“Day of the Moon” is a great follow-up to last week’s “The Impossible Astronaut.” It only makes me wish that BBC America had chosen to air the series six premiere as one two-hour event, because it would have been so much better that way.
I’ve been a fan of Steven Moffat‘s writing since he created the hit British sitcom Coupling. Since then, with Jekyll, Sherlock and particularly his work on Doctor Who, he’s proven that not only can he write funny sitcoms but he can also really unnerve an audience. Episodes like “The Doctor Dances” and “Blink” still freak me out, and I can add “Day of the Moon” to that list. The episode’s opening feels like it’s right out of a great thriller, and from then on, it’s a scary, creepy, uncomfortable ride as Amy, Rory, River, and Canton Delaware (guest star Mark Sheppard) take on The Silence.
The acting in this episode is really first-rate. Matt Smith‘s Doctor might look cute and seem playful, but Smith shows us that he also has a real toughness about him. He’s got cunning, and he doesn’t just rely on his sonic screwdriver to get him out of trouble. It’s like picking a fight with the class nerd and finding out that he’s also captain of the football team. Karen Gillan isn’t on screen for large portions of this episode, but from her voice alone you can feel Amy’s fear. Alex Kingston continues to bring out River Song’s more vulnerable side. I feel like Arthur Darvill is the cast member who flies under the radar, as I don’t hear him mentioned often but he turns in consistently good performances as Rory. And as far as I’m concerned, Sheppard can visit the TARDIS anytime. (It’s really neat to find out that his father played the older version of Canton that we met in “The Impossible Astronaut.”)
The Silence are also pretty damn scary. They’re about as ugly and creepy as The Gentlemen from the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode “Hush.” I would say that they’re right up there with the Weeping Angels in terms of great Doctor Who villains. No offense, as I’m sure they were frightening back in Classic Who times, but the New Who Daleks have always looked like rolling trash cans to me. I don’t want anything to do with The Silence.
Most of all, though, I’m in love with the writing in this episode. It’s rated TV-PG and it scared me pretty well. This is why I love Doctor Who, and to an extent, why I’ve fallen out of love with Torchwood. Episodes like these prove that there can be plenty of suspense, scares, and angst in a story that’s still fun and family-friendly. I was a big Torchwood fan — in fact, I discovered Doctor Who through watching Torchwood — but Children of Earth was so adult and so dark that it was no longer fun and certainly wasn’t something I’d view with my family. It left me feeling depressed and at points disgusted. Don’t take this as my being against more adult or darker fare, but there’s only so much of that I want in my TV. With this episode of Doctor Who, I was scared, thrilled and yet still came away with a smile on my face at the end. It’s got a certain embraceable quality because of that.
I do have one minor bone to pick with BBC America. Is it me, or did the following Doctor Who In America special include all the footage from the “Doctor Who Insider” clips that were stuffed into last week’s episode and, to a much lesser extent, this one? Why not just scrap those ill-fitting clips and save them for the special? I think “The Impossible Astronaut” would have flowed a lot better without them.
As much as I love and appreciate the era of David Tennant and Russell T. Davies, with episodes like this one, I’m enjoying the run of Matt Smith and Steven Moffat just as much. At least, if I start dreaming of monsters, I know who to bill for my therapy.
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Apr 30, 2011 @ 23:53 EST5EDT
I’m in total agreement with you about Matt Smith really being a great Doctor. Like many (most?) people, I was skeptical when the news of this young actor taking on the role was released, but he’s completely obliterated any doubt I may have had. He has easily become my favorite actor in the role to date.
Moffat, as you said, can thrill you, scare you, make you laugh, and simply entertain the heck out of you while keeping it all family-friendly. I think that’s what you call “talent” isn’t it? By the way, I’m a big fan of “Torchwood,” but I appreciate “Doctor Who” for allowing me to enjoy such great stories and behind-the-sofa scares with my family.
This was an excellent follow-up to the first episode, but you’re right, it should’ve been a single two hour movie. Although that would just lead us to the mid-season break earlier. I really hate that they’re splitting the season up like that. It’s not just “Doctor Who,” I hate any show that splits their series (I’m looking at you, USA Network and Syfy.)
Moffat and company really know how to bring the surprises, don’t they? I mean, what’s up with the little girl? The picture of Amy in her room? And the biggest question of all: What’s the deal with the very last scene?!!! Damn, we were all yelling at the TV when it ended.
We’ve started watching each episode twice just to pick up on a lot of dialogue that at first sounds throw-away, but is actually quite brilliant. “Doctor Who” has always been fun, but lately it’s getting really, really good and I’m loving every second of it.
*POST AUTHOR*
I think you hit the nail on the head there, Tom. I don’t want to sound like a prude, but I appreciate a show like “Doctor Who” that’s both successful AND relatively clean. While I wouldn’t call “Torchwood” dependent on its adult content it’s got a lot of it, and it just seemed to get more and more depressing as main characters were killed off and the world got more bleak. I’m wary about “Miracle Day” now because I didn’t care for “Children of Earth.”
“Doctor Who” reminds me slightly of Ray Bradbury, who wrote great, clean, fun sci-fi for all ages. I understand how it’s endured for like 50 years – there are so few shows we can watch with our families, and certainly none this fantastic!
Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors, along with Asimov! To be clear, I also enjoy the hell out of Heinlein and if you’re at all familiar with his works you know a prude wouldn’t like some of the things he wrote.
I enjoy a lot of entertainment focused at adults, I just don’t like it when shows add unnecessary “adult” material for the sake of doing so, which sooooo many shows are guilty of these days. I also really appreciate a show that can be so creative while remaining within the boundaries of family fare. It shows that the writers are smart enough to not have to stoop to adding gratuitous sex/violence/language/innuendo in order to create something entertaining.
Unlike you, I really liked “Children of Earth” although I liked the previous season of “Torchwood” better. I really didn’t like the first season of “Torchwood” because a lot of the adult situations seemed forced or simply gratuitous and included at the expense of plot. I’m hopeful for “Miracle Day” and a bit scared since so many things have changed both in front and behind the camera.
I do know that I’ll be thoroughly enjoying this season of “Doctor Who” because I think Moffat is a brilliant writer. He’s got a great grasp of that “time juggling” that confuses the hell out of you so that you have to re-watch an episode just to make sure all the pieces actually added up. I love when that happens.
*POST AUTHOR*
I hear you. Torchwood felt like it forced a lot of sexual content, especially early on. Did you notice how most of the main characters were shown as being bisexual or having a bisexual experience? Not that there’s anything wrong with being bi, but it was a little ridiculous. And the extent of Owen’s womanizing bordered on creepy (what with being willing to spike drinks to facilitate casual sex).
Moffat’s a great writer. It’s hard to believe that the guy who wrote Coupling, which is one of my favorite comedies ever, is the same guy who wrote this. THAT’s range.
Some of the sexual themes were handled with the deftness of a sledge hammer in the first season. I think RTD was just a little too eager to prove that “Torchwood” was “Doctor Who” for grown-ups and got a little carried away. Not to offend anyone who’s gay or bisexual, but I agree with you that it was a bit overdone in that first season. I’ve always enjoyed the way they play with Jack’s sexuality because it’s often done with a lot of humor and seldom heavy-handed. There was one episode of DW (at least I think it was DW) where the Doctor basically sets up Jack with Russell Tovey in a bar and it’s done with such subtlety and humor that I don’t see how anyone could’ve been offended.
Well, RTD has done so many great things that those bits where he’s gone a little too full-steam-ahead are easily forgivable. After all, if it weren’t for him we probably wouldn’t have a re-birth (regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” after many years of no Who at all. Now, after all the worrying, complaining, threatening to stop watching, and whatever else, Moffat, Smith, Gillan, Darvill, and Kingston are giving us what I consider to be the best Who ever.
May it last for many years and I pray that Matt Smith decides to stay in the role longer than any other actor to date. Although I think I’ve said that about nearly every actor who’s taken on the role and each time I find something new to love in each new Doctor. The thing with Smith is the actor is so damned young, but seems to be able to convey the spirit of what I think the Doctor should be better than anyone before him. He plays “old” better than the oldest of actors before him and he plays “nutty” better than Tennant or Tom Baker.
I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with those statements, but those people are mentally deficient, smelly and just plain wrong!
The Silence are now definitely one of my favorite “Big Bad’s” in sci-fi. The Gentlemen are still up there but The Silence simply creep me out. My wife was squirming the whole time Amy was in the orphanage and the quick cuts to see marks on her arms were more than a little unnerving. Last season was great and so far this season is off to a great start. Very well done and well written. I can’t wait to see where this season goes.
I still like Torchwood though. I enjoy a little darkness in my sci-fi. Looking forward to Miracle Day.
*POST AUTHOR*
They are *very* creepy. Especially because, as a previous commenter mentioned to me last week, the whole “not knowing they’re there” thing allows you to sit on your couch and wonder if you’re being watched even though you know it’s just a TV show!
I’d say “Torchwood” has gone from a *little* dark to *a lot* dark. If they kill off another major character for the third straight series, I’m calling shenanigans…
I’m sure there will be some quick glances out of the corner of my eye for quite a while now. Puts a new spin on the whole “feel like I’m being watched” thing.
Torchwood really has gotten a lot dark, especially with “Children of Earth.” Having said that, I didn’t mind losing Tosh and Owen. It felt to me more like the writers were cleaning house of characters they were having trouble giving quality time to. Tosh and Owen felt to me like their arcs had run dry and having them leave seemed like a good decision story-wise as opposed to just being dark. The story has always been Gwen and Jack’s. Having said that, I was a little bummed about Ianto. I get it. I do. Stakes and all that. But come on!
*POST AUTHOR*
It reminds me of a great episode of “Homicide: Life on the Street” called “The Subway.” It was so uncomfortable that even though I knew I was just watching TV, I caught myself actually checking to make sure my spine had not also been crushed under a train. Same thing here.
The death of Ianto thing is just…nuts. I was bummed about losing him, but then there was so much drama surrounding that, and both sides (the fans and in particular RTD) acted badly at times. But that’s a whole other discussion! I’m a big-time John Barrowman fan, though, so I know I’ll give “Miracle Day” a shot based on that if nothing else.
Ianto’s loss was a sad and confusing one. While the characters of Tosh and Owen did seem like they were running out of interesting things to do, this quiet, almost background character suddenly is thrust to the forefront and is great. I’m watching thinking, “Hey, this quiet Ianto guy has a lot more to him than I would’ve thought!” then just as I get to loving his character they go and kill him. Grrrr…
It goes back to the mantra I use in writing. “Give the audience what they need, not what they want.” Ianto’s death was tough, but it needed to happen for the story. I still said grrrr though. It was sad
I love Torchwood and don’t mind how dark it got. It appears I’m in the minority here – I really enjoyed Children of the Earth.
And I’ll have to disagree with one more thing: I really hope one major character is killed off – Rhys.
Anyway, as for this epi of DW, it was definitely a thriller. My son usually watches Doctor Who with me, and half the time he was hiding his face.
Ah but actually I did really enjoy “Children of Earth.” I thought it was very well and done and a great story. I just hated the fact that Ianto didn’t make it through. I felt they were finally giving him the depth that I really wanted to see so it was sad to see that story end. Which, of course, was the point.
I’m torn on Rhys. I think I’ve grown to like him even though he can be a bit of an ass sometimes. I just wonder how they’re going to bring it all in this season with them being in the US. She had a baby? Is RHys at home taking care of the baby while Gwen is fighting bad guys? I just have a feeling we won’t be seeing too much of him.
*POST AUTHOR*
And therein lies the catch-22, Mark…I wouldn’t mind seeing more of him myself, but it would also be totally ridiculous if he was out helping her and we ignored the baby. I’m wondering how they’re going to do that myself.
I was thinking about how they are going to handle Rhys’ and Gwen’s baby and I just hope they don’t use the way too overused “baby matures in a very short time” gimmick I’m damned sick of seeing in every other science fiction show where there’s a birth.
I made the mistake of coming home last night and watching Doctor Who in my room, alone, in the pitch dark, at like 2 in the morning. Also, the people who live above me are very loud, so I can always hear their voices through the wall. Now I’m convinced that there’s just a whole cave of Silence living upstairs.
*POST AUTHOR*
Whoops! I learned that lesson the hard way a few times…now I just make sure no scary or overly serious stuff an hour before bed. It helps that Family Guy is on Adult Swim just before I clock off.
I originally had no intentions of watching it until much later, but I got home, and my facebook feed was pretty much all “MOFFAT YOU EVIL GENIUS WHY?!?!” So I decided it couldn’t wait.