Doctor Who Review: Flatline - 10 Ways Writer Jamie Mathieson Shines

By Mary Ogle /

7. The Surrogate

€œFlatline€ bears an intriguing resemblance to the sixth series episode €œThe Girl Who Waited€. In that story Rory is the companion who acts as the Doctor€™s eyes and he must choose which Amy lives or dies. Rory is angered and sickened by this power while Clara reacts like an addict who€™s found the perfect drug. She gets off on the high of being the one in control. Jenna Coleman gives another masterful performance in a Doctor-light episode. She€™s not afraid to show Clara€™s slide into moral ambiguity. In the first part of the story the Doctor dismisses Rigsy€™s value while Clara speaks up for him. By the middle of the episode Clara is ignoring RIgsy€™s pleas to be heard. Yet by the end she is once again using Rigsy€™s talents and saving him from himself. She is not yet consumed by a lust for power but the potential is there.