I loved this episode. But the end felt so strange, that I wasn't sure, if they are really awake now. But seeing as the episode ended, they probably are. Because it would be weird, if the next season will be all a dream. But although logic dictates, they must be awake now, I don't feel like that. The ending was really, really weird.

 

Watched the Christmas special.

Like others I enjoyed that the tone was not as dark.

Nice interaction between the Doctor and Santa.

Plus the whole Aliens nod.

One of the few times I have found Clara a tolerable companion.

 

For some reason I think we have not seen the last of Pink. To be honest with you I thought we would see Danny magically come back and Clara gets to exit on a happy note but noooooooo. We get to see more of the increasingly important companion. I like Clara more than Rose but she eats up too many scenes. Overall the Xmas special was okay. A bit dark but that's fine to me.

 

I didn't enjoy it. It was boring.

EDIT: Nick Frost as Santa was quite good tbh.

 

I kinda expected Santa to be a Time Lord and the sleigh to be a TARDIS.

 

Another awesome Xmas episode. Nick Frost was amazing as Santa. Loved the discussion and homages to Alien.

 

Watched the Christmas Special this morning. That... that was a weird episode.
First of all, what the hell was with the tangerines? Is there some British Christmas tradition that involves tangerines or something? 'cause it just seemed random to me that Santa Claus would have tangerines.
Second of all, I thought the season finale was Clara's final episode what with Danny Plot Convenience dropping that kid in her lap and all. What the hell happened to that?

Third of all, that fake-out near the end with "Old Clara" being yet another dream layer was some M. Night Shyamalan- tier bullshit (What a twist!). I would have been fine with "Old Clara" being Clara's final appearance, She's kinda become too big for her role anyway, but nope. Just a dream! More Clara in Season 9! Damn you, Moffat!

 

There's always an orange/tangerine in the bottom of your stocking, its a European thing and was common growing up in the u.k.

 

When did they say Clara was going to leave with Season 8?

 

Dang. I actually haven't checked in to this thread for a while and popped in just now to see if Clara was gone yet. I haven't made it more than 2 episodes into Capaldi's run. I like his Doctor but I really can't stand Clara anymore so I haven't been inspired to watch more. Now I know how people who hated Rose and Donna felt.  

 

The rumor came out back in August, just before series 8 started airing.

 

Several Red Herring "No more of this Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey" departure moments indicated the possibility of the timeline-hopping souffle Girl leaving the show. The Episode would end, Clara would be all like "Fuck this shit, I'm done. Good-Bye, Doctor!" aaaaand then be back the following week.
Then the Finale happened, Danny Plot Convenience died an hero drops that Iraqi kid he killed in Clara's Lap. Clara says a tearful good-bye to the Doctor at the end of the episode.... Then she returns in the Christmas Special.
Everyone seemingly loses their case of the Headcrabs, The Doctor seemingly wakes up on mars, goes to Clara (who has seemingly spent the past 62 years travelling the world teaching students all over the globe) and then Nick Frost shows back up to tell The Doctor and Clara that they're still dreaming.

Pardon me for misinterpreting yet another one of Clara's frequent false-departures as the real fucking deal.

 

Yes, rumor. That is all it was.

Oh no, trust me, they made Clara amazing in Season 8. I hated her to death in S7 but now I am happy she is staying.

 

I don't know, I actually liked her before this season, and it was the first couple episodes that made me realize I can't stand her anymore.

 

I was indifferent about her during Matt Smith's time. A couple episodes in to Capaldi's run and I agree, I couldn't stand her anymore. She wasn't particularly bad in the most recent X-mas special, but the red herrings of her leaving the show are getting old. Maybe not as old as seeing her work at the school instead of using that screen time exploring outer space, but it's pretty damn annoying. I'm pretty sure Clara will be remembered as the companion who always left yet always stayed.

 

Have you watched "Listen?"

 

For people who can't stand her because of the overwhelming influence she's had on the Doctor's life, that's about the worst episode suggestion you could give.

 

It's the best episode of the season. It is the one that sold me on Clara.

 

I share this sentiment.

 

And I found it the worst of the series and easily the most off-putting Clara's ever been in show.