Doctor Who: Crimson Horror Review - 9 Key Points Dissected And Discussed

By Mary Ogle / May 5, 2013

CRIMSON ALERT! SPOILERS! Its time to kiss off those Victorian values and revel in spoilers and speculation for Doctor Who Series 7a and 7b, especially episode 12: Crimson Horror. We recommend a full frontal assault with grenades and laser monkeys on this crazy story. After the smoke clears ask Tom Tom to point your way back here to join the gang while we wax philosophical. Crimson Horror is the second episode written by Mark Gatiss for series 7b. Its a romp in the best sense of the word the baby Victor Frankenstein and Vincent Price should have had. While he explores some extremely dark themes, Gatiss never manages to lose his sense of morbid absurdist humor. Diana Rigg is an absolute hoot as mad Mrs. Gillyflower and Rachel Stirling is convincingly cowed then vengeful as the damaged, lonely daughter. Perhaps the story slips too far into farce at times but its difficult to be both thought provoking and entertaining. Gatiss is walking a fine line if you have children be prepared for discussion surrounding the incredibly disturbing mother/daughter dynamic. Let us creep now through the sordid underbelly of a rigid society and examine the monsters that hide within.

9. Losing Your Religion

The Doctor is no stranger to the power of words and the seductive pull of authority. He uses his own vocal prowess to manipulate people into doing what he wants all the time. While the Doctor at least usually has everyones best interests at heart, Mrs. Gillyflower decidedly does not. She is the dark side of charisma the hungry maggot beneath the sweet jam. Mrs. Gillyflower is the magnetic cultist leading her biddable lambs to slaughter. Hers is a cautionary tale, for those who find themselves in the abattoir may soon realize they have only themselves to blame. Its dangerous to seek peace through compliance, to give up freedom in exchange for fleeting security. How much of Mrs. Gillyflowers actions were controlled by the parasite? Was the decision making entirely hers? Does it make her actions less evil if she is complicit rather than calling the shots? Ideas can be parasitical implanted in their hosts to be carried forth into the world. Religion is an idea. Its an agreement to collectively believe in something. What if the Doctor were an idea? Would he exist without belief? Do any of us exist if we are purged from memory? The Doctor is only rescued because Jenny spots him in a photo of the eyes of a dead man. In a callback to Time of Angels (series 5) we are reminded of the old adage - eyes are the windows to the soul. The Doctor still exists because he was observed.