Repeats

Doctor Who – Midnight

[WARNING ABOUT SPOILERS AND STUFF]

If ever anyone had any doubts about Russell T Davies’ writing for Doctor Who (and I didn’t, but I know people who did), then this episode should dispel all of those doubts and more and place him up there with the best. It was a real character driven episode with the Doctor and seven other passengers trapped on a shuttle (he’d left Donna at the Pleasure Palace). There’s something outside, or is it inside Mrs Silvestry? But the real scariness wasn’t the thing outside, or in, but the real human fear and the savagery with which that fear can manifest itself. The way the other passengers turned on one another was far more frightening than statues that move when you don’t look at them, or killer swarms in the shadows. These were people you could meet anywhere, and so could just as easily turn on you.

I suspected it was going to be a good episode from the cast – Lesley Sharp and Lindsey Coulson are both great actors and bring great realism to any parts they play. Also I was more than a little excited about the inclusion of David Troughton in the cast. Not only is he a very great actor, but he has more Classic Series connections than you can shake a stick at.

Also huge praise must be given to the sound team for this episode. It wasn’t until watching the Confidential episode that I appreciated how much work they had had to do to make the dialogue perfectly in sync. But it was well worth the effort. I know I was watching the episode thinking how good an audio adventure it would make.

[just a note to say that I'm posting this late as I've been without internet for a week!]