My Thoughts on "The Crimson Horror" · 1:39am May 5th, 2013
A new Doctor Who episode has aired and boy is there a lot to talk about! If you have not seen The Crimson Horror then do not read any further as I will discuss spoilers.
If I had to describe The Crimson Horror with only one word, it would be this: outstanding. In my opinion, this is the best episode of Series 7: Part 2 so far. It was scary, suspenseful, funny, fanboy pleasing, and just a satisfying episode overall. It's great to finally see the return of Vastra, Jenny, and Strax as they take on their own mystery, while also saving the Doctor and Clara in the process. It was awesome to finally see Jenny take the spotlight, as the entire first act and part of the second act focused almost entirely on her investigation in Sweetville. Vastra and Strax were as fun as always and it was good to see them and Jenny working alongside the Doctor again. It's interesting to see a scenario in which a good chunk of the episode revolves around somebody having to save the Doctor and his companion other than it being the other way around. The Doctor and Clara were both great in this. Even though Clara didn't have much to do in this episode, she was still entertaining to watch on screen alongside the Doctor and his "gang".
Diana Rigg as the sinister and controlling Mrs. Gillyflower was a great villain for this episode. She was so hammy and conniving that her character brought across a wonderful combination of comedy and intimidation. Rigg's daughter Rachael Stirling, meanwhile, played a complex and sympathetic character in the form of Mrs. Gillyflower's blind daughter Ada. Ada's falling out with her mother and the truth behind her blindness was truly a sad thing to witness. Ada's tragic story in this episode was handled much better in comparison to Tricky's tragic story in Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS. Ada had a interesting and sad "friendship" with the Doctor as she felt bonded to him while he was poisoned due to the both of them having disabilities. The moment when Ada stood up against her mother and Mr. Sweet and beat them with a cane was a glorious moment to behold. And, speaking of Mr. Sweet, I honestly don't have much to say about him. He was just a leech attached to Mrs. Gillyflower. It was certainly an interesting twist to find out how he was connected to Mrs. Gillyflower (which turned out to be in a more physical sense than anyone probably expected) and his final fate of being beaten to death by Ada with her cane was a pretty fitting, and comedic, sendoff.
The overall tone of the episode shifted dramatically yet smoothly. At moments it was scary, at moments it was badass, and at other moments it was funny. It definitely had a better flow in its overall tone than the "haunted house story to dimension-hopping sci-fi adventure" vibes seen in Hide. I also found it interesting how, out of the three members of the Doctors "gang", it was Jenny who seemed most interested in learning from the Doctor the information about how there were multiple Claras. I liked the old-timey feel of the flashbacks with the Doctor and Clara arriving in Yorkshire; and, as a Whovian who's beginning to get involved with the Classic Series, I appreciated the references to Fifth Doctor companion Tegan Jovanka. The ending had an ominous and funny tone with the return of Angie and Artie and them revealing to Clara that they've found out about her secret time-traveling adventures with the Doctor. It was also a bit ominous with Clara seeing the picture of Clara Oswin Oswald and getting a look on her face like she was remembering something. Was she remembering her past life? Was she remembering the erased conversation that she had with the Doctor in Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS? The finale is quickly approaching and I can't wait to finally learn the secret behind Clara Oswald!
There aren't really that many flaws for me to mention. Firstly, I wish Vastra and Strax had played slightly bigger roles in this. It also felt kind of weird how after having about half of the episode focusing on Jenny, Strax, and Vastra the episode sort of pushes them to the background for a bit in order to let the Doctor and Clara take the spotlight. I mean they were still there but we didn't get to see as much as them as we probably should have after having a large portion of the episode take place from their point of view. Also, like I mentioned earlier, I do wish that Clara had had a bit more to do in this episode.
Overall, The Crimson Horror was an outstanding episode. While I have enjoyed the other episodes of Series 7: Part 2 immensely, this episode is the first one to come up to The Angels Take Manhattan and The Snowmen levels of awesomeness. Next week's episode is Nightmare in Silver where we see the Doctor take Clara, Angie, and Artie to a futuristic amusement park, and quickly discover that it's overrun with Cybermen. Two highly-anticipated episodes left. My body is ready. You can check out a promo for Nightmare in Silver below:
It always fun seeing Commander Strax, especially when he's about to execute a horse! He had the best line: "I never get to play with my grenades!"
Most impressive though was this episode reminded me a lot of your own story "The Christmas Ponies".
I have just one thing to say:
"Horse, you have failed in your mission. We are lost with no sign of Sweetville. Do you have any final words before your summary execution?"
But now Strax can be happy, he finaly shot someone!
And... Mr. Sweet really remember me of Dr. Fetus in Super Meat Boy.
images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111209175713/supermeatboy/images/5/5b/Drfetus.png
I like your thoughts and um..
I keep thinking that Clara isn't the only character that's a mystery could jenny be the the doctors daughter jenny? Of course then the doctors kiss would be even more awkward but well... she has fighting skills like the doctors jenny not to mention her story remains a mystery, we know madame vastras and strax back story but not hers.