This episode was very weird.
Donna Noble has left the library. Donna Noble has been saved.
I don't even know what to say about Forest of the Dead. It's one of those absolutely perfect episodes of Doctor Who. No notes no quibbles just absolute perfection. How do I even capture how fucking Amazing River is here . Just that history that with the doctor is conveyed so brilliantly. Her absolute love for him an her own personal anguish at being confronted with a version of him that she doesn't know and who doesn't know her. Alex Kingston plays all of these layers so effortlessly. River is perfectly realized in every way.
And Donna story here was also just amazing. This is honestly pretty uncommon for companions in RTD era Moffat stories as he tends to forefront his OCs. But despite River and the Doctor's relationship being at the for Donna's concurrent subplot within the Library's mainframe was compelling and gut wrenching in its own way. Catherine Tate really sold her love for her kids and Husband which is really a feat given how little screen time they had and the intentionally abbreviated nature of their introduction. And that tragic missed connection at the end was a final stab in the heart.
And just everything else about this episode was amazing. I adored the reveal with CAL. Doctor Who has had its fair share of annoying CEO villains so the reveal that Lux was doing everything he could to protect his family was genuinely beautiful. And while I've forefronted River's character as a highlight of this episode I cannot be remiss to say how well The Doctor's written here. The episode explores what being confronted with someone who knows a version of you feels like brilliantly on his end. I especially loved seeing him completely transform after she told him his name.
It's all just so fucking good. Elite tier Doctor Who episode and (probably) Moffatt's best.
Was happy for a sec when I thought Donna died.
Then I was happy again when I thought they gave her a husband so she can leave the show for her own little "happily ever after"...
Ended the episode disappointed that we're still stuck with friggin Donna.
9/10
A superb conclusion
(For now) to a superb
To parter.
And So it begins
With River who is just
So fcuking cool.
And I am super Super
Excited for our next
run in with her.
Well where here,
After the next episode
Nothing will ever be the same again.
SPOILERS......
Shout by Milo123BlockedParent2021-02-15T21:45:59Z
Rivals Blink in terms of scare factor, this two parter's terrifying. "Hey, who turned out the lights?" The River Song mystery being introduced so early comes as a surprise, but Alex Kingston has an instant chemistry with David Tennant from the word go - it's completely believable. Hits all the right beats, makes you care about even the side characters who you've met for seconds - I always seem to underrate these two when making lists, but they're just so good! Possibly one of Tennant's better performances as The Doctor in this pair of episodes, too.