• About Me

Sci-Fi Jubilee

~ Sci-Fi News & Reviews

Sci-Fi Jubilee

Daily Archives: September 29, 2012

The Angels Take Manhattan

29 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Doctor Who

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Arthur Darvill, Doctor Who, Dr Who, Dr Who Season 7, Karen Gillan, Matt Smith, River Song, The Angels Take Manhattan, Weeping Angels

The Angels Take Manhattan

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

The Angels Take Manhattan takes full advantage of New York’s famous landmarks

The Angels Take Manhattan opens in the shadowy streets of 1930’s Downtown New York as Sam Garner (Rob David) narrates the darkest day of his life. Garner has been given the task of investigating an old apartment block, Winter Quays, by an odious collector called Grayle (Mike McShane). When Sam arrives at the run-down building he explores its dark corridors, where he is shocked to discover a version of himself as a dying old man. His older self urges him to escape but before he can flee Sam is attacked by the Weeping Angels…

An idyllic moment of happiness for the TARDIS crew

We join The Doctor, Amy, and Rory in present day New York as they enjoy a relaxing day in Central Park. The Doctor has been reading aloud from a pulp-fiction novel that he has found, although his companions don’t quite share the Time Lords enthusiasm for the adventures of private detective Melody Malone. But this idyllic moment of happiness for the TARDIS crew soon gives way to horror when Rory goes to fetch them all some coffees, only to be hunted by a cackling stone cherub near a fountain that transports him back to 1938 where he is reunited with Professor River Song before they are both captured by Grayle’s henchmen.

The new “Cherub” Angels with their mischievous giggling are particularly unsettling

The Doctor and Amy must travel back to Manhattan 1938 to save Rory, as the Weeping Angels begin to unleash a wave of terror from within Winter Quays, but as The Doctor and River race against time to help the Ponds escape, the time has come for Amy and Rory to make the ultimate sacrifice…

The Angels Take Manhattan sees The Doctor faced with an almost impossible situation. Matt Smith is excellent in this episode, giving his most emotive performance yet as he effortlessly walks the fine line between the Time Lords turbulent eccentricity and menacing gloom. Indeed, Matt Smith has done some remarkable things with The Doctor’s character this season, nevermore so than here – when the stakes have been raised so high – do we get to see the strength and humility that makes The Doctor such a universal force of nature.

Amy and Rory’s lives are ripped apart by the Weeping Angles

As this is the last story to feature Amy and Rory as The Doctor’s companions, it is perhaps all the more poignant that Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are to depart just as the Ponds are at the height of their popularity. Steven Moffat’s incredible script for The Angels Take Manhattan sees the Ponds lives ripped apart by the Weeping Angles as their plot to ensnare the Time Travellers draws them inexorably towards the episodes tear-jerking climax. This is an episode full of fraught emotions: even the stoniest heart will melt when Rory tries to get Amy to push him off the roof of Winter Quays, and you’ll be dismayed as River Song is forced to allow fate to take its course, but nothing will prepare you for The Doctor’s heartrending cries of despair as Amy valiantly stands her ground against a Weeping Angel to be with the man she loves.

Steven Moffat’s quantum locked creations are utterly remorseless and without mercy

Ever since their first appearance in Blink (2007) The Weeping Angles have gone on to become one of the series most popular monsters. Here they are at their horrific best, lurking amongst the shadowy halls of Winter Quays, ready to strike from the dark without warning, and the startling new “Cherub” Angels with their mischievous giggling are particularly unsettling when  Rory is trapped with them in Grayle‘s basement. Steven Moffat’s quantum locked creations are utterly remorseless and without mercy, predators of time who feed on the timelines of sentient beings in order to survive. After their apparent destruction in The Time of Angles / Flesh and Stone (2010), the Weeping Angels are back with a vengeance, gorging themselves on the latent energy of “the city that never sleeps” to feed their relentless hunger: turning every stone statue, monument, and gargoyle around Winter Quays into Weeping Angels. Even the Statue of Liberty itself becomes a twisted monstrosity as it silently stalks its prey across the Manhattan skyline.

Matt Smith and Alex Kingston have some great scenes together

Alex Kingston makes a welcome return as Professor River Song, making her most timey wimey entrance yet as she inveigles her way back into the Time Lords life from the very pages of the Melody Malone novel he’s been reading. The Professor River Song we meet in The Angels Take Manhattan is as vivacious as ever, and still flies the TARDIS better than The Doctor, but the woman that Alex Kingston portrays here seems more akin to the River Song we first saw in her fateful encounter with the 10th Doctor (David Tenant) in Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead (2008). There are some great scenes between Matt Smith and Alex Kingston in The Angels Take Manhattan: when River is trapped by Grayle’s chained Weeping Angel we learn she has been pardoned for her crimes and that all knowledge of the man River was imprisoned for killing has been wiped from every data bank in the universe; which perhaps explains what The Doctor has been up to while the Ponds decided to remain on Earth between adventures. The Doctor now dwells within a mysterious veil of anonymity, even the Daleks don’t seem to know who he is anymore, leaving only River Song to weave the last remaining threads of his past, present, and future to form the unequivocal testimony of the woman who killed Doctor Who…

Amy know the risks inherent when The Doctor travels alone for too long

River may have been able to help Rory after he got transported back to 1938, whilst able to keep one step ahead of Grayle and his sinister plans, but even her incredible foreknowledge is no match for the power of the Weeping Angels. The Melody Malone novel holds even more secrets than River’s diary, binding them all too future events that cannot be changed once they are read. She lies about breaking her wrist to escape Grayle’s prized exhibit, the chained Weeping Angel, but the Doctor uses his regeneration energy to heal her – which leaves River none to impressed with The Doctor. A brief interlude between River and Amy after they’ve escaped Grayle’s building also foreshadows the gathering storm that will soon engulf them all. When River warns her mother never to let the Time Lord see the damage he does, adding that The Doctor“doesn’t like endings”, which is especially poignant as they both know the risks inherent when The Doctor travels alone for too long.

Grayle’s prized exhibit, the chained Weeping Angel

Mike McShane’s villainous collector has foolishly imprisoned a Weeping Angel. He needs River Song to help him find out what the creature is, but is unprepared for the full extent of their terrible power. Having tortured the latest addition to his collection, it is perhaps fitting that when the Weeping Angels come for Grayle, their revenge is sure and swift.

Nick Hurran’s lavish cinematic direction elevates this episode to a whole new level; the location filming in New York looks absolutely stunning. The impeccable attention to the period detail of the scenes set in the 1930’s also help Hurran to strike the perfect balance between the two time zones. The Angels Take Manhattan takes full advantage of New York’s famous landmarks: Tudor City, Central Park, Times Square, and The Brooklyn Bridge, all play a part in Doctor Who’s most ambitious transatlantic adventure to date. Hurran also filmed some key scenes in Cardiff: locations that range from Cardiff University, The Glamorgan building in Cathays Park, and Box Cemetery in Llaneli are all flawlessly enhanced by the magic of CGI to give them the distinct look and feel of the high rise buildings of New York.

The Doctor and Amy must travel back to Manhattan 1938 to save Rory

Murray Gold’s score for The Angels Take Manhattan is as equally spellbinding, enhancing every key emotional moment as the Ponds exit draws near; no doubt leaving many fans reaching for the tissues as we say goodbye to Amy and Rory for the last time.

Steven Moffat promised that Amy and Rory’s departure from the TARDIS would be truly heartbreaking, and he is true to his word. From the moment you see the black swirling vortex of the title sequence – and the Doctor Who logo wickedly tinged in green – you are propelled into one of Moffat’s most labyrinthine scripts ever as he effortlessly ties everything up, even finding time to include a lovely coda for the young Amelia Pond’s very first story: The 11th Hour (2010.

Amy And Rory decide to face their destiny “together, or not at all”

The weeping Angels have been feeding off the residents of Winter Quays, using them like a battery farm, but when The Doctor, River, and Amy catch up with Rory at Winter Quays they find he has discovered an old man – and just like Sam before him – Rory is confronted by the fully horror of his elderly self dying in a bed. Rory and Amy witness the older Rory die as The Doctor and River look on, soon the Weeping Angels begin to come for Rory, determined to send him back in time again and feed off him like the other residents. But Amy has other ideas, leaving The Doctor and River to cover their escape, they plan to leave and cause a paradox – the only thing powerful enough to destroy the Weeping Angels. Trapped on the roof by a giant Weeping Angel, Rory decides to jump to his death to create the paradox. Amy refuses to let him, instead joining him on the ledge, and as Ponds decide to jump from the roof and  face their destiny “together, or not at all” they sadly find that the last page of their story has already becomes set in stone; and not even The Doctor can save them.

A Weeping Angel has survived and catches Rory unawares as he finds his own gravestone

As the Paradox wipes out the Weeping Angles it returns Amy and Rory safe and well to the Graveyard to rejoin The Doctor and River in the present – where we caught a glimpse Rory’s grave earlier. Tragically a lone Weeping Angel has survived and catches Rory unawares as he finds his own gravestone. As Rory is catapulted back into the past a distraught Amy confronts the Weeping Angel, ignoring The Doctor’s warnings, she turns and says goodbye to her “raggedy man” and fades away to be together with Rory in the past. As the wailing Time Lord sinks to his knees Amy’s name appears alongside Rory’s on the gravestone. River leads The Doctor back to the TARDIS, where The Doctor asks River to travel with him. She agrees, at least to joining him at some point in the future, as right now she has a date with history and a novel to write…

So as the credits roll and we leave the girl who waited and the last centurion to their fate, the brief teaser for the Christmas Special will at least go some way to easing the pain of Amy and Rory’s final adventure with the mad man in a blue box. The Angels Take Manhattan is one of the best episodes so far this season, full of grand spectacle and fantastic scenery; it also offers a thrilling finale for Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill. Together they have found a place in our hearts, they will be fondly missed, and their time during the 11th Doctor’s era will be forever in our thoughts.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • More
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Skype

Like this:

Like Loading...

Search Sci-Fi Jubilee

Follow @paul_bowler
Follow Sci-Fi Jubilee on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow SciFi Jubilee and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Sci-Fi Jubilee RSS Links

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Recent Posts

  • Batman The Detective #1 Review
  • The Swamp Thing #2 Review
  • Blade Runner Origins #2 Review
  • Superman #29 Review
  • The Swamp Thing #1 Review
  • X-Men #18 Review
  • Immortal Hulk Flatline Review
  • Star Wars: Darth Vader #10 Review

Top Posts & Pages

  • Batman The Detective #1 Review
    Batman The Detective #1 Review
  • The Swamp Thing #1 Review
    The Swamp Thing #1 Review
  • The Swamp Thing #2 Review
    The Swamp Thing #2 Review
  • Doctor Who The Tenth Planet: Far From Over
    Doctor Who The Tenth Planet: Far From Over
  • Immortal Hulk Flatline Review
    Immortal Hulk Flatline Review
  • X-Men #18 Review
    X-Men #18 Review
  • Superman #29 Review
    Superman #29 Review
  • Blade Runner Origins #2 Review
    Blade Runner Origins #2 Review
  • Earth 2 #17 Review
    Earth 2 #17 Review
  • Doctor Who The Underwater Menace DVD Review
    Doctor Who The Underwater Menace DVD Review

Calendar

September 2012
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
« Aug   Oct »

Categories

  • All
  • Avengers vs X-Men
  • BOOM! Studios
  • Dark Horse Comics
  • DC Comics
  • Doctor Who
  • Dr Who (Classic Series)
  • Dynamite Entertainment
  • Film Reviews
  • IDW Publishing
  • IF? Commix
  • Image Comics
  • Marvel Comics
  • Movie Articles
  • Paul Bowler YouTube Channel
  • Playstation 3
  • The Walking Dead
  • Titan Comics
  • Trailers & Posters
  • Vertigo

Gravatar Profile

Paul Bowler

Paul Bowler

Writer / Blogger / Sci Fi geek, fan of Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Movies, Comic Books, and all things Playstation 4.

Personal Links

  • Sci-Fi Jubilee
  • Twitter @paul_bowler
  • Sci-Fi Jubilee Facebook
  • Paul Bowler YouTube

View Full Profile →

Follow Me On Twitter

Twitter @paul_bowler

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012

Blogroll

  • Flodo's Page
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Sci-Fi Jubilee
  • TARDIS Tweets
  • The Consulting Detective
  • The Gotham Rogue
  • The Knights Blog
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Sci-Fi Jubilee

All New X-Men Andrez Bergen Avengers Batman Brian Michael Bendis Bruce Wayne Charlie Adlard Chris Chibnall Clara Oswald comics Cybermen Cyclops Daleks Danny Miki DC Comics Doctor Who Dr Who Dr Who Season 7 Earth 2 FCO Plascencia Frank Martin Gotham Gotham City Greg Capullo Hawkgirl Horror IDW Publishing IF? Commix Image Comics Iron Man James Tynion IV Jean Grey Jenna-Louise Coleman Jenna Coleman Jim Gordon Jodie Whittaker Marte Gracia Marvel Marvel Comics Marvel Now Matt Lucas Matt Smith Michonne Mike Deodato Nardole NCBD Negan Nicola Scott Original X-Men Paul Bowler YouTube Peter Capaldi Peter Parker PS4 Rick Grimes Robert Kirkman Sci-Fi Jubilee Scott Snyder Spider-Man Star Wars Steven Moffat Stuart Immonen Superman TARDIS The Doctor The Flash The Joker The New 52 The Saviors The Walking Dead Tony Stark Trevor Scott Walkers Wolverine X-Men Zombies

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: