Review - The Empty Child

Season one continues to dish up the gold with the first installment of its second two-parter, The Empty Child.

Season 1, Episode 9 - The Empty Child

Of course in this, the first episode to feature Captain Jack Harkness, we have to expect a certain level of In-Who-Endo. I'm not sure, however, that all of it was necessary. That bit about red being camp? Could have done without that.

Jack's interaction with Rose is pretty full-on. We get a very clear indication of Rose's romantic intentions. I'm starting to understand her on this front a bit more as we go along. She's like a backpacker with a boyfriend back home; quite happy to put it about when she can, but still wants to keep Mickey on the bench.

Sure, we can hook up. But nothing serious. I'm fruit picking in Mildura next week.

We see the Sonic Screwdriver used quite a bit. The Doctor opens a lock with it, but then uses it to scan the patients. I suppose it could be a kind of Ultrasound maybe, but it's getting a bit Deus Ex Screwdriver.

Whilst in the hospital, we had another neat little hint at The Doctor's past and The Time War when Doctor Constantine says, "Before this war began I was a father and a grandfather. Now I'm neither, but I'm still a doctor," with The Doctor replying "Yeah, I know the feeling."

I've gotta say, "Are you my mummy?" is quite possibly the scariest line of the series. The reveal of Jamie is masterfully played out. Short and distant glimpses at the start followed by lots of voice (that line) and then when we do see him up close, he looks sort of normal. Just a boy in a mask. Sure he's creepy as hell, but still just a boy. Things only get really scary in the Hospital when we see the boy is not the whole problem, but the "plague" he is spreading.

A creepy, creepy plague

The music seemed to stand out a lot to me in this episode. Could be because there was a fair bit of tense wandering about with not a lot of dialogue. The music really helped amp up the already considerable tension.

There is something inherently disturbing about a gas mask. The blank glassy stare of the eye holes. The way the rubber meets the skin. It's entirely alien but at the same time familiar. Put one on a kid, and it evokes all kinds of terror.

Abject, pants-soiling terror

I think what I'm saying is that this episode hits horror spot on. At the same time it supports the creepiness with some nice light-hearted comedy around Rose and Jack. We are introduced to Nano Genes early and naturally, meaning the ending of The Doctor Dances is not telegraphed.

This one's a definite favourite.

10/10

Can we fix it?

Not much to do here. The only small issue is that little gay joke at the start, but other than that, it's golden.