By: Keith Temple
**Spoilers**
If you have not yet seen this episode, please go and do so before proceeding.
The middle of The Hiding Place meets Uncle Tom's Cabin meets beginning of X-Men. That's the best description I can think of for this episode as there are definite slavery/concentration camp vibes. Wow. Just wow.
Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:
- The beginning of this episode just reminds me again why I love Donna so very much. Whether she's squeeing excitedly about setting foot on an alien planet or she's dashing back into the TARDIS for a fur coat, she's just so energetic and excited to see the universe with her Martian that one can't help but get swept up in the adventurous spirit too.
- "Rocket! Blimey, a real proper rocket. Now that’s what I call a spaceship. You’ve got a box; he’s got a Ferrari! Come on, lets go see where it’s going!" I wonder what Sexy thought of that...?
- Red-eye. Now that doesn't sound at all ominous... (note the sarcasm)
- The way Donna deals with that Ood, speaking gently to him and calling him sweetheart once she gets over her initial shock, are examples of why she is the perfect companion. Not because she is perfect, but because she's willing to work past her problems and issues to become a better person.
- You know, it was shameful the way The Doctor didn't try to help the Ood last time he met them (In his defense, he was fighting the Devil) and it's also an interesting commentary about how sometimes we just don't notice injustice (or rationalize it away) even though it's right under our noses.
- And here we go with the 'mistaken for couple' jokes again.
- This episode also contains the very first Simpsons reference on Doctor Who.
- One thing that makes this episode stand out so much is the very dark tone it takes. Not just dark as in dealing with deep concepts or a high death toll...but dark in the sense that it hits very close to home and gets personal with the unhappy truths.
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- And yet, despite the hard-hitting elements, this story manages to also keep a sense of wonder and hope about it. Sort of like it manages to showcase the worst bits of humanity as well as what makes the human race so very wonderful as well. "It's weird. I mean, it's brilliant, but... Back home, the papers and the telly, they keep saying we haven't got long to live. Global warming. Flooding. All the bees disappearing. But look at us! We're everywhere. Is that good or bad, though? I mean, are we like explorers? Or more like a virus?" The point is that humanity may be depraved and depressing and all of those horrible things that Pandora let out of her box...but she also let out hope. And hope is what keeps us alive. Hope for a better future; hope that gives us the courage to strive for something greater. Everyone needs hope.
- It's sort of chilling the way the processed Ood don't even understand the concept of freedom. All they know is that "...the circle must be broken..."
- Clear Hitler comparisons with the way the 'infected' Ood are gassed. Quite chilling.
- Again...clear parallels with the way they're packed into boxes for shipment like that.
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- The Doctor just drives everything home with his comment to Donna about how she may not have direct slaves...but what about the sweat shop workers who make trainers and fancy jackets? Ouch.
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- One of my favorite Donna scenes of all time is the moment where she and The Doctor find some of the un-processed Ood in the cells and The Doctor opens her mind so she can hear their psychic singing and she just breaks down in tears because she can't bear the sadness.
- I'll admit that that scene brings me (yes, cynical complainer me) to tears every time I watch it. The music, the atmosphere, the emotions...just everything comes together perfectly to get a point across so poignantly and to sweep you up in the moment. It's just beautifully sad.
- Another sad scene is with Solana, the head of Public Relations who could claim ignorance to the truly terrible events because she didn't ask. Sort of reminds you of what actually happens in dictatorships and all corrupt societies where all it takes for evil to win is for good people to sit on their hands, cover their ears, and do nothing.
- It is interesting that the Ood, a race previously so fascinating for the fact that they were allegedly 'born to serve' now are re-imaged as a race literally born with their brains in their hands. They are peaceful singers who had no choice but to put their faith in others...and were betrayed.
- Donna, in particular, gives the head of the Ood corporation the what-for whenever she and The Doctor are finally captured. "You idiot! They're born with their brains in their hands. Don't you see, that makes them peaceful! They've got to be, cos a creature like that would have to trust anyone it meets."
- And, of course, she is given the classic dogma and excuse...
- That's one thing I really love about Donna is that she may be loud and seemingly brash and sometimes even insensitive at first, but whenever it comes down to brass tacks she has a lot of heart and understanding that cuts right through the muck and nonsense right down to the quick of a matter. And she isn't afraid to tell it like it is either. She's not necessarily mean, but she never shies away from saying what she thinks is right. And I respect that.
- And then, in a classic case of 'shoot the messenger/whistle-blower', The Doctor and Donna are left to the tender mercies of a bunch of infected Ood.
- Handcuffed to a pipe, no less.
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- But their earlier kind treatment of the captured Ood comes back to them as the Ood all call out together in song for the DoctorDonna to be spared.
- Our climax comes with a battle between the newly freed Ood and the guards (after a bunch of Ood dispose of potential buyers) while the head of the corporation, Mr. Halpen, goes to destroy the main shared brain of the Ood, thereby killing them all. Turns out the mysterious 'circle' was a telepathic hindering field around this massive brain that kept the Ood from communicating without great pain.
- Through a series of events the doctor is killed (after revealing that he's actually a spy in one of the most out-of-the-blue and pointless scenes in television history) and Ood Sigma reveals that the hair tonic he has been giving his master is actually Ood essence (EW!) that, in the end of the all, turns Mr. Halpen into a newborn Ood himself. Ood Sigma promises The Doctor that no further revenge will be taken and that this new member of their race will be looked after properly.
- The Ood then sing a song of freedom for The Doctor and Donna as the two friends fly off in their TARDIS.
I feel like this is an episode that gets overlooked at lot (just like Fires of Pompeii) whenever people are talking about great Doctor Who stories. And that's a shame, because it's really a deep little gem. It's dark and depressing in places, but while it goes to the ugliest portions of life it also makes sure to show us the beauty. In that, it's a wonderfully balanced story. It manages to promote humane treatment of enemies and peace without coming off as preachy or holier-than-thou and it helps our main characters to grow and change as well. It was touching, sad, dark, and even gross in places (most notably whenever Mr. Halpen turned into the Ood) and managed to keep an even pace throughout all. Except for the bewildering reveal of the Friends of the Ood plant, nothing really felt jarring or out of place. Planet of the Ood is a 4/5.
What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not - what would you say differently?
The middle of The Hiding Place meets Uncle Tom's Cabin meets beginning of X-Men. That's the best description I can think of for this episode as there are definite slavery/concentration camp vibes. Wow. Just wow.
Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:
- The beginning of this episode just reminds me again why I love Donna so very much. Whether she's squeeing excitedly about setting foot on an alien planet or she's dashing back into the TARDIS for a fur coat, she's just so energetic and excited to see the universe with her Martian that one can't help but get swept up in the adventurous spirit too.
- "Rocket! Blimey, a real proper rocket. Now that’s what I call a spaceship. You’ve got a box; he’s got a Ferrari! Come on, lets go see where it’s going!" I wonder what Sexy thought of that...?
- Red-eye. Now that doesn't sound at all ominous... (note the sarcasm)
- The way Donna deals with that Ood, speaking gently to him and calling him sweetheart once she gets over her initial shock, are examples of why she is the perfect companion. Not because she is perfect, but because she's willing to work past her problems and issues to become a better person.- You know, it was shameful the way The Doctor didn't try to help the Ood last time he met them (In his defense, he was fighting the Devil) and it's also an interesting commentary about how sometimes we just don't notice injustice (or rationalize it away) even though it's right under our noses.
- And here we go with the 'mistaken for couple' jokes again.
- One thing that makes this episode stand out so much is the very dark tone it takes. Not just dark as in dealing with deep concepts or a high death toll...but dark in the sense that it hits very close to home and gets personal with the unhappy truths.
- And yet, despite the hard-hitting elements, this story manages to also keep a sense of wonder and hope about it. Sort of like it manages to showcase the worst bits of humanity as well as what makes the human race so very wonderful as well. "It's weird. I mean, it's brilliant, but... Back home, the papers and the telly, they keep saying we haven't got long to live. Global warming. Flooding. All the bees disappearing. But look at us! We're everywhere. Is that good or bad, though? I mean, are we like explorers? Or more like a virus?" The point is that humanity may be depraved and depressing and all of those horrible things that Pandora let out of her box...but she also let out hope. And hope is what keeps us alive. Hope for a better future; hope that gives us the courage to strive for something greater. Everyone needs hope.- It's sort of chilling the way the processed Ood don't even understand the concept of freedom. All they know is that "...the circle must be broken..."
- Clear Hitler comparisons with the way the 'infected' Ood are gassed. Quite chilling.
- Again...clear parallels with the way they're packed into boxes for shipment like that.
- The Doctor just drives everything home with his comment to Donna about how she may not have direct slaves...but what about the sweat shop workers who make trainers and fancy jackets? Ouch.
- One of my favorite Donna scenes of all time is the moment where she and The Doctor find some of the un-processed Ood in the cells and The Doctor opens her mind so she can hear their psychic singing and she just breaks down in tears because she can't bear the sadness.- I'll admit that that scene brings me (yes, cynical complainer me) to tears every time I watch it. The music, the atmosphere, the emotions...just everything comes together perfectly to get a point across so poignantly and to sweep you up in the moment. It's just beautifully sad.
- Another sad scene is with Solana, the head of Public Relations who could claim ignorance to the truly terrible events because she didn't ask. Sort of reminds you of what actually happens in dictatorships and all corrupt societies where all it takes for evil to win is for good people to sit on their hands, cover their ears, and do nothing.
- It is interesting that the Ood, a race previously so fascinating for the fact that they were allegedly 'born to serve' now are re-imaged as a race literally born with their brains in their hands. They are peaceful singers who had no choice but to put their faith in others...and were betrayed.
- Donna, in particular, gives the head of the Ood corporation the what-for whenever she and The Doctor are finally captured. "You idiot! They're born with their brains in their hands. Don't you see, that makes them peaceful! They've got to be, cos a creature like that would have to trust anyone it meets."
- And, of course, she is given the classic dogma and excuse...- And then, in a classic case of 'shoot the messenger/whistle-blower', The Doctor and Donna are left to the tender mercies of a bunch of infected Ood.
- Handcuffed to a pipe, no less.
- But their earlier kind treatment of the captured Ood comes back to them as the Ood all call out together in song for the DoctorDonna to be spared.
- Our climax comes with a battle between the newly freed Ood and the guards (after a bunch of Ood dispose of potential buyers) while the head of the corporation, Mr. Halpen, goes to destroy the main shared brain of the Ood, thereby killing them all. Turns out the mysterious 'circle' was a telepathic hindering field around this massive brain that kept the Ood from communicating without great pain.
- Through a series of events the doctor is killed (after revealing that he's actually a spy in one of the most out-of-the-blue and pointless scenes in television history) and Ood Sigma reveals that the hair tonic he has been giving his master is actually Ood essence (EW!) that, in the end of the all, turns Mr. Halpen into a newborn Ood himself. Ood Sigma promises The Doctor that no further revenge will be taken and that this new member of their race will be looked after properly.
- The Ood then sing a song of freedom for The Doctor and Donna as the two friends fly off in their TARDIS.
I feel like this is an episode that gets overlooked at lot (just like Fires of Pompeii) whenever people are talking about great Doctor Who stories. And that's a shame, because it's really a deep little gem. It's dark and depressing in places, but while it goes to the ugliest portions of life it also makes sure to show us the beauty. In that, it's a wonderfully balanced story. It manages to promote humane treatment of enemies and peace without coming off as preachy or holier-than-thou and it helps our main characters to grow and change as well. It was touching, sad, dark, and even gross in places (most notably whenever Mr. Halpen turned into the Ood) and managed to keep an even pace throughout all. Except for the bewildering reveal of the Friends of the Ood plant, nothing really felt jarring or out of place. Planet of the Ood is a 4/5.
What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not - what would you say differently?
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