The Doctor Dances

If you thought the fantastic build-up in The Empty Child was something, think again: Steven Moffat ends his first proper Doctor Who story with a magnificent payoff that exceeds expectations, even in terms of "horror", cementing his reputation as one of the UK's best television writers.

Following up from the previous episode's cliffhanger, the mysterious Empty Child has infected dozens of people in a hospital. The only problem is, the Doctor, Jack and Rose are in the same building, meaning they have to come up with some unusually clever plan to survive, reverse the unearthly epidemic and get back to the TARDIS. After all, London circa 1914 isn't exactly the best place to die, though it sure beats 1869 Cardiff...

Like its predecessor, The Doctor Dances is a masterclass in tension, with some genuine scares served throughout the 45 minutes, although with a healthy balancing act coming from the typically Doctor-like moments of humor. In particular, Moffat uses the scenario (and, to a certain extent, the new Jack Harkness character) to comment on one of the protagonist's less child-friendly sides: the title, and the whole business about the Time Lord dancing or not, is basically a big fat metaphor regarding the sexual chemistry between the Doctor and his companion(s). Naturally, given the BBC's family-oriented seal on the program, things never enter Coupling territory, with the resolution coming off as light-hearted but extremely funny. In other words, vintage Doctor Who.

A perfect ending to this amazing arc. Definitely the most memorable of this particular season. Not much more to say really, it's really great, nuff said.

Not quite as good of a second part but only just below part 1 because this was still an exquisite episode and maybe even more frightening than the the 1st part.

If i had any objections it would be Captain Jack, I found John Barrowman's Performance absolutely amazing in future episodes, was a little lacking here; but being his introduction episode to the Doctor Who franchise i can't complain. Certainly seen much worse character introductions on other tv shows.

The Doctor, Rose and Jack find themselves trapped in various places in the hospital as Gasmaskitis continues to spread, the mummifications causing more than just dread, one touch of mutation and you will get a new head, and while you'll be living you are actually dead. Escaping to gather round the alien vessel (the one that brought them here in the first place), the crowds of inflicted all starting to nestle, can that Nancy conjure up something impossibly special, transcendental, elemental, heartfelt, kind, almost relational? With a bit of help perhaps - heart-warming stuff indeed.

I needn't have worried about whether the conclusion of this two part episode as though the first half was good, this was even better.

Surrounded by the infected, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston), Rose (Billie Piper) and Captain Jack (John Barrowman) attempt to escape the overrun hospital and investigate the origin of the outbreak. Meanwhile, Nancy (Florence Hoath) is sick with guilt and heads for the crash site herself.

I'm really struck with this one about how good a writer Stephen Moffatt is. How many of the plot points are layered in early that pay off in this finale and how it reaches such a satisfactory, but inherently logical and clever conclusion, utilising an idea it had already seeded in the episode. Also Eccleston's sheer jubilation at the idea that just once, "everybody lives" is a great moment, perhaps his best in his whole run. On top of that, there are two moments of (again, relatively family friendly) horror, both involving sound effects continuing when they should have stopped, that are subtly and masterfully done.

Jack is a fun character still, though we see little of the character that we'd arrive at and, interestingly, he talks about two years of his life being taken that still don't think has been explained (on the television anyway). Maybe there's a low hanging plot point for season 13. I remember he hangs around for the next few episodes, so maybe we'll land a little closer there.

I'd forgotten how good much of the first season is, it's been delightful to discover it again.