New Who Review for Silence in the Library

[puppetmaker]

I'm going to ask that those that have seen the second half of this please be careful about what you say in comments. I would really hate to spoiler next week. And SciFi, it would really stink if you didn't show Doctor Who this next Friday. Taking a break between the Sontaran episodes was bad enough. I can't imagine what the fan reaction would be if you decided to wait another week on this one.

I will also say that Ariel slept with her light on for a couple of nights after seeing this and Caroline has NOT seen this episode nor will she see the next one either.

Overall fine performances all the way around. It was nice to see David play the Doctor not so confident in what he knows or thinks he knows because of someone he might or might not know in the future. Moffat plays well with dumping us in the situation and then having it worked out like a puzzle. It worked for Blink and it is working here.

Creepy from almost the get go, this one ratchets up the tension slowly to where I found myself on the edge of my chair by the conclusion.

And then there is the mystery of River Song but more on that behind the cut.



OK how was that for an end? Donna Nobel's face as part of the computer system and the empty suit coming after them while the shadows lurk? Oooooo spooky.

I have every confidence in Moffat for 2010 and beyond. Next year is going to be shaky because they are retooling things for RTD's departure but this episode makes me feel a lot better about the whole thing.

And River Song. I think (Battlefield and Blink were characters he runs into before he meets them but they were not close to him) that this is one of the first times that someone that the Doctor was involved with arrives in his timeline before he has met him. The fact that she has a sonic screwdriver is strange enough. But considering how she is treating him like an old lover or a very comfortable friend is even more intriguing. And he is very confused by it. He doesn't trust it. Donna has now a host of concerns about how River reacts to her.

The villains in shadows or that are the shadows are very creepy. The idea that the "soul" is stuck briefly into a microchip is disconcerting to say the least. The scary factor is good. I got that chill that you get from a good horror film like Hitchcock or a good haunted house. The observer is kept off balance as are our characters through out the episode.

Overall I liked this one a lot.

Next week we find out a lot of stuff.

I am grateful for having one shadow right now.

Comments

[rm.livejournal.com]

I thought the delivery by the shirnk to the littel girl "The nightmares are real, the library is real" etc.... was amazing acting, btw. That speech gave me chills.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree. The shrink and the kid just add to the what is going on of the episode.

[rm.livejournal.com]

At first I was deeply wary about that device but it's really working for me.

[kradical.livejournal.com]

Sci-Fi only skipped a week between the two Sontaran episodes because of the calendar: they never show new stuff over Memorial Day weekend (ditto Labor Day weekend and Thanksgiving weekend).

[jenny_evergreen]

I actually didn't find this NEAR as suspenseful or scary as Blink. Although I agree that the scene with the shrink and the little girl was awesome. I enjoyed the whole episode, though, I just found it more horrible/sad than scary/suspenseful.
I still really, really love Donna. And I can't remember what I've seen the River Song actress in before, but she's doing a great job with this character and it doesn't surprise me.
I'm pleased with way he's playing the Doctor off-kilter, too.
I'm glad we find out a lot next week...I think they maybe held back just a bit too much this episode.

[tristam.livejournal.com]

The main role you might know River Song from is Dr. Corday from ER. I like her a lot too.

[jenny_evergreen]

I knew I saw her somewhere as a doctor, must be there!

[celticboy.livejournal.com]

ER for the yanks.. or even Moll Flanders. :)

and for us Brits, she was in Grange Hill

[deltagrl.livejournal.com]

I think you'll like part II. I adored the entire two-parter.

[lilia2000.livejournal.com]

When I watched this episode on YouTube a couple weeks ago, I didn't realize it was a two parter... and I about died at the end. Like you said Moffat is amazing with suspense and both episodes had me on the edge of my seat!!

River is a fascinating character. I wonder if Moffat will bring her back later on or if she will always remain a mystery!

[querldox.livejournal.com]

There's an interesting catch there. If I'm recalling correctly, River recognizes "David Tennant"; i.e. the physical appearance of the Doctor, first and easily (i.e. not as if from an old picture or somesuch). That strongly implies she spent a fair amount of time with the tenth Doctor, which means you have to fit it in prior to the next regeneration/contract negotiation. : -)

[gryphonrose.livejournal.com]

They were definitely good episodes--I think you'll like the second half. Moffat's strong suits are creepiness (in the ep, not necessarily in himself--I'd have no idea on that) and relationships, and that two-parter does a great job with both.

[querldox.livejournal.com]

Met him a couple of times in the last year (Worldcon and Gallifrey One), and in person he scores fairly low on the creepiness scale. : -)

[gryphonrose.livejournal.com]

That's very cool to know. Thanks!

[adpaz.livejournal.com]

I will also say that Ariel slept with her light on for a couple of nights after seeing this and Caroline has NOT seen this episode nor will she see the next one either.

We made the mistake of letting Teddy be in the room as we watched each episode on Sunday morning. From that point forward, Teddy insists on having the "big light" on in his room whenever he goes to bed (nap or for the night). It may just be an age thing, but I also think it has something to do with the two parter.

As for Moffat.... I've been a fan of his for a long time. Ever since I saw Curse of Fatal Death, I've enjoyed his work. I have no worries about leaving this in his hands. He's just a brilliant man and I think we'll have several more years good run.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

This was the first episode that gave Elayna trouble falling asleep. Creepy and wonderful!

Count the shadows!

[auryn29a.livejournal.com]

Eep! Oh no! I was wondering about that. About how creepy it would be for kids. I know that a few years ago I'd have had trouble sleeping, too. I think next week will be better for her. (I really want to talk about next week! But I just have to wait.)

I have to say, though, that River Tam Song started annoying me after a while. Time Lords can deal with paradox! Just tell him!

On doctorwho, I found this video of Captain Jack talking about the Vashta Nerada. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=minVOL7KJvU) Apparently it's some kind of ongoing Monster Files project.

Re: Count the shadows!

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Oh, we've seen the second half, and the episode after. We're naughty pirates. We watched both halves in one sitting. She started out just sitting in the middle of the couch, leaning forward; halfway through the first episode, she was pressed up against me like "OMG."

Re: Count the shadows!

[auryn29a.livejournal.com]

The part that freaked me out about the whole story was in part two in the thing with the lifting the thing and the GAH!! I can't handle that, man! But okay, more about that next week.

[amber-n-teal.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the 2nd yet and I'm very much looking forward too it! Usually I watch Dr. Who with my boys, but this time I was VERY glad that I hadn't! They would have been SO creeped out. I just got the 7 yo to the point where he doesn't need the hall light on anymore!