05 October 2016

31 Days of Horror Day: 5 Doctor Who S3 E10 Blink


Thanks to the magic of Netflix and the new phenomenon of binge watching people who have the service can discover and watch TV shows that they never would've considered before. Up until a year or so ago, I wasn't a fan of Doctor Who but then again, I'd never seen a single episode. I didn't go WAY back to the beginning but did start with the newer episodes and ended up getting addicted almost immediately. While more sci-fi than horror, there was one episode that stuck with me more than any other. Here at TC, we've never reviewed a single episode of a TV show until now.

A synopsis on IMDb written by docfester reads: "Don't Blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't Blink. Good Luck." These cryptic messages left on 17 DVD's leave Sally Sparrow on a journey to assist the Doctor and Martha Jones, who are trapped in 1969. But Sally is in 2007, and they won't meet until 2008. Strange? Unusual? Not if you are the Doctor.

With respect to the other Doctors, David Tennant has been my favorite by far. He is a phenomenal actor whose intensity and quirkiness made the character so much more fun to me. Sadly, this episode doesn't have enough of him but that doesn't change the fact that it is hands down the best one of the series.

As with every Doctor Who episode, Blink which originally premiered in 2007, is sci-fi heavy with elements of time travel but this one contains a splash of horror in the form of some really, really creepy weeping angels that move silently when a character looks away or even blinks. And believe me when I say they are the stuff that nightmares are made of. Simple effects that will twist you up, have you on the edge of your seat and make you question every statue you pass from then on.

Writer Steven Moffat creates a brilliant episode that may come off a little confusing at first, but rounds itself out with some help from The Doctor as he occasionally pops in via TV to explain to Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) and the audience what's going on. There's even a bit of a nod to 80's smash hit Back to the Future thrown in there. It's not only an excellent addition to the series but to TV in general. It's intelligent and creative and takes chances that other shows wouldn't even attempt.

If you've never had an interest in watching Doctor Who, I would suggest at least giving this episode a watch. I'd be willing to bet that it would change your mind and turn you into a Whovian in no time.

No comments:

Post a Comment