Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSteven Moffat’s 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special is at its best when its elaborate time-travel puzzle makes room for something simple: people need kindness, especially when the holidays make loneliness harder to hide. Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan give the story warmth and comic spark; the plotting is busy, but its emotional centre is clear.
What is “Joy to the World” about?
Premiering on 25 December 2024, “Joy to the World” is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai. The official episode page pairs the Doctor with Joy Almondo, a cheerful but lonely hotel guest drawn into the mystery of a briefcase. Disney’s special fact sheet adds the premise’s doorway to the Time Hotel, where danger, dinosaurs and a deadly plan await. That is enough setup to know the flavour without giving away the mechanism or late revelations.
The principal performances are Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, Nicola Coughlan as Joy, Joel Fry as Trev Simpkins and Steph de Whalley as Anita Benn. Coughlan’s Joy is not simply a bright presence for the Doctor to react to: the smile and the sadness beneath it are both central to the character.
Does the time-travel plot work?
Moffat builds the episode around overlapping timelines and a succession of connections that only gradually become legible. The result is deliberately intricate: the viewer is asked to hold onto who is where, when, and in relation to which version of events. It can feel like a lot of machinery for a Christmas story, but the episode gives its ideas time to unfold rather than demanding that every piece click at once.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
In her Guardian review, published on 25 December 2024 and amended on 1 January 2025, Leila Latif calls the story ludicrously complicated, while finding it slow and clear enough to follow and internally coherent. I broadly agree: the construction rewards attention, though it occasionally threatens to crowd out the simpler emotional beats. Its complexity is a feature for viewers who enjoy Moffat’s clockwork plotting, and a hurdle for anyone hoping for a more direct, character-first adventure.
Why does this feel like a Christmas story?
The special treats Christmas as more than lights, jokes and seasonal scenery. Its emotional concerns include loneliness, illness, shame, waiting for kindness and the gap between a real holiday and the idealized version people are expected to perform. That gives the time-travel spectacle a human purpose: the story keeps returning to how people treat one another when they are isolated or hurting.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Latif’s review highlights the warmth at the centre of the episode and reads the Doctor’s time in 2024 as a period that changes him, nudging him toward greater empathy, humility and kindness. That interpretation fits Gatwa’s performance. He can be buoyant and funny without making the Doctor’s compassion feel like a switch flipped for the occasion; the year’s passage gives that tenderness room to develop.
How do Gatwa and Coughlan carry it?
Gatwa supplies the episode with restless energy, but his most affecting work comes when the performance settles. Coughlan meets that energy with comic timing and an inviting screen presence, then lets the loneliness underneath Joy’s cheerfulness emerge without turning her into a bundle of exposition. Their exchanges are among the story’s most immediate pleasures. Fry also gets a few brief one-liners that, as Latif notes, land neatly amid the plot’s heavier machinery.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Moffat described Joy in an official Doctor Who feature published on 4 December 2024, reproducing an extract from Doctor Who Magazine, as having a “tremendous, charming smile, but underneath it she’s very sad.” He also praised Coughlan’s entrance from a taxi into close-up as “such a star entrance!” The finished episode makes good on the contrast behind that first impression: Joy’s brightness is part of her character, not proof that she has nothing to carry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is “Joy to the World” worth watching?
Yes, particularly if you like Doctor Who when its big ideas and emotional ambitions share the same stage. This is a warm, performance-led special with a satisfying sense of design and a strong Christmas theme. The trade-off is that its layered time-travel plot can make the route to the feeling more complicated than the feeling itself. Viewers who prefer a spare, easy-to-track adventure may find that imbalance tiring; those who enjoy untangling Moffat’s constructions are likely to find the effort worthwhile.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The episode is a 2024 special, not a claim about what is currently included in any streaming catalogue. Its standalone DVD and Blu-ray release is reported as 27 January 2025 by the episode’s home-media reference entry; current stock, region and edition details depend on the retailer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
