Ep 1. A Christmas Carol

The Matt Smith Specials season 1 episode 1 of Doctor Who is titled "A Christmas Carol." Set in the magical land of Christmas, the episode revolves around the story of a rich, cold-hearted businessman named Kazran Sardick and the time-travelling Doctor's attempts to change his ways.

Opening with a classic sentiment of Christmas, the episode takes us to a planet that is about to face destruction due to its proximity to a cloud belt. Kazran Sardick is the only man who could activate the machine that could save the population, but he is not willing to help due to his hatred towards the people. The Doctor, played by Matt Smith, lands on the planet and tries to persuade Sardick to change his mind. Sardick remains unmoved, so the Doctor takes on the challenge to change his ways by taking him through the time vortex.

In order to achieve his goal, the Doctor needs to travel back in time to the days of Kazran's childhood and show him the kindness he has never experienced before. They get hold of Kazran's father's time machine, which enables them to move in and out of his past. Kazran's father used the machine to take Kazran back in time for a single day each year, with no memory of the previous years. It is during one of these trips that the Doctor and Kazran meet a young singer named Abigail Pettigrew, who becomes the focus of Kazran's life from that day onward.

It is through their time traveling that the Doctor discovers that Abigail is terminally ill and is held in a cryogenic state to prevent her death. Kazran releases her from her icy prison and enables her to live the last days of her life to the fullest. Throughout the course of the episode, Kazran's character develops and grows, with the Doctor's intervention playing a crucial role in his transformation.

The episode features all the usual hallmarks of the Doctor Who series, with fast-paced action, humor, and heartwarming moments of empathy and emotion. It benefits greatly from Matt Smith's portrayal of the Doctor, with his distinctive style and unique personality traits perfectly capturing the essence of the iconic character.

Overall, Doctor Who, The Matt Smith Specials season 1 episode 1 "A Christmas Carol" is a must-watch for fans of the series, as well as anyone looking for a fun, festive adventure with a strong message about the importance of compassion, empathy, and kindness.