“Everybody lives, Rose! Just this once, everybody lives!” This iconic line from “The Doctor Dances” (episode 1.10) perfectly encapsulates the heart of this brilliant episode. Now that I’ve gotten “back on the wagon” with regards to posting, I realize that I’ve left a few too many gaps in my efforts to capture all of the shenanigans of Doctor Who, so let’s see what I can do to rectify that!
As the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston delivers a performance brimming with manic energy and dark humor, yet tempered with a deep-seated weariness from the Time War. This episode, penned by the future Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, masterfully blends wartime drama, chilling horror, and heartwarming triumph.
We find the Doctor and Rose crash-landing in London during the Blitz. While Rose experiences the fear and excitement of dodging bombs with the spirited Nancy, the Doctor stumbles upon a terrifying mystery: children with gas masks permanently fused to their faces, eerily chanting “Are you my mummy?” The atmosphere is thick with suspense, the darkened streets and crumbling buildings adding to the sense of dread. This unsettling imagery is reminiscent of the eerie atmosphere in “The Unquiet Dead,” where the Gelth possessed the bodies of the deceased.
But what caused this terrifying phenomenon? The root of the problem lies with Captain Jack Harkness, though unintentionally. When Jack, a con man from the 51st century, planted a Chula ambulance in 1941 London, he inadvertently unleashed the Chula nanogenes. These microscopic machines, encountering humans for the first time, infected a dying boy named Jamie caught in the Blitz. Mistaking Jamie’s gas mask for part of his face, the nanogenes “healed” him, creating the first “Empty Child,” a zombie-like figure with a gas mask permanently fused to his face.
The nanogenes, designed to repair and enhance Chula soldiers, bestowed upon Jamie superhuman strength, telepathic abilities, and the ability to communicate through any device with a speaker grill. Tragically, Jamie, now the Empty Child, retained a child’s mentality and wandered the streets searching for his mother, spreading the infection with every touch. Anyone infected inherited the same gas mask face, head trauma, chest injuries, and a distinctive gash on their hand, becoming another Empty Child.
The episode cleverly uses the backdrop of World War II to explore themes of fear, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. The war itself becomes a metaphor for the Doctor’s internal struggles, haunted by the memories of the Time War as seen in “Dalek.” He carries the weight of survivor’s guilt, believing himself to be the last of his kind. The sight of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances mirrors his own battles against impossible odds.
The introduction of Captain Jack Harkness adds another layer of excitement to the story. Jack, with his roguish energy and sense of adventure, complements the Doctor and Rose’s dynamic. His quick wit and flirtatious nature provide a welcome contrast to the Doctor’s more serious demeanor. This episode marks the beginning of a fan-favorite character who would go on to lead his own spin-off series, Torchwood.
As the Doctor investigates the strange phenomenon, the mystery deepens. He uncovers a connection between the gas mask children and a strange metal cylinder that crashed from the sky. The episode keeps us guessing, expertly weaving together elements of science fiction and horror. The reveal of the “Empty Child” and its tragic origin is both heartbreaking and terrifying.
But “The Doctor Dances” is not just about fear and darkness. It’s also about hope and redemption. The Doctor’s determination to save everyone, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, is truly inspiring. His ingenuity and compassion shine through as he unravels the mystery and finds a way to reverse the effects of the nanogenes.
Resolving the Crisis:
The climax of the episode sees the Doctor confront the source of the nanogenes – the Chula ambulance. With a mix of technological know-how and compassionate understanding, he rewrites the nanogenes’ programming. By holding the Empty Child, Jamie, and declaring him to be the “mother” the nanogenes were seeking, he provides a template for healing. The nanogenes, now recognizing a healthy human, undo the transformations, returning everyone to their original forms. This act of compassion and ingenuity underscores the Doctor’s unwavering belief in the sanctity of life. The moment when he declares “Everybody lives!” is a powerful reminder of the Doctor’s ability to bring hope even in the direst situations.
This episode is a testament to the power of Doctor Who to entertain, frighten, and ultimately uplift. It’s a story that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. The Doctor’s unwavering optimism and his ability to find joy in the face of adversity are qualities that continue to resonate with audiences today. “The Doctor Dances” stands as a shining example of the Ninth Doctor’s era, and a testament to the enduring power of hope and heroism in the Whoniverse.