Doctor Who: The Girl in the Fireplace (2006)
Season 2, Episode 4
9/10
A Sci-Fi Masterpiece
25 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
/* SPOILERS */

To introduce myself: I am a huge science fiction nut. Name a science fiction series or movie and I most likely have seen it or plan to with my limited time. I am also a huge critic when it comes to entertainment and when I first started off the new 2005 series I was VERY skeptical. The first episode was plain terrible. But, at the constant nagging from friends, I watched the next couple of episodes. I was hooked and was extremely angry when they 'killed off' Christopher Eccleston and brought in David Tennant (loved Mr. Eccleston's huge, goofy smile). The Girl in the Fireplace cemented my Doctor Who fandom and David Tennant's credibility as 'The Doctor'.

The episode was on epic proportions. To paraphrase The Princess Bride; it had (almost) fencing, fighting, true love, pain, and death. As a guy who has never cried for any entertainment, I came pretty close in the end. The romance between Sophia Myles and David Tennant was (to steal another reviewer's word) electric. The two excelled together to bring about a feeling of longing and sorrow in the end. While her death was somewhat predictable from what happens earlier in the episode it still takes you back that she does really die. You feel the Doctor's loneliness on a whole new level and begin to understand what a burden he, or anyone who might live forever, must take on. Her letter to him was very well written and the writers should be given props. Also the music throughout, especially in the last 10 minutes is spectacular and really sets the tone. The very last few seconds is a nice touch as well, makes you think.

Overall: this goes down as one of my favorite science fiction episodes of all time. 8.8/10
8 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed