Doctor Who Marathon Night 3

"The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances"

Location: London ---- Time: 1941 ---- Enemy: An Empty Child

Steven Moffat, ladies and gentlemen, the man born to write Doctor Who. This two parter gives Steven his first shot ever at his dream job and he is Fantastic! Moffat gives us a real adventure story. War time london, bombs flying everywhere, a strange boy, a strange girl, a crashed ship, and a 51st century man called Jack.

Moffat knows how to scare an audience. Moffat knows how to be funny without being cheesy. Moffat knows how to write characters the audience can feel for. Moffat knows Doctor Who and has a vision of what they show can be (what the show should be).

The Good

It's almost as if Moffat is a Manatee writer (South Park reference). He has a million things he wants to work into it and then he tries to find ways to blend them together (and succeeds). At the end of this episode you are left with a satisfying conclusion.

Some of these scenes are not only memorable, but beautiful): Rose hanging from a barrage balloon with planes flying at her, Jack and Rose dancing to Moonlight Serenade on top of a spaceship tethered to Big Ben, Jack, Rose, and the Doctor surrounded by gas-mask zombies in a creepy, abandoned hospital. Pure brilliance!

Jack's character is brilliant here. He is Doctor Who's Han Solo (the Han that shoots Greedo first) and I long for the day he can be written for Moffat again (fingers crossed). In the future appearances of Jack (under the pen of Russell T. Davis) he is still Han Solo, but the Han Solo where Greedo shoots first (not quite as cool).

The Bad

There are few things wrong with these episodes, though the first one is the stronger one. The second episode is a little slow and featured Jack Harkness riding a bomb (pointless and silly).

Sex and The Doctor

This episode highlights a big character change for our Doctor and we owe this to Moffat. In the sixties, seventies and eighties (during the shows first run) the Doctor took in many companions but never, well... danced. In this episode Moffat changes the course of the show. He introduces the Doctor's jealous side; the Doctor's sexy side. The Doctor is falling for his companion.

Cool Quote

"1941. Right now, not very far from here the German war machine is rolling up the map of Europe. Country after country, falling like Dominoes. Nothing can stop it, nothing until one tiny, damp little island says "no". No, not here. A mouse in front of a lion. You're amazing. The lot of you. Don't know what you do to Hitler, but you frighten the hell out of me. Off you go, then. Do what you got to do. Save the world. "

Bad Wolf

Couldn't find it. Look closer and learn German. "Schlechter Wolf" is penciled on the bomb that Jack sits on

Things to Watch For

-Bananas are good is also featured in the next Moffat episode in Season 2.

-Volcano Day is mentioned again in Season 4 when the Doctor travels to Pompeii

-Also in Season 4 "Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead" are companion episodes to these ones.

-Want to know more about Jack and why he's lost some of his memories. His spinoff show is called "Torchwood"

R.I.P = Nobody "Just this once, everybody lives"

Brock's Rating - 10 out of 10.

Next week we finish off Season 1 with "Bad Wolf / The Parting of the Ways" so you can skip the Slitheen episode.