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 From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca 
  
 Here€€€s a review of *Doctor Who: Fear Her*: 
  
 --- 
  
 *Fear Her* is an episode set in the near future, 
 during the 2012 London Olympics. The Tenth Doctor 
 and Rose land in a suburban neighborhood 
 where children are mysteriously disappearing. 
 The story centers on Chloe Webber, a young girl 
 with the ability to trap people in her drawings 
 due to her connection with an alien entity called the Isolus. 
 While the premise holds potential, the episode struggles 
 with execution and falls short in several areas. 
  
 The opening scenes of *Fear Her* set the tone for a more grounded, 
 domestic story compared to the high-stakes adventures that usually 
 characterize *Doctor Who*. The focus on an ordinary neighbourhood 
 with strange events occurring beneath the surface has echoes 
 of classic *Doctor Who* tropes. However, the episode lacks 
 the tension needed to make this small-scale setting feel truly eerie. 
 The suburban backdrop doesn't quite manage to build a sense of threat, 
 and the disappearances feel more like a puzzle than a source of fear. 
  
 The central concept of a child using her drawings to control 
 the world around her is an intriguing one, but it doesn't fully 
 develop into something emotionally or narratively satisfying. 
 Chloe's ability stems from her loneliness and trauma, having 
 been affected by the loss of her father and the isolation she 
 feels as a result. The emotional weight of this theme is present 
 but not deeply explored, leaving the audience with a somewhat 
 superficial understanding of Chloe's struggles. The potential 
 for a more profound exploration of childhood trauma is there 
 but remains underutilised. 
  
 Chloe€€€s connection to the Isolus, an alien creature that feeds 
 on love and companionship, is the driving force behind the plot. 
 The Isolus has become separated from its family and bonds 
 with Chloe out of mutual loneliness. While this idea has merit, 
 the Isolus itself is a fairly standard alien antagonist without 
 much complexity. The episode attempts to evoke sympathy for 
 the creature, but its motives are not given enough depth for 
 it to feel like a fully realised character. 
  
 Rose plays a significant role in this episode, stepping up as 
 the Doctor's equal in solving the mystery. Her interactions 
 with Chloe and her mother, Trish, show her compassionate side, 
 and she is instrumental in figuring out how to stop the Isolus. 
 However, despite Rose's proactive role, the episode lacks 
 the usual chemistry and energy between her and the Doctor. 
 The absence of the usual banter and dynamic teamwork between 
 the two characters weakens the overall impact of the story. 
  
 The Doctor, meanwhile, spends much of the episode in a more 
 passive role, as he is trapped inside a drawing for a significant 
 portion of the climax. This leaves Rose to carry the weight 
 of the action, which is commendable, but it also means the Doctor 
 is sidelined during key moments. This diminishes the sense 
 of urgency, as the Doctor€€€s involvement is often crucial 
 to heightening the stakes in an episode. 
  
 The pacing of *Fear Her* is uneven, with long stretches of dialogue 
 and exposition that slow down the narrative. While some of this 
 exposition is necessary to explain Chloe's abilities and the nature 
 of the Isolus, it often feels repetitive. The episode could have 
 benefitted from a more streamlined approach to its storytelling, 
 cutting some of the slower moments in favor of building more suspense. 
  
 The climax, where the Doctor uses the Olympic torch to reignite 
 the Isolus' pod and send it back to its family, is one of the more 
 whimsical resolutions in the *Doctor Who* canon. While this 
 moment ties into the Olympic setting of the episode, it feels 
 a bit too convenient and lacks the emotional punch that other 
 resolutions in the series often have. The symbolism of the torch 
 and the global unity represented by the Olympics is clear, 
 but it doesn't quite land as a powerful moment in the story. 
  
 One of the more problematic aspects of *Fear Her* 
 is the portrayal of Chloe's father, who is implied to have 
 been abusive. His presence as a spectral figure in Chloe's 
 drawings is disturbing, but the episode handles this subplot 
 with a lightness that feels out of place. The implications 
 of Chloe's trauma are mentioned but not fully addressed, 
 and the resolution of this subplot is unsatisfying, 
 as it reduces a serious issue to a mere plot device. 
  
 The production values of the episode are serviceable, 
 but there is nothing particularly standout about 
 the direction or design. The depiction of the drawings coming 
 to life is visually interesting but doesn't create the sense 
 of awe or fear that it could have. The use of the Olympic 
 setting, while a unique choice, doesn't contribute much 
 to the story beyond providing a backdrop for the final moments. 
  
 In conclusion, *Fear Her* is an episode that had the potential 
 to explore deeper emotional and psychological themes 
 but ultimately falls short. Its smaller-scale story and focus 
 on a single family's trauma could have been a strength, 
 but the episode lacks the depth and tension needed 
 to make these elements resonate. While there are some good ideas 
 and moments, particularly Rose's compassionate involvement 
 and the concept of loneliness as a driving force, the episode 
 doesn't leave a lasting impact. 
  
 --- 
  
 Rating: 5.5/10 
  
 *Fear Her* is an ambitious but flawed episode, 
 struggling with uneven pacing, an underdeveloped 
 antagonist, and missed opportunities for emotional depth. 
 While it's not without its merits, including a strong showing 
 from Rose and a unique premise, it ultimately lacks the intensity 
 and complexity that makes for a standout *Doctor Who* story. 
 -- 
 Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca 
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