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The Doctor: David Tennant
Rose Tyler: Billie Piper
Mickey Smith: Noel Clarke
Reinette, Madame de Pompadour: Sophia Myles
King Louis XIV: Ben Turner
Young Reinette: Jessica Atkins
Katherine: Angel Coulby
Manservant: Gareth Wyn Gtiffiths
Clockwork Man: Paul Casey
Clockwork Woman: Ellen Thomas
Synopsis:
The Doctor arrives in 18th-Century France to find Madame de
Pompadour being stalked by clockwork automatons from the 51st-Century...
The Girl In The Fireplace is a quite wonderful love story, courtesy of
writer Steven Moffatt, who knows exactly how to mix science-fiction with
powerful emotion. The story finds The Doctor, Rose and Mickey aboard a
spaceship in the 51st-Century that has various "time windows" -- all
entrances to various moments in the life of Reinette, the Madame de
Pompadour, in 18th-Century France. But for what purpose were these windows
constructed, and why are a gang of clockwork robots travelling back in time
this way?
I've often complained about the lack of imagination in recent Doctor Who.
Too often the episodes are quite hokey adventures that just so happen to be
set in the future, or the recent past, with little credible sci-fi to back
it all up. Moffatt is a writer with the type of imagination best suited to
Who, with some very original ideas used to layer an imaginative plot packed
with big emotions. It's rare that an episode can genuinely chill (an early
sequence with a robot "monster" under the bed is a highlight), make you
laugh ("I didn't want to say magic door..."), and also produce deep emotion
(the final moments are knockout stuff.)
David Tennant is finally given a half-decent plot to chew on, and rises to
the occassion magnificently. Finally his wild streak is tempered with a
romantic foil, played to perfection by Sophia Myles as the glamorous
Reinette. Billie Piper takes a backseat for once, but has a few interesting
things to play -- particularly because this episode marks the second time
she's been usurped by another woman interested in The Doctor. Noel Clarke
has little to do, but his glee at being involved in an adventure hits the
right mark, and it's a pleasure to see his character taking another step
away from annoying sidekick.
The production design is excellent throughout, particularly the 18th-Century
setting, but even the futuristic designs of the spaceship are more
believable than recent examples. The CGI is generally good (I particularly
liked an "eye-ball camera"), although a sequence with The Doctor bursting
through a mirror on horseback is a little ropey.
But The Girl In The Fireplace isn't really about the visuals, it's about
an engaging story sold magnificently by the cast. In many ways this is the
perfect Doctor Who episode, managing to bring multiple facets of the show
together into a delicious whole. A heatbreaking story that brings laughter,
adventure, epic themes, a few chills, and great character interplay.
NEXT WEEK: An alternate Earth... with the Cybermen...
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Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Series 1 Boxset:
Synopsis:
The Doctor arrives in 18th-Century France to find Madame de
Pompadour being stalked by clockwork automatons from the 51st-Century...
David Tennant is finally given a half-decent plot to chew on, and rises to
the occassion magnificently. Finally his wild streak is tempered with a
romantic foil, played to perfection by Sophia Myles as the glamorous
Reinette. Billie Piper takes a backseat for once, but has a few interesting
things to play -- particularly because this episode marks the second time
she's been usurped by another woman interested in The Doctor. Noel Clarke
has little to do, but his glee at being involved in an adventure hits the
right mark, and it's a pleasure to see his character taking another step
away from annoying sidekick.
