Story #220 - Night Terrors (2011)

Harry -

Here's the Series 6 edition of a Mark Gatiss journey into terror. And it happens at night so the title is perfect.

Sarah - 

I was looking back on Gatiss’ stories and it hit me that his stories tend to stand alone. That’s probably a bonus for the showrunner when working on the series arc. Also, I think this may be his first episode that isn’t set in the past.  

Harry - 

Apart from the alien twist, this was a pretty straightforward creeper. The cupboard in a child's bedroom is the focal point, which as the Doctor acknowledged is often a source of terror. It was mildly disappointing that Moff didn't have a hairdryer or carton of milk become the horrific thing. A cupboard is almost blasé.

Sarah - 

The Hairdryer of Fear is a catchy title. "Night Terrors" is a very middling episode, so much so that I couldn't remember anything about the story until the creepy dolls turned up. Sending the surrounding humans to the dollhouse was an effective horror location. Everyone is sent there in a horrifying way – an elevator, the living room carpet, and the garbage bins – which makes it more interesting when we don’t know what to expect. 

Harry -

Elevator, carpet and garbage bins: there was a Moffaty horror twist on the ordinary after all.

Sarah -

Children actors often get slagged by Doctor Who fans but I think Jamie Oram’s performance as George was strong. I love the Doctor making a house call to save and play with George. There isn’t really a villain in the story and everyone lives in the end so that’s good. 

Harry -

Jamie Oram was so restrained, his face telling the story, a great performance.  

Sarah -

The Doctor helps Alex understand why his son isn’t like other children, but the story turns way too sappy at the end. So many of Gatiss’ stories are about father’s and sons and they can end up feeling so cliche. In the end, Alex learns to love his alien son, mum comes home from work and everyone lives happily ever after, I guess. 

Harry -

Someone will eventually write a study of how the making of Doctor Who was therapeutic for many of the people involved with the show.

As a standalone tale, "Night Terrors" was a decent diversion from the season arc.  It feels like the Ponds got very few standalones, maybe I'll do up a tally after their final episode.  Anyway let's wade back into the arc!

Sarah -

Best Line: 

"Planets and history and stuff. That's what we do. But not today. No. Today, we're answering a cry for help from the scariest place in the universe. A child's bedroom."

Favorite Moment: 

The Doctor and George playing with toys

Lasting Image: 

The creepy dolls

5/10

Harry -

Best Line:

DOCTOR: Haven't done this in a while.

AMY: Haven't done what? What are you doing?

DOCTOR: Making a house call.

Favourite Moment: 

I loved the shot when the TARDIS materialized and was reflected in a puddle.

Lasting Image:

Amy converted into a creepy doll.

6/10

Our marathon continues with Story #221: The Girl Who Waited...