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"The Time of the Doctor" served as Matt Smith's final outing as the Eleventh Doctor and aimed to tie up many of the lingering plot threads from his era. It's a complex episode with a lot to accomplish, and opinions on its success are varied. Here's a review considering common opinions and my own:

**What people tend to praise:**

* **Matt Smith's final performance:** Smith delivers a powerful and
emotional performance as the Doctor, showcasing his range and bringing a sense of closure to his character's arc.

* **Emotional moments:** The episode has several emotionally resonant moments, particularly the Doctor's farewell speech and his regeneration scene.

* **Resolution of long-running plot threads:** The episode addresses many
of the mysteries and questions that had been building up throughout Smith's era, such as the Silence, the cracks in time, and the Doctor's true name.

* **Christmas setting:** The Christmas setting adds a festive
and heartwarming touch to the episode,
despite the serious events taking place.

**What people tend to criticise:**

* **Overcrowded plot:** The episode tries to cram in too many plot elements and resolutions, leading to a somewhat rushed and convoluted narrative.

* **Lack of focus:** With so much going on, the episode can feel unfocused
at times, jumping between different storylines and characters.

* **Deus ex machina elements:** Some plot resolutions feel contrived or rely on convenient coincidences, such as the Time Lords granting the Doctor
a new regeneration cycle.

* **Underuse of some characters:** Some supporting
characters, like the Paternoster Gang, have relatively
minor roles despite their previous importance.

**My rating and thoughts:**

I'd give "The Time of the Doctor" a **7/10**. It's a decent farewell to Matt
Smith's Doctor with some genuinely emotional moments and a satisfying
resolution to many long-running plot threads. Smith's performance
is a highlight, and the Christmas setting adds a nice touch.

However, the episode is let down by its overcrowded plot and some contrived
elements. It feels like the writers tried to do too much in a single episode,
leading to a somewhat rushed and unfocused narrative. While the resolutions to
the various mysteries are mostly satisfying, some feel a bit too convenient.

Overall, "The Time of the Doctor" is a mixed bag. It's a fitting farewell to
Matt Smith and provides closure to his era, but it's not without its flaws.
The overcrowded plot and some contrived elements prevent it from reaching
its full potential.

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