‘Doctor Who’ Christmas Special Photos: Matt Smith Braces for “The Time of the Doctor”

Just as this week brought a plethora of new 'Sherlock' season 3 photos and news of a special Christmas minisode, so too has the BBC given another Christmas special in the form of a 'Doctor Who' sneak peek toward year-ender "The Time of the Doctor!" Matt Smith will say goodbye to make way for Peter Capaldi, but what do we learn from the first photos and a new poster?

It seems as though the Cyberman head carried around by the Doctor in earlier photos was no mere sight gag, as stills from 2013 Christmas special "The Time of the Doctor" carry the same prop throughout the Doctor's latest adventure. Most plot details have been kept under wraps, though it seems as if the Doctor's fate may be tied to some of his oldest foes.

Says the BBC’s official description of the special:

Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars – and amongst them, the Doctor.

Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe.

Additional reports claim that the special will answer a number of continuity mysteries from Matt Smith’s tenure, among them the true regeneration numbering that became complicated both by John Hurt‘s portrayal of “The War Doctor” and a regeneration used up during David Tennant‘s run.

We've included the latest photos from Matt Smith's final adventure as 'Doctor Who' below, as well as a BBC holiday trailer above, so check out "The Time of the Doctor" and give us your predictions for the new episode in the comments!