Rise Of The Christmas Ghosts

This is the ninth and final story from Season 19.

## Synopsis

The Seventeenth Doctor finds themself alone on Christmas Eve, facing a supernatural threat when ancient spirits are unleashed upon a quaint English village, and must unravel the mystery before the ghosts' malevolent intentions become clear.

## Story

The Seventeenth Doctor lands the TARDIS on the outskirts of the village, drawn by the strange readings of temporal energy. They step out, wearing a festive Christmas sweater, and quickly realize that they are alone, with no companions in sight. The Doctor heads towards the village center, where the festivities have taken an unsettling turn.

As the Doctor investigates, they encounter the terrified residents, who speak of ancient ghost stories coming to life. The Doctor learns that the village's Christmas tradition involves telling tales of local ghosts and spirits, but this year, something has gone terribly wrong. Real spectral apparitions have begun to manifest, wreaking havoc and instilling fear in the village.

The Doctor's curiosity is piqued, and they set out to uncover the source of the haunting. They examine the local folklore, discovering that the village is built upon an ancient burial site. According to legend, a powerful artefact, known as the "Christmas Spirit Stone," was buried with the dead to ensure peace and harmony in the village. The Doctor surmises that someone may have disturbed the resting place, unleashing the spirits.

The Doctor conducts a series of experiments, revealing that the temporal energy fluctuations are tied to the ghostly manifestations. They also discover that the Christmas Spirit Stone has gone missing, possibly stolen by an unwitting visitor seeking souvenirs. The Doctor suspects that this artifact is crucial to restoring balance.

Meanwhile, the village's panic intensifies as the ghostly apparitions become more malevolent, terrorizing the residents. The Doctor becomes determined to solve the mystery and save Christmas. Armed with their trusty sonic screwdriver and their wit, the Doctor unravels a series of cryptic clues hidden within the ghost stories told by the villagers.

The Doctor's investigation leads them to a hidden chamber beneath the village church, where the stolen Christmas Spirit Stone is found. However, as they attempt to retrieve it, they are confronted by the restless spirits. The Doctor engages in a heartfelt conversation with the ghosts, learning that their anger stems from a desire to experience Christmas once more, a tradition they cherished in life.

The Doctor, recognizing the deep connection between the village's traditions and the spirits, devises a plan to restore the Christmas Spirit Stone to its rightful place. With the help of the villagers, they organize a special Christmas Eve celebration, re-enacting the ancient customs. The Doctor returns the artefact to its burial site, and as the celebration reaches its peak, the spirits find peace and fade away.

Epilogue: As the Doctor bids farewell to the grateful villagers, they reflect on the importance of tradition, community, and the power of belief during the festive season. The Doctor returns to the TARDIS, feeling the warmth of Christmas spirit even in the depths of space and time, and departs for new adventures.

The episode ends with a heart-warming scene of the Doctor sharing a quiet, reflective Christmas moment alone in the TARDIS, appreciating the beauty of the universe and the enduring magic of Christmas.

## Cast

The Seventeenth Doctor - Bhavna Limbachia

## Behind The Scenes

This episode would be written by Andy Wilkins. It was decided that this would be different to past Christmas specials by accompanying its own theme and design.