Retrospective Discussion | Doctor Who (2005) | 2x07 "The Idiot's Lantern"
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this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2026
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I think Mark Gatiss is unduly criticised in some fan forums. He does fine little standalone scripts that stand out not for excellence, but for their atmosphere, attention to detail, and a good bit of quirk.
He's an old school fan, and here he clearly wanted to make a Classic Who-style historical. Ironically, the Coronation element is overshadowed by the Wire plot, the advent of television (which RTD swiped in "The Giggle"), and the terrible family dynamics.
[Edit: Duh, you're right. Moffatt also used the transmission thing to defeat the Silence in season 6]
Personal gripe, I preferred faceless Rose. They could have left her like that for a few episodes for all I care.
I will say this for the episode, the Wire is a memorable adversary for the Doctor. To this day, my family will imitate her "Hu-u-ungry-y!" part regularly. Mostly just before dinner.