The
Haunting of Villa Diodati
The eighth episode of series 12. Team TARDIS arrives at the villa on
the shore of Lake Geneva where Percy and Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and
others are staying during the 'year without a summer'. However,
something up. Weird things are happening, causing illusions and the
layout of the villa is twisting upon itself. And Percy Shelly goes
missing... But to begin, the intro, before Team TARDIS arrives was
done rather well, as well as their arrival during the storm. The
scene with the dancing was good too.
That particular meet and greet was done rather well. Then the groups
split up, with Graham looking for the 'loo'. The revelation of the
villa twisting on itself via Graham's search was done well, as was
his confusion. The Doctor scans the villa, because she thinks
something is odd. Clearly not hiding the sonic from Mary either. But
these scenes were also well written. Then there is also the theme of
illusions, with Polidori being able to peirce them while he's
sleepwalking. The Doctor then using that knowledge to get through the
illusions was a great moment.
However, something is outside the Villa, trying to get in. Something
that looks like a ghost, but isn't. (There's something else that may
look like a ghost too, see below.) It turns out that the ghost is the
Lone Cyberman, and it's after something (of course). Great
cinematography in the reveal, appropriately creepy. That the Cyberman
is only mostly converted (or damaged) just makes it more creepy.
Asking the Doctor “Are you the Guardian?” just makes her
confused, for a short while. She quickly figures it out.
More time with the Lone Cyberman, and repetitions of Captain Jack's
warning.The Doctor considering giving what it what it wants was
certainly well done and it's definitely in character, but she's
clearly feeling the strain of the responsiblilty she has given
herself. She goes looking for Percy Shelly, telling the others not to
follow her. This scene was believable, and consistent with this
Doctor's character. That the companions and the others decide go and
do something (without following the Doctor) is also believable.
The Doctor finds Percy Shelly, who has absorbed some Cyber
nanotechnology that the Lone Cyberman is after. The others also come
there, and the Doctor has to choose. Give the Lone Cyberman what he
wants, or to allow Shelly to die, thereby changing the future and
erasing her companions. (Or to allow the Earth to be destroyed.) That
she gives in and gives the nanotech to the Lone Cyberman is also
consistent with her character. Overall, it is a rather good episode.
8.75/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment