Forest of the Dead (2)

Season 4, Episode 9, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

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.

9.3
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
482 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

facebook
Rent
Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
Amazon Prime
Free Trial/Subsc...
VUDU
Buy/Rent

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (26)

See All

  • An amazing episode filled with surprises, twists and turns. Great acting by Catherine Tate.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By ascaffo, Oct 25, 2011 Report Abuse
    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?moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 1

  • stephen moffat just saved Season 4 which has been mediocre.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By atlaffinity, Apr 25, 2011 Report Abuse
    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.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    5 2

  • The real Doctor

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By OscarTorrado, Apr 25, 2011 Report Abuse
    Obviously thius chapter written by Steven Moffat should be one of the best episdodes of the entire series, in Planbet of the Dead we attend to the real Doctor and we take a look of how he really is, a lonely time traveler, I relly liked how Moffat show us this imposible men.

    The chemestry of Donna and the Doctor is gettimg stronger as quickly as were approaching to the season finale, I dont know how tis is gonna end but I think that the finale will be as epic as this season.

    Beware of spoilers its fun not to know what is on the end ;)moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 1

  • This second part to Silence in the Library doesn't disappoint.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By The_Gnat_5000, Aug 25, 2010 Report Abuse
    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.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    3 1

  • Opeing the Tardis with a click of the fingers

    9.9
    "Superb"
    By gillherb, Jul 28, 2008 Report Abuse
    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.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 1
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • 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

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • 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

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • 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

  • Allusions

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Doctor Who (2005) Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 4 Episodes

See All
Ep 18
The End of Time (2)
Ep 17
The End of Time (1)
Ep 16
The Waters of Mars
Ep 15
Planet of the Dead
Ep 14
The Next Doctor
Ep 13
Journey's End (2)
Ep 12
The Stolen Earth (1)
Ep 11
Turn Left
Ep 10
Midnight
Ep 9
Forest of the Dead (2)
Ep 8
Silence in the Library (1)
Ep 7
The Unicorn and the Wasp
Ep 6
The Doctor's Daughter
Ep 5
The Poison Sky (2)
Ep 4
The Sontaran Stratagem (1)
Ep 3
Planet of the Ood
Ep 2
The Fires of Pompeii
Ep 1
Partners in Crime
 
Voyage of the Damned
 
The David Tennant Special
 
Time Crash

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use