While it is always nice to see a classic Who villain, I felt that the appearance of the Cybermen was a mistake. And how, after a metal Cyber-mask welded itself around his face, the sound of buzzsaws ominously whirring, did Craig escape with not a mark on him? Carrying a weapon of lethal force is very out of character for this Doctor, and the concept is especially ridiculous considering there have been many times previous that the Doctor would have used a laser weapon, if he had one available to him. It’s fatuous that the sonic screwdriver turned a normal, incandescent light bulb into a hologram projector, and it really bothers me that the screwdriver has a laser-shooting setting. Perhaps it is still too soon to be making such close parallels between Eleven and Ten? While I think the concept is terrific – this theoretically increases the tension going into the finale – the execution felt like a rehash to me. Also, having the Doctor on a sight-seeing trip, revisiting old friends as he runs from his foretold death, recalls the final days of the Tenth Doctor. Surely, I’m not the only one who wanted to see more of Sophie. So, why don’t I love it more? Perhaps because this episode felt like a sequel, and sequels are rarely as good as the original. “Closing Time” is funny, continues a series-long examination of the Doctor/companion relationship, and contains two of my favorite Doctor Who moments ever. Definitely one of my favorite Who effects ever. I mean, you know it’s coming, but it’s so cleverly done that it’s believable that Craig missed it. The barely-noticeable teleport effect in the shop’s elevator was so wicked cool, I gasped. For the girl who’s tired of waiting” – this little in-joke was brilliant, and maybe my favorite ever. God, I am so attached to the two of them. The first time was when Rose was abandoned at Bad Wolf Bay, at the end of “Doomsday” seeing Amy and Rory again was the second. I still get chills when the Doctor erases Donna’s mind at the conclusion of “Journey’s End,” it still pains me to see Ianto ugly-cry in “Cyberwoman,” and the epilogue of “Vincent and the Doctor” still puts a lump in my throat – but I have only actually cried twice, while watching Doctor Who. It’s what the Universe does for fun,” he almost ran into previous companions, Amy and Rory. Speaking of Amy, I was completely surprised when, just as the Doctor said, “It’s a coincidence. (Which, does this now make the Doctor the one “who waited”?) I put people in danger.” I appreciated that this discussion recalled two previous companions: Craig’s comment, “He always needs someone, he just can’t admit it,” is very similar to Donna’s closing remark in “The Runaway Bride,” and the Doctor’s off-handed, “See, I do come back,” demonstrated that he is still thinking of Amy, even after 200 years. Do you still feel safe with me, Craig?” the Doctor asks, before admitting, “I’m a stupid, selfish man. “Because of me, you and Alfie nearly died. While this again references the theme of blind faith in a Doctor that “always wins,” it stands in contrast to the recent discussion that the Doctor turns his companions into weapons or, even worse, allows his bravado to endanger others. I was so happy to see writer Gareth Roberts (whose scripts I almost universally adore) continue the analysis started in “The God Complex.” Craig believes that the safest place to be during an alien threat is by the Doctor’s side. The fact that Alfie had such a strong “personality” is a testament to both the writers and to Matt, who voiced Alfie’s running commentary.ĭespite the humor, the true focus of “Closing Time” is the Doctor’s relationship to his companions. I’m predicting now that we’ll see the Doctor “Shhh!” someone in the first half of Series 7, if not by the time we revisit Craig. From Alfie – er, “Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All” – referring to everyone as “Mum,” “Not Mum,” or “Peasants,” to the Doctor’s oblique K-9 reference (“Yappy, the robot dog – not as much fun as I remember.”), to Craig screaming, “Metal rat! Real mouth! Metal rat! Real mouth!” at “Bitey” the Cybermat, this episode had some genuinely funny moments. Comedy is one of Matt Smith’s strengths and his episodes are written to feature a more comical Doctor. “Closing Time” was definitely played for laughs. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on WhatsApp Share on E-mailĬlint Hassell reviews Closing Time, the 12th episode of Doctor Who Series 6.Īfter two episodes of tension and heartbreak – and before what is sure to be an emotional, dramatic finale – Doctor Who gives us a breather.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |