Episode 118 – Fear Can Make You Kind

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 8×4 Listen and Angel 2×7 Darla

Listen

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Douglas Mackinnon

While Clara attempts to go on a date with Danny Pink, the Doctor becomes obsessed with a particular nightmare. Discussion points include:

• The return of the “Moffat Prestige Piece”
• The audience as silent companions
• Monsters and fear
• Danny & Clara’s awkward first date
• Rupert & Orson
• The Doctor’s origins

Darla

Written and Directed by Tim Minear

Flashbacks reveal Darla’s origin story, crossing over with Spike, Angel, and Drusilla’s. Discussion points include:

• Minear mixes it up
• Darla’s origins
• Angel & Darla, the old married couple
• Recontextualizing the China flashbacks
• Darla’s death/immortality drive
• Can Darla be redeemed?

Next time: Buffy 5×8 Shadow and Doctor Who 8×5 Time Heist.