I am always massively entertained any time Doctor Who breaks format. “Blink” is one of my favorite episodes and it was one of the “Doctor Lite” episodes. “Sleep No More” broke format as a found footage episode of Doctor Who. The different angles and first-person perspective made for entertaining and terrifying television. The first appearance of the Sandmen was exponentially scarier because we only saw them quickly as the Doctor and company were running away.
“Sleep No More” was an intense episode of Doctor Who and it seems like it’s going to have a large impact later in the season. Here are some other thoughts I had while watching “Sleep No More.”
Sleep
“Sleep isn’t just a function. It’s blessed.”
This episode was great propaganda for the fourth commandment. Trying to eliminate the need for sleep in the human race had some disastrous results. As a participant in many youth group all nighters, I didn’t need to create any sleep monsters to tell you the importance of sleep. The above quote should be scribbled in every Bible next to Exodus 20:8-11. Sleep is blessed, as is rest, because it reminds us that we’re not in control. Whether we sleep for 8 hours a night or stay awake for 24 hours straight, the world will still spin because God is ultimately in control. It’s a blessing to be reminded that God is God and we are not.
Grunt
“We all know a grunt when we see one.”
A bred service class is a standard science fiction trope. One of my favorite cartoon shows from the 90s, Exosquad, centered on a conflict between humans and the slave-race they created. I’m a 21st century human being, so my response to a genetically engineered race is the same as Clara’s: disgusting. Chopra’s attitude towards 474 shows us all we need to know about humanity’s readiness for a designed servant-race. Chopra lumped all of the grunts together, not bothering to notice any differences. It’s already too easy to generalize and stereotype and that’s without genetic engineering. How much easier would it be if instead of individuals we just saw assembly line people?
Hold My Hand
“Hold my hand.” “I’m OK.” “I’m not.”
I like the Doctor’s vulnerability. More than any other Doctor, Twelve seems willing to admit his faults and his fears. I loved the above interaction between the Doctor and Clara: the Time Lord admitting that he needed a little reassurance from the companion. If a centuries old Time Lord can admit that he needs his friends, then we should be willing to show a little vulnerability. Most nerds I know would be happy to sit at home by themselves and turn a cold shoulder to the world. Just like we weren’t made to go without sleep, we also weren’t made to go without friends.
While this episode didn’t end with a direct cliffhanger, it definitely left some loose ends. There are only three episodes to tie up those loose ends; hopefully we won’t have to wait until next September to get all of our questions answered.
What did you think of “Sleep No More?”
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