WARNING! SPOILERS: This post contains spoilers and speculation for the Doctor Who series eight episode Mummy On The Orient Express. What does death mean to a man who cannot experience it? Is it impossible for such a being to understand the preciousness of a short life? Is the flicker of a candle less important than a raging bonfire? After all, a single point of flame still illuminates and impacts the world around it. Whats the point of preserving lives you dont respect? Does intelligence justify casual cruelty? Is it possible to be a god, or at least the smartest person in the room, without becoming a monster? Mummy on the Orient Express wraps a rollicking adventure around some difficult questions. Series eight dares us to like the Doctor for who he is rather than who he pretends to be. Veils are peeled away and what lies underneath isnt always pretty. Claras time with the Doctor comes at a price. The excitement, the adrenaline rush, the thrilling adventures in fascinating places with amazing people cannot happen without a stab of pain and underlying sorrow. This series is like sitting in front of a fortune tellers deck. Every week a card is overturned that changes how the rest of the layout is read. What did this episode reveal?
Mary Ogle is the author and illustrator of “Orangeroof Zoo” a whimsical tale of magical realism told through the pages of a coloring book for adults. Working as a professional artist in the digital medium, Mary’s commissions have included everything from fine art to fan art, book cover design, illustration and book layout. Find more of Mary’s work at www.maryogle.com. Mary currently finds inspiration in the Ojai Valley, residing in a snug little cottage with a recalcitrant cat.
