The God Complex

[poliphilo]

There was a labyrinth, so there had to be a minotaur, but a man in a rubber suit is not a minotaur. See what I mean?

There's a minotaur in Fellini's Satyricon which is explicitly a man (a very big man- all oiled and sweaty) dressed up as a minotaur. That works better I think. 

Monsters are problematic. We see the rubber suit, or the CGI for what they are.  Maybe we collude and pretend to be scared but that's just good manners- and we're not scared really.

There was a valiant attempt to disguise the monster's rubberiness by backlighting it and shooting from odd angles or through running water and all that sort of thing. It's an old trick and we're wise to it.

Otherwise, this was an excellent episode. 

David Walliams as the cowardly mole man: great fun

Amara Karan as the smart Muslim girl: brilliant. What a fine actor- and what a pity she's not going to be a future companion after all.

The hotel setting- deliciously creepy and exploited to the max.

The script by Toby Whithouse- full of quotable lines, both funny and touching.

And I'm pleased that this season is continuing to deconstruct the Doctor. He's the one with the God Complex-  irresponsible and overconfident. He promises there'll be no more deaths- and there are- and all because he's misread the situation. 

Faith is a bad thing; discuss.

Have we seen the last of Amy and Rory? Surely not. 

Comments

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Amara Karan as the smart Muslim girl: brilliant. What a fine actor- and what a pity she's not going to be a future companion after all.

The hotel setting- deliciously creepy and exploited to the max.

I thought both these things! And yes, surely this can't be the end for Amy and Rory - there would have been leaked news of the next Companion by now.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

All these deaths that aren't deaths and goodbyes that aren't goodbyes- it's like crying "wolf"; eventually there's going to be a "real" death or a "real" goodbye- and we'll be beyond caring.

[loxian.livejournal.com]

I did see it, and it really did go down like that, and yes, it really was annoying.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I take your point, but I reckon it's a little more complicated and nuanced than the spoilers suggest. The Doctor is trying to break Amy's faith in him- and it's in this context that he calls her "Amy Williams". He has been very possessive and protective of her- and this is him letting go- and acknowledging the primacy of her relationship with Rory.

[jenny_evergreen]

I agree, though I wish there had been a better way to do it.

I hope this IS it. I think that was a perfect goodbye, truly.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think it's almost inevitable that Amy and Rory will reappear in the finale.

Also (according to wikipedia) Karen Gillan has signed up for the show's next season.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think that's going to happen either.

There'll be a female Doctor eventually.....I'm sure of it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are lots of possibilities- one of which is that the writer (Toby Whithouse) meant it to grate.

This is, after all, an episode in which the Doctor's faults are very much on display.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

yes - because, previously, they were both referred to as Ponds.
Anyway, surely it's up to them who takes whose name?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's right. The Doctor has always been in denial about Amy's marriage. Calling her Williams marked a change in their relationship. He was pushing her away. It was meant to shock.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I think it was a lesson reflected in the minotaur's face that the Doctor has realised that by having companions makes him responsible, and that responsibilty has laid heavy on him. I think it is good to let Amy go. However , if Wikipedia is correct then this is not the end of the relationship, and that there is still the issue of the Doctor's death to be resolve. I have a hunch that we will see this in the finale and that Amy , or her daughter will be at the end of the current series.

Only time and space will tell.

Very good story though, and thought provoking vis a vis with the faith issue.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think the River Song story will be resolved at the end of this season- and it's hard to see that happening without Amy and`Rory.

Karen Gillen is a star now. I don't think the BBC would willingly let her go at this point. It looks like she'll be travelling with the Doctor for at least another year.

That's two stories I've liked in a row. Is this a record?