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The Empty Child Format Reviewed: TV/DVD Review This is another serial I was really looking forward to due to the writer, who this time is Stephen Moffat who created the excellent comedy Coupling for the BBC and again it does not disappoint. One aspect of the story I was wary of was the introduction of another character into the Tardis crew, Captain Jack Harkness. I shouldn't have worried though as John Barrowmans portrayal of Harkness is delightful in every scene he appears. The Empty Child marks the second multi-episode story of the Doctors new era and is set in world war 2, a period of history that facinates me for many reasons. When watching this episode for the first time, I was literally on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This story is what makes Doctor Who so great, taking a setting that could have any number of natural possibilities and then sticking aliens and time travel in there whilst retaining the beauty of a fantastically well told story. I subsequently rewatched the episode many times, and my enjoyment has never diminished. The Empty Child is just a delight from beginning to end. The atmosphere is very tense, dark and moody, and the voice of the child calling for his mummy chills one to the bone. I cannot eulagise enough about how well made this episode is. As we have come to expect, the guest cast is again strong most notably with Florence Hoaths portrayal of Nancy. Some of the child acting is a little basic, but is such a good story I forgive this as child acting is oh so rarely of good quality. Richard Wilson also puts in a good cameo appearance, and I would suggest is possibly more suited to serious drama roles than the comedy role of Victor Meldrew that really has defined his carer thus far. My only nag really about this episode is that again there is a preview of the next episode in the closing credits. What stories of this nature need is to have the viewer still sat on the edge of their seats the following week, something which anyone who watches the previews possibly will not have. So, with the stories that have gone before being generally strong, this episode really stands out as terrific television. I would gladly buy two TV licenses just to watch shows of this quality. Excellent. Rating:  |