Season 2, Episode 2 - Tooth And Claw
We open on a precession of sinister looking monks. We know they're shifty because they're all wearing black hooded robes. Well, for a while, anyway. The black is soon shed in one of the most genre-wrenchingly random moves I've ever seen, as the monks bust out some Shaolin wire-fighting Kung Fu action.
History's coming to life!
The Doctor and Rose appear in Scotland just in time to meet up with Queen Victoria herself. I can see why there is so much crossover between Whovians and Steampunks. The Doctor does seem to spend an awful lot of time in the age of steam. Pauline Collins was far from a dead ringer for Vicky. They could have padded her up a bit or something. Still, she did a top job.
Not a lot of Maccas on the road to Scotland.
Hong Kong movie tricks aside, this is only a slight twist on a classic monster movie plot. People alone for the night in an isolated manse at the mercy of The Wolfman. Lycanthropy as an alien inteligence was an interesting concept, and was exposed reasonably well over the course of the episode. Sir Robert's story telling was maybe a bit of a clumsy or rushed way of getting the background out there, but within the constraints of the 45 minute format, there's very few ways of doing that.
The werewolf effects were very good though. The change scene was slick and the creature itself was very natural looking, with only the occasional bit of dodgy movement.
Don't mind him. Time of the month, you know?
The idea of a trained allergy to mistletoe as a means of control was inspired. If the monks worship the Werewolf, though, why do they feel they need to control it? If the creature itself is aware of the plot to infect Queen Victoria and is clearly a willing participant, why is it being hauled around in a cage?
I liked the use if the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the solution. I also adored the fact that the solution was not The Doctor's, but had been devised years before by Prince Albert and Sir Robert's dad. The Doctor only had to put the pieces together.
I believe the term is "Pew! Pew!"
Of course the big reveal of this episode is the creation of Torchwood, which as we know, is the season arc for season two. This one is by far the least subtle season arc hint of them all. The Queen's detailed explanation of her plan to set up an institute to fight aliens was verging on Bond-villain monologue.
More than enough of a hint without a word being spoken.
Despite the unanswered questions about the monks and their relationship with the creature, this is a very watchable episode. The pacing was good and the supporting characters, with the possible exception of Father Angelo, are all strong and well performed. All up, quite re-watchable.
8/10
Can we fix it?
Only a couple of tweaks needed here, really. As we are already taking the time to tell stories around the dinner table, surely Father Angelo could have given us a bit more of an indication of his part in the whole thing. It'd be tough to balance with The Doctor's research in the library scene. A nice subtle hint at the end of Sir Robert's chunk of plot exposition would have been better than having a little sing-song.
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