By: Toby Whithouse
**Spoilers**
If you have not yet watched this episode, please go and do so before proceeding.
So in Series 2 Doctor Who took on the myth of the werewolf with Tooth & Claw, a deliciously atmospheric episode that suffered from a bizarre beginning and too much of Rose giggling at an insufferable (and humorless) pun. Now fast-forward to Series 5 and The Doctor, accompanied by Amy Pond and a reluctant Rory Williams, will take on the myth of the vampire. And they don't sparkle.
Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:
- This was one of those episodes where right from the beginning I knew it was going to be good, despite my misgivings. BBC is generally wonderful with period pieces...and historical episodes of Doctor Who are no exception. Even taking into account the relatively low budget of the show.
- And is that Narcissa Malfoy playing the Signora? It is! And her son, Francisco is twice as creepy as Draco could ever dream of being.
- The music is perfect too. I want to get my hands on this soundtrack and listen to it while I write or study.
- You know...I don't know why people get so mad at Amy for kissing The Doctor on the night before her wedding whenever it is clear that Rory's mates hired a stripper. His face whenever it's The Doctor who pops out of the cake instead of Lucy, though! Too funny! You can just see him thinking "Oh NO! This CAN'T be happening...!"
- And of course The Doctor ruins their fun by actually taking time to learn the girl's name and being concerned she might get frostbite. Have I mentioned that I love him?
- I love the way that Rory strokes Amy's hair on the picture on his shirt whenever The Doctor even mentions her. That boy's got it bad! And kudos for The Doctor for being the responsible one and admitting to Rory what happened as soon as possible...just maybe it was a bit too soon. He should have waited until they were in private.
- The Doctor finally did the right thing (unlike with Rose and Mickey) and took care of the couple by making sure that he was putting them on an equal footing where their adventures could help strengthen their relationship rather than pull them apart.
- Rory is not impressed by the TARDIS because he had the brains to do research after The Doctor left last time. Just another reason to love him.
- I really want to know why The Doctor owes Casanova a chicken now...
- You know, I'm not even ten minutes into this episode and I already had more notes written (four pages worth) than I do for the whole thing of most others...including Sherlock! Starting to see just how much I love this episode?
- I like how, even though he's doing the right thing this time, The Doctor isn't out of character because he can't resist getting a crack or two made at Rory's expense. He's more subtle in this regeneration (using the psychic paper to label Rory Amy's eunuch) but it's still there.
- I've always felt rather bad for Rory in this episode. He just looks so sad and pathetic because he believes that Amy doesn't love him any more. That girl was his world...is his world. He's heartbroken, despite his attempts to enjoy the trip.
- The Doctor's talk with the Signora is one of many things I like about this episode. Hers is really quite a tragic story.
- One thing that is wonderful about this episode is the way it doesn't seem to take itself too seriously.
- SQUEE!!!!!!
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- I really appreciate the design of the vampires in this episode. Right from the start I knew that Signora and son were turning the girls they take in and it just gets better whenever The Doctor discovers the group of girls who have already been turned. Creepy!
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So in Series 2 Doctor Who took on the myth of the werewolf with Tooth & Claw, a deliciously atmospheric episode that suffered from a bizarre beginning and too much of Rose giggling at an insufferable (and humorless) pun. Now fast-forward to Series 5 and The Doctor, accompanied by Amy Pond and a reluctant Rory Williams, will take on the myth of the vampire. And they don't sparkle.
Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:
- This was one of those episodes where right from the beginning I knew it was going to be good, despite my misgivings. BBC is generally wonderful with period pieces...and historical episodes of Doctor Who are no exception. Even taking into account the relatively low budget of the show.
- And is that Narcissa Malfoy playing the Signora? It is! And her son, Francisco is twice as creepy as Draco could ever dream of being.
- The music is perfect too. I want to get my hands on this soundtrack and listen to it while I write or study.
- You know...I don't know why people get so mad at Amy for kissing The Doctor on the night before her wedding whenever it is clear that Rory's mates hired a stripper. His face whenever it's The Doctor who pops out of the cake instead of Lucy, though! Too funny! You can just see him thinking "Oh NO! This CAN'T be happening...!"
- And of course The Doctor ruins their fun by actually taking time to learn the girl's name and being concerned she might get frostbite. Have I mentioned that I love him?
- I love the way that Rory strokes Amy's hair on the picture on his shirt whenever The Doctor even mentions her. That boy's got it bad! And kudos for The Doctor for being the responsible one and admitting to Rory what happened as soon as possible...just maybe it was a bit too soon. He should have waited until they were in private.
- The Doctor finally did the right thing (unlike with Rose and Mickey) and took care of the couple by making sure that he was putting them on an equal footing where their adventures could help strengthen their relationship rather than pull them apart.
- Rory is not impressed by the TARDIS because he had the brains to do research after The Doctor left last time. Just another reason to love him.
- I really want to know why The Doctor owes Casanova a chicken now...
- You know, I'm not even ten minutes into this episode and I already had more notes written (four pages worth) than I do for the whole thing of most others...including Sherlock! Starting to see just how much I love this episode?
- I like how, even though he's doing the right thing this time, The Doctor isn't out of character because he can't resist getting a crack or two made at Rory's expense. He's more subtle in this regeneration (using the psychic paper to label Rory Amy's eunuch) but it's still there.
- I've always felt rather bad for Rory in this episode. He just looks so sad and pathetic because he believes that Amy doesn't love him any more. That girl was his world...is his world. He's heartbroken, despite his attempts to enjoy the trip.- The Doctor's talk with the Signora is one of many things I like about this episode. Hers is really quite a tragic story.
- One thing that is wonderful about this episode is the way it doesn't seem to take itself too seriously.
- SQUEE!!!!!!
- No reflection, pale skin, creepy-yet-amazing-looking-hair, dressed in a nightie, scary-as-anything grins, sharp teeth. Hmmm, Doctor, I wonder what they could be...?
- And he is just so delighted whenever he works it out!
- I really appreciate the design of the vampires in this episode. Right from the start I knew that Signora and son were turning the girls they take in and it just gets better whenever The Doctor discovers the group of girls who have already been turned. Creepy!
I really like the design of the school (Vampire Academy, anyone? No?) and that creepy room used for the transformations looks like something out of a horror film. Amy was either really brave or really stupid to go in there...I'm still deciding which it was.
- Rory and The Doctor get a bit of 'bonding' time and a few witty quips before Rory chews The Doctor out for how dangerous he makes people to themselves (a lecture that sounds significantly better and more meaningful here than it did in Journey's End). The UV portable sunlight was also a nice touch.
- And they got the lore right!!!! To quote Buffy: "To make you a vampire they have to suck
your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big
sucking thing."
- And the ending is a bit bittersweet with The Doctor having committed genocide once again (albeit not all by himself) and Amy inviting Rory to travel with them in the TARDIS, having taken the first step in healing their relationship.
- Silence Will Fall...
This episode is so much fun! I have watched it over and over again and each time I discover something new about it. It just never gets old. The characters are all well-developed, the writing is tight and witty, and the addition to both the series arc and overall mythos of the show is just wonderful. And the vampires kick arse...just sayin'. The Vampires of Venice is a solid 5/5.
What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not -
what would you say differently?
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