I'm Loving Angels
Seen: Doctor Who - The Time Of Angels / Flesh And Stone
The first half of this two-parter was absolutely sodding perfect (give or take what has become known as 'Nortongate' - see my previous DW-related post). The Matt Smith era is in full effect at last! I loved the cheeky nods to Aliens (a movie which this story isn't so much influenced by as rips off wholesale right down to having a main character called Bishop).
The scene with the Angel coming out of the TV screen is an awesome idea - don't go behind the sofa, because if you stop looking at the screen the monster will get you! Love it. The way in which that Angel is defeated by Amy is pure brilliance, too.
And then there's that terrifying scene where the Doctor realises the truth about the Aplan statues. And the Doctor's wonderful response to Amy after he bites her. And the opening scenes with River Song (in fact, every scene with River Song...) The Time Of Angels is perfect Doctor Who, full stop.
Flesh And Stone goes in a bit of a different direction, with more of a focus on the series' arc-story - possibly more than we've ever had. This story no longer works as a standalone, which in a way is a pity. The Angels become less terrifying once we learn that they are immobile if they *think* they're being observed. There are also a few lapses of judgement - Amy fails utterly to walk as if she can see; she opens her eyes for a lot longer than a second, and far longer than necessary; and most glaringly, Matt Smith visibly blinks whilst talking to Octavian when he's being throttled by an Angel. Oops!
Three other points of interest strike me:
1) Is there anyone who doesn't think River was imprisoned for killing the Doctor?
2) When Matt leaves Amy in the forest, right after he says goodbye, there's a brief scene where he tells Amy to remember what he said when she was seven. Not only does this scene have no bearing on the rest of the story, but we notice Matt is wearing his jacket (which he previously shrugged off escaping from the Angels on the ship). Is there something devious and timey-wimey going on here?
3) That ending. Normally, I would have no problem with it at all, but for one point: Is it entirely appropriate to show the aspirational heroine in a childrens' show attempting to be unfaithful to her fiance? Realistic it may be, but setting a good example to impressionable youngsters it is not.
When all is said and done, though, the Angels have done it again. This is very easily the best story of the Matt Smith era so far, adding much to the characters of the regulars, River and the Angels; providing many memorable images and great scares; containing some wonderfully light, humourous touches; being visually flawless; and adding to the show's incredible playgroundability with Amy's shut-eyed-walking and counting-down. I haven't the heart to knock off a point for my minor criticisms when everything else is so right. 10/10.
The first half of this two-parter was absolutely sodding perfect (give or take what has become known as 'Nortongate' - see my previous DW-related post). The Matt Smith era is in full effect at last! I loved the cheeky nods to Aliens (a movie which this story isn't so much influenced by as rips off wholesale right down to having a main character called Bishop).
The scene with the Angel coming out of the TV screen is an awesome idea - don't go behind the sofa, because if you stop looking at the screen the monster will get you! Love it. The way in which that Angel is defeated by Amy is pure brilliance, too.
And then there's that terrifying scene where the Doctor realises the truth about the Aplan statues. And the Doctor's wonderful response to Amy after he bites her. And the opening scenes with River Song (in fact, every scene with River Song...) The Time Of Angels is perfect Doctor Who, full stop.
Flesh And Stone goes in a bit of a different direction, with more of a focus on the series' arc-story - possibly more than we've ever had. This story no longer works as a standalone, which in a way is a pity. The Angels become less terrifying once we learn that they are immobile if they *think* they're being observed. There are also a few lapses of judgement - Amy fails utterly to walk as if she can see; she opens her eyes for a lot longer than a second, and far longer than necessary; and most glaringly, Matt Smith visibly blinks whilst talking to Octavian when he's being throttled by an Angel. Oops!
Three other points of interest strike me:
1) Is there anyone who doesn't think River was imprisoned for killing the Doctor?
2) When Matt leaves Amy in the forest, right after he says goodbye, there's a brief scene where he tells Amy to remember what he said when she was seven. Not only does this scene have no bearing on the rest of the story, but we notice Matt is wearing his jacket (which he previously shrugged off escaping from the Angels on the ship). Is there something devious and timey-wimey going on here?
3) That ending. Normally, I would have no problem with it at all, but for one point: Is it entirely appropriate to show the aspirational heroine in a childrens' show attempting to be unfaithful to her fiance? Realistic it may be, but setting a good example to impressionable youngsters it is not.
When all is said and done, though, the Angels have done it again. This is very easily the best story of the Matt Smith era so far, adding much to the characters of the regulars, River and the Angels; providing many memorable images and great scares; containing some wonderfully light, humourous touches; being visually flawless; and adding to the show's incredible playgroundability with Amy's shut-eyed-walking and counting-down. I haven't the heart to knock off a point for my minor criticisms when everything else is so right. 10/10.