A Doctor Who a Day - Day 19 - Review: The Girl in the Fireplace
- Matty James
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Doctor Who Series 2, Episode 4, The Girl in the Fireplace
Original Air Date: 6th May 2006
"The monsters and the Doctor. It seems you cannot have one without the other."
I love this one, I love it even though I feel it doesn't quite fit into the series. The first time I watched this I had tears in my eyes, and a couple of times after as well. The main issue I have when it comes to The Girl in the Fireplace are two-fold:
1. The Doctor and Rose is what series 2 is all about, a love story through time and space. Yet here, the Doctor ignores that. I'd go as far to say he doesn't seem to give a shit about her;
2. Mickey seems to go backwards. He goes back to being Series 1 Mickey. The dopey comic relief.
That said, I still adore this episode. Steven Moffat writes Doctor Who like no other.
"It is customary, I think, to have an imaginary friend only during one’s childhood. You are to be congratulated on your persistence."
Maybe I need to use hindsight more when I think about the problems with this. For example, in the next story Mickey goes his own way and is a much stronger person than he was before.
So I'm choosing to ignore my issues because this is beautiful. The clockwork droids look superb, and with their 18th century clothing and masks they are terrifying as well. That is especially so when we first meet them hiding under Reinette's bed, and then standing over her. That would give any kid nightmares wouldn't it?
This is such a hint at the future to come of Steven Moffat. Lots and lots of timey-wimey shenanigans. This felt like a real novelty first time around. It is quite surprising how little Doctor Who plays around with time travel other than getting them to the point in time and space for an adventure, but here we are shooting back and forth.
"Mickey, what’s pre-Revolutionary France doing on a spaceship? Get a little perspective."
When the Doctor sees Reinette for the second time - my how she has grown - is when I really start to enjoy this episode. When Reinette sees into the Doctor's mind it is such a great scene. It makes you gasp that she knows who he is, then smile when you realise how she knows. It is great how she knows how lonely he is - but again this does somewhat shit on the Doctor/Rose vibes running through the series.
Is Rose not enough for him?
As a standalone episode this is all amazing stuff, it is funny, emotional and scary. The perfect Doctor Who blend. But it always comes back to Rose Tyler. Why is the Doctor so blasé at being stuck in France, why does he willingly jump through the time window/mirror? He doesn't even give Rose a second thought? Not only is he leaving her behind, but he is leaving her and Mickey stranded on a spaceship run by body parts! Come on Doctor, have a heart (or two).
"A door once opened may be stepped through in either direction. Oh Doctor. My lonely Doctor. Dance with me."
I love the ending to this episode. I don't cry easily, but this one still gets me. Just the way the Doctor says absolutely nothing for most of it as he learns Reinette has died before he could take her to the stars, the ‘quite right to’ comment from the king, and then the letter. Marvellous! Even Mickey just asking Rose to show him round the Tardis so the Doctor is alone is well done.
This is top tier for me!
Was this top tier for you? Did you find the TenRose dynamic slightly off after this one? Let me know in the comments below.
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