Review: Doctor Who, Episode 4.10, "Midnight"

Departing showrunner Russell T Davies winds up his final full season on the show by writing its last four episodes (he also wrote the season opener), of which this is the first. Although intended to be more of a filler in the lineup before the big finish, it's actually one of the best episodes of the season, right up there with "The Fires of Pompeii" and "Forest of the Dead" in my estimation.

It's Davies' best contribution as a writer since last season's "Utopia." It's quirky and suspenseful by turns, and its lack of explanation even renders it terrifying in a classic Twilight Zone kind of way. One almost expects Rod Serling to offer up a closing narration. It kept me on the edge of my seat with jittery nerves. Well done, Mr. Davies! Kudos also to director Alice Troughton (her Torchwood episode, "Small Worlds" was also terrifying) and star David Tennant for their excellent contributions to this quality episode.

On a side note, the character of Professor Hobbes is portrayed by David Troughton, whose father Patrick played the Second Doctor (the director is no relation to them). It's the second time this season that the child of an actor who played the Doctor appeared, after Fifth Doctor Peter Davison's daughter Georgia Moffett portrayed the title character in "The Doctor's Daughter."