"Midnight"

• Jul 24, 2008 06:04 AM ET
• by Robert ivins

"Taking a big space truck with a bunch of strangers across a diamond planet called, Midnight... what could possibly go wrong?"
-The Doctor

While on holiday (love saying that) on a planet called, Midnight, the Doctor/Donna decide to go it solo for a bit: the Doctor wants to take a four-hour ride to a literal waterfall made of sapphires whereas Donna wants to relax by the pool of the hotel and bask in the deadly rays of Xtonic sunlight (rendered safe by the resort's shielding).

As the transport preps to depart, we are introduced to all the various passengers and crew onboard the Crusader 50. First up are Professor Hobbes and his assistant, Dee Dee. Next up, a lone woman, whose name we later find out is Sky. The remaining passengers are a family: Biff and Val Cann and their son, Jethro. The crew of the ship is made up of Joe the pilot, Claude the mechanic and the hostess, whose name is never mentioned. The vehicle is sealed up and sent off on its merry way. Sealed up? Besides the deadly sunlight, there is no air to breathe. Also, did I mention that an obstruction causes the pilot to detour via a different route? The Doctor's own words (initial quote) might come back to haunt him. The engines start up, eerily sounding like screaming, and the journey begins. The hostess activates the entertainment system for the passengers and a plethora of videos, music and cartoons are spewed forth, blanketing the cabin with a surreally psychedelic glow. That is until the Doctor semi-secretly (Sky sees him) uses his trusty sonic screwdriver to disable the system. Biff is quite vocal about the lack of entertainment on a four-hour trip. The Doctor suggests that they should just talk to each other.

For the most part, the walls come down and the passengers do start socializing with the Doctor making his rounds (heh) from passenger to passenger. Sky keeps to herself although she and the Doctor do chat for a bit (while eating chicken AND beef). At one point the Professor (aka, Mr. Backstory) gives a presentation about the history of the planet, Midnight and his research concerning it (he has taken this specific trip a number of times already). He shares that before the corporations landed there, there hasn't been any life here that we know of. As soon as he is finished his presentation, the transport surprisingly comes to a halt.

The Doctor uses his trusty psychic paper to get himself into the cockpit. Joe and Claude explain that the engines 'just stopped' and that a rescue vehicle should get there within the hour. Because of the limited protection the front windshield offers, the Doctor convinces the two to open the shields so they can view the surface with their own eyes (did I just quote Return of the Jedi?) and it's such a sight to be seen: walls of diamonds and gems, poisoned by the sunlight so that no one may ever touch them. Claude notices a dark shadow moving outside just as the shield is forced to close because of the rising temperature.

Back in the passenger area, the Doctor is questioned by the others as to what is going on. He informs them that everything should be fine and that a repair vehicle is on the way. Of course, humans being humans, paranoia sets in and the passengers start panicking about the air supply. After reassurances from Dee Dee and the Doctor, loud banging on the hull is heard. At first this is passed off as just rocks/gems hitting the exterior or the metal settling, but the banging, actually more like knocking, starts moving around the ship. It appears to be systematically knocking on the various exits/entrances to the transport. Biff knocks on one of the hatches three times and three exterior knocks are the response . Panic is slowly building again with the rumblings of in-fighting amongst the frightened passengers and crew. Four knocks are returned to the Doctor's four. Sky goes off and starts screaming about 'it' coming for her. The knocking/banging starts up again as Sky backs herself into the one end of the ship. Suddenly, the ship starts to rock, the lights flicker and sparks are everywhere. Just as quickly as it started, the 'earthquake' stops.

In the darkness, everyone collects themselves. That is all except Sky, who is sitting huddled on the floor. The Doctor attempts to reassure Sky that everything is alright -that the walls are still intact. The hostess opens the door to the cockpit and is greeted by deadly sunlight: the cockpit has been ripped completely off (Joe and Clause are dead)! She is able to close the door before she and the passengers are disintegrated by the rays.

Jethro points out that Sky is still acting weird as well as rightfully assuming that whatever it was outside could be inside. Of course, although he is correct, it only adds to the panic. The Doctor approaches Sky, who eventually turns to unblinkingly face everyone. She starts to emulate and repeat the Doctor's initial movements then his questions ("are you alright?") much like the knocking was emulated. Again, the passengers panic as Sky repeats and repeats everything they say. The lights pop on seemingly on cue and the panic lowers as Sky's mimicking stops. That is until they realize that she is not repeating anymore because she is talking with them (at the same time as they are). The Doctor realizes that whatever is in Sky is learning from this mimicking so he wants to limit this as much as possible and just wait for the rescue ship that can take her to the hospital. The hostess suggests that they should throw her outside (killing her). The debating begins with the Doctor demanding that this is not a possibility. Shockingly, all but the professor and Jethro are in favor of killing her. The paranoia continues to spread and the passengers turn on the Doctor, who is still trying to prevent Sky's murder. Biff suggests that they throw the Doctor out as well (I wonder what would happen to his remaining regenerations). That wonderfully observant Jethro notices that Sky has stopped her mimicking. The Doctor still isn't out of danger as Sky still is mimicking his speech and the group again thinks that he is a threat. It doesn't help matters that after another attempt to appeal to the being inside Sky, that she gets 'ahead' of him speech-wise.

Sky starts "coming back to life' and via her suggestions in combination with the panic, the group now assumes that the being has passed to the Doctor, who is frozen (enthralled?) on the floor from where he confronted Sky. Dee Dee and the hostess try to be the voices of reason by telling the others that Sky is still possessed but they won't listen. Sky finally convinces one of them, Biff, to throw the Doctor outside. The hostess hears the Doctor's speech patterns in Sky (Allons-y). She grabs Sky and opens the other hatch and both are sucked outside as the hatch re-seals itself -the being is dead and he Doctor is free. The passengers are in shock at what has just happened what they became. Val tries to justify it by saying she knew it was Sky all along, but when the Doctor looks at her, all she can do is turn away, Before the rescue ship pulls up, the Doctor asks the survivors what the hostess' name was. No one knows.

Back at the resort and receiving a hug from a somber Donna, the two dish about what the creature was and if it still is alive. She attempts to lighten the mood by (unintentionally) mimicking the Doctor to which he responds, "No, don't do that. Don't."


Random commentary

Ladies and gentlemen and variations there upon, this episode marks the first of what I like to call the "Increasing Degree of Jaw Dropping Episodes" series. As you will see with each subsequent episode, one's jaw will literally fall out of one's jaw socket (I believe that's the correct medical term!) by the time the season finale is over. If you don't believe me, well, keep watching!

Obviously, since it was a (mostly) single set episode (I believe the correct term is 'bottle episode') to save money for what is to come, I am truly amazed by what they were able to accomplish within this single set and simple (and atypical) storyline. Kudos! Did anyone else notice the literal screaming sounds the engine of the transport made when it first departed? So eerie! More little bits that add to the eeriness: when Jethro points out that Sky is still sitting on the floor, check out Sky's shadows from the passenger's flashlights. Also, the excellent reverse angle shot of the passengers aiming their torches at Sky! Towards the end when Sky steals the Doctor's voice, we have some similar shots but this time with the Doctor frozen on the floor, his back to the group. Since the lights are on, there are no flashlights on him; however, check out the shots of the group debating who is the stealing who's voice: Sky has a spotlight on her with the rest not lit as well (they are in darkness). How freakin' cool is that??? The low key music (which added to the simmering tension within the cabin) helped keep me on the literal edge of my seat, rising only when the tension was peaking (check out the score when Sky first turns around!). Again, this episode just blew me away (and scared the poo out of me).

Kudos to the Lesley Sharp's performance. Imagine how excruciatingly difficult it must had been to be constantly repeating all the other actor's lines. Granted, maybe half happen off-screen or could had been ADR'd later, but still, a fine performance. Sad that her character had to die and that the probable last thoughts she had were sheer horror at what was outside the transport. Ladies and gentlemen and variations there upon, this is one of the reasons why this episode is just so terrifying to me.

ROSE! 'Nuff said there although I would wish they didn't go out of their way to focus on her viewscreen image. Subtitle suggestions sometimes work better; however, I'm not going to complain because well you know ROSE!

Four hours of fun time? OMIGOD you guys (I wanted to get a Legally Blonde the Musical reference in here for no reason)! So surreal and psychedelic thank goodness the Doctor shut that poop down! Seriously!

The initial socializing scenes remind me of what I try to do when I'm in a new situation, location or even when I'm selected for jury duty: I love to chat people up -break the ice and such. Then later and oddly enough, I feel exactly like the Doctor did in the episode, because the same people I broke the ice with will often try to kill me. Very scary sometimes.

Without nitpicking the items handed out by the hostess (because I easily could)... they still use slide projectors in the future? Apparently, the numbers 666, have not been forgotten as well. Then again, I guess we already knew that from the season two episodes, "The Impossible Planet," "The Satan Pit" and Torchwood season one finale, "End of Days."

It always amazes me that the Doctor eats meat (chicken and beef). I don't know why it does, it just does. Heh.

I've seen/read variations of the plot of this episode before. I cannot say for sure, but I think many of them might be inspired by the original series Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street."

Finally, Donna really doesn't do much in this episode, eh? I wonder why Also, disappearing bees? (not mentioned but still they are disappearing!) The lost moon of Poosh. The Medusa Cascade... hmmmm?


Quotes:

Doctor: "Allons-y"

Hostess: "Ladies and gentlemen and variations there upon..."

Doctor: "Here's to Poosh!"

Professor Hobbs: "The history is fascinating because there is no history."

Doctor: "Sorry. I'm the Doctor. I'm very clever."

Doctor: "Arms, legs, neck, head, nose. I'm fine."

Doctor/Sky: "Roast beef. Bananas. The Medusa Cascade. BANG! Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, TARDIS. Shamble, bobble, dibble, dooble. Oh, Doctor, you're so handsome. Yes I am, thank you."

Doctor: "Professor, I'm glad you got an absolute definition of life in the universe but perhaps the universe has ideas of its own."

Doctor: "What do you amount to? Murder? Cause this is where you decide who you are! Could you actually murder her? Any of you? Really? Or are you better than that?"

Donna: "I can't imagine you without a voice."


Ladies and gentlemen and variations there upon, until next time (which will be shortly), Allons-y!

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