caz963 | DW rewatch - 2x04, The Girl in the Fireplace

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DW rewatch - 2x04, The Girl in the Fireplace

I think I’m about to commit Doctor Who heresy when I say that I just don’t ‘get’ The Girl in the Fireplace. Or more precisely, that I don’t get what it is about that particular episode that puts it at – or near – the top of so many people’s “best of” episode lists.

It’s a Moffat-penned episode, so it’s well-written, and it’s beautifully filmed. The Moff gets to explore his fascination with the principles and implications of time-travel (which I’d not really registered until someone mentioned it on the commentary for The Silence in the Library). Considering he’s now at the helm of a show about a time-travelling hero, that’s probably a good preoccupation to have.

It’s a good episode, yes. I like it, and there’s a great mixture of the funny and the serious. Like I said, it’s well-written. So maybe I’m just being very dense.

It does make a change to see the Doctor all cow-eyed over a woman, instead of the other way around, though. Is that the attraction? I’d imagine all the Ten/Rose shippers (of which I’m not one) wouldn’t have been too pleased. I mean, one week he’s all cosy with Sarah-Jane and the next he’s in love with an eighteenth century French aristocrat. A real coup de foudre.

But then, this incarnation of the Doctor always was a bit of a tart! (Which Mr Caz usually protests is a term of affection when he applies it to me, so I’m using it in the same sense here!)

There is lots of dark and atmospherically lit pretty in this one.

See?

The sexy brainy specs. And because you can never have too much of a good thing –

My, how she’s grown!

Poor bloke. Just been snogged to within an inch of his life!

Peek-a-boo!

The Gallifreyan mind-meld (!) I rather like this bit; Reinette is able to see into the Doctor’s mind rather than his just being able to see into hers. Which is clearly a bit of a shock to his system.

Ah. Eliza Doolitle’s arrived!

He’s just got himself stuck in the eighteenth century. Oops.

He looks surprisingly cheerful, considering…

But of course, he finds a way back. Or forward. Whatever.

I’m such a sucker for emo!Ten. Couldn’t you just drown in those eyes?

Although Doctor Who gets a lot of repeats here on various channels, the odd thing is that I've not seen a great number of the episodes all the way through since their original transmission. It's one of the hazards of watching things with kids around - they need feeding and stuff like that! So sitting down to watch the entirety of Ten's run each weeknight means that there are some episodes I'm seeing for only the second time, and this - and the last one - are among them. So I'm noticing things in retospect that I didn't see before, like the way Ten's loneliness is pointed out so frequently. In School Reunion, Evil-Headmaster-Giles makes mention of how lonely he must be as the last of his race and there were have lots of references here - Reinette calls the Doctor her "lonely angel" and sees him as a lonely child when she sees into his mind. So expect lots of - "oooh, I've just realised that..." moments!

Next episode airs on Monday, the first of the Cybermen two-parter. I remember how excited I was when I saw the trailer. I do love me some of the old villains coming back!

screencaps from demon-cry.net and The Medusa Cascade.

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The reason why I would put it at or near the top of my list is that it actually explores the character of the Doctor - which is true of my favourite RTD-era story "Human Nature/Family of Blood". A lot of the series is based around watching the Companion's reactions to situations, so it's great to see the Doctor actually being moved and affected here. And it explores what it means to be a time traveller, which is something that other writers/episodes don't tend to do very much.

It's also a really straightforward story, to be honest. Rusty loves to talk up his wacky off the wall who-cares-about-plot writing, but I admire Moffat's ability to craft a simple story that explores character. And it's got that beautiful closing image that just caps everything off.

Now I wouldn't want to see the Doctor's character necessarily explored every week - he works really well as an enigmatic figure most of the time. But occasionally it's nice to put the Companion aside and watch the Doctors reaction to things. (Which is why I also love "Midnight" - kudos to Mr Davies there!)

I think a lot of why its so epic for people is that e spendshis whole life watching over her and the idea that growing up, you get this wonderful man who always makes you feel safe even though you barely seem him - i think that's why it's so many people's top ten pick.

Also, this is the ep where Gwen is a lady. Teehee.

What's not to love about this episode? The baddies have a great creepy design - steampunk and the clockwork ticking. David Tennant and Sophia Myles obviously have chemistry to burn at this point in their relationship - and she's both quite a stunner AND quite imperial in her role as Chief Mistress. You buy that this is a person that the Doctor, one of the most extraordinary beings to ever live, would be fascinated by and who could captivate him in return.

The script is light and pacey, and self-contained, with a tragic romance.

The direction's quite good - several nice shots. The score is also lovely.

Also, this is one of the few episodes in this season that I think does justice to Rose Tyler, as it gives her Mickey to play off of - and Moffat writes her as quite spunky and capable of real generosity in this.

It's not that I don't like it - and I confess I enjoyed it more this time around. I agree with everything you say, and I can completely understand why Reinette captivated the Doctor, way more than I can understand why he would feel that way about Rose. Thing is though, all those things are things I can understand, rather than feel, if that makes any sense? The only analogy I can find at the moment is the fact that I can analyse a piece of music, take it to bits, see how it works and find it fascinating - but I can listen to it and I just don't feel it in my gut, you know?

And on the subject of music, I've become more and more impressed with Murray Gold over the years and I'm really pleased he's signed on for the next series.

Rose and Mickey work really well together here - although at the end of School Reunion she wasn't at all happy at the idea of his travelling with her and the Doctor.

Yes, the kids picked up on that straight away!

Oh, I'm completely with you on the character exploration thing - it's one of the things I've absolutely adored about RTD's era. But like I've said to

skywaterblue below, I can understand it, but I don't feel it, and I thought that perhaps I was missing something really obvious.

And it explores what it means to be a time traveller,

Yes, which is something I'd not picked up on about Moff's episodes until whoever it was on that commentary I mentioned pointed it out! I can be dense sometimes *g*!

Midnight is one of my favourites, too.

I'm really glad you said this about Rose here, because I agree. A lot of Moffat critics (and there are a faction) think he sidelines the Companions for his own stories. And yet... I don't think Rose was sidelined here at all. And, in fact, I like Moffat's use of her here.

This is the only Moffat episode I don't feel like I really want to take apart and analyze on a scriptwriting level, so I do understand. I feel like if I did I would ruin it for myself.

And on the subject of music, I've become more and more impressed with Murray Gold over the years and I'm really pleased he's signed on for the next series.

I've become less so, though I think this might be because RTD became obviously far too infatuated with his work. We'll see if they change the sound mixer - the stuff I like about Murray Gold, I hope remains.

Apparently Moffat wasn't informed of that bit about School Reunion! I think it still works though - you can just say that after he gets settled in, Rose decides to make the best of it and then gradually gets cheerier about having him through the episode. And I think that can be read into the performance.

Which is funny because Rose also has a TON of material in The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, most of which is quite charming and fun. Like I said, this is one of the few episodes where I buy her as big-hearted as RTD claims she is - being big enough to make space for Mickey to join the adventure speaks well of her, as does her treatment of Reinette.

And Donna Noble also has a MASSIVE subplot in the Library episodes which, like it or not, we meet her as a person desperate to wed and have a family, so her story of getting her fantasy and then having it ripped away is in fact, really appropriate to her character.

Also, I am biased: I think he's ultimately correct in his criticism of Rose Tyler. Saying one companion was the love of the Doctor's life, in a show where the Doctor(s) and Companions(s) are recast every season or two? That IS a bad precedent to set for the show and undermines the premise.

Also, I am biased: I think he's ultimately correct in his criticism of Rose Tyler.

I absolutely agree. It was a terrible precedent to set and thankfully Moffat is stamping all over that with Professor River Song - at the very least another special relationship that exists at multiple points in the Doctor's life and a character who is strong and independent.

Here via

who_daily. Personally, I like this episode because it has a bit of everything that makes Doctor Who great. Period setting (which, of course, means amazing costumes), funny bits, witty repartee, angst, robots, and a touch of romance. The Doctor pretending to be drunk and singing Rogers & Hammerstein is definitely a crowning moment of funny. Plus the ending is absolutely heartbreaking.

Rose and Mickey were very chummy from the start and for me, and it works really well. I think it would have been better if there had been more of that in the show (before Mickey elected to stay in the alternative universe) and less of Rose going ga-ga over the Doctor. After all, she never explicitly broke up with Mickey, and there are times when I think she could be 'accused' of leading him on.

I admit, I'm totally into the grand sweeping stuff that Murray Gold's been giving us, but then I love music that rips out my heart and stomps on it, in a twisted way!

Saying one companion was the love of the Doctor's life, in a show where the Doctor(s) and Companions(s) are recast every season or two? That IS a bad precedent to set for the show and undermines the premise.

Yes, spot on. And that comes out in School Reunion with the chat outside the cafe when Rose is having a go about being the "latest in a long line". The Doctor is over 900 for gawd's sake - if most people find at least one love during a normal life span, surely he's going to have found himself a few more? In my head, he was probably in love with Sarah-Jane as well (even though it wasn't so overt, back in the day), we're shown him falling for Reinette here, and yes, there's River Song somewhere in the distant future.

I think he's ultimately correct in his criticism of Rose Tyler. Moff? I've missed that - link me?

Hello! *waves*

There's a lot to love in this episode, and like I've said in the other comments, I don't dislike it. It just doesn't seem to "do it" for me and I was wondering what others thought about it. Which has provoked a discussion, so I'm pleased about that :-)

I figure, some things just strike a chord with some people and not others. Out of curiosity, what is your favorite episode?

Ooh, that's a tought one!

From Season 2, probably School Reunion for reasons stated here (http://caz963.livejournal.com/319817.html). I also like Human Nature/The Family of Blood, Blink, Planet of the Ood, Midnight - and basically anything that Donna was in because she was so good - both in her own right, and as a foil for the Doctor. I remember saying way back - after it was announced that Billie Piper was leaving - that the Doctor needed a companion who could give him a good kick up the arse (metaphorically speaking!) at times. We had to wait a bit, but he got one and I think the show was even better than before because of it.

Of the recent specials, I think that The Waters of Mars is my favourite, in terms of storytelling and the way it hangs together.

Edited 2010-01-24 11:06 (UTC)

singing Rogers & Hammerstein

It's Lerner and Loewe - My Fair Lady Hence my comment about Eliza Doolittle :-)

He said something like, 'thank goodness the Doctor dumped his clingy ex with a clone' at an off-the-cuff at SDCC. It caused a massive wankstorm.

I can't decide if it's genius that they killed her in the first episode or not... It causes logistical issues since while Alex Kingston is a very attractive lady in my books, she's not actually a time traveler. But we'll see how much the Moff uses her - for all I know Eleven is going to bust her out of the Library!

Here's my theory - we won't see their first meeting. I suspect she first met The Doctor as Ten some time before he went to the Ood Planet in "End of Time". But most of her relationship with the Doctor is with Eleven, which starts this season. I suspect we'll see her once a year - perhaps more! I'd love if she traveled with the Doctor but it's probably better if she's one of those characters we rarely see. And, frankly, the more out of order their relationship the better. This is a show about a Time Traveler - I want Moffat to mess with my head!

I actually like that we know her end already

Bwahahah - that's priceless! He's not wrong though. The more I see of her on this rewatch, the more annoyed I get. I didn't write anything up about rewatching New Earth last week, but that bit at the start where she's all gushy - "travelling with you, I love it" and he's just as bad - really makes me cringe. I'm sorta thinking now that Rose was a kind of infatuation for him; Nine comes out of the Time War (I'm assuming it was Nine rather than Eight) all battle-weary and guilt-laden, and he meets this refreshingly unaffected kid who trusts him and who is able, in some circumstances, to challenge him in a way he hasn't been for a while, and so he becomes rather taken with her. I liked Rose with Nine. But when Ten came along, it all changed and became more lovey-dovey - which I suspect had a lot to do with the fact that they now had a very attractive man playing the character, and many of the subtleties that had made Rose's relationship with Nine one that I wanted to see just disappeared.

I want to say something about River as well, but I'll do that in response to your other comment :-)

I'd never really thought about this until the other day when someone asked me to explain a throwaway comment I'd made about the Doctor not meeting River for another 3000 years.
The library episodes are set in the 51st century, so unless River is a time traveller (which I don't think she is) then surely the Doctor didn't meet her "for the first time" until a long way ahead in his future, i.e, in the 51st century, assuming she's got a fairly normal human lifespan. This part of it makes my head ache to be honest! Of course, there are times - as we've seen - when she might come across him accidentally in his future, and presumably all the talk about "spoilers" is because he's prepared her for that possibility.

I'm glad we'll be seeing her again, and I certainly don't get all the River-hate that seems to fly around the fandom.

Oh, and I forgot to say, that if the Doctor doesn't meet River until 3000 years from now, it kinda blows the 12 regenerations thing outta the water. I mean, he's used up 10 of them in the last 45 years, so he's got to have a lot more in order to make it until the 51st Century!! *g*

Yeah, The Waters of Mars is a really good episode.

Isn't I Could Have Danced from Cinderella?

I think I'm thinking of A Lovely Night.

Um, you're not thinking like a Time Traveler. For instance, I don't really think of 2010 as the Doctor's "home time" - and I don't think that would ever be specified. So obviously he can *meet* her for the first time - or specifically she can meet him for the first time - whenever he runs across her. He doesn't have to live until the 51st century in a linear way, because he's a Time Traveler!

And, again, I think you're being too literal ;-)

There's the possibility a lot has happened off-screen between seasons and between Companions. Who knows how many adventures Ten had between "Runaway Bride" and "Smith & Jones". He might have lived another hundred years in there - of course, Rusty ruined that by having the Doctor talk about his age ALL THE TIME in the series. But potentially he's lying about that - once you get past 900, you stop counting :P

But I believe the original series said the First Doctor lived til 450 years - and now he's 900 years old. So those other 9 lives weren't as long lived as the first, but potentially 50 years each! :D

Oh, you're completely right - the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff makes my head ache when I think about it too much, so I try not to!

I must admit that I am among those that would indeed put this episode at the top of my list, perhaps because some part of it reminds me, in a fond way, of Douglas Adams and his love for the mundanely bizarre. I mean, they're on a spaceship, and suddenly there's steampunk frenchmen and a horse, and eye-cameras, and windows in time - It's almost like it's too kooky to make sense, but somehow it does, in a brilliantly simple way.

That and drunk!Doctor is just priceless.

See, my Douglas Adams moment happened in EoT when Wilf says he thought the TARDIS would be cleaner! That was rather an Arthur Dent moment, when he says that he'd thought that a spaceship would be all shiny, "not old mattresses"!

Wow, I didn't even notice that! Thanks for pointing it out~

;O I was too busy freaking out about how the Master was suddenly even CRAZIER than he was before, which I personally didn't think was possible.

Edited 2010-01-26 20:39 (UTC)

I've got a theory about why the Doctor was so taken with Reinette in GitF, but it does hinge on whether you believe in reincarnation and whether a soul will, even on a subconscious leven recognize it's other half.

Not sure it's something I believe in personally, but I can certainly understand its use as a literary device.

Personally, I think Ten was in that "just-hit-by-a-truck" state of infatuation, which I suppose isn't all that OOC for him, given his prediliction for being distracted by new and shiny things (!), but his complete disregard for the safety of his companions is definitely NOT the Doctor's style.

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DW rewatch - 2x04, The Girl in the Fireplace

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