Those lucky Brits got a new Doctor Who episode on Christmas Day

So being a fan on this side of the pond who happens to have broadband Internet, I did the obvious thing: went looking to download the episode the following morning. Sure enough some good folks in the UK had made it available as a file torrent, so I nabbed it with BitComet. "The Christmas Invasion" is just plain fun with a big dose of yuletide cheer. It's sort of like Doctor Who meets Independence Day meets Gremlins. Stuff like evil Santas with flamethrowers, wicked-looking aliens with nasty swords, homicidal Christmas trees... this is the sometimes silly but always exciting stuff of vintage Doctor Who. "The Christmas Invasion" is the first full episode featuring David Tennant (who also plays Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) previously seen regenerating from Christopher Eccleston's incarnation in last season's finale back in June. And if this episode is any indication, Tennant is going to rule this role: he's the perfect combo of witty, dapper, and dark. I think his might be as memorable shot at playing the Doctor as Tom Baker had back in the Seventies... and that's saying a lot. Those who liked last season's "Aliens of London"/"World War III" arc will especially be interested in this story. So will fans of The Lion King and The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. My favorite scene is at the end of the episode, where the Doctor is putting together his new costume (his new threads look "geek chic"), then joins Rose, her mom and Mickey for Christmas dinner, while this really good Christmas song (that I heard was written for this episode) is playing. At the end of the episode there's a "teaser" for what's to come in the new season starting this spring, which includes quick clips of the Doctor reuniting with Sarah Jane Smith (the same actress who last played the role in 1983), a tantalizing look at the redesigned Cybermen, and something that is sure to bring smiles to a lot of old-school Doctor Who fans: the return of K-9! Well worth checking out if you have a fast enough 'net connection but bear in mind that I've downloaded two versions of "The Christmas Invasion" and the new season's trailer is only on the 500 MB-sized one. Trust me: if you're a fan of the Doctor, this is good watchin' :-)