Doctor Who Reactions: "The Girl in the Fireplace" (SPOILERS)

[The Baron]

1)Another scary story from Mr. Moffat - with clockwork robots, and a literal "monster under the bed". The idea of using body parts as technology is sufficiently creepy. I question the logic of the robots' solution to their situation - cannibalizing the crew, opening time windows - it's a little too "awkward set-up in order to develop the desired situation" fo rme, but the atmosphere evoked is just about enough to overcome it.

 

2)Reinette is certainly an interesting character - very "up-front", that woman. ;)  I'm starting to think that Mickey's right about the Doctor - Rose ought to watch out, since he's obviously ready to throw her over for the first hotter blonde that comes along. One does wonder how things would've gone if it had worked out - Rose might've found herself dumped somewhere pretty soon!

 

3)Mickey's awe at finding himself out in space was well-handled - it's interesting how the "poor ignored boyfriend" becomes the most interesting character. A pattern that will be repeated a few years later.

 

4)The ending was very well done, I thought - the scene between the Doctor and Louis, and back in the TARDIS, where Mickey realizes that the Doctor needs to be alone.

 

5)Some fun quotes:

• "What do monsters have nightmares about?" "Me."
• "You're not keeping the horse." "I let you keep Mickey."
• "Such a lonely little boy."
• "Oh, look what the cat dragged in - the Oncoming Storm." "You sound just like your mother."
• "This is my lover, the King of France." "Yeah? Well, I'm the Lord of Time."

 

Overall: A nice little stand-alone story, at times both affecting and frightening. Just as long as you don't think about the plot convolutions too much.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

It never occurred to me before, but this episode introduced a pattern which would be repeated with Amy Pond.