When Clara Oswald Became The Doctor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 เม.ย. 2023
- One of the most controversial eras of Doctor Who is the so-called "Clara Who" era of the 12th Doctor. Few episodes highlight this time of the show better than "Flatline", but is it good?
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#DoctorWho #Series8 #Review - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
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It was one of these episodes where the Twelfth Doctor shined the best.
That one line when he faced up the Boneless...
I actually really love the last line of the episode. I think it’s less of the Doctor saying that she wasn’t morally “good” in the episode, but more of his fear that if she becomes like him she could lose her goodness. Similar to his own realization about himself in into the Dalek when the dalek turned “good” because of the doctors hatred
Hm.
I like how for the intro. The treat Clara as the actual doctor. With Coleman having her name first, and a face close up with the title. Nice details
That was for another episode
Honestly one of my favourite Doctor Who episodes of all time. Really encapsulates why Clara was an amazing companion and why Peter Capaldi was an amazing doctor.
also known as "that time the Tardis became _smol"_
i love this episode, it's my favourite in series 8 for sure. the Doctor's speech near the end is just awesome... the fact that he tried to communicate, tried the diplomatic solution as he always did, but they won't listen, so he has to act as his role, "the man that stops the monsters".
if you weren't sure whether Peter Capaldi was suited for the role or whether you liked the Twelfth Doctor or not, i think that moment is a confirmation that he IS the Doctor and he's amazing.
for the sixth time, actually... The TARDIS has been "smol" in the First Doctor serial "Planet of the Giants",... the Third Doctor Serial "Carnival of Monsters",... The Fourth Doctor swan song serial "Logopolis", ... and two Eleventh Doctor two serials "Let's Kill Hitler" and "The Wedding of River Song"
@@jarrodnewman0514 I really don't recall it happening in the Eleventh Doctor stories you mentioned! Anyway I didn't know about the classic ones.
@@jarrodnewman0514 when was it smol in Let's kill Hitler or Wedding of River Song? you mean when Amy made the cardboard recreation of the TARDIS, cos that was just a toy she made, not the real thing
@@Zestieee It didn't lol
@@CobaltXMusic you can argue when 11 materialised the tardis inside the machine (looking like amy/river in lets kill hitler and looking like 11 in wedding of river song) it looked tiny from outside perspective as a whole
I always assumed the ending to display the “Am I a Good Man?” arc. Clara was an exceptional Doctor, but the Doctor may not always be good
yo hi!
Interesting.
This story is my second favorite out of series 8 and seeing the TARDIS shrunk is a good call back to Planet of Giants and Logopolis. I think Clara got a good role in this story and she is great. I do like the boneless and they are a good monster.
I think when the Doctor says "Goodness had nothing to do" with being a good Doctor, he may have just been projecting his own sense of personal doubt about his own goodness onto Clara. Or maybe he was so conflicted about himself that he actually was especially worried about Clara becoming more like him, especially after she did it SO WELL, not because she did anything not-good in this situation, but because he can easily see that she could become more prone to do morally questionable things like he does, and he doesn't want that for her. After all, he's not the happiest camper in the space-time continuum, and I don't think he'd want other people to be like he is, especially someone he cares so much about.
Indeed.
I agree, I think Harbo is simply missing how this line ties in with the overall seasonal arc when he's laser focused on the moral of one or a few episodes.
I felt like the "goodness has nothing to do with it" thing was setting up that whole 'shes addicted to the excitement and thrill life with the Doctor'. While she did _act_ good, and made decisions based on caring for people and helping them, the core reason she wanted to do it and did so well wasn't some saintly drive to do good at all costs, it was the same addiction to adventure that he has. I felt like he was born trying to warn her, and make sure she wasn't lying to herself.
Basically "don't pretend you loved it and excelled at it because you just want to save people, you loved it because of the thrill of figuring out how to win, and coming out on top". The same way the Doctor came dramatically out of the tardis at the end to tell them this dimension is protected, _that's_ what he loves doing (at least this incarnation). He's not checking in with anyone after or helping them get therapy for the crap they went through, or checking in with the families of the people who died. He's off to his next adventure. And he wants her to understand why _she's_ doing it, too. Adventure and ego
I really appreciated that they incorporated the argument for graffiti as art into this episode given that it's set in Bristol. Even if it wasn't intentional, it makes it feel like the episode is actually interested in incorporating its real-life setting.
One of the best episodes in the entire show , such a unique idea and executed fantastically
Right as I started binging this series I realised how underrated Peter capaldi's incarnation is, I was nostalgic for Matt Smith and even cried at his regeneration as a 9 year old kid, but I really grew with number 12
I think this episode encapsulated a lot of things I loved about the show, while it did toy with the formula and did great work with Clara as a developing character, I think the concept was very well done and memorable. This episode was a shining moment in Capaldi’s run and I hope it gets continually remembered fondly
Great episode. I agree about the ending bit, though I always read it as more of a commentary on the Doctor’s own self-hatred and how he doesn’t know whether he’s a good man, and less of a commentary on Clara’s actions in the episode, but it still doesn’t fit quite right
Exactly , he’s self hatred and his worry that his influence on her is bad
Given that the TARDIS is sentient I wonder how she felt about being shrunk down into a collectible figure
This is going to sound a little odd. It has just occurred to me with a few rewrites this episode would make a good opener for a new incarnation of the Doctor. Newly regenerated Doctor stumbles out, Tardis immediately shrinking, Rigsy as the companion, has a doctor moment at the end.
I really wish Jamie Mathieson would come back to write for Doctor Who. This along with 'Mummy On The Orient Express', and 'Oxygen' are amongst the best Doctor Who stories ever imo.
This is a really great episode in all aspects and I like Rigsy as a character all I will say is it is a shame that phone call scene was cut because when Rigsy comes back in the next series suddenly with a girlfriend and baby it feels like it came from nowhere. If we'd had reference to something anything even a throw away line alluding to Rigsy not wanting too much trouble because he has a baby on the way or something it would have added more weight to the episode.
This was actually the episode that finally allowed me to see Capaldi as the Doctor. I know, it took a while.
"I'm the man that stops the monsters". That to me is the Doctor, and it's what stuck in my head to make me see him as the Doctor.
Another fabulous episode with a truly terrifying concept for villains.
One of my favourites of the whole show. This is definitely the episode that made me love 12
I'm so glad you mentioned the classic sci-fi novel, Flatland, by "A. Square. " An allegory written by a mathematician. Fans on TH-cam have made some interesting vids inspired by the book.
The part in the 13th doctor's Era where they kept coming back into the Tardis through a different set of doors each time REALLY reminded me of this episode.
Gosh. You even referenced one of my most disturbing childhood TV memories. Sapphire and Steel.
For years i wondered if i dreamt up the faceless man and paper children, until i eventually saw it again.
I enjoy your new-ish "talking bits" camera angle, looks super crisp. Keep it up with the great reviews
I really like your camera/background in this, idk if youve changed anything. maybe the jacket
I remember by last rewatch I recall liking this episode... I love it. The Tardis shrinking causing issues but simultaneously becoming almost a bag of holding/knowledge was such a fun concept. The 2D creatures in a 3D world is very interesting too and I really enjoyed the finale especially with the aliens getting tricked.
Imo the doctor speach towards the boneless when he gives then their name is what makes this episode so special. Genuinely forgot capaldi was an actor in that moment and was just like "this man just is the doctor isnt he"
Having come across this while searching for Dr Who stuff I can't say it was accidental, but I wasn't expecting to find something so good, I was suprised I hadn't seen this before. This episodes is one of my favorites from this doctor for many of the same reasons. I also was a mused by your choices of example monsters/villains being both the Empty Child and Weaping Angels as not only the most memorable stories from the RTD show running Era or from writer Steven Moffat, but the fact that the writer of this story was not accepted to work with. Moffat was able to rectify his mistake, RTD, What say you? Thank you for this review, I will be going through more of them. 👍 👍
I love your commentary on how the monsters are helped by any flaws in the BBC budget. 😂
Flatline is brilliant! A perfect doctor who story
Christopher Fairbank was also really solid in Andor as Ulaf, very different role so the man clearly has range
"Goodness had nothing to do with it". This is an old Mae West line.
I never really considered that Rigsy was brought back (in Face the Raven) in order to link back to this episode.
I recognised Fenton the entire time I was watching and was so surprised to discover he played Ulaf in Andor. I would have never guessed that because of how unlikable he is in the episode.
This is definitely interesting episode with many good points. It isn't something I would go back and rewatched for joy(unlike episodes like mummy), without starting to forget parts, but don't try to forget it (like dinosaurs in space etc.). We are slowly getting to some really interesting episodes (most of them will be some time, but still).
Speaking of Roadrunner and Looney Tunes, it's only natural that they used Hammerspace in this episode. Always fun to see.
Flatline was the first full episode of Doctor Who I ever watched and I utterly loved it. I wasn't to know how Clara was considering leaving the Doctor for his way of addressing people in danger, only to have to adopt her own methods of taking charge and withholding information to keep them safe.
That was a long sentence. I had to cut it short. I love how Flatline expands on past episode, while presenting a unique and fun contained story. I especially love how resigned Clara becomes as she sees exactly why the Doctor must resort to his ways so frequently, n order to keep things under control. Also Missy with an ipad at the end was a fascinating hook that left me wallowing in intrigue before I managed to find the complete series at the library half a year later. Fun times..
Holy crap I didn't realise that Flat Stanley was a part of my childhood until now...
We were really spoiled to get Mummy in the Orient Express and Flatline in back to back weeks. Both 10/10 modern classics. Jamie Matheson was a great writer for the show!
The Boneless are good villains in this episode, just like the Weeping Angels were in Blink. They're ominous and frightening yet you can't tell what their true intentions are at first. They're also similar in that they can't speak so we can only interpret them by their actions as opposed to what they communicate like say what the Master does.
Here's the episode I'm sure a lot of Clara haters really started to go off the deep end with her. If they couldn't stand her before, then they definitely couldn't have tolerated her assuming the role of the Doctor in this episode. They would see her as becoming too important, being on par with the Doctor, and not staying in her place as simply being the Companion. Her role has evolved but those that don't like her don't accept this. I like seeing the evolution of Clara, her growth as a character, and seeing how the Doctor tests and ultimately trusts her to fill on for him when he is unable to do things himself. Their dynamic is one of partners, and that ultimately leads to Clara's downfall as her hubris of wanting to act and become like the Doctor eventually end up getting her killed.
But for now, this was a solid episode. One wonders if we'll ever see other Companions in the future be put it similar positions to fill the Doctor's shoes when they're gone, incapacitated or simply let them do so. It's an interesting role reversal that could be explored more.
My favorite episode of the WHOLE Capaldi era! Hair-Cut inconsistency aside, I just love this episode! Has everything I love about Doctor Who: A creative premise, unique and terrifying foes, and an epic yet clever resolution. 10 Boneless Outta 10! 👏
This is a phenomenal episode and one of my favourites of series 8! Jenna as the Doctor works so well that I now badly want her to take the role of the Doctor in her own series. Also, I really think out of all the companions, "Clara Who" does actually work a lot better for Clara's character than most companions And I think it comes down to the fact Clara has had experiences of being a leader and a guide as a teacher, so for her, she's already had similar experiences and responsibilities for other people as the Doctor but on a smaller less life-threatening scale so it makes sense she'd want to take that to the next level.
16:05 Am I the only one who thinks that (either through the framing or the stretched image) the guy from the cold open looked like one of the long headed aliens from the Star Wars Prequels after he got flattened? I'm not sure if he looks more like a Muun or a Pau'an... it doesn't help that the character's hairline had conducted a full on tactical retreat.
Fenton!!!!!
I appreciate you Harbo
First of all this is a great review. You are a remarkable reviewer, kudos!
My only comment here is on your last statement about the Doctor admonishing Clara because "goodness has nothing to do with it."
While you make the assertion that has nothing to do with the episode and would better be served in one of the other episodes, I don't really agree. This has more to do with the doctor thinking several steps ahead, and now he clearly sees the path that Clara is on. It's more of a foreshadowing of what's to come, then a comment on the specifics of this particular adventure.
He's basically adding it all up, her behavior over the last several episodes all culminating with him observing her becoming adept at thinking the way that he does... He knows that that way lies madness.
So I do think that it fits here quite nicely, especially if you view all the episodes together in a binge watch.
i am v early to this wow. i agree that this episode is fantastic, and ridiculously underrated. the whole concept of the companion having to take the role of the doctor is one i feel is always incredible when done well. showing the consequences of being the doctor
The Doctor finds HIMSELF trapped in the Tardis.
This is a great step in her development. It's this hubris that sadly led to her end in face the raven. So much thought and characterization gone into this arc.
Most of this was filmed outside my house.
Man, the one thing that will always bother me about season 8 is the fact that Capaldi didn't immediately get his own new sonic. Same with the typical TARDIS interior switch. I wish that would have been put on hold until Matt Smith regenerated. Would have been *really* cool if the TARDIS literally swapped console rooms in the same split-second that the Doctor regenerated.
Woulda been trippy af and jarring as heck for Clara, and it would have reinforced the TARDIS/Doctor relationship established in The Doctor's Wife by insinuating that he didn't have to destroy the TARDIS interior every time he regenerated to get a thematic redecoration. She'd have done it for the Doctor anyways.
This is one of my favourite episodes, great all around
In defense of the last line, I think it has more to do with the Doctor's inability to see goodness in himself in this season than it has to do with the objective fact that Clara was good. He didn't see goodness, he saw clever. Her actions in saving everyone wasn't goodness, it was duty to the Doctor. When he delivers this line, he isn't judging Clara's time being the Doctor, but he's judging himself.
It was one of these episodes where the Twelfth Doctor shined the best.
That one line when he faced up the Boneless...
2:16 Clara's face! XD I love how she's enjoying this.
Also I love the A113 train.
THE SMACK DOWN FIST 👊 Also never understood why Rigsy wanted to ride the train away. Seemed like needless heroism at first.
How are you going to do series 9? One video per story, or per episode?
I'm a masochist so one video per story
This guy just outed our secret 🙄 “it’s just cold”
to me, the doctor's ending commentary fits. he can see that clara's managed to be the doctor while being a better person than he his, so he attempts to keep those two ideas as far from eachother as possible out of spite. perhaps also to discourage clara from doing so well again so she doesn't end up getting herself killed by making it sound as if she WAS cold.
Feels like you took a point off for the Doctor pointing out that you can't always be good when you are the Doctor. Which is the next step of the lesson.
Another underrated episode.
god i love this episode
If humans ever discover the ability to travel to the 5th dimension we'd be the Boneless for them.
I ❤ Harbo
i’ve loved flatline since seeing it on premier :)))
14:51 Can anyone please tell me what this chair bit is from, I would love to check it out
My one issue with flatline was the doctor's hair. It was in and out of continuity.
The fact that previous credits are needed to stand a chance with writing TV is wrong. Jamie Matheson is lucky to have the My Parents Are Aliens and Being Human credits, but not everyone is so lucky. I wish the industry would open up more to new voices, by opening up training schemes for writers where all you need is a Masters degree to write for TV, and you shadow more experienced writers to learn the ropes in a professional environment.
Love this episode
Here's an interesting mental exercise. Think of a companion of each Doctor, who could best act as the Doctor's surrogate as Clara did in this episode...
Great story from series 8
I kinda disagree with your final complaint - I don't think the doctor was saying that clara wasn't morally good, I think he was saying the fact she was morally good had no effect on how good of a doctor she was.
Not that I needed another reason to love Clara...
It had some funny moments but it was terrifying overall.
I like Riggsy.
Probably the best Capaldi era episode
Fenton!
Doctor Who has a good history with Douglases.
Have to wonder why they put in that scene of Clara on the swing in the house... Moaning while talking to Danny and trying to sound convincing about doing nothing 🤨
'We have to make decisions kid. You know, I try to set bad people on other bad people, and sometimes, I let good guys die. It's a very delicate decision.' - Mike Torino, GTA San Andreas.
and rigsy after face the raven ,what happened with him ?
1:35 this is kinda bs because the tardis is shrunk down, always, if it runs out of power, it should scales up
You are mistaking what the doctor is saying for what the episode is saying in your remarks about the ending.
9:04 I think most graffiti spraying youths think of their graffiti as a form of self expression my dude. Few people go out of their way to "be some type of vandal" some folks do but most people just want to leave a sign that they were there. Of course in many cases their work is not very creative but it remains a form of self expression. I'd argue encouraging more creativity in street art should be prioritised over merely demonising it.
Christopher Fairbank did such a good job, I though he would be an antagonist in Andor just cuz he was such a douche in this episode
The ending isn’t a problem to me. You’re not supposed to take what the doctor said there as true but as him unwilling to accept Clara as “good doctor” since it’s not how he feels about himself.
the boneless need to make a comeback
You missed the whole point of the final line. Smh.
I love this episode but I have one nerdy nitpick.
That Train, both of them, have not been in service for years. Specially not in BR colours. It took me out of the entire episode.
As I said, nerdy nitpick.
Could be a special
@@MOSSBGSTT Sure if it was only 1 and not all of them, as trains sre going through that tunnel regularly, we see 1 come through, and they stop the second.
ok but bbc three in 2008
I know a few people who hate this episode, the reason?
…Clara Who…
These reviews are good, but I do wish he wouldn't to the fake laughing every other sentence
Spray painting is fine if they're not doing it somewhere they're not allowed to, especially on people's businesses, on/near people's homes or in kid's parks and stuff. You wanna draw a beautiful art piece on a plain, ugly bridge? Fine, go ahead
Never liked this episode much. Might give it another go in a few days. See what happens.
The 2D monsters were Mathieson's idea, not Moffat's. The whole process is explored on his blog and the failure to do that basic research reflects very badly on this review and reviewer
www.shannonsullivan.com/doctorwho/serials/2014i.html
@@HarboWholmes I mean that website says "Mathieson developed four concepts to present to Moffat...This time, Mathieson's meeting with Moffat bore fruit, with the writer asked to develop a proposal involving two-dimensional monsters which were invading the three-dimensional universe." So further proving that it was Mathieson's proposal that was accepted, aka his idea
@@TheIrrationalLottery which is completely fair enough and I clearly just misread things. Although I'd say it's unfair to say I didn't do "basic research", I simply misunderstood something from my research.
@@HarboWholmes I was a little harsh and I apologise for that
@@TheIrrationalLottery it's all good, no worries
While I loved the Doctor turning into the Thing from Addams Family, like all Clara centric episodes, I found it obnoxious.
The character annoyed me and I never warmed up to her.
Well, while debating the value of graffiti is rather pointless, the first scene when discussing this, replete with tags, is 90% or more of what we usually see, at least in Melbourne, which is notoriously bad by Australian standards. Grubby and pointless, the low-intellect way of marking territory.
Boneless is such a shit name though. SPINELESS or DEPTHLESS at least have double entendres (not risque ones, just puns)
You've missed the point of the ending. The Doctor wasn't saying that Clara wasn't good during her attempts at being him, he was implying that if you removed her goodness from the episode the end result would have been the same. Goodness has nothing to do with being The Doctor, it's an ingredient that must be actively added in. In other words, Missy could be The Doctor if she pleased, with equal results, but it takes care to do it with kindness. It's how The Doctor can question if he's a good man while simultaneously saving planets. So, yes Clara was good, but it's unnecessary in being the great Time Lord.
FIrst Comment :)
be quiet
@@blobfish5730 your mum wasn't quiet in bed last night
Wrong! Clara unknowingly accepted & became the Doctor (the 0th that never knew she actully is the new whoniverse Doctor) (Our now former Doctor retiered unofficially when he lost the Williams (see prequel 1 Snowmen) and officially retierd after massive testing of his replacement when the Deamonstarplanet speech began.
"Old warrior you can rest now"
"OK Ill do that"
The the ppl of the Whoniverse asked.
Wake up....
&
Let the cloak of life cling to your bones.
Cloak of life = the role of being the Doctor
Live ...Wake up...
And she stepped up to defeat the Master (The ascended former Master that just had gotten the knowledge that must never be spoken; incluzing the secret that his father had always been at his side thruout all of his lives growing up and living side by side with him Melstyle.
(Romana/Valeyard = Masters parentd)
aka
Bad wolf girl and the man born out of war and chaos....
(and there is inshow proof the above is correct) Numerous ones.
Just ask and ill point to some.