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Saturday 18 October 2014

Doctor Who Flatline Review

Hello visiters of Kryptonian Warrior,

A classic opening of a fateful victim meeting their demise but with a two dimensional twist that sets this story up so imaginatively was my interpretation of Flatline.
Never before has a single episode greeted us fans with as much creative visuals surrounding the shrinking dimensions of the TARDIS.
The sight of this magnificent and well known piece of British culture suddenly a miniature version of itself was a squealing fan moment of mine.
But not stopping there; Clara discovers the big blue box is now the little blue box and it is adorable as Clara points out.
The whole concept of aliens who tackle dimensional constraints and the demonstration of the beings dissection of the victims blazoned across the walls was a mind blowing creation with the depiction of a nervous system and a microscopic piece of human skin fantastically plotted.
The writer Jamie Mathieson's decision to devise the scenes where Clara carries the TARDIS around in her bag with the doctor's hand popping out from time to time to hand out gadgets and gizmos were some of the comedic highlights of mine of the series.
There was a really fascinating character development with Clara that is such a contrasting path for the companion to take because never before has the companion been able to experience what it's like to be the doctor in such raw and dangerous detail.
I could clearly see the harshness and authoritive attitude that the doctor himself possesses when she says that she is the person who is going to save Fenton's life. 
There were so many moments that I just absorbed with joy, horror and hilarity. I won't start bullet pointing but I do want to mention my favourite funny sequence where Clara and Rigsy are clinging onto a round 3-D chair, then this seems to act as a beacon for Danny Pink to give Clara a quick call.
Jenna Coleman's execution of her side of the conversation was marvellous and comedy genius in my eyes but underlining this scene emphasise's on her continuation of lying to Danny and the doctor.
Cleverly, I think this ties in with the writers focus on showing how the doctor can corrupt his companion rather then making them better which the Russell T Davies era concentrated on. 
Douglas MacKinnon has directed this episode with visual animosity and poignant patterns that have impressed me with a wild artistic delight.
I would have liked to have discovered a little more for the enemies reason for coming to Earth but maybe that's one of the favourable aspects of their creation.
The supporting characters could have been layered with more history and depth to them but that didn't shift my attention one bit.
Importantly, the most valuable piece of the story for me was when the doctor tells Clara that she was an exceptional doctor but there was no goodness included. That for me was an important stage in her character's journey because I could see in her expression that she knew exactly what he was talking about and the doctor is having to come to terms with how his behaviour and turbulent life may have a negative impact on the people around him.
I've been trying to find a word that can represent this episode with the meaning that is deserves,  and the only one I could come up with is - unique.
Flatline is one of the truly unique and mystifying stories that Doctor Who has told and I shall remember it fondly with a huge smile.

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