Doctor Who (2005): Forest of the Dead (2)

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Location: The Library
Date: 51st Century
Enemies: Vashta Nerada

The Doctor and Donna lead them into very frightening position. While creeping through a derelict library that has more than books among its shelves, the duo have to face Shifting shadows, scary Nodes, and a ravenous Data Ghost. Read full recap »

YOUR SCORE

RESET

N/A n/a

Writers:: Steven Moffat

Director:: Euros Lyn

Stars:: Catherine Tate (Donna Noble); David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor)

Guest Star:: Jonathan Reuben (Man); Steve Pemberton (Strackman Lux); Harry Peacock (Proper Dave); O.T. Fagbenle (Other Dave); Jessika Williams (Anita); Mark Dexter (Dad); Alex Kingston (Professor River Song); Eloise Rakic-Platt (Ella); Alex Midwood (Joshua); Jason Pitt (Lee); Colin Salmon (Dr. Moon)

Professor River Song: That man. That impossible man.

Another variation of the "You're impossible" in-joke, last uttered by Agatha Christie in The Unicorn and the Wasp.

Also, a possible in-joke reference to the fact that Doctor Who is Science Fantasy, not Science Fiction -- The distinction, as described by Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling is "science fiction makes the implausible possible, while science fantasy makes the impossible plausible." The Doctor is clearly impossible, but they do make him plausible. edit »
The Doctor now can open the TARDIS by clicking his fingers. He was apparently not aware of this before. edit »
River's story ends with the line 'everybody lives'. This was also said towards the end of The Doctor Dances (which was also written by Steven Moffat). edit »
Josh and Ella, Donna's two children in the computer-generated world, were named after Steven Moffat's son and his son's friend edit »
Donna's wedding dress used in this episode, is the same dress used in the episode The Runaway Bride, the 2006 Christmas Special. edit »

Overnight UK viewing figures for this episode were 7.1 million, with the final viewing figure at 7.84 million. edit »
International Air Dates:
United States: 27 June 2008
Australia: 31 August 2008
New Zealand: 7 September 2008 edit »
The original title for this episode was River's Run. edit »

Professor River Song: (voice-over) Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives. edit »
Professor River Song: (voice-over) When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it will never end. But, however hard you try, you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies, and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it. edit »
Donna: I made up the perfect man. Gorgeous, adores me and hardly able to speak a word. What does that say about me?
The Doctor: Everything. (off Donna's look) Sorry, did I say 'everything'? I meant to say 'nothing'. I was aiming for 'nothing', accidentally said 'everything'.
Donna: What about you? You alright?
The Doctor: I'm always alright.
Donna: Is 'alright' a special Time Lord code for 'really not alright at all'?
The Doctor: Why?
Donna: 'Cause I'm alright too. edit »
(The Doctor wakes up to find himself handcuffed and River preparing to hook herself into the mainframe)
The Doctor: Oh no, no, no! Come on, what are you doing? That's my job!
Professor River Song: Oh, and I'm not allowed to have a career, I suppose?
The Doctor: Why am I handcuffed? Why do you even have handcuffs?
Professor River Song: (grinning) Spoilers.
The Doctor: This is not a joke. Stop this now! This is going to kill you! I'd have a chance, you don't have any!
Professor River Song: You wouldn't have a chance and neither do I! I'm timing it for the end of the countdown. There'll be a blip in the command flow. That way it should increase our chances of a clean download.
The Doctor: River, please, no!
Professor River Song: Funny thing is, this means you've always known how I was going to die. All the time we've been together, you knew I was coming here. The last time I saw you- the real you, the future you, I mean- you turned up on my doorstep with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Verilian to see the singing towers. What a night that was. The towers sang and you cried. You wouldn't tell me why, but I suppose you knew it was time. My time. Time to come to the Library. You even gave me your screwdriver. That should have been a clue. There's nothing you can do.
The Doctor: You can let me do this!
Professor River Song: If you die here, it'll mean I've never met you!
The Doctor: Time can be rewritten.
Professor River Song: Not those times. Not one line. Don't you dare! It's OK. It's OK. It's not over for you. You'll see me again. You've got all of that to come. You and me, time and space. You watch us run.
The Doctor: River, you know my name. You whispered my name in my ear. There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There's only one time I could�
Professor River Song: Hush now. Spoilers. edit »
The Doctor: You know what? I really liked Anita. She was brave, even when she was crying, and she never gave in, and you ate her. (The Doctor removes the visor's tint to reveal a skull) But I'm going to let that pass just as long as you let them pass.
Possessed Anita: How long have you known?
The Doctor: I counted the shadows. You only have one now. She's nearly gone. Be kind.
Possessed Anita: These are our forests. We are not kind.
The Doctor: I'm giving you back your forests but you are giving me them. You are letting them go.
Possessed Anita: These are our forests. They are our meat.
The Doctor: Don't play games with me. You just killed someone I like, that is not a safe place to stand. edit »

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9.9
40
gillherb
member since: Jan 20, 2008
Forest of the Dead (2)
The Bottom Line: "A very special episode"
Opeing the Tardis with a click of the fingers ...Continue »
This episode is superbly written, each scene links in wonderfully to the next. The relationship on screen between David Tenant and Alex Kingston on screen is wonderful. I do hope that she is someone who appears in the future and we see this possible storyline explored. Why didn't I give it 10 out of 10 well because I'd like to know the things we don't find out - what is his name? What is their relationship? Catherine Tate gives a fabulous performance, her acting is has improved wonderfully across the series. Poor Donna if only she did get to hold on to her lovely guy.
07/28/08 11:57am | report abuse
9.6
30
ascaffo
member since: Jul 16, 2008
Forest of the Dead (2)
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
An amazing episode filled with surprises, twists and turns. Great acting by Catherine Tate. ...Continue »
What an episode. I was impressed with the creativity of Steven Moffet- not sure about the spelling. From the beginning of the episode you know that you are going to be in for a ride. The idea of an entire world with no other purpose other than to share knowledge in incredible. I found myself empathizing with more than one character. I even found myself proud of Donna. I am not a big Donna fan, but I think that she was really good in this episode. She demonstrated a moving show of compassion for another character. There are twists and turns and things that were completely unexpected. I don't want to give anything away here- so its hard to write this without being specific. I think the only way to fully appreciate this episode is without spoilers.

The only thing that I wasn't really happy with was the very end. I kinda felt a bit cheated there. But, I guess its another day for Doctor Who where everybody lives!- Wait, is that a spoiler?
07/16/08 02:45pm | report abuse
9.4
20
atlaffinity
member since: Feb 3, 2008
Forest of the Dead (2)
The Bottom Line: "Well written"
stephen moffat just saved Season 4 which has been mediocre. ...Continue »
wheels within wheels and you think they might have written themselves into a corner but it all works out and it's great TV. some of it's silly. some of it's melodramatic, but it works.

this one leans more towards being a mystery/thriller (ala Blink) and maybe has some of the creepiest moments of any of the new series. surreal jump-cuts with Donna in the beginning are riveting.

i was starting to think the show was on its last legs. leave it to Moffat to bring GOOD WRITING back to the series.

this is up there with Blink. maybe not so perfectly realized but up there.
06/28/08 09:49pm | report abuse
9.5
20
dalekmonster
member since: Jun 22, 2008
Forest of the Dead (2)
The Bottom Line: "Exciting"
The second part. What a stormer! ...Continue »
I cannot believe it. This is amazing. A doctor who episode on season 4 is amazing. Still I don't think it was as suspensful as the first part but it was still a great episode.

What the hell does she mean by spoilers! And anyone who said they knew what was going to happen was so lying. This was unpredictablly brilliant. The ending was rather boring though. The computer world was very strong in emotion about how people can get confused about what life and death is. Athough i'm 100 percent on this it was enjoyable made you want to guess the ending and most of all serious. I havn't seen a doctor who episode in a long time be serious.

I really want there to be more episodes like this. Ones with deeper meaning then you see. Meanings you have to think about. The deeper meaning was how a small childs imagination could create so much happiness and save people and also destroy them inside. A very deep meaning to a very sad episode. I woudn't say it was the greatest Doctor Who ever. In my opinion its the first time we meet Davros. Who's back in this series can't wait for that one. Any way great episode great story line and great writing. Well Done Guys!
06/22/08 09:29am | report abuse
9.4
20
The_Gnat_5000
member since: Oct 9, 2006
Forest of the Dead (2)
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
This second part to Silence in the Library doesn't disappoint. ...Continue »
You never know how well the two will mesh, or if the ending will live up to the build up of the previous episode, but in this case it definitely did that. The wonderful use of the odd alternative reality works out very well. And the characters come to life on the screen. It also makes you wonder if you'll run into one of the characters again.

I don't know how well this progressed the season, but it was an enjoyable episode and for filler it was very, very well done. Not one of the all time great episodes for the new Doctor Who, but extremely good none the less.
06/20/08 06:30am | report abuse