Doctor Who - Should we really fear the lonely? - Part 2
Another significant moment in the episode was the Doctor’s offhand comment that he ‘was a father once.’ Not having seen the original series of Doctor Who I don’t know the specifics of the Doctor having a child. However, it’s not important who the child of the Doctor is, rather that he is letting Rose know that he has a past. He has seen the Time War and knows he is the only one of his race left, thus it is probably too painful for him to talk about any connections he had except as a throwaway comment. There is obviously such love between the Doctor and Rose, but there seems to be an understanding between them that it can never be on a romantic level. Admitting a child would indicate to Rose that he has had that sort of relationship before, which is why her surprised reaction was appropriate. It was very much like in School Reunion when Rose found out there have been other companions – Rose realises how little she actually knows about the Doctor. Although she is shocked by the Doctor’s paternal revelation, she knows that he has been through such pain with the loss of his people and thus doesn’t push him for more information.
My biggest problem with the episode initially was, as morbid as it sounds, the fact that no one died. The Doctor Dances included one of my favourite moments of last season, where no characters died and the Doctor proclaimed “Just this once, everybody lives!” It was iconic for Doctor Who, as it was the first episode in the history of the series where everyone did survive (save once episode in the original series that took place entirely within the TARDIS). It was also truly touching, as it gives an insight into the horror that is the life of the Doctor – someone always dies. Sometimes, he is the only one left.
Then in this episode - although it can be fanwanked that the death was that of Chloe’s father - everyone survived. Unlike last season, there was no jubilation as to this miraculous occurrence. To me, it seems to take away the importance of The Doctor Dances in the Doctor Who timeline. It also detracts from the emotional elation that the Doctor felt. This indifference just didn’t sit well with me.
Then again, this may fit in with the other season-long theme of the Doctor and Rose becoming too arrogant, and being set up for a fall. The outcome of this episode should have been something they were truly grateful for, but instead they just took it in their stride. With any luck, this theme will be resolved in the season finale.
As for the Doctor lighting the torch – yes it was silly, but I will shamefully admit that I laughed my head off. Silliness is a cornerstone of Doctor Who, so as long as it also makes with the deep and meaningful, I don’t mind at all.
So overall, not a bad episode. I’m definitely looking forward to the season finale where hopefully the pieces will all fall into place, and the mysterious Torchwood will finally be revealed.
My biggest problem with the episode initially was, as morbid as it sounds, the fact that no one died. The Doctor Dances included one of my favourite moments of last season, where no characters died and the Doctor proclaimed “Just this once, everybody lives!” It was iconic for Doctor Who, as it was the first episode in the history of the series where everyone did survive (save once episode in the original series that took place entirely within the TARDIS). It was also truly touching, as it gives an insight into the horror that is the life of the Doctor – someone always dies. Sometimes, he is the only one left.
Then in this episode - although it can be fanwanked that the death was that of Chloe’s father - everyone survived. Unlike last season, there was no jubilation as to this miraculous occurrence. To me, it seems to take away the importance of The Doctor Dances in the Doctor Who timeline. It also detracts from the emotional elation that the Doctor felt. This indifference just didn’t sit well with me.
Then again, this may fit in with the other season-long theme of the Doctor and Rose becoming too arrogant, and being set up for a fall. The outcome of this episode should have been something they were truly grateful for, but instead they just took it in their stride. With any luck, this theme will be resolved in the season finale.
As for the Doctor lighting the torch – yes it was silly, but I will shamefully admit that I laughed my head off. Silliness is a cornerstone of Doctor Who, so as long as it also makes with the deep and meaningful, I don’t mind at all.
So overall, not a bad episode. I’m definitely looking forward to the season finale where hopefully the pieces will all fall into place, and the mysterious Torchwood will finally be revealed.
Overall Rating
