Episode 9: NIGHT TERRORS

[Michele]

I think TomH138 is right on with his assessment of "It's a base hit, just not a home run."

I was thoroughly engaged for about the first half of the episode. Loved the concept of the Doctor making a "house call." And I somehow find it very comforting, reassuring, and affirming that the guy who has saved the world/universe time and again cares enough to take the time out to address the needs of one family. However, I found the reveal that the child was the alien somehow disappointing. I was realy looking forward to the Doctor saving the child/family from something, rather than just from the child himself, as it were. I guess I like the message about acceptance at the end, but it may have been too abrubt a change in direction from where I was headed mentally with the story.

As for how a child would react to this story -- I can't speak for an 8-year old, but I had my 7.7 year old (as he'd be sure to tell you) right by my side the whole way. While he generally dismisses the idea that Doctor Who might be too scary, I was worried about this one given the previews. However, he watched it without incident -- and no nightmares afterwards. (Thank goodness, my husband would seriously disapprove if "my" show started giving our son nightmares!) My son really liked the part where everyone got returned to their lives after the dollhouse. The pile of garbage was a particularly big hit.

As an aside, Kenneth has bloomed into a full-blown Doctor Who fan over the last month. He is now an avid fan of Matt Smith's Doctor, has watched all of Season Five (and quotes it repeatedly -- Amy's Choice seems to have been especially intriguing to him) and is eagerly consuming videos of past doctors as opportunity permits. (He's complaining to me that he hasn't seen any 2nd Doctor yet -- and is deeply offended that the BBC wiped episodes in the past.) A couple of days ago an item arrived in the post enclosed in a great big rectangular box. Kenneth was very impatient for us to open the package so he could have the box. A quick incision with an Exacto knife, followed by some packing tape, and Kenneth is now happily travelling through time and space in his own TARDIS, regenerating through each of the Doctors at will. ("Mom, who do you want? The fifth Doctor or the eighth?"). Seems I've created another fanatic...

[djnana]

Ok, this episode had a few flaws, but for me it was one of the best Doctor Who episodes for years!  The transformation of the landlord and Amy into dolls was the creepiest thing I have ever seen in Dr Who.  Alright, we had seen some of the ideas in Fear Her and The Empty Child, but Who has rehashed old storylines since the classic days.  Terry Nation made a career of it!  Best Gattis story since The Unquiet Dead - has almost made me forgive him for Victory of the Daleks! Almost but not quite!

[TomH1138]

Wow, what a great story, Michelle! Thanks for sharing. I'm always interested hearing about the younger generation getting involved.

Another friend of mine mentioned on Facebook that he's showing one of his sons the 2005 series for the first time. The kid watched five episodes today! (The others are still too young.)

djnana, thanks for your comments. And welcome to the forum!

[Edwardian Cricketer]

I thought was a very scary story. A right "jump out and say boo" type story that could scare younger viewers "behind the sofa." The idea that the Doctor makes a house call was totally cool. Have I said how much I like Matt Smith's just completely bonkers Doctor? He is truly a mad man with box. But it's a magic box!

I got the doll house almost right away. The wooden cookery or the doors with no handles did it for me. Amy and the landlord being turned into dolls was creepy, as was the little sing-song voices.

I admit I was a little disappointed that the kid was an alien, as that was too easy an explanation but it worked out in the end. Now the kid has a good foster home. I like this one. Not my favorite for the season so far but high on the scale.

[Mr Hyde]

I enjoyed the first half of this one, but not so much the second half. The idea that a child had fears and the Doctor came to fix things was great. Then for it to be a special deal for just alien kids seemed disappointing. I liked the idea that any kid might get the Doctor to come and help, only for that not to be the case. I wasn't too taken with another 'I love you!' fix-all ending. It could just as easily have been 'Stop it!' or 'Grow up!'.

I didn't realise we we weren't supposed to know it was a dolls house. Everything before the episode let you know dolls were in it so I took it for granted they were in a dolls house?

It was an alright watch though. As said 'Not a home run'.

Nice to hear that Michelle's youngster enjoyed it though. Always good to hear about new fans.

[judgefloyd]

all up a great episode - my quibbles not withstanding (see the 'roight now Oi'm watching' thread).  I too am fed up with the Power of Love fixing things.  Moffatt should give up redemptive Love Power for lent, or, better yet, 2012