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The Husbands of River Song – Doctor Who

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95% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
While hiding from Christmas festivities on a remote human colony, the Doctor is recruited to help River Song.
Doctor Who — The Husbands of River Song

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Critics Consensus

With "The Husbands of River Song," Doctor Who delivers a Christmas special that perfectly balances silliness and heart.

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Critics Reviews

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Ross Ruediger New York Magazine/Vulture The entire affair felt a delightfully fun romp with some lovely emotional resonance in the third act. It's Christmas. It's Doctor Who. What more do you need? Rated: 4/5 Nov 9, 2018 Full Review Mary McNamara Los Angeles Times If "The Husbands of River Song" is less Christmasy than most of the previous specials, it is a splendid gift to fans nonetheless. Dec 30, 2015 Full Review Alasdair Wilkins AV Club "The Husbands Of River Song" ends up being fun, even when it's flawed, because even its clunkiest music cues can't overwhelm Peter Capaldi's performance. Rated: B Dec 28, 2015 Full Review Emmet Asher-Perrin Tor.com This story is pure sentimentality, and I mean that as a compliment. It's about who we love and how we love them and why we need people and when. Jan 8, 2019 Full Review Kathleen Wiedel TV Fanatic Really, though, the strength in this episode was in the interplay between Peter Capaldi and Alex Kingston. Rated: 4/5 Nov 12, 2018 Full Review Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez Tom & Lorenzo Additionally, in one fell swoop, that final scene gave the viewers something we honestly never thought we'd see or even thought we should ask for: a true marriage between the Doctor and River. Jun 19, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alfie J My favourite doctor who Christmas special and one of the best episodes in the whole show! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/25 Full Review James M Good send off for river song and great chemistry between 12 and river song Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/25 Full Review Asf A good special. i really liked this episode Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review JinzoCrash Wasn't the greatest fan of the River Song arc during Matt Smith's run, but you cared about her enough to know this was a beautiful closure to her story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Conor O A beautiful conclusion to River Song's story. Depending how you look at it of course! I love love LOVE this story Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/02/23 Full Review Erik J Just possibly my least favorite DW Christmas Special up to this point in the series. However, it is still superior to the dreck since 2017. RIP, Doctor Who (1963-2017) Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Doctor Who — The Husbands of River Song

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Capaldi

The Doctor

Alex Kingston

River Song

Matt Lucas

Nardole

Greg Davies

King Hydroflax

Phillip Rhys Chaudhary

Ramone

Rowan Polonski

Flemming

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Doctor Who — The Husbands of River Song

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Season Info

Synopsis While hiding from Christmas festivities on a remote human colony, the Doctor is recruited to help River Song.
Executive Producer
Steven Moffat
Screenwriter
Richard Curtis, Chris Chibnall, Toby Whithouse, Mark Gatiss, Simon Nye, Steven Moffat
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Holiday, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Dec 25, 2015