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locker_monsterI usually call the double bank episode the "Doctor lite" episode, but that's not the case this year, so this episode I shall be calling is the "budget lite" episode. I fully expected this episode to be rather lame just going off the trailer. I mean, you've got no Donna, one set, and some monster that seemed like it was straight out of a Twilight Zone episode. I'm very glad when episodes turn out better than I expect. :-)
Was any explanation given for why they decided to split the lite episodes? Maybe "Midnight" was budget lite so "Turn Left" could have some decent effects while also giving David a chance to film "Midnight". And I guess there are only so many stories you can tell without the Doctor and Companion around. Looks like Donna gets her own story next week. That should be fun.
But first off, how cute are vacationing Doctor and Donna? We always hear exploits about the Doctor and Companion visiting a nice planet and not getting into any danger. It was nice to (sort of) see that. And now we know what type of vacation people the Doctor and Donna are. Donna is a "let's relax by the pool and soak in some rays" person while the Doctor is a "let's see the sights" person. I know the story called for the Doctor and Donna to be split up, but it really fits who they are. This is a proper vacation for them. Donna wouldn't be running around; this is her break from all the running around. I'm not sure why the idea of the Doctor and Donna on vacation is so appealing for me. Maybe because it's just two friends enjoying all Midnight has to offer.
I'm actually surprised how well the plot worked. Clearly restrictions help to produce good story lines. If you have no money to show the monster or to have expensive sets, then there's only one option left: you focus on the characters. And this episode was all about the characters. They're all just average people who just happened to get stuck on this one vehicle; nothing special about them. I like that Russell took the time to introduce these people. You start off kind of liking them. They don't mind chatting with the Doctor to pass the time. Only the Hostess seemed a little frosty, but that worked with the plot as well. Suddenly these nice people are all freaking out and arguing whether to toss a woman out the airlock (BSG reference?). This is where the one set actually contributed to the plot. I know if I was in a confined space for a long time and freaky things were happening I'd start to do irrational things as well. And the no visible monster thing was effectively creepy. It works on a psychological level; if you can't see something the image you create in your head is always worse. It's good to know that Doctor Who is capable of such things. I noticed that the Fear Forecasters over at the BBC website gave the episode a 5/5 rating for scariness. That's the first time this season. And the threat was so simple in its creepiness. It repeats everything you say and then it steals your voice. How they did it was actually pretty cool. Your own thoughts suddenly aren't your own. You have no identity with this monster.
The Doctor on his own is a rare thing to so. Yes, it's just another restriction, but he is stripped of something without a Companion with him. On the Confidential they pointed out that the Doctor without his companion just seems arrogant. He may be the most cleaver person in the room, but dang Doctor, don't say it so bluntly. ;-) The Companion grounds him and makes him more human, easier to relate to. When the Doctor starts to come off all mysterious then it's very hard to trust him, especially when everyone's on edge. It really was a struggle for the Doctor to help these people this time. Usually he can command a room with no difficulties. The Doctor's always in control so it was interesting to see him in such a different position. And it's the frosty Hostess who saves the day. She goes full circle; from frosty to the first to suggest tossing Sky out of the bus to saving everyone by sacrificing herself. I think anyone who has worked customer service can understand the Hostess. Day in and day out you have to deal with people, some difficult and some not. "Midnight" is a good example of the work day from hell.
And the return of the watch words! Well, one watch word and a brief cameo by Rose. If only the Doctor had turned around. :-D I'll have to watch the trailer over again, but Rose seems damn desperate to reach the Doctor. I hope all will be explained, like how Rose is travelling between the realties, why she disappeared like she did in "Partners in Crime", and how is she appearing on all those screens. It seems odd that it's in the Doctor lite episode that she returns. Okay, so having her appear here wouldn't make sense, but we have to wait until after "Turn Left" for a reunion.
I'm actually surprised how well the plot worked. Clearly restrictions help to produce good story lines. If you have no money to show the monster or to have expensive sets, then there's only one option left: you focus on the characters. And this episode was all about the characters. They're all just average people who just happened to get stuck on this one vehicle; nothing special about them. I like that Russell took the time to introduce these people. You start off kind of liking them. They don't mind chatting with the Doctor to pass the time. Only the Hostess seemed a little frosty, but that worked with the plot as well. Suddenly these nice people are all freaking out and arguing whether to toss a woman out the airlock (BSG reference?). This is where the one set actually contributed to the plot. I know if I was in a confined space for a long time and freaky things were happening I'd start to do irrational things as well. And the no visible monster thing was effectively creepy. It works on a psychological level; if you can't see something the image you create in your head is always worse. It's good to know that Doctor Who is capable of such things. I noticed that the Fear Forecasters over at the BBC website gave the episode a 5/5 rating for scariness. That's the first time this season. And the threat was so simple in its creepiness. It repeats everything you say and then it steals your voice. How they did it was actually pretty cool. Your own thoughts suddenly aren't your own. You have no identity with this monster.
The Doctor on his own is a rare thing to so. Yes, it's just another restriction, but he is stripped of something without a Companion with him. On the Confidential they pointed out that the Doctor without his companion just seems arrogant. He may be the most cleaver person in the room, but dang Doctor, don't say it so bluntly. ;-) The Companion grounds him and makes him more human, easier to relate to. When the Doctor starts to come off all mysterious then it's very hard to trust him, especially when everyone's on edge. It really was a struggle for the Doctor to help these people this time. Usually he can command a room with no difficulties. The Doctor's always in control so it was interesting to see him in such a different position. And it's the frosty Hostess who saves the day. She goes full circle; from frosty to the first to suggest tossing Sky out of the bus to saving everyone by sacrificing herself. I think anyone who has worked customer service can understand the Hostess. Day in and day out you have to deal with people, some difficult and some not. "Midnight" is a good example of the work day from hell.
And the return of the watch words! Well, one watch word and a brief cameo by Rose. If only the Doctor had turned around. :-D I'll have to watch the trailer over again, but Rose seems damn desperate to reach the Doctor. I hope all will be explained, like how Rose is travelling between the realties, why she disappeared like she did in "Partners in Crime", and how is she appearing on all those screens. It seems odd that it's in the Doctor lite episode that she returns. Okay, so having her appear here wouldn't make sense, but we have to wait until after "Turn Left" for a reunion.
Was any explanation given for why they decided to split the lite episodes? Maybe "Midnight" was budget lite so "Turn Left" could have some decent effects while also giving David a chance to film "Midnight". And I guess there are only so many stories you can tell without the Doctor and Companion around. Looks like Donna gets her own story next week. That should be fun.
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