it’s like to have children, and the results are both heartwarming and horrifying.

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I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day lightens the tone somewhat, as the Doctor and his friends arrive at a Christmas party that’s been going on for over three years. However, things get more serious in the final episode of the anthology, Brightly Shone The Moon That Night, as the Doctor finds out that he’s made a huge mistake.

This is a rather different anthology than usual, and as a result, it’s not one that I want to go into too much detail on. Suffice it to say that Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories features a lot of surprises, many of which are particularly satisfying. It also features the right balance between quirky humor and dark, emotional drama. This is especially true for Peri, who faces some horrific truths in these episodes.

If you’re missing the Christmas special on television, then Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories is a perfect substitute. Overall, it’s an anthology that captures the Christmas spirit rather well, while also adding dark and emotional elements that Doctor Who fans enjoy so well. A highly recommended release.

Are you missing the annual Christmas special on television? Have you found an ideal substitute? Have you listened to Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories, and if so, did you enjoy it? Let us know in the comments below.