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Review for Episode 6x012: Closing Time. There will be Spoilers.
Overview
A sequel to last year’s excellent episode The Lodger, this story saw the return of the ever loveable Craig the hapless unwilling sidekick.
Written by Gareth Roberts who also penned Craig’s original episode Closing Time segued beautifully into next week’s finale.
Episode Summery
I think most of us - myself included - expected this to be a comedic episode. After all it featured James Cordon - of Gavin and Stacey fame -, the clips we saw were hilarious and The Lodger was simply brimming over with mirth.
But it wasn’t. Oh it was still funny in parts - the idea of The Doctor, the Eternal Wanderer working in a shop was brilliant - but there was a miasma of melancholy hanging over this episode. Because this isn’t our Doctor. This is the 200 + Doctor from the beginning of the series. And he is on his way to die.
I suspected it from the minute the Doctor said he was making a social call - the Doctor never makes social calls - but when he said he was on a “Farewell Tour,” it was confirmed. We also got to see where the Doctor got the Stetson and the blue envelopes. Nice wrapping up the timey wimey there Mr Roberts.
The ending especially was impressive. We’ve suspected for a long time that it was River/Melody in the Space Suit - though whether Old River or Baby Melody and whether it was deliberate or accidental were up for debate. Now we know. She was forced.
Where we go from here. Only Moffat knows.
The Doctor
This Doctor was emotionally and mental I think in the same place as the Doctor at the tail end of last week’s episode despite being several thousand years older. Sad. Lonely. Convinced that he is only a danger to those he keeps with him. And in this episode ready for what he knows is inevitable.
It’s interesting to compare and contrast this Doctor’s reaction to the idea of his impending demise to the last Doctor’s reaction to the same. And considering that the Tenth Doctor was only going to regenerate while as far as both the Doctor and we the fans are aware this is truly the Doctor’s end, Eleven seems to be taking it a lot better than Ten did.
But like the Tenth Doctor, Eleven has given up trying to help people. But not because he doesn’t want to. But because he’s afraid of the damage he might do to people. It’s interesting to see the weight of his actions weighing down on the Doctor though I’m sure some people will still find it too depressing.
It’s episodes like this that show why Matt Smith was really the perfect choice for the Doctor.
The Companion
So Amy’s a famous model or has designed a perfume has she? What’s up with that?
Once again the arrival of the Doctor on his life forced Craig to face up to an aspect of himself. In the Lodger the Doctor forced him to finally (with the help of an Alien Spaceship) admit his feelings for Sophie, while here he helped him realise that whatever he thinks of himself he does have exactly what it takes to be a Father to Alfie (or Stormageddon Dark Lord of All). The scene where Craig short circuited the cyber conversion because of his intense paternal feelings was beautifully done.
Craig represents the Everyman in all of us. While we like to think that if the Doctor showed up we would be as capable of being a companion as Amy or Donna, in truth we would be much more like Craig or Pre Bamf Rory. A little scared, a little confused. But at the end of the day capable of great acts of courage.
And for those of you who are a certain age who thought that Val the Shop Lady looked familiar I have four words for you.
Come Outside and Pippin.
Now weave your way down memory lane.
The Bad Guy
Cyberman. Proper Cybermen. In a crashed spaceship.
Can they have a proper episode please?
Conclusion.
A cute and understated episode that was equal parts funny and sad and showed once again why Cordon and Smith are fantastic partners.
Next Week: When the Doctor goes to Lake Silenceo on the Plain of Sighs. Silence Will Fall.
Overview
A sequel to last year’s excellent episode The Lodger, this story saw the return of the ever loveable Craig the hapless unwilling sidekick.
Written by Gareth Roberts who also penned Craig’s original episode Closing Time segued beautifully into next week’s finale.
Episode Summery
I think most of us - myself included - expected this to be a comedic episode. After all it featured James Cordon - of Gavin and Stacey fame -, the clips we saw were hilarious and The Lodger was simply brimming over with mirth.
But it wasn’t. Oh it was still funny in parts - the idea of The Doctor, the Eternal Wanderer working in a shop was brilliant - but there was a miasma of melancholy hanging over this episode. Because this isn’t our Doctor. This is the 200 + Doctor from the beginning of the series. And he is on his way to die.
I suspected it from the minute the Doctor said he was making a social call - the Doctor never makes social calls - but when he said he was on a “Farewell Tour,” it was confirmed. We also got to see where the Doctor got the Stetson and the blue envelopes. Nice wrapping up the timey wimey there Mr Roberts.
The ending especially was impressive. We’ve suspected for a long time that it was River/Melody in the Space Suit - though whether Old River or Baby Melody and whether it was deliberate or accidental were up for debate. Now we know. She was forced.
Where we go from here. Only Moffat knows.
The Doctor
This Doctor was emotionally and mental I think in the same place as the Doctor at the tail end of last week’s episode despite being several thousand years older. Sad. Lonely. Convinced that he is only a danger to those he keeps with him. And in this episode ready for what he knows is inevitable.
It’s interesting to compare and contrast this Doctor’s reaction to the idea of his impending demise to the last Doctor’s reaction to the same. And considering that the Tenth Doctor was only going to regenerate while as far as both the Doctor and we the fans are aware this is truly the Doctor’s end, Eleven seems to be taking it a lot better than Ten did.
But like the Tenth Doctor, Eleven has given up trying to help people. But not because he doesn’t want to. But because he’s afraid of the damage he might do to people. It’s interesting to see the weight of his actions weighing down on the Doctor though I’m sure some people will still find it too depressing.
It’s episodes like this that show why Matt Smith was really the perfect choice for the Doctor.
The Companion
So Amy’s a famous model or has designed a perfume has she? What’s up with that?
Once again the arrival of the Doctor on his life forced Craig to face up to an aspect of himself. In the Lodger the Doctor forced him to finally (with the help of an Alien Spaceship) admit his feelings for Sophie, while here he helped him realise that whatever he thinks of himself he does have exactly what it takes to be a Father to Alfie (or Stormageddon Dark Lord of All). The scene where Craig short circuited the cyber conversion because of his intense paternal feelings was beautifully done.
Craig represents the Everyman in all of us. While we like to think that if the Doctor showed up we would be as capable of being a companion as Amy or Donna, in truth we would be much more like Craig or Pre Bamf Rory. A little scared, a little confused. But at the end of the day capable of great acts of courage.
And for those of you who are a certain age who thought that Val the Shop Lady looked familiar I have four words for you.
Come Outside and Pippin.
Now weave your way down memory lane.
The Bad Guy
Cyberman. Proper Cybermen. In a crashed spaceship.
Can they have a proper episode please?
Conclusion.
A cute and understated episode that was equal parts funny and sad and showed once again why Cordon and Smith are fantastic partners.
Next Week: When the Doctor goes to Lake Silenceo on the Plain of Sighs. Silence Will Fall.