Dr Who Episode 5: The Rebel Flesh

You know, I’ve left this a little late …

But … ?

But I think I‘m very, very impressed with last night’s episode of Dr Who, the first of a two part adventure, called The Rebel Flesh.

Seriously impressed, right from the get go … !

Literally …

The Rebel Flesh shows us a small factory-base in a ruined monastery in the 22rd century, mining for a rare, useful but dangerously strong acid: a place where the Doctor and company end up, after what’s called a solar tsunami, a rather strong solar flare.

What they find out about the place has the our heroes somewhat concerned …

As the factory staff are remarkably blasé about the tools they use to safely mine the acid: a genetically manipulable substance they call ‘the Flesh’, that they use to produce duplicates of themselves that are controlled from what they call harnesses.

If you’ve seen Avatar, you’d kind of get the idea …

The problem’s start when the second solar wave hits the factory.

One that hits when the gangers — the factory worker’s duplicates — are out and loose.

They start to take on a life of they’re own …

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Now, I’m going to happily admit, I’m BLOODY impressed with this episode, as I think I’ve already said …

Don’t forget, me and most of my friends grew up in the 1970s: back when Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee were in post, and — especially in the early Tom Baker years — some of the more gruesome episodes were screened.

And I’ve got to admit, The Rebel Flesh had me thinking of those days: Talons of Weng-Chiang and The Deadly Asassin in particular.

As was The Robots Of Death …

From where I’m sitting, though … ?

They didn’t QUITE have as many character driven scenes as these.

Reminiscent as there are, in tone … ?

I DO know that the Moffat era team has managed to introduce a nice little mix, that’s both looks to and works with the show’s history.

AND manages to made a nod to now, with it’s references to genetic manipulation.

Now, while I know an old friend of mine, Graham, has concerns that the current Moffat lead slant on the show isn’t as family friendly as the Davies/Tennent years. And that some will have issues about a scene where the base commander, Miranda, shots a human crew member.

Personally …

I’m loving that darkness …

And can’t WAIT ’til next week … !

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