According to Matt Smith, he said that he imagined that inside the Doctor's room was the row of all his past incarnations hanging from the ceiling and then there is one noose just waiting for Eleven to step in
Toby Whitehouse knocked it out of the park with this one. It’s really rather amazing how quickly he characterised his guest cast and it really helps the cast give it their all. Always surprises me when I rewatch it and I forget that David Walliams is under all that makeup, he carries it so well.
I think Rory's time as the centurion gives a good look and a little bit more insight into why he doesn't believe in anything. You have to remember he lived for over a thousand years. You had to accept such crazy stuff. And the fact that he chose to open the door or close the door on those memories speaks volumes as well.
I heard somewhere that Toby Whithouse was asked to be showrunner for one ‘bridging’ series if Chibnall couldnt start in time. This episode demonstrates how good whithouse is at writing side characters, something that Chibnall has always struggled with imo. Whithouse also grew up where I did so I would’ve loved to have seen his take on the show as showrunner. inspiring writer!
I think it's underrated status is because it's quite low key. It's a relatively simple concept and setting that's just executed so perfectly on all levels, writing, direction and acting
We imagine Rory basically in opposite ways. I see his lack of faith in a positive way… you don’t need faith when you KNOW something. He knows he loves Amy and knows that she loves him. Faith is for people who are unsure.. a leap of faith doesn’t exist when you know your beautiful wife will catch you, and a test of faith is no test when you trust the Doctor to get you through it. Rory understands that things will happen as they do, and no amount of faith or fear will stop it. He’s seen incredible things and survived it all and one day will be his last… that’s just life. Rory is a simple guy and lives without fear or faith because he just doesn’t need them. He has a normal healthy level of fear, but he doesn’t live with dread in his heart. He’s afraid to die or get hurt but doesn’t dread it and let it ruin his life. Rory knows he’s a pretty lucky guy and appreciates what he has and that’s why so many of us love him!
I honestly wish Rita had of lived in this episode cause she would have been a great companion in the future and even if she didnt join the tardis team immediately i would have loved her to come back eventually. I suppose it means more cause we have gotten to know her over the story and even liked her as a character when she dies in her own terms so to speak. Still i would of loved her to come along
@@jessekulbe1855 Matt smith said that he believed that I was all his previous incarnations hung from the roof with a noose that was set for that incarnation.
Honestly I think the doctors fear should have been him not being able to save those close to him. I don't think anything but that could truly affect the doctor
Ignoring the crack, after seeing Day of the Doctor I like to think it's was the Moment, it represents when he gave up and the judgement that it bestowed upon him.
@@LordGoose-zr6jj not quite, he had to livd with the knowledge that he used it even though he didn't cos time wimey. He might have tried to hide or ignore it, but the trauma didn't go away.
Wow, I honestly had no idea so many people loved this episode so passionately. I could barely get through it the first time and haven't watched it since, so maybe I should give it a fair shot...
rita’s death is really really great and emotional in this episode because of how likeable she is, but GOD i wish she had become a companion. she’s just so perfect for the role as a character and her and matt smith had so much chemistry, i think the scenes pre her death were supposed to set up that idea. since i don’t have a time machine and can’t go back and change things, i would not say no to a big finish audio about some alternate rita timeline! or imagine if we had got her instead of yaz, with a different version of “demons of the punjabi” complete with a much more interesting and enigmatic companion… all i can do is daydream i guess lol
This video made me rewatch the episode (yet again). I don’t think it will ever not make me cry. That last shot, with the Doctor almost huddling within himself against the cold emptiness of his lonely TARDIS, is perhaps the most profoundly devastating shot of a doctor. It’s weird to me that people remember smith for being the zany doctor when his most powerful moments are anything but.
Episodes like these by Whitehouse constantly make me wonder if he was considered for Showrunner after Moffat. I think 90% of Toby Whitehouse's Episodes are all really creative and interesting, and the other 10% are still really good and strong, vs Chibnall who hadn't written for the show in 3 Seasons, and the last few times he did write for the show were middling-to-bad.
I rememeber sometime back on Reddit I said I wish Amy and Rory had left in this episode just like you said as it finishes their story so well and could've opened the door to them returning in the future and some potential drama when they learn the Doctor survivied their death. I got downvoted for that. I would've liked series 7 to have focused on the Doctor travelling alone and with the Clara echos to pop up every once in a while before her proper introduction. I think this highlights one of my issues with Moffat is companions overstaying their welcome.
Moffat's era consistently has fantastic endings for characters that are then immediately undone. The Doctor sacrifices himself to reboot the universe, has a farewell with Amy and relives key points of his life in reverse in this wonderful sequence. Oh lmao nevermind he comes back because Amy remembered him. Amy and Rory finally get married while The Doctor pops off in his box, his friends returned to the real world and ready to face it. Lmao no they follow him and remain consistent companions into series 6. The Doctor literally dies and has this whole full circle arc surrounding it, where we see it from both sides. It provokes fantastic beats in his companions, inspires great character moments from The Doctor himself, and is a hell of a plot hook. Lmao no he survives because of bullshit. The Doctor finally buckles under the weight of what his life does to people and lets Amy and Rory go. They're everything to him, but he has to let them go to keep them alive. It's a wonderfully tragic mo- Oh lmao no they come back until they get an ending in Series 7.
Im not sure if it is the best 11th episode, but i think its the "elevenest" episode: a great script that wouldnt worked that well with another doctor, just as Human Nature wouldnt worked as well without Ten
I think this still stands as the best companion send off because the Doctor did realize that he should let Amy and Rory live their normal lives, that way they'll really be safe. The Doctor accepts this for a while until the Christmas Special where he gets told to see his friends, that's when he comes back into their lives. Everything from that was on borrowed time, and Manhattan then works as a reminder to the Doctor because he forgot why he left them in God Complex. He wanted more days, because it was his last life running around and he ended up losing them forever.
I don't disagree. I always wanted Amy and Rory to live past 11's run as the doctor and maybe visit them in future incarnations, just to check up on them and see how they're doing, maybe go for a quick hop to see a beautiful star or galaxy but never going to another planet in fear of losing them. I don't know, I just wanted them to live past 11's incarnation and I'm still so sad they died in AIM, they were my favorite companions for the doctor as a trio (sometimes four people with River joining them, which I also loved very much) and I'll miss them to this day.
I love that you mentioned Lucie Miller! Also, I do agree that Amy and Rory should have departed for good here and Rita should have replaced them (a very classic style companion change over), but I do think it was intentional to have the Doctor not leave well enough alone. To me, it's part of his character arc. He became too attached to the Ponds and couldn't let them go, and in the end they suffered for it. This should have been the end of the fairytale, but the Doctor couldn't let go and move on and in doing so he prevented them from moving on or 'growing up'. We see in Season 7A just how chaotic the Ponds' lives are because of him and he continues to become more aware of the fact that they're getting older, which upsets him. In the end the story ends by force rather than choice, all because the Doctor was too in love with being little Amelia's imaginary friend.
I like how this episode is on the 11th Doctor. Although not intentional, the eleventh doctor is the last in his regeneration cycle. Maybe his faith is the security of his regenerations, which he no longer has.
Time. Time has always been the enemy of Eleven. It’s been present since his first episode. Formally presented as the crack in time, thematically manifested in his relationship with Amelia and the time he misses with her.
I realised I went off on a tangent; I think his faith is in Amy, or at least her perception of him. Luckily her decision in this episode allows him to keep his faith in her
I feel like each doctor had their own room. 11 had the crack, 12 would probably have his figment of the hybrid, ect. Would be a cool setting for a multi doctor story 👀
Let's speculate about each Doctor's fears. Colin Baker's fear would be the Valeyard. John Hurt's fear would be himself. Paul McGann's fear would be the Time War. Both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton's fear would be the Time Lords. David Tennant's fear would be falling in love again. Christopher Ecclestone's fear would be the Daleks. Peter Capaldi's fear would be being abandoned, even though he was pushing Clara away for his entire first season (look up Borderline Personality Disorder if you want to understand that mindset). I don't know enough about Jon Pertwee, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Davison or Tom Baker (whom I know by his reputation more than his actual portrayal of the Doctor) to judge what their fears are. As for Jodie Whittaker and Jo Martin, they're not the Doctor at all as far as I'm concerned.
even after they revealed what was behind the door I will always hold the belief that he opened the door and it was just himself alone in the room. I just like this idea bc it can be interpreted in two ways. Either the Doctor is simply afraid of himself and what he is capable of (which was a pretty prevalent thing during the later years of Tennant's run), or he is afraid of being alone, hence why he always finds random people and decides to travel with them. Something else that I thought would be interesting is if he opened the door and it was just Urn's with every companions name on it. Since it is shown quite frequently that he will abandon his companions so that he doesn't have to watch them die, since he has gone through it too many times.
I also agree this episode would have been the perfect time to say goodbye to Amy and Rory. Them getting separated the next season makes no sense, it was just created for drama. I can't wait your review for that one!
I LOVED THIS EPISODE SO MUCH. I often mention Rita as one of my favourite companions, and am genuinely devastated that she didn't get the chance to travel with the Doctor.
You've convinced me to give this episode another chance honestly. I only ever watched it once when it aired and I feel I was too young to really appreciate what it was doing and remember just finding David Walliams absolutely insufferable as the celebrity cameo character, but what youre describing really does sound like an incredible episode so I guess I'm gonna have to go back for it now.
It's always so sad when we see a fantastic character that hasn't been announced as new companion. Someone who hits it of with the doctor and if not before, the moment the doctor invites them we all just think RIP
For Rory I feel that his lack of 'faith' is showing his grounded human nature. He doesn't believe in something without good reason, which is what faith is; belief when lacking evidence. This makes him the stand out character of the episode who is able to keep his head in a crisis when everyone else is not. With this Amy believing in the Doctor is not faith in the same way religious people have faith that a God exists. Her belief in the Doctor is set within good reasons as she has seen him save many world's and so many people. This episode also hints at how a blind faith in something can lead to a person's downfall and be more detrimental then being a benefit.
I guess the reason Amy's faith comes into play is because she believes without evidence that no matter the situation, the Doctor will always save her. That's belief without evidence. The Doctor has saved countless beings and planets but that doesn't mean that he'll be able to save you in whatever mess you find yourself in, because it's also true that the Doctor has also lost most who stood with him. That's what makes Amy's trust in him, a matter of Faith. Same as religious faith.
Religious people can absolutely base their faith around evidence. It may not be evidence that convinces everybody but it's still evidence to support religious belief.
I just realised the hotel design in this is sort of like the backrooms where the walls and everything is just so monotonous and warm with no escape or end in sight. It goes on forever(or what seems to be very very big) too with a monster that seems to come out of nowhere. The hotel/monster makes you go insane like how a person would probably react if you were trapped in the backrooms
The notion of faith and belief is interesting and I love how it was used in this episode. This is just a brilliant ep. always one I like coming back to in rewatches.
It comes in front and centre in The Curse of Fenric, the unwavering trust in religion, a system of government, the Doctor that repels the monstrous Haemovore hoard (neatly explaining the cross as a means of warding off vampires, a simplification of that it was the faith in what the cross represented that was harmful to vampires). Throughout the story the reverend Wainwright is grappling with a crisis of faith that the converted Jean and Phyllis pick up on, taunting him and finally making him lose his faith just as he rediscovers it (“and the two thousand year old lie shattered.”).
God Complex has always been one of my favourites and I’m so glad that you agree with me that it’s the best in series 6. Thanks for another great video essay
Just a note about the CCTV footage. For me when I watch it it's not so much about feeling like I'm peeking in on them. But that it feels like someone else is watching them. That the characters are never quite safe, that there's seemingly eyes everywhere. A prison with no place to hide. It raises the tension and pops up every now and then just to give a sense of dread.
My favourite part of this episode is that pay-off from the very first Eleven episode. Amy's life really did depend on knowing that the Doctor is simply a mad man with a box.
@@wheatley9601 Rory is what most atheists claim to be, despite just replacing believing in deities with other belief systems. If he has no faith at all, that's just depressing but it's the most accurate description of atheism I've ever seen.
TBH I always believed that the Doctor's room had himself in it (or specifically the War Doctor). Makes sense that he fears himself, or rather what he is capable of.
I always had Toby Whithouse down as my choice for Moffat’s successor (and I think when RTD2 ends he should be considered again!). 7 episodes and only real one dud in there (sorry The Lie of the Land - the first half is really great though!). This episode showed the high concept emotional stuff; but I always thought Under the Lake / Before the Flood were a tour de force - just great characterisation; a suspenseful twisty plot which resolved satisfyingly; solid supporting characters (side characters are a Whithouse specialty). I’d love to see another script from him.
I don’t have a problem with the crack being behind 11’s door, because of the context it’s given in The Time of the Doctor: a chance to bring the Time Lords back. He couldn’t have understood the full context of it being behind his door in that moment, but as soon as he ran into it on Trenzalore it would have all clicked.
I think the real issue is revealing it at all. It does make sense for the crack to be the 12th Doctor's worst fear (yes, Matt Smith is the 12th, not the 11th) but people love to speculate rather than having the answer spoon-fed to them.
The complex wasn't showing Rory the exit because he had no fears, it was because he had no faith so even if he was shown his fears he wouldn't be edible to the minotaur
Proud to be the 100th like. This Ep has always been one of my favs so its nice to see other also appreciate it too! Also I really like your discussion about how everything has a story. I think it's a great way to view our universe, inspiring intrigue for both unknown and incomplete stories as well as optimism, as sometimes hardships lead to the best stories in the end. keep up the great work as always :)
I have to agree that this should have been the Ponds final episode, and this is coming from someone who liked the episode they went out on. Perhaps we could have had our cake and ate it to someway, with the doctor picking up a new companion in Series 7a and popping in to check on the Ponds for the finally of 7a that spins out into becoming their ultimate end.
I hope Neil Patrick Harris will be playing him. The Celestial Toymaker is powerful enough to sort out the shitshow that was Chris Chibnall's era without outright declaring it non-canon.
Excellent episode. It's a clever, compelling and compact story. Very well shot and needs little in the way of digital effects. It's a Doctor Who at its finest. Also Rita is a great character. Well written, warm and likable. We get a great understanding of how she is in one episode.
I like how the episode makes you consider exactly what you, yourself, put faith in (and why), and what you would find in your room, were you to be trapped in the Hotel. Personally, I tend to put my faith in the concept of Order; if you can understand something, you can control it - even just a name or description gives you a measure of power over it. As to my room; there are many things that frighten me; I am a very anxious person - but the common threat of all my fears, is a general lack of control over the situation. How exactly that would be expressed in the room, I'm not sure. Perhaps the hotel itself, and the way it takes away any measure of control, would be my greatest fear - making the room ironically redundant.
The practical thing about the removing the Tardis trope is that the Tardis takes them where they need to be so she also stays away to let them fix the problem instead of just evacuating and letting future people get kidnapped and brought into danger
Fully agree that this should have been Amy and Rory's departure. Asylum of the Dalek's could have worked without Amy and Rory, exploring the mystery of Oswin. Other than the relatiknship stuff, Amy and Rory didn't really play much of a role in it anyway. Dinosaurs on a Spaceship - Just have Rory's dad A Town Called Mercy - One of the towns people could have filled in for Amy with making The Doctor realise he was losing control. OR have him actually send Jex to his death and have someone else step in. The scrap Power of Three and Asylum of the Daleks. The Doctor losing control of himself could then be the trigger for his self isolation in The Snowmen
I personally felt that revealing the crack as the thing in the doctor's room made perfect sense. I mean even before then, the doctor constantly shows just how badly he *fears* the return of the timelords. And them using the cracks in time as a way to return is just a natural thing to do. When you want to break into a place, you find it's weakest point. And the doctor knows this, to by having him see that crack in his room made perfect sense. It fit right in with the idea that, once you see it, you realized it couldn't be anything else.
It always fascinated me that one room can cause so much fear. And I've always tried to think what my room would be. My biggest fear is meaningless literally I'm terrified that the world has no meaning that death has no meaning. Maybe my room would be nothing like completely empty. Weird to think about. I have other fears but unless they can somehow force me into a small winding tunnel that I can besrly move in, I really can't think of anything else.
One fear of mine is open fire like that on candles - especially when dangling on Christmas trees or when I have to hold then in my hands. I could never hold a torch in my hand!
Definitely one of the best series 6 offered. Love the offbeat feel created by the score and visuals, but never truly understood the faith angle so loved this analysis. Agree the Ponds should've left off here too!
One of my favourite episodes to come back and watch now and then. I generally don't like watching things multiple times. But this is one if the 10 or so episodes I can just rewatch happily.
It's true that this would have been a really good ending for Amy and Rory and I almost wish it had been, but the thing about Amy, Rory and all their plot work involving River and The Doctor is that they're too close and linked to the Doctor's life to simply leave - their exit was always going to be in death because of its relative finality and this episode is a great foreshadowing of that, as The Doctor literally does stand over their grave as he says here in Angels Take Manhattan
This episode reminds me of Curse of Fenric, a 7th Doctor story (Classic Who) in which the Doctor had to break his companion Ace's faith in him in order to defeat Fenric, an ancient creature responsible for all the evil of the world.
I’ve always thought this episode should have been the farewell for the Ponds, with them appearing through timey wimey stuff in The Wedding of River Song alternate reality. You can even have them appear in the Christmas special like they did. But have new companions in Series 7 part 1. There’s really no reason to have them back in those five episodes except for Rory’s dad
Thank you! This has always been one of my favorite episodes of the show! I SO wanted Rita as a new companion right from her first scene with Matt! This one and maybe Vincent and the Doctor are my 2 favorite 11th Doc episodes.
what i think would have been cool is if the dr's room was him in the The Valeyard outfit, as a nice call back, and showing his greatist fear is him self, that darker side that he doesnt want to give into
the crack being in the room was not quite face value. the doctor feared what the crack represented, not the crack itself. the doctor feared time running out, which is what the crack represented.
Omg yes! I love this episode with all my heart and I so enjoy it every time I revisit this story! The direction and film making techniques are just beautifully done and the minotaur speech always makes me emotional. The sacrifice of Amy’s child like faith in the doctor is perfectly handled and brings to light the reasons why I adore this Tardis trio more than anything. This would of been a wonderful exit for Amy and Rory despite how their actual exit wrapped up more loose ends with river for example. Great review I love seeing this under rated episode get the love it deserves
This, Under the Lake and Before the Flood and School Reunion stand as some of my favourite Who ever. That, along with Being Human really made me want Whithouse to take over as showrunner
When I watched this episode, I assumed that the Doctor's room had himself in it. Specifically, the "Timelord Victorious". His fear would be losing control again. Learning that it was the crack in Amy's wall is upsetting
pretty sure that panting tree's on the road to let invader walk in the shade, is actualy a reference to something that actualy happened historically, cause i know i saw that somewhere else
I write stories about gods. In particular, Hope and Creation. The things I think are the most important about our existence. Our ability to create, and how hope inspires that.
I do wish that Rita had become a main series companion. Seeing a Muslim companion or any heavily religious companion would be interesting to see how they see the universe. They would need to stay with their faith though.
I'm suprised you didn't draw comparisons to 'The Shining' from 1980. A ghost hotel with an impossible and constantly changing interior (something you only register subconsciously), an even impossible maze and an alleged poster of a minotaur visible in the game room.
Reason why the crack in time being in The Doctor’s room doesn’t work: The Doctor says “Of course. Who else?”. That implies a person. Not an object or event. Honestly I think it would’ve worked if what the Doctor saw in his room was himself
After seeing some clips, I thought that it might be him or the master. Sort of split between them because, well, just look at waters of mars to see what happens when the Doctors pushed too far or realises nothings holding him back, and the master because, honestly, I dont even think he knows what his next moves gonna be half the damn time hes that much of a psychopath.
In primary school we had to sing Christian songs one of which said 'praise him' a few times, just after this episode no one would sing that line which automatically makes this one of my favourite episodes just for that memory
@@tomnorton4277 cause I didn’t like a lot of smith episodes back in the day, I used to watch and be like “🙄 another rushed, simple story episode.” But this one I was actually hooked and obsessed for ages
As someone who enjoys questioning how certain characters would fit into/react to events from other franchises, I like figuring out what would be in the rooms of characters from outside of Doctor Who (and some from within the universe).
If you’d like, would you mind sharing some of your thoughts? I’m intrigued as to what you think the biggest fears of other doctor who characters could be
It’s good timing this video then, given Big Finish have just announced a box set including a story where the Fourth Doctor and Leela meet a Tivolian. The idea of the ultimate pacifists meeting the most warrior-like of all the known Doctor Who companions is an interesting one since their principles are very much antithetical, the Tivolians as a race having a compelling hook by being the universe’s biggest doormats.
Bold choice marking this as the best 11th doctor story, but I think Matt smiths run was never marked by remarkable episodes... (not saying its bad, it's actually my favorite, but it didn't have too many episodes like blink, midnight, turn left, waters of Mars, listen until the twist, the first half of the zygon two parter and the speech at the end, heaven sent, and the multi master two parter)
Its not isolating to live without faith, or at least it isn't for me. I am autistic and the way I learnt to interact with the world was through pure objectiveness. I understand and use science to interact with the world sure but I don't have faith in it. Just like everything else it has major flaws. My view has always been that with every system being flawed no system can be relied upon or backed completely. I don't need a system or faith for the world to make sense because the world dosnt make sense, it isn't supposed to and has no obligation to make sense to anyone. There's nothing wrong with that and if anything I would say its liberating. As this episode shows, people corner themselves by tying themselves to an ideal especially a single ideal. It constrains there view of the world, makes them less open to people with other "ideals" and pushes people further and further down a single path. Social media has made this more and more obvious as people pick weird hills to die on as over time their "faith" becomes narrower and narrower. I approach every new situation like its a totally new universe i really wouldn't say that is isolating at all, its freeing.
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No
Lol poor Luke got cut off at the end
According to Matt Smith, he said that he imagined that inside the Doctor's room was the row of all his past incarnations hanging from the ceiling and then there is one noose just waiting for Eleven to step in
......considering the Doctor's past..it makes a lot of sense.
Did he say this at a Comic Con Panel or something?
@@MereBlueCat7 Yeah
I thought it would be the Valeyard or War Doctor. But what he suggested is even better
Damn Matt that's dark
It also has one of the funniest lines
“Every time the Doctor gets pally with someone I have this overwhelming urge to notify their next of kin”
It’s funny… because it’s true. RIP, Rita…
Toby Whitehouse knocked it out of the park with this one. It’s really rather amazing how quickly he characterised his guest cast and it really helps the cast give it their all. Always surprises me when I rewatch it and I forget that David Walliams is under all that makeup, he carries it so well.
Toby was my pick to replace the Moff. He still is...
I didn't even realise it was David Walliams. He was that good.
I think Rory's time as the centurion gives a good look and a little bit more insight into why he doesn't believe in anything. You have to remember he lived for over a thousand years. You had to accept such crazy stuff. And the fact that he chose to open the door or close the door on those memories speaks volumes as well.
I heard somewhere that Toby Whithouse was asked to be showrunner for one ‘bridging’ series if Chibnall couldnt start in time. This episode demonstrates how good whithouse is at writing side characters, something that Chibnall has always struggled with imo.
Whithouse also grew up where I did so I would’ve loved to have seen his take on the show as showrunner. inspiring writer!
I heard that bridging series was series 10 but Steven decided to come back to do it instead
He did a great job on "Being Human", so I think he would have been a pretty good choice!
Yeah but Chibnall also did season 2 of torchwood
@@nathanielfarkas4431 With a lot of help from Noel Clarke, who as well as being an actor is also a writer, director and producer
@@nathanielfarkas4431 Ah yes.... who can forget the horror that was "Cyberdolly"...
I think it's underrated status is because it's quite low key. It's a relatively simple concept and setting that's just executed so perfectly on all levels, writing, direction and acting
We imagine Rory basically in opposite ways.
I see his lack of faith in a positive way… you don’t need faith when you KNOW something. He knows he loves Amy and knows that she loves him.
Faith is for people who are unsure.. a leap of faith doesn’t exist when you know your beautiful wife will catch you, and a test of faith is no test when you trust the Doctor to get you through it.
Rory understands that things will happen as they do, and no amount of faith or fear will stop it. He’s seen incredible things and survived it all and one day will be his last… that’s just life.
Rory is a simple guy and lives without fear or faith because he just doesn’t need them. He has a normal healthy level of fear, but he doesn’t live with dread in his heart. He’s afraid to die or get hurt but doesn’t dread it and let it ruin his life.
Rory knows he’s a pretty lucky guy and appreciates what he has and that’s why so many of us love him!
I honestly wish Rita had of lived in this episode cause she would have been a great companion in the future and even if she didnt join the tardis team immediately i would have loved her to come back eventually. I suppose it means more cause we have gotten to know her over the story and even liked her as a character when she dies in her own terms so to speak. Still i would of loved her to come along
I always assumed that the doctor himself was in his room, especially since he says "Who else" not "What else"
I think it's the War doctor, although it could be River as well
I always thought it was the next doctor, because of the cloister bell
@@jessekulbe1855 Matt smith said that he believed that I was all his previous incarnations hung from the roof with a noose that was set for that incarnation.
the crack was the timelords.
so it make sense he'd say "who else"
Honestly I think the doctors fear should have been him not being able to save those close to him. I don't think anything but that could truly affect the doctor
Ignoring the crack, after seeing Day of the Doctor I like to think it's was the Moment, it represents when he gave up and the judgement that it bestowed upon him.
I always thought, before the reveal, that it was himself.
@@unorthodoxbox Yes but didn't he lock that memory up to an extent? or am I remembering wrong?
@@LordGoose-zr6jj not quite, he had to livd with the knowledge that he used it even though he didn't cos time wimey. He might have tried to hide or ignore it, but the trauma didn't go away.
@@Loneshrike ah ok. It's been a little while since I have seen the episode so I couldn't remember
Wow, I honestly had no idea so many people loved this episode so passionately. I could barely get through it the first time and haven't watched it since, so maybe I should give it a fair shot...
Hey, it's my boy Cubone!
Love this story one of my favourite 11th Doctor Stories to go rewatch
I was just about to write the same. I thought this episode was really forgettable. Maybe I need to rewatch it.
I'm with you, loved Rita as a character other than that it didn't stand out in any way.
Wasn't expecting to see you here, but I'm not complaining
rita’s death is really really great and emotional in this episode because of how likeable she is, but GOD i wish she had become a companion. she’s just so perfect for the role as a character and her and matt smith had so much chemistry, i think the scenes pre her death were supposed to set up that idea. since i don’t have a time machine and can’t go back and change things, i would not say no to a big finish audio about some alternate rita timeline! or imagine if we had got her instead of yaz, with a different version of “demons of the punjabi” complete with a much more interesting and enigmatic companion… all i can do is daydream i guess lol
Your monologue about faith was fantastic, watching you grow as a writer over these reviews is so cool, keep it up man
This video made me rewatch the episode (yet again). I don’t think it will ever not make me cry. That last shot, with the Doctor almost huddling within himself against the cold emptiness of his lonely TARDIS, is perhaps the most profoundly devastating shot of a doctor. It’s weird to me that people remember smith for being the zany doctor when his most powerful moments are anything but.
Episodes like these by Whitehouse constantly make me wonder if he was considered for Showrunner after Moffat. I think 90% of Toby Whitehouse's Episodes are all really creative and interesting, and the other 10% are still really good and strong, vs Chibnall who hadn't written for the show in 3 Seasons, and the last few times he did write for the show were middling-to-bad.
I rememeber sometime back on Reddit I said I wish Amy and Rory had left in this episode just like you said as it finishes their story so well and could've opened the door to them returning in the future and some potential drama when they learn the Doctor survivied their death. I got downvoted for that.
I would've liked series 7 to have focused on the Doctor travelling alone and with the Clara echos to pop up every once in a while before her proper introduction. I think this highlights one of my issues with Moffat is companions overstaying their welcome.
Moffat's era consistently has fantastic endings for characters that are then immediately undone. The Doctor sacrifices himself to reboot the universe, has a farewell with Amy and relives key points of his life in reverse in this wonderful sequence. Oh lmao nevermind he comes back because Amy remembered him.
Amy and Rory finally get married while The Doctor pops off in his box, his friends returned to the real world and ready to face it. Lmao no they follow him and remain consistent companions into series 6.
The Doctor literally dies and has this whole full circle arc surrounding it, where we see it from both sides. It provokes fantastic beats in his companions, inspires great character moments from The Doctor himself, and is a hell of a plot hook. Lmao no he survives because of bullshit.
The Doctor finally buckles under the weight of what his life does to people and lets Amy and Rory go. They're everything to him, but he has to let them go to keep them alive. It's a wonderfully tragic mo- Oh lmao no they come back until they get an ending in Series 7.
completely agree. this could've been the best time for them to leave
Im not sure if it is the best 11th episode, but i think its the "elevenest" episode: a great script that wouldnt worked that well with another doctor, just as Human Nature wouldnt worked as well without Ten
I always thought the room would just be filled by dead companions.
I think this still stands as the best companion send off because the Doctor did realize that he should let Amy and Rory live their normal lives, that way they'll really be safe. The Doctor accepts this for a while until the Christmas Special where he gets told to see his friends, that's when he comes back into their lives. Everything from that was on borrowed time, and Manhattan then works as a reminder to the Doctor because he forgot why he left them in God Complex. He wanted more days, because it was his last life running around and he ended up losing them forever.
I don't disagree. I always wanted Amy and Rory to live past 11's run as the doctor and maybe visit them in future incarnations, just to check up on them and see how they're doing, maybe go for a quick hop to see a beautiful star or galaxy but never going to another planet in fear of losing them. I don't know, I just wanted them to live past 11's incarnation and I'm still so sad they died in AIM, they were my favorite companions for the doctor as a trio (sometimes four people with River joining them, which I also loved very much) and I'll miss them to this day.
@@windghost2 to be fair the ponds were truly his family after Gallifrey… not just companions
@@alphamineron And that's why I love them and why I wanted them to live past 11's last run. So if he needed to, the doctor could go see his family.
I love that you mentioned Lucie Miller!
Also, I do agree that Amy and Rory should have departed for good here and Rita should have replaced them (a very classic style companion change over), but I do think it was intentional to have the Doctor not leave well enough alone. To me, it's part of his character arc. He became too attached to the Ponds and couldn't let them go, and in the end they suffered for it. This should have been the end of the fairytale, but the Doctor couldn't let go and move on and in doing so he prevented them from moving on or 'growing up'.
We see in Season 7A just how chaotic the Ponds' lives are because of him and he continues to become more aware of the fact that they're getting older, which upsets him. In the end the story ends by force rather than choice, all because the Doctor was too in love with being little Amelia's imaginary friend.
I like how this episode is on the 11th Doctor. Although not intentional, the eleventh doctor is the last in his regeneration cycle. Maybe his faith is the security of his regenerations, which he no longer has.
Time. Time has always been the enemy of Eleven. It’s been present since his first episode. Formally presented as the crack in time, thematically manifested in his relationship with Amelia and the time he misses with her.
I realised I went off on a tangent; I think his faith is in Amy, or at least her perception of him. Luckily her decision in this episode allows him to keep his faith in her
I feel like each doctor had their own room. 11 had the crack, 12 would probably have his figment of the hybrid, ect. Would be a cool setting for a multi doctor story 👀
Let's speculate about each Doctor's fears.
Colin Baker's fear would be the Valeyard.
John Hurt's fear would be himself.
Paul McGann's fear would be the Time War.
Both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton's fear would be the Time Lords.
David Tennant's fear would be falling in love again.
Christopher Ecclestone's fear would be the Daleks.
Peter Capaldi's fear would be being abandoned, even though he was pushing Clara away for his entire first season (look up Borderline Personality Disorder if you want to understand that mindset).
I don't know enough about Jon Pertwee, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Davison or Tom Baker (whom I know by his reputation more than his actual portrayal of the Doctor) to judge what their fears are. As for Jodie Whittaker and Jo Martin, they're not the Doctor at all as far as I'm concerned.
even after they revealed what was behind the door I will always hold the belief that he opened the door and it was just himself alone in the room. I just like this idea bc it can be interpreted in two ways. Either the Doctor is simply afraid of himself and what he is capable of (which was a pretty prevalent thing during the later years of Tennant's run), or he is afraid of being alone, hence why he always finds random people and decides to travel with them. Something else that I thought would be interesting is if he opened the door and it was just Urn's with every companions name on it. Since it is shown quite frequently that he will abandon his companions so that he doesn't have to watch them die, since he has gone through it too many times.
Very underrated episode in general and definitely one of the best in series 6, up there with The Doctor's Wife for me. Love The Shining aesthetic too.
It also reminded me of the 2008 movie "1408".
I also agree this episode would have been the perfect time to say goodbye to Amy and Rory. Them getting separated the next season makes no sense, it was just created for drama. I can't wait your review for that one!
My head canon is that the doctor saw himself in his room. You even hear the cloister bell of the tardis.
I LOVED THIS EPISODE SO MUCH. I often mention Rita as one of my favourite companions, and am genuinely devastated that she didn't get the chance to travel with the Doctor.
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO AGREES WITH ME! GOD COMPLEX IS 11TH'S BEST ONE, BY FAR!
You've convinced me to give this episode another chance honestly. I only ever watched it once when it aired and I feel I was too young to really appreciate what it was doing and remember just finding David Walliams absolutely insufferable as the celebrity cameo character, but what youre describing really does sound like an incredible episode so I guess I'm gonna have to go back for it now.
It's always so sad when we see a fantastic character that hasn't been announced as new companion. Someone who hits it of with the doctor and if not before, the moment the doctor invites them we all just think RIP
For Rory I feel that his lack of 'faith' is showing his grounded human nature. He doesn't believe in something without good reason, which is what faith is; belief when lacking evidence. This makes him the stand out character of the episode who is able to keep his head in a crisis when everyone else is not. With this Amy believing in the Doctor is not faith in the same way religious people have faith that a God exists. Her belief in the Doctor is set within good reasons as she has seen him save many world's and so many people. This episode also hints at how a blind faith in something can lead to a person's downfall and be more detrimental then being a benefit.
I guess the reason Amy's faith comes into play is because she believes without evidence that no matter the situation, the Doctor will always save her. That's belief without evidence. The Doctor has saved countless beings and planets but that doesn't mean that he'll be able to save you in whatever mess you find yourself in, because it's also true that the Doctor has also lost most who stood with him.
That's what makes Amy's trust in him, a matter of Faith. Same as religious faith.
Religious people can absolutely base their faith around evidence. It may not be evidence that convinces everybody but it's still evidence to support religious belief.
I just realised the hotel design in this is sort of like the backrooms where the walls and everything is just so monotonous and warm with no escape or end in sight. It goes on forever(or what seems to be very very big) too with a monster that seems to come out of nowhere. The hotel/monster makes you go insane like how a person would probably react if you were trapped in the backrooms
The notion of faith and belief is interesting and I love how it was used in this episode. This is just a brilliant ep. always one I like coming back to in rewatches.
It comes in front and centre in The Curse of Fenric, the unwavering trust in religion, a system of government, the Doctor that repels the monstrous Haemovore hoard (neatly explaining the cross as a means of warding off vampires, a simplification of that it was the faith in what the cross represented that was harmful to vampires). Throughout the story the reverend Wainwright is grappling with a crisis of faith that the converted Jean and Phyllis pick up on, taunting him and finally making him lose his faith just as he rediscovers it (“and the two thousand year old lie shattered.”).
When Doctor Who makes Backrooms before The Backrooms
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who had this thought! I was actually looking for a comment that said this!
God Complex has always been one of my favourites and I’m so glad that you agree with me that it’s the best in series 6. Thanks for another great video essay
10:45 to say a point from Tolkien on the fate of the Blue Wizards: some questions are better off not answered.
Just a note about the CCTV footage.
For me when I watch it it's not so much about feeling like I'm peeking in on them. But that it feels like someone else is watching them. That the characters are never quite safe, that there's seemingly eyes everywhere. A prison with no place to hide. It raises the tension and pops up every now and then just to give a sense of dread.
My favourite part of this episode is that pay-off from the very first Eleven episode. Amy's life really did depend on knowing that the Doctor is simply a mad man with a box.
Before it was revealed I always thought the doctor's worst fear would be himself
I always thought rory was being shown the way out because his greatest fear is leaving Amy, though that may be just an overactive mind.
This is actually pretty interesting. Nice observation!
The doctor does say that the hotel was showing him a way out because he has no faith though
@@wheatley9601 Rory is what most atheists claim to be, despite just replacing believing in deities with other belief systems. If he has no faith at all, that's just depressing but it's the most accurate description of atheism I've ever seen.
@@tomnorton4277No.
TBH I always believed that the
Doctor's room had himself in it (or specifically the War Doctor). Makes sense that he fears himself, or rather what he is capable of.
I always had Toby Whithouse down as my choice for Moffat’s successor (and I think when RTD2 ends he should be considered again!). 7 episodes and only real one dud in there (sorry The Lie of the Land - the first half is really great though!). This episode showed the high concept emotional stuff; but I always thought Under the Lake / Before the Flood were a tour de force - just great characterisation; a suspenseful twisty plot which resolved satisfyingly; solid supporting characters (side characters are a Whithouse specialty). I’d love to see another script from him.
I don’t have a problem with the crack being behind 11’s door, because of the context it’s given in The Time of the Doctor: a chance to bring the Time Lords back. He couldn’t have understood the full context of it being behind his door in that moment, but as soon as he ran into it on Trenzalore it would have all clicked.
I think the real issue is revealing it at all. It does make sense for the crack to be the 12th Doctor's worst fear (yes, Matt Smith is the 12th, not the 11th) but people love to speculate rather than having the answer spoon-fed to them.
The complex wasn't showing Rory the exit because he had no fears, it was because he had no faith so even if he was shown his fears he wouldn't be edible to the minotaur
Proud to be the 100th like. This Ep has always been one of my favs so its nice to see other also appreciate it too! Also I really like your discussion about how everything has a story. I think it's a great way to view our universe, inspiring intrigue for both unknown and incomplete stories as well as optimism, as sometimes hardships lead to the best stories in the end. keep up the great work as always :)
I have to agree that this should have been the Ponds final episode, and this is coming from someone who liked the episode they went out on. Perhaps we could have had our cake and ate it to someway, with the doctor picking up a new companion in Series 7a and popping in to check on the Ponds for the finally of 7a that spins out into becoming their ultimate end.
That “my faith is stories” moment was actually really beautiful and well put…..almost felt like a monologue 11 or 12 would go on
this episode would have been good for a great return for the Celestial Toymaker
I hope Neil Patrick Harris will be playing him. The Celestial Toymaker is powerful enough to sort out the shitshow that was Chris Chibnall's era without outright declaring it non-canon.
Excellent episode. It's a clever, compelling and compact story. Very well shot and needs little in the way of digital effects. It's a Doctor Who at its finest. Also Rita is a great character. Well written, warm and likable. We get a great understanding of how she is in one episode.
This episode was the original “Backrooms” idea.
I like how the episode makes you consider exactly what you, yourself, put faith in (and why), and what you would find in your room, were you to be trapped in the Hotel.
Personally, I tend to put my faith in the concept of Order; if you can understand something, you can control it - even just a name or description gives you a measure of power over it.
As to my room; there are many things that frighten me; I am a very anxious person - but the common threat of all my fears, is a general lack of control over the situation. How exactly that would be expressed in the room, I'm not sure. Perhaps the hotel itself, and the way it takes away any measure of control, would be my greatest fear - making the room ironically redundant.
The practical thing about the removing the Tardis trope is that the Tardis takes them where they need to be so she also stays away to let them fix the problem instead of just evacuating and letting future people get kidnapped and brought into danger
I completely forgot what was actually in the doctors room. And just thought it was a hint to the war doctor. Since he says “who else”
It's been forever since I watched this episode. Thanks for posting this, it's given me a greater respect for this episode.
Fully agree that this should have been Amy and Rory's departure.
Asylum of the Dalek's could have worked without Amy and Rory, exploring the mystery of Oswin. Other than the relatiknship stuff, Amy and Rory didn't really play much of a role in it anyway.
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship - Just have Rory's dad
A Town Called Mercy - One of the towns people could have filled in for Amy with making The Doctor realise he was losing control. OR have him actually send Jex to his death and have someone else step in. The scrap Power of Three and Asylum of the Daleks. The Doctor losing control of himself could then be the trigger for his self isolation in The Snowmen
I personally felt that revealing the crack as the thing in the doctor's room made perfect sense.
I mean even before then, the doctor constantly shows just how badly he *fears* the return of the timelords. And them using the cracks in time as a way to return is just a natural thing to do. When you want to break into a place, you find it's weakest point. And the doctor knows this, to by having him see that crack in his room made perfect sense.
It fit right in with the idea that, once you see it, you realized it couldn't be anything else.
It always fascinated me that one room can cause so much fear.
And I've always tried to think what my room would be.
My biggest fear is meaningless literally I'm terrified that the world has no meaning that death has no meaning. Maybe my room would be nothing like completely empty.
Weird to think about.
I have other fears but unless they can somehow force me into a small winding tunnel that I can besrly move in, I really can't think of anything else.
One fear of mine is open fire like that on candles - especially when dangling on Christmas trees or when I have to hold then in my hands. I could never hold a torch in my hand!
I think the thing in The Doctors room should have been a mirror.
Definitely one of the best series 6 offered. Love the offbeat feel created by the score and visuals, but never truly understood the faith angle so loved this analysis. Agree the Ponds should've left off here too!
I always thought that the Doctor would see himself in his room
One of my favourite episodes to come back and watch now and then. I generally don't like watching things multiple times. But this is one if the 10 or so episodes I can just rewatch happily.
It's true that this would have been a really good ending for Amy and Rory and I almost wish it had been, but the thing about Amy, Rory and all their plot work involving River and The Doctor is that they're too close and linked to the Doctor's life to simply leave - their exit was always going to be in death because of its relative finality and this episode is a great foreshadowing of that, as The Doctor literally does stand over their grave as he says here in Angels Take Manhattan
This episode reminds me of Curse of Fenric, a 7th Doctor story (Classic Who) in which the Doctor had to break his companion Ace's faith in him in order to defeat Fenric, an ancient creature responsible for all the evil of the world.
I’ve always thought this episode should have been the farewell for the Ponds, with them appearing through timey wimey stuff in The Wedding of River Song alternate reality. You can even have them appear in the Christmas special like they did. But have new companions in Series 7 part 1. There’s really no reason to have them back in those five episodes except for Rory’s dad
Thank you!
This has always been one of my favorite episodes of the show!
I SO wanted Rita as a new companion right from her first scene with Matt!
This one and maybe Vincent and the Doctor are my 2 favorite 11th Doc episodes.
I feel so validated in my love for this episode
what i think would have been cool is if the dr's room was him in the The Valeyard outfit, as a nice call back, and showing his greatist fear is him self, that darker side that he doesnt want to give into
the crack being in the room was not quite face value.
the doctor feared what the crack represented, not the crack itself.
the doctor feared time running out, which is what the crack represented.
Wow, it has been so long since I watched this episode that I forgot a lot of this. Your video really put this back on my rewatch list!
Omg yes! I love this episode with all my heart and I so enjoy it every time I revisit this story! The direction and film making techniques are just beautifully done and the minotaur speech always makes me emotional. The sacrifice of Amy’s child like faith in the doctor is perfectly handled and brings to light the reasons why I adore this Tardis trio more than anything. This would of been a wonderful exit for Amy and Rory despite how their actual exit wrapped up more loose ends with river for example. Great review I love seeing this under rated episode get the love it deserves
I love your idea of this being the companion exit. Along with being narratively fitting it would let Clara have more time to develop in Season 7
This, Under the Lake and Before the Flood and School Reunion stand as some of my favourite Who ever.
That, along with Being Human really made me want Whithouse to take over as showrunner
When I watched this episode, I assumed that the Doctor's room had himself in it. Specifically, the "Timelord Victorious". His fear would be losing control again. Learning that it was the crack in Amy's wall is upsetting
Glad you feel the same way about this episode Harbo, this is one of my favourite stories to rewatch
I live in Japan and I love that there is a shot of Harajuku in this video
pretty sure that panting tree's on the road to let invader walk in the shade, is actualy a reference to something that actualy happened historically, cause i know i saw that somewhere else
The 11th doctor is my personal favourite. The day of the doctor I found to be the most profound story of any doctor who.
I write stories about gods. In particular, Hope and Creation.
The things I think are the most important about our existence. Our ability to create, and how hope inspires that.
And the name works on so many levels "The God Complex" (Mentally, Architecturally, and more)
I woud go on record to say its not only the best eleven doctor episode, but the best new who episode in general!
Doctor Who did Backrooms before it was cool
As someone with PTSD from medical negligence and complications of a CT scan (both in the same incident), I find this episode terrifying.
Not sure why but after re-watching this episode lately I thought the war doctor was in 11s room. Any one else?
I do wish that Rita had become a main series companion. Seeing a Muslim companion or any heavily religious companion would be interesting to see how they see the universe. They would need to stay with their faith though.
Yeah. Sad they didn't do much with Yaz.
Before the finally I always thought the second shot of the eye when the doctor opened their room was just the doctor looking at themselves
I'm suprised you didn't draw comparisons to 'The Shining' from 1980. A ghost hotel with an impossible and constantly changing interior (something you only register subconsciously), an even impossible maze and an alleged poster of a minotaur visible in the game room.
Reason why the crack in time being in The Doctor’s room doesn’t work: The Doctor says “Of course. Who else?”. That implies a person. Not an object or event. Honestly I think it would’ve worked if what the Doctor saw in his room was himself
After seeing some clips, I thought that it might be him or the master. Sort of split between them because, well, just look at waters of mars to see what happens when the Doctors pushed too far or realises nothings holding him back, and the master because, honestly, I dont even think he knows what his next moves gonna be half the damn time hes that much of a psychopath.
I just headcanon that whoever was in 11's room, the crack broke in and devoured them, so that wasn't what was actually in there when 11 looked
In primary school we had to sing Christian songs one of which said 'praise him' a few times, just after this episode no one would sing that line which automatically makes this one of my favourite episodes just for that memory
This episode is always tied for my favourite Smith story, it's just absolutely brilliant
I’ve always loved this episode. One of those rare gems from Smith’s era that I really really enjoyed WHEN it was broadcast
Why WHEN it was broadcast? Was it a special day?
@@tomnorton4277 cause I didn’t like a lot of smith episodes back in the day, I used to watch and be like “🙄 another rushed, simple story episode.” But this one I was actually hooked and obsessed for ages
I like to believe the doctor is what you become if you are immortal because how lonely he is.
As someone who enjoys questioning how certain characters would fit into/react to events from other franchises, I like figuring out what would be in the rooms of characters from outside of Doctor Who (and some from within the universe).
If you’d like, would you mind sharing some of your thoughts? I’m intrigued as to what you think the biggest fears of other doctor who characters could be
Gold Medal to you my friend for not mentioning " The Shining" even once in the entire review.
It’s good timing this video then, given Big Finish have just announced a box set including a story where the Fourth Doctor and Leela meet a Tivolian. The idea of the ultimate pacifists meeting the most warrior-like of all the known Doctor Who companions is an interesting one since their principles are very much antithetical, the Tivolians as a race having a compelling hook by being the universe’s biggest doormats.
Bold choice marking this as the best 11th doctor story, but I think Matt smiths run was never marked by remarkable episodes... (not saying its bad, it's actually my favorite, but it didn't have too many episodes like blink, midnight, turn left, waters of Mars, listen until the twist, the first half of the zygon two parter and the speech at the end, heaven sent, and the multi master two parter)
Ive said it before, and ill say it again. This should have been the end of the pond's adventures. It's just so perfect.
6:28
Welp Harbo has destroyed my self esteem.
Its not isolating to live without faith, or at least it isn't for me. I am autistic and the way I learnt to interact with the world was through pure objectiveness. I understand and use science to interact with the world sure but I don't have faith in it. Just like everything else it has major flaws. My view has always been that with every system being flawed no system can be relied upon or backed completely. I don't need a system or faith for the world to make sense because the world dosnt make sense, it isn't supposed to and has no obligation to make sense to anyone. There's nothing wrong with that and if anything I would say its liberating. As this episode shows, people corner themselves by tying themselves to an ideal especially a single ideal. It constrains there view of the world, makes them less open to people with other "ideals" and pushes people further and further down a single path. Social media has made this more and more obvious as people pick weird hills to die on as over time their "faith" becomes narrower and narrower. I approach every new situation like its a totally new universe i really wouldn't say that is isolating at all, its freeing.