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S4.10: Midnight
Midnight had some great moments in it and for a Companion-lite episode, it was interesting to watch. I believe this is the first of the New Series for the Doctor to go on an 'adventure' without a Companion by his side. And I immediately thought - once everyone started turning against him - that this episode proved, without a doubt, that the Doctor really needs a Companion with him. At the very least to stop a mob from murdering him! I kept thinking during that scene - if only Donna were there to set them straight and slap them all for resorting to panicked violence!
I was dreading what would happen in this ever since Ten was on the phone telling Donna that nothing would happen...completely jinxing himself. Of course something would happen! I love the Ten-Donna interaction in this episode, no matter how minimal it was. Every moment between them showcased why they were good for each other. Especially Donna's hug after the Doctor came back - he definitely needed one at that point! :-( I'm so glad that they seemed to be taking a much-needed break after their time in the Library - I'm not surprised Donna would prefer to stay at the Leisure Palace relaxing. After what she went through, she surely wouldn't say no to some downtime.
Loved when Ten turned off the entertainment system with his Sonic...just so everyone could talk to each other. I always find it sweet that he's so interested in learning about others, but never really divulging anything about himself. Unfortunately, that really hurt him later on. It was nice to see a change of reaction from others toward him - that not everyone immediately "buys what the Doctor's selling" and just follow his lead. It made things more realistic - that sometimes he can't convince everyone. And honestly, the "I'm clever" explanation just wasn't enough...Martha's "Not pompous at all then." came to mind when he said that. It was interesting to see the name thing pop up again after it played a part in the previous episode. And despite the others pushing him to tell them his real name, the Doctor still didn't budge. He must really take great pains to hide his true name (except with River for some reason).
"Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, TARDIS." That line is a contender for my all-time favs of the series. I could always use a Martha mention after the overload of Rose (I love her, I do, but how many swan songs does she have to have before she leaves for good? *sigh*).
Tennant did an awesome job during that scene where he was possessed & couldn't talk except to echo another's words. I knew that he would be fighting it - and I wasn't disappointed. His facial expressions showed it all...like others have mentioned, he really does have an expressive face. And especially the part where she used his lines (Molto bene, Allons-y) against him! I don't see him saying them any time soon - it would probably be a nasty reminder of the possession. I was so nervous when the mob was preparing to cast him out! :-( I'm glad that the hostess took the situation into her own hands and realized who the real threat was.
I thought it was a sad moment when the Doctor asked the others if anyone had known the hostess's name...and no one did. She sacrificed herself to keep everyone safe and no one even knew or had asked for her name. :-(
Hello, Rose! Good-bye, Rose! Hey, didn't I see you in the exact same way, (probably) saying the exact same thing in 'The Poison Sky'? Just me then? Okay...
Anyway...
Love the ending...poor Ten. When Donna said 'Molto bene' and he said, "Don't, don't do that, don't" - I read elsewhere that while before, when the Companions tried to speak the language of the time (Tooth & Claw, The Shakespeare Code, and The Unicorn & the Wasp) it was more of a light joke. But after this episode, the Doctor's "Don't" is more serious and darker considering the experience he's just gone through. What a sad twist of fate. :-(
The next episode - the Doctor's dead? (Right...) Rose is back and Donna is supposed to die...not predicting a lighthearted episode here. But after all, the finale is rapidly approaching.
I concur, good madame
Totally LOVED that the Doctor, great campaigner of the human race, so adoring of their compassion and resilience and moral decency, got a long, frightening look at just how ugly and dangerous humans can be. Because I almost think he sometimes views humans as quaint, harmless things the Mighty Timelord race can just pat on the head and take along with for fun and company. When he shouted desperately, "Because I'm clever!", I grimaced and went "Ooooh." Incredible Timelord intelligence that can usually get him out of the tightest spots, and the admission of it in this panicked environment just serving to isolate him and nearly spell his doom. And it was terrifying, because there is NOTHING I find more frightening, Dalek nor Cyberman nor mysterious diamondworld spirit, than when the Doctor is truly and genuinely scared. And he was. Of HUMANS. :0
I don't think he'll be forgetting this much darker human experience anytime soon (I think your icon shows proof, ohh, his FACE.) But luckily he has Donna to hug and offer reminder that he's right about humans, most of the time.
Second about the end of the ep., "No, don't do that. Don't." Poor, sad Doctor. :(