Thoughts about Nightmare in Silver
Since this is actually the first episode of Doctor Who that I have watched the same night it aired (I AM FINALLY CAUGHT UP WOO HOO), I decided to share my thoughts with all of you. I know you were dying to know what they are ;).
Overall, I enjoyed it but it was also a little disappointing. That's the problem with asking a talented and imaginative genius like Neil Gaiman to write an episode of Doctor Who though isn't it? Expectations are always going to be high, and with the success of The Doctor's Wife, they were even higher. I just read that the script for this was cut down so I won't blame Neil for the shoddy characterization and set up of the kids (that photo thing at the end of CH felt really contrived).
The Good:
* Amusement park planet. Very imaginative idea and something I've always thought the Doctor would enjoy. Instead of bright and cheery, it was dark and eerie. It felt a little like Tim Burton to me and very much set up the mood for the episode.
*The little boy was cute. I liked his excitement about everything. Mostly, I was happy that the kids were kind of in a coma the whole episode though
*The original characters (besides the kids) were really good and well written for the most part, especially Warwick Davis' character Porridge.
*Warwick Davis being in the episode
*Matt Smith did a fantastic and believable job alternating back and forth between the Cyber Planner and The Doctor
*The Doctor's mind scape was pretty neat
*Clara is a badass (and I want to marry her)
*The army being a "punishment" squad that didn't really know how to fight. I thought that added a little more depth to the soldiers. The captain was also interesting and I admired her resolve.
*I laughed a lot when the Doctor said “don’t shoot, I’m nice!”
*The cybermen looked cooler than I've ever seen them look. I think it makes sense that they would eventually learn to adapt and also evolve to the point of being nearly indestructible (and that aspect is a bit terrifying). The "bugs' were an interesting idea as was making the cybermen faster.
*Even though Angie annoyed the f*ck out of me, I thought she was a realistic tween in a way, trying to defy authority and pretend she is above it all (though come on, even a tween would be impressed by another planet - that part isn't realistic at all). I also liked that she was the only one observant enough to notice that Porridge was the emperor
The Bad
*Plot holes - it didn't make any sense that the kids had to sleep outside of the TARDIS (apparently the set up for this was cut out)
*The amusement park idea could have beeen sooooo much cooler. We only get to see one anti gravity ride. I know, I know the episode wasn’t about that but still, I think there was a bit of wasted potential.
*Clara seemed really out of character to me. I liked that she was in charge and totally baddass, but her lack of concern over the kids and comment about doing what "the Doctor says" made her seem really off to me. Also, although she has always seemed confident I don't think we have really seen her develop to the point that she would be able to carry out a role as a commander, seemingly without effort (and with very little fear). It just didn't seem completely believable at this point in her character development. I didn't like how she talked to the Captain either.
*The chess thing is a little drawn out. I enjoyed Matt in those scenes but it went on a bit too long?
*The cybermen weren't that scary to me and that is apparently what Neil Gaiman was asked to do in this episode. They were certainly cooler, but I find the idea of hacking my brain up and taking away my ability to feel anything a lot more terrifying than robot bugs.
*The Doctor telling Clara that he didn't think she was pretty. It was a little funny and I understand it was meant to counteract what the Cyber Planner said about the Doctor's feelings for her (which are most likely somewhat true), but still it bugged me
*Matt's impersonation of the tenth Doctor's Allons-y is funny but awful! (minor quibble)
*The little bit at the end where the Doctor goes on about the "impossible girl" and makes the awful and uncalled for comment about Clara's skirts. I get that this is probably supposed to tell us that he does in fact think Clara is attractive, but it was tasteless and unnecessary. It also sends the wrong message: Why tell a woman she is pretty when you can objectify her behind her back instead? The Doctor's casual reference to her as the "impossible girl" etc etc seemed cold and detached, and undoes all the emotional progress he made at the end of Journey to the Center of the TARDIS. I wasn't a big fan of that episode, but at least the Doctor genuinely comes to realize that Clara is Clara and not just some mystery to be solved. I know they are trying to lead into the finale but it felt regressive to me after everything they have been through together.
I am very nervous about next week's episode...
I am sure I had more thoughts on the episode but that is quite enough for now. I'd love to hear what you thought about the episode f-list (hint hint) ;)