Doctor Who Reactions: "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" (SPOILERS)

[The Baron]

1)Our Steven shows his gist for creepy stories with this one. Lots of good scary moments in this one - I especially liked the bit with the TARDIS phone ringing. I like the moments where even the Doctor seems a little bit weirded out. The transformatio scene was very unnerving, too. I do recall some wit somewhere suggesting that if they really wanted to scare the Doctor, they should have him being chased by a little kid saying, "Are you my daddy?"

 

2)And we get the introduction of Captain Jack Harkness, whom our Russell said was named after Agatha Harkness, in case you didn't know that he was a nerd boy. Can't say as I was all that wild about Captain Jack when I first saw him - he seemed too much of a glib pretty boy for my tastes. I'm still not a big fan of his even now, but he's grown on me a bit.  I note that the series never made much of the concept of the Time Agents after this - maybe it was developed more in Torchwood?  "Two years of my life - no idea what I did."  Did Torchwood ever develop that? I note that Jack has psychic paper, too, so I guess there's a psychic stationery store somewhere.

 

3)Some fun Eccleston moments in this - I like the low-key "Alpha male posturing" between him and Jack, as well as the explanation for the sonic screwdriver: "Never had alot of cabinets to put up?" And some good scenes between the Doctor and Rose: "I think you can assume at some point I've danced." And I liked the Doctor's joy at the end, "Everybody lives!"

 

4)Some good guest performances here, too, particularly form the actors playing Doctor Constantine and Nancy.

 

5)Cliffhanger: Team TARDIS are surrounded by gas-mask Zombies!  Which the Doctor resolves by saying "Go to your room!"  Well, that's new. As he said: "I'm really glad that worked. Those would have been terrible last words."

 

6)Some Fun Quotes:

• "Not very Spock, is it?"
• "I'm not sure if it's Marxism in action or a West End musical."
• "Before this war began, I was a father and a grandfather. Now, I'm neither. ButI'm still a Doctor." "Yeah, I know the feeling."
• "Flag Girl was bad enough - but U-Boat Captain?"
• "Funny little human brains. How do you get around in those things?"
• "Don't drop the banana!" "Why not?" "Good source of potassium."
• "I've got a banana, and in a pinch, you could put up some shelves."
• "I've traveled with alot of people, but you're setting new records for jeopardy-friendly."  Apparently, Rose didn't pay much attention to this statement, or maybe she wouldn't've been so surprised when Sarah Jane showed up.
• "I think you're experiencing captain-envy."
• "Yes, I am your mummy."
• "Who am I to argue with history?"  "Usually the first in line."

 

Overall: A nice little two-parter, very atmospheric and creepy, and with some nice acting in as well.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Now quit peeing on everything. :)

[Mike Williams]

Oh, I wish I could tell you, I really do, but it will really spoil somethign further down the line...

The Baron said:

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