Doctor Who old and new Blog

For those of you not aware, when you have a Doctor Who that is scary, it is the result of the (as Russell T Davies) Says, genius of Steven Moffat. Like ‘Blink’ the story line about statues that moved when you did not look at them, the silence in the library is an episode full of suspense. Taking an everyday primordial fear and turning it into something that is a real threat. Russell T Davies explains his plan for the episode; it is to have a classic Zombie walk and a space suit full of these intelligent microscopic Parana’s moving towards the Doctor with its deadly shadow extending in several directions. He also says the show will be a success if just one child in the school playgrounds of the UK is mimicking the spaceman zombie.

‘Stay out of the shadows’ is what The Doctor warns us to do. So in the making of this episode shadows where used to create fear. Because how can you stop a shadow (the Vashta Nerada, as The Doctor later explains), the only thing to do is Run!

The location for all this fear is based upon a brilliant idea, you take somewhere that should be full of people, say a Library that is so big is requires an entire Planet and empty it! Oh, and the only information is from these creepy nods that have people’s faces that speak to you - real faces! And at the end of the actual episode (Spoiler) Donna is a nod, and we see the production technique to achieve this.

The locations used seemed destined for this episode, a reception that is the size of a concert hall and a wonderful old circle library that was not being used. One technical complication was the library had no books so the BBC had to buy fake books and put them in place, taking several days!

We also see some rather nice behind the scenes elements of the production, the game of cards that David Tennant wins but Catherine Tate kindly points out he is still three behind her!

Also, the scene where the girl is talking to the doctor through the TV, showing David Tennant sitting in the place of the TV saying his lines in reply to her off camera is a nice touch.

This episode, like all of the confidential allows the viewer to see different angles and elements of this brilliant series!

image from BBC copyright 2008

Silence in the Library, another episode that is written by Steven Moffet, this means the best of the best! From the outset it feels like a great episode. Whether it is the set that actually looks like futuristic library would do or the plot twist of the little girl who is a security camera? Confused? you will be!

The library is empty and all Donna and The Doctor have to go on is a message warning them to count the shadows. But what is stranger than a deserted library plant, yes I said planet, than someone from the Doctor future appearing.. Yes, a women who is rather familiar to him is leading an expedition to the Library knows him, she knows all about him.

Donna, who has stated that she does not ‘fancy’ The Doctor appears to be upset, disturbed. Possibly even threatened as she is just getting to know The Doctor.

Oh, the villain of the piece is .. darkness. I am not going to say to much on this as it is brilliant. Although, this episode is the first of a two part story line which leaves The Doctor facing certain death - nothing unusual there then!

A brilliant episode!