My brain hurt a little bit after this episode. Doctor Who is all about time travel, but most episodes don’t get too timey wimey or concern themselves too much with paradoxes. “Before the Flood” eschewed those trends and fully embraced all sorts of time paradoxes.
I’m still a little confused about whether or not the Doctor was responsible for all of the ghosts or only his ghost. I’m also not sure when the Doctor had time to set the charge to blow up the dam. I’m also wondering when he’s going get his actual sonic screwdriver back; I’m not a fan of sonic sunglasses.
Here are some other, less confused thoughts about “Before the Flood.”
Mortality
I loved seeing the Doctor when he thought that he was going to die (if he really thought he was going to die). I wonder if death would be easier or more difficult for someone who has lived hundreds of years. On one hand that person might be ready for death after experiencing so much. Or that person might fight tooth and nail to stay alive, after enjoying breathing for so long. Clara definitely was more the latter, especially when thinking about the Doctor’s death. She was more concerned about the Doctor’s mortality than her own; she didn’t want to face life without the Doctor. Whether we’re wrestling with our own mortality or the mortality of a loved one, we need to accept it. Death is a part of life and we can’t allow our impending mortality to keep us from living.
Bad Company
Bad company corrupts good character. – 1 Corinthians 15:33
One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode was Clara’s insistence that Lunn risk his life to get her phone. Her actions mirrored those of the Doctor who allowed O’Donnell to leave the T.A.R.D.I.S. even when he knew she was going to die. The Doctor is detached and allows people to put themselves at risk for seemingly his own benefit. It’s not a great character trait but one that Clara’s seems to have adopted. She wanted to connect with the Doctor so badly that she was willing to risk Lunn’s life on a hunch that the ghosts wouldn’t attack him. I would love to spend time with the Doctor, but I would be wary of picking up some of his less than desirable traits.
Love Confessions
Lunn’s confession of his love for Cass was a scene with which most nerds can identify. We’ve all had an object of unrequited love, wondering if he or she even notices us. Wondering if he or she thinks the same way about us that we do about them. Bennett’s encouragement was the best advice for Ludd and for any nerd with a secret crush. Holding onto an unrequited love is miserable, far more miserable than taking a risk and getting turned down. Sure, getting rejected sucks, but not nearly as much as constantly feeling sick from not telling a crush how we feel. Seriously, do it. If it works out – great. If not – move on. And if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to Doctor Who.
Even though it was confusing, “Before the Flood” was a good episode. I especially enjoyed the Fisher King; I liked his creepy design. “Under the Lake” was a more exciting episode but, like the first two episodes of the season, this most recent duo made for an entertaining and creepy episode of Doctor Who.
What did you think of “Before the Flood?”
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