Doctor Who: Top 5 Two-Parters And What Series 9 Can Learn From Them
4. The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit
It all began when a cluster of grotesque spaghetti-spewing life forms swarmed the Doctor and Rose, placidly threatening to serve them as refreshments. Wait, sorry. They meant to serve them refreshments And then everything went to hell (quite literally) from there. Possessed Ood transform from submissive servants to satanic, red-eyed monsters. An impossible planet balances innocuously above the precipice of a black holes event horizon (which is technically possible under the right circumstances ugh, never mind), and the TARDIS is gone. Not only are their lives in jeopardy, but Rose and the Doctor are also challenged emotionally, as doubt trickles into their minds. In whom or what should they believe? A worshipped, omnipotent force impressed upon the darkest, vilest desires of man or their exceptionally ordinary, powerless selves? It seems that neither of these is the answer. If the Doctor believes in anything, its that Rose is exceptionally extraordinary. And quite right, too. What Series 9 Can Learn From It: Being a science fiction television show, Doctor Who seldom addresses religious icons or explores the authenticity of human faith. Controversial and superstitious topics such as the existence of the Devil simply do not meld with the shows basic concept. But perhaps in this venue, the subject matter is instigated flawlessly. The antagonist is neither physical nor alludes to its exact intentions, and it does not pose an immediate threat to the entire universe even the Doctor can never fully cleanse the evil seared into mens hearts. Rather, it is used as a catalyst for character development, enriching the Doctor and Roses relationship as they learn to depend on and have faith in each other. More complex and less formulaic enemies in Series 9 could further reinforce Twelve and Claras precarious friendship by testing its resilience whilst providing a more abstract and expansive template for a lengthier adventure.
Anna is an aspiring writer who has an incurable obsession with Doctor Who. When she is not writing about Doctor Who, she's watching favorite episodes and contemplating what to write next. When she's writing about Doctor Who, she anticipates her reward: watching yet another Doctor Who episode. She also manages to read science fiction (especially Ray Bradbury), recite lines from Shakespeare's Macbeth, and make terrible puns in her free time (she likes to imagine she has great puntential, though)
