On TV: Saturday 3rd September 2011
Channel: BBC One 7pm
Episode Type: 9/13
In 1 Sentence: A properly scary episode which steps out of the norm and into... the really quite peculiar
RT Summary: A child's bedroom is turned into the scariest place in the universe when his cupboard becomes home to every kind of fear imaginable. His parents remain baffled by the problem, so the boy makes a desperate bid for help. When his cries manage to break the barriers of time and space, the Doctor decides to make a house call. Sci-fi adventure, guest starring Daniel Mays (Outcasts), with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.
SPOILERS!
My Review: Night Terrors is the call back to simplicity that I was wanting last week. Instead of reveling in the complicated big story arcs (and leaving out River which may calm the naysayers), Mark Gatiss got down to basics to tell a good scary story with a beginning, middle and end.
Almost Alice-in-Wonderland-esque the use of black comedy was great for us adults, while still lashing out lots of jumps and thrills. But the best part about the episode for me was the tension. For the first half of the episode we didn’t even see any monsters. This made it captivating as we tried to work out what was going on along with Amy, Rory and the Doctor. And when we finally find out... boy, I didn’t see that coming.
The modern day estate setting helped keep it grounded and contrasted nicely with the spooky dolls house were they all ended up. Rory was especially funny, making an inside joke about how he’s dead “again!” (he is just the best companion of all time). Moments of laugh out loud laughter in the midst of being terrified, makes for a great watch. And I was geniunely surprised at each turn in the plot (as I’m trying to ignore spoilers this year - really does make for a better watch!).
Some of the best acting came from the two main guest stars of the little boy George and his father, played by Jamie Oram and Daniel Mays, who both stole the limelight from the lead cast. I mean the sight of Daniel Mays fending of giant dolls with giant scissors is enough, but his connection with George and the lovely scenes in the kitchen finding out who the Doctor really is - made the episode for me.
A classic small-scale scare-fest which Doctor Who does perfectly; well shot, brilliantly performed with plenty of twists - a great episode!
Score: 8.5/10
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