The Almost People

"They will melt you."

Writer: Matthew Graham

Format: TV

Broadcast: 28 May 2011

Series: 6.06

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory

Synopsis

As the conflict between the miners and their Gangers escalates, the Doctor has to deal with Amy's distrust of his Ganger, while Rory still tries to help the ever increasingly mysterious Jennifer...

Verdict

The Almost People was another great episode and a fine way to conclude the story already started in The Rebel Flesh as I get close to reaching the halfway point of Series 6 on the modern era rewatch with my partner. This wasn't an episode we were wholly excited about getting to which is a little prejudice beforehand, but I must admit I was very excited for how it finishes and sets up the mid-series finale. It's astonishing stuff and Gemma couldn't remember exactly what happened. That shocking moment in the TARDIS where the Doctor has worked out what has happened to Amy and uses the sonic to essentially melt her into nothingness was incredible. I love how he tells her to push and breathe throughout the episode and the little comment about the sonic screwdriver detecting who was human and who was Flesh was so subtle but a really clever insertion. He had confirmation now of what the TARDIS was trying to decipher. Amy was as she thought several episodes ago in being pregnant, and she was a considerable way along! It was an emotional episode for her as Rory was showing a lot of compassion and care for another woman, but he was duped in incredible style by the Ganger Jennifer. Having two versions of her to convince him of who was who was terrific. That showed just how evil these Gangers could be. They were all about their own survival which isn't exactly something I could blame them for, but their methods were a little questionable. The Ganger version of the Doctor here is presented really well and I'm a big fan of the inner battle Amy has in accepting the Flesh version as a true one. She just doesn't see him in the same way, but he is someone she can confide in about the events of The Impossible Astronaut and how they had seen him die. He'd even invited them all and now he knew. The simplicity of the Doctors swapping shoes was brilliant and I really loved how Amy gave the Ganger version a massive hug at the end when she realised. There wasn't time for them to mess round though! The action that came from the castle being on the brink of destruction was exciting stuff and there definitely was a strong sense of tension. There was a lot going on and Cleaves was always at the centre which was good. She's such a good character and I love how she stood up to the Doctor throughout. Both versions. The comical way they were trying to get evacuated and the Ganger version knowing the password because she was the same person was very good. I do think the episode drags slightly in regards to the Ganger story and we're just hanging around for time before the evacuation and admirable sacrifice of the Ganger Doctor, but for me the highlights really are those last five minutes or so. The mystery of the eye patch lady is revealed as Amy is actually far away and the Doctor promising to find her is a lovely moment. He means it and his determination is outstanding. He doesn't mess about with Amy and almost demands Rory step away from her when she's told she's having contraptions. It's so difficult for him to step away as he just wants to keep her safe. It's an emotional moment for sure! But Amy isn't in the TARDIS. The Doctor knew something of the Flesh all along and his suspicions were now confirmed. Amy is about to give birth and it seems somebody wants the baby! That's some way to set up the mid-series finale. Overall, a terrific episode! 

Rating: 8/10