The Girl in the Fireplace might be one of my favourite episodes from Series 2. Madame de Pompadour is such an interesting character and relationship to the Doctor, him popping into her life as she travels through "slow time" (a theme Moffat became infatuated with), is done really well here. Not only is Rinette an engaging character who earns her place as one of the top "Companions that should have been" but her connection to the Doctor as they meet through time was well done. There is a narrative short cut that facilitates their intimacy with her gaining access to his mind and seeing his loneliness. But that didn't bother me much because the compelling emotional drama that came from it was so well realized. A lot of that goes to Sophia Myles who knocks it out of the park with her performance. She has in instant rapport with Tennant that made me want to see more of them. Ever her brief interaction with Rose was fascinating.
But what makes The Girl in the Fireplace such a standout to me, besides its story of course, is its production design . When i first watched this episode I wasterrifed of the Clockwork Men; they may actually be the only Doctor Who villains to ever legitimately spook me. Since I'm no longer 12 and scared shitless I really appreciated the aesthetics of the automatons and the wider episode as a whole. Not only is the historical costume design impeccable (those Robe a la Francaise Rinette is in are delectable) but those beautifully horrific venetian masks were brilliantly designed. That contrasting delicacy and emptiness worked perfectly. I also adored the gilt gold gearwork encased in glass heads the the intricate knife swords. Just everything about how this episode looks was perfection, I honestly don't think I;ve ever loved the look of a Doctor Who episode as much as The Girl in the Fireplace.
Review by TshepisoBlockedParent2023-10-10T19:13:55Z
The Girl in the Fireplace might be one of my favourite episodes from Series 2. Madame de Pompadour is such an interesting character and relationship to the Doctor, him popping into her life as she travels through "slow time" (a theme Moffat became infatuated with), is done really well here. Not only is Rinette an engaging character who earns her place as one of the top "Companions that should have been" but her connection to the Doctor as they meet through time was well done. There is a narrative short cut that facilitates their intimacy with her gaining access to his mind and seeing his loneliness. But that didn't bother me much because the compelling emotional drama that came from it was so well realized. A lot of that goes to Sophia Myles who knocks it out of the park with her performance. She has in instant rapport with Tennant that made me want to see more of them. Ever her brief interaction with Rose was fascinating.
But what makes The Girl in the Fireplace such a standout to me, besides its story of course, is its production design . When i first watched this episode I wasterrifed of the Clockwork Men; they may actually be the only Doctor Who villains to ever legitimately spook me. Since I'm no longer 12 and scared shitless I really appreciated the aesthetics of the automatons and the wider episode as a whole. Not only is the historical costume design impeccable (those Robe a la Francaise Rinette is in are delectable) but those beautifully horrific venetian masks were brilliantly designed. That contrasting delicacy and emptiness worked perfectly. I also adored the gilt gold gearwork encased in glass heads the the intricate knife swords. Just everything about how this episode looks was perfection, I honestly don't think I;ve ever loved the look of a Doctor Who episode as much as The Girl in the Fireplace.