This is a strange story. It is largely a fun and slightly silly adventure. It features zany stuff such as dead bodies coloured vibrant crimson with images of the last thing they saw in their eyes, the Doctor turned into a red 'Frankenstein's monster' type figure, Strax putting in his usual comedy performance, a lot of other humorous dialogue, a lot of dashing about plus a prehistoric, red leech creature. It also though has a darker side with the grim Victorian Yorkshire factory and its bitter and formidable owner Mrs. Gillyflower (the wonderful Diana Rigg) turning it into a haven for those she wishes to save from her self made 'apocalypse'.
The description of the scenario very much sounds like a Hammer Horror or a Talons of Weng Chiang style story from the golden years of 1970s Doctor Who. I am sure that was what was being aimed for. That style is totally my taste so I should really love this story. However, I feel it misses the mark a little bit so it only reaches the standard of a decent but unexceptional filler episode for me. For my taste, this would have been better if treated a bit more seriously.
Having the great veteran actress Diana Rigg - famous for The Avengers in the 1960s and now known well to younger audiences as the 'Queen of Thorns' Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones - is a brilliant addition and she brings gravitas and menace in her villainous role. Her treatment of her blind daughter, well played by Rachael Stirling and her confrontations with the Doctor are the strongest part of this episode.
The mixture of comedy and darkness works OK as entertainment and there are lots of nice moments and touches. However, it needed a better plot and a less silly effect for the poison to have in my opinion. The over the top colour of those poisoned and the unbelievable idea of leaving an image in their eye are a bit too much like a comedy sketch and take me out of my immersion in the episode. So do farcical scenes like the gentleman repeatedly fainting in slapstick style.
The revelation it is all based around a creepy little leech monster, known as 'Mr. Sweet' despite his seeming need for salt rather than sugar, adds to the weird and slightly too unconvincing feel of the episode. Why would a prehistoric leech influence Mrs. Gillyflower to wipe out humanity with its poison and why would Mrs. Gillyflower be able to build such a successful rocket in Victorian times and make a jar of poison spread across the whole world with it? Wouldn't poisoning the water supply be simpler and more plausible? You really do have to take it with a pinch of salt (pun intended) but it is a bit of fun. I am not over-reacting, just mentioning things that could have been better.
My son loved Mr Sweet and was devastated by his ignominious demise so that was a bit sad really.
This is an entertaining episode with good horror themes, period atmosphere, strong guest actors, some fun humour and darker scenes.
My Rating: 7/10.
My Series 7 Episode Ranking: 9th out of 14.
The description of the scenario very much sounds like a Hammer Horror or a Talons of Weng Chiang style story from the golden years of 1970s Doctor Who. I am sure that was what was being aimed for. That style is totally my taste so I should really love this story. However, I feel it misses the mark a little bit so it only reaches the standard of a decent but unexceptional filler episode for me. For my taste, this would have been better if treated a bit more seriously.
Having the great veteran actress Diana Rigg - famous for The Avengers in the 1960s and now known well to younger audiences as the 'Queen of Thorns' Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones - is a brilliant addition and she brings gravitas and menace in her villainous role. Her treatment of her blind daughter, well played by Rachael Stirling and her confrontations with the Doctor are the strongest part of this episode.
The mixture of comedy and darkness works OK as entertainment and there are lots of nice moments and touches. However, it needed a better plot and a less silly effect for the poison to have in my opinion. The over the top colour of those poisoned and the unbelievable idea of leaving an image in their eye are a bit too much like a comedy sketch and take me out of my immersion in the episode. So do farcical scenes like the gentleman repeatedly fainting in slapstick style.
The revelation it is all based around a creepy little leech monster, known as 'Mr. Sweet' despite his seeming need for salt rather than sugar, adds to the weird and slightly too unconvincing feel of the episode. Why would a prehistoric leech influence Mrs. Gillyflower to wipe out humanity with its poison and why would Mrs. Gillyflower be able to build such a successful rocket in Victorian times and make a jar of poison spread across the whole world with it? Wouldn't poisoning the water supply be simpler and more plausible? You really do have to take it with a pinch of salt (pun intended) but it is a bit of fun. I am not over-reacting, just mentioning things that could have been better.
My son loved Mr Sweet and was devastated by his ignominious demise so that was a bit sad really.
This is an entertaining episode with good horror themes, period atmosphere, strong guest actors, some fun humour and darker scenes.
My Rating: 7/10.
My Series 7 Episode Ranking: 9th out of 14.