In the Forest of the Night

"I'm a Time Lord not a child minder!"

Writer: Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Format: TV 

Broadcast: 25th October 2014

Series: 8.10

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

The human race wakes up to face the most surprising invasion yet, and the Doctor discovers that the final days of humanity have arrived.

Verdict 

In the Forest of the Night was an absolutely beautiful episode. It really was right up my street and I just adored it from start to finish! The concept itself is just staggering to even imagine - a forest growing overnight across the entire planet! I was confident that this episode was always going to be a good one based on the DWM preview and the name of the writer. Boyce of course wrote the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony which received plaudits in abundance so for the series I love so much to have someone of such calibre writing an episode was magnificent, and the result was just astounding. Enchanting even. The story surrounding Maebh was superb throughout and I liked the humour in the opening scene with her knocking on the TARDIS door. Peter Capaldi has had a spectacular opening series and I really am just loving his incarnation of the Doctor. His persona is perfect. And here was just more of the same brilliance. The idea of a school trip gone wrong was a very good one. Clara and Danny taking the 'gifted and talented' pupils on an overnight stay in the zoological museum was tremendous and it was actually nice to see Clara and Danny advancing their relationship in a form other than a date as we've seen previously in the series. The Doctor joining the crew of teachers and pupils was humorous as this weird and wonderful incarnation brings in masses, and he was just as fascinated about the forest growth as the pupils. I loved how the TARDIS being bigger on the inside wasn't fazing the pupils thanks to the sudden flora takeover. That really did take the Doctor by surprise! I liked his relationship with Maebh very much during the episode and the moment she had him stumped for words was spectacular. Clara leaving her homework marking in the TARDIS was hilarious and I was quite surprised how despite her accepting the end of the world, still lied to her boyfriend. Speaking of Clara, once again Jenna Coleman just looked absolutely amazing. Truly gorgeous! This was by a country mile the best episode for Danny and it was clear to see a reason for Clara's loving of him other than whatever she finds physically attractive. There's a difference between attraction and love and his driving attitude in putting the children first was fantastic to see. The Doctor continuing his thoughts on from The Caretaker with him being a PE teacher was terrific. I thought the way Clara sent the Doctor off on his way was a shock but stunning. She'd accepted that the futures she saw were to be erased and instead of the Doctor staying and trying to find away to rid the planet of a fire-proof forest she wanted the human race to save him rather than vice versa. That scene was magical and I was really shocked that Clara declined being saved because she didn't want to be the last of her species. Did she see loneliness in the Doctor? That was a fantastic moment. I was on literally on edge during the forest track scenes with the Doctor and Clara being chased by wolves whilst searching for Maebh. The arrival of the tiger was quite frightening I must say! I can't imagine how anyone would react to coming face to face with a tiger in a forest and only a mere barred fence blocking the path. I loved the realisation moment from "Doctor idiot" when he realised what was going on. There wasn't a Tree Age or an invasion, the trees were protection. As in Maebh's homework, she'd foresaw from the thoughts that a solar attack was on its way, and now the Doctor knew that the trees would protect its planet's inhabitants. Missy's reactions to events was intriguing I must say, and that was of course who "miss" was in sending Maebh to search for the Doctor. I have no doubt about that. The trees being ridded from the planet after the solar danger had passed was a beautiful sight. It really was. Overall, a stunning episode with a magnificent plot, tense atmosphere, majestic ideas, relationship advancement, humour, a lovely global phone call and a brilliant ending! Outstanding.

Rating: 10/10