NuWho Review: Series 1 Episode 10 “The Doctor Dances”

By: Steven Moffat

**Spoilers**

If you have not yet watched this episode, please go and do so before proceeding.

            May I just say thank-you now to whoever made the decision to post the “Next Time” trailer after the credits of The Empty Child? All too often a two-parter is ruined by having the cliff-hanger’s resolution given away by that dratted trailer. But not so here! When watching this for the first time, I genuinely had no idea how The Doctor would get them out of this one. But out of all the theories my over-active mind might have conjured up, I never once guessed that the solution would be something as simple and darkly comical as The Doctor ordering the child to its room. 

         And, of course, the look of relief on his face when it works mirrors the one the audience is doubtlessly sporting. I had figured that this little cliff-hanger would result in the loss of either Rose or Jack (I was personally rooting for Rose) and I actually laughed a bit at the strange but efficient way it turned out. And The Doctor is right, of course, those would have been terrible last words!


Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:

- Jack’s interaction with The Doctor is great (and The Doctor should have paid attention to the comments about Volcano Day…more on that to come). But all too soon the light-hearted mood is killed as they investigate the child’s room. Between the depressing recording and the scribbles trying to depict ‘mummy’ on the wall, this place is a nightmarish replica of a kid’s room. 

- And then comes the scariest moment of this entire story. It’s hard to notice fully the first time you watch, but it is also one scene that gets better with more repetitions. The Doctor is going on and on, deducing things about the child and trying to figure out what happened. A tape, recorded by Dr. Constantine, is playing in the background. Rose and Jack are trying to help The Doctor think, but to no avail while the child continues to call for "Mummy" – a call you can hear even over the clicking sound that is the tape stopping. 

- It’s a genius move on Moffat’s part. The first time you watch it, you don’t even realize that the tape has run out until The Doctor does. But ever after, you’ll be listening for that ominous clicking and chewing your fingernails in suspense until he finally notices. But once the child is revealed to be actually in the room (obeying The Doctor’s order from earlier) the action starts again as Rose, Jack, and The Doctor flee from the gas mask zombies in a thrilling chase that alternates between break-neck pacing and humorous one-liners.

- One prime example of said one-liners is The Doctor switching Jack’s squareness gun out for a banana and then taking breath as they run for their lives to observe that bananas are a good source of potassium and Jack better not leave it behind. 

- Another hilarious scene is the part where they are backed into a corner and, rather than break a window or shoot at the zombies, The Doctor and Jack waste a good bit of time comparing tools. I kid you not! Jack is waxing poetic about all of the special features on his high-tech weapon and The Doctor is reluctant to admit that all he has is a screwdriver. This leaves Rose of all people to finally used her head and save the day by shooting a hole through the floor to let them escape into the ward below. 

- If Rose would think like this more often, she would become a more likable character. One of the main problems that I see developing the more I see of her is that she rushes into situations without plans (or means to back-up the lack of a plan) and has become almost desensitised to sensible fear. Rushing blindly into danger when there are other options that could be considered first isn’t bravery. Rather, it’s just stupidity. Still, Jack – Doctor banter is something that makes up for Rose and is also something we need more of. It’s just great fun to watch. Figures that a futuristic sonic blaster would have battery problems, though.

- So they are trapped and in danger, Jack is trying to get them out, The Doctor is doing his part to help, and Rose is putting the moves on him. C’mon, girl! Adam, Jack, and now The Doctor? I’m really coming to not like you very much, despite how much I’ve tried to.

- It would be another matter altogether if her being a bit of a casual flirt was part of her character and played for laughs (like with Amy Pond). But the thing is, they don’t present her as a flirt. They make her out to be the best companion ever who can do no wrong. Take the part in The Long Game where The Doctor says to Adam “I only take the best, and I’ve got Rose” for an example. That is Russell T. Davies talking there, not The Doctor who I don't think would have made such a warm and fuzzy statement at this point. I also think RTD is a bit too enamoured with his creation and is forgetting to make her an actual character. I’m not saying that she has to be perfect as that’s bad writing as well, but could she at least have a few faults that are recognised as being such and actually cause problems beyond the casual reprimand? Really, I think that would help.

- I’ve had my rant and now I’m going to shut up about Rose’s problems. Let’s talk about Nancy instead. It’s better for my blood pressure. 

- Nancy was a mysterious character when first introduced and now, as we peel back more layers, we discover that she only gets more complex as the plot thickens. She has some secret about the child, whom she calls Jamie and claims is her little brother. She takes care of a group of street kids and, in addition to keeping them fed, teaches them manners and street smarts. This implies that she’s older and more mature than her braids suggest. She also has a fine mind and knows how to apply it. Take her dealings with Mr. Lloyd, for an example. Mr. Lloyd is the rather rotund man with who’s dinner Nancy fed her charges and The Doctor. (I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are in any way related to the Dursleys because the similarities are quite striking between their attitude, family dynamic, and girth.) Eventually, when the all clear sounds, Nancy is caught and Mr. Lloyd tries to be intimidating when he interrogates her. But plucky Nancy not only had the foresight to stake this place out, she also noticed the affair between Mr. Lloyd and the butcher and has the guts to use that information to blackmail the sweating boar into letting her go and providing her with equipment. 

- Another place that quick, observant nature is displayed is when she goes to say goodbye to the street kids. So the child (Jamie) can control typewriters now? That doesn’t make any sense, but we the audience let it pass because it’s creepy. I am impressed that Nancy noticed because I (who consider myself a decently observant person) failed to notice the clickety-clack of the keys until she pointed it out. Then I jumped in my seat and shuddered as the page covered with ‘mummy’ was displayed. We will see this again later when she thinks to sing a transformed (zombified) soldier to sleep with a child’s lullaby.

- This episode has an amazing villain in the form of the over-helpful nanogenes. At the end of the day, it wasn't an evil overlord trying to corrupt the Earth that was causing the plague but simply a piece of technology gone horribly wrong. That is more terrifying than the vilest of sentient beings, because you can’t reason with a machine and you can’t kill it. It takes the superior DNA of the mother (who turns out to be Nancy) to fix Jamie and the other gas mask people.

- That particular scene, despite being an emotional roller-coaster, also gives Christopher Eccleston the chance to really shine as he goes from investigative judge to compassionate, concerned physician when he realises just who and Nancy is and what dire situations drove her to this state. Also, the line about little boys and their mothers: “There isn’t a little boy born who wouldn’t tear the world apart for his mummy…” 

- It is true and sad and sounds like a very personal statement. The gentle way he then deals with the tragic situation is beautiful, as is the look of pure joy on his face when Jamie is healed. That ecstatic grin will bring a smile to your face too unless you’ve got a heart of ice-cold stone.

            Between the writing, directing, music, and acting – The Doctor Dances is definitely the high point of Series 1. Worth numerous watches where you notice something new each time, I would say that this episode (and story as a whole) ranks a 5/5. I don’t know how the writing could get much better than this!

What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not - what would you say differently?