Dr Who Series Seven Part Two — Episode 11: The Crimson Horror

Oh, now, wait, hang on … 

I think I’m going to have a Christopher Ecclestone Moment, here … 

And about tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Hang on, altogether now …

FANTASTIC

Now … 

I suppose I’d better answers the Forest of Cheem’s question: and tell you exactly why I though tonight’s episode of Dr Who was fantastic, hadn’t I … ?

≈≈≈‡≈≈≈

Set in Yorkshire in 1893*, The Crimson Horror sees the return of the Paternoster Row Gang: Madame Vastra (Neve Macintosh), her wife, Jenny (Catrin Stewart) and their manservant, Commander Strax (Danny Starkey).

The intrepid threesome has been investigating the mysterious activities of Mrs Gillyflower and her blind daughter, Ada — played by real world mother and daughter, Diana Rigg and Rachel Stirling — who’ve set up an apparent utopian match factory in Yorkshire.

They’ve quietly become aware that all isn’t sweet in Sweetville — as the factory’s called — and head north to dig around.

When they get there … ?

The team find the place is suffering a rash of crimson covered bodies being found in the canal.

And on infiltrating Sweetville, itself … ?   Jenny finds that the monster in the attic … is an old friend …

Like we didn’t see that one coming … !

Didn't work THAT out! :) #TheCrimsonHorror
— Paul Downie (@Cuddy2977) May 4, 2013

≈≈≈‡≈≈≈

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I personally believe The Crimson Horror to be something of a … 

Well … ‘return to form’ isn’t the phrase, I think.

Instead, I’ll call The Crimson Horror the series seven highpoint to date: it revisits established — and popular — recurring characters, has a romp of a fantastic plot and some cracking dialogue: complete with a now obligatory Strax moment.

Personally … ?

Well, personally, if you missed this one, tonight, you  missed a blinder … !

Until this sort of time, next week, that is … !

Enjoy the rest of the night, folks … !

*        And written by Mark Gatiss: he’s been collaborating with Steven Moffat on Sherlock and has something of a taste — as his BBC documentaries about horror movies show — for the Grand Guignol: even if he’s not quite as blood-soaked as a certain Mr Holmes … 

Salvage: Little Indie Britflicks …

6th March, 2013.

You know, I’m starting to think Wednesdays are getting busy!

No, seriously.

I’m mean, a blood test, shopping, putting up the Gazette Teasers, here and on their site.

Plus finishing off some Teasers, doing the associated videos AND writing about a movie, where possible!

Actually … ?

That’s simpler than you might think.

You see, last night, I managed to rent a film from iTunes — birthday money, don’tchaknow — hook the iPod up to the TV, through my new Dock … 

And got watching … Salvage … 

~≈§≈~

Released in 2009, Salvage opens with a paperboy delivering one of his last papers on Christmas Eve: and spotting an argument at one of his drops.

He manages to get away … Only to met SOMETHING nasty in the nearby woods.

Meanwhile, events elsewhere on the street, see Jodie (Linzey Cocker) returning home to see her mother, Beth (Neve McIntosh*) for the holiday.

Arriving just in time for the street to be raided by a squad of heavily armed special forces soldiers: soldiers who’re hunting for something.

Something nasty … 

Something nasty,with a taste for random violence … 

And something that’s killing Beth’s neighbours, one by one.

~≈§≈~

Now, I’ll happily admit, Salvage is not a big-budget, popcorn movie.

A long way from it: it was, after all filmed on the exterior set that had been used for long-running soap, Brookside, after the show had ended.

But it IS a fun little romp of a horror-film: one that, considering the price it cost to rent … ?   Wasn’t bad value for money, at all.

Salvage

★★☆☆

*        Madame Vastra, in case the Dr Who fans reading this were wondering