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{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{Doctorwhobox
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Midnight (''Doctor Who'')}}
| number = 200
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
| serial_name = Midnight
| number = 196
| image =
| serial_name = Midnight
| caption =
| show = DW
| show = DW
| type = episode
| type = episode
| doctor = [[David Tennant]] ([[Tenth Doctor]])
| doctor = [[David Tennant]] – [[Tenth Doctor]]
| companion = [[Catherine Tate]] ([[Donna Noble]])
| companion = [[Catherine Tate]] – [[Donna Noble]]
| guests =
| guests =
* [[Billie Piper]] – [[Rose Tyler]]
*[[Lesley Sharp]] – Sky Silvestry<ref name="dwm396">{{cite journal|date=2008-05-29|location=Doctor Who Magazine|issue=396|accessdate=2008-05-29|title=Doctor Who Magazine}}</ref>
*[[Lindsey Coulson]] – TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* [[Lesley Sharp]] – Sky Silvestry
*[[David Troughton]] – TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* [[Rakie Ayola]] – Hostess
* [[David Troughton]] – Professor Hobbes
*[[Rakie Ayola]] - Hostess<ref name="rakie">{{cite episode|title=Ready Steady Cook|series=Ready Steady Cook|serieslink=Ready Steady Cook|network=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]|station=[[BBC Two]]|credits=[[Ainsley Harriot]], [[Rakie Ayola]], [[Adrian Edmondson]]|minutes= 22:55|airdate= 2008-06-03}}</ref>
* [[Ayesha Antoine]] – Dee Dee Blasco
*[[Daniel Ryan (actor)|Daniel Ryan]] - TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* [[Lindsey Coulson]] – Val Cane
*[[Colin Morgan]] - TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* [[Daniel Ryan (actor)|Daniel Ryan]] – Biff Cane
*[[Ayesha Antoine]] - TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* [[Colin Morgan]] – Jethro Cane
*[[Duane Henry]] - TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
*[[Tony Bluto]] - TBA<ref name="dwm396" />
* Tony Bluto – Driver Joe
* [[Duane Henry]] – Mechanic Claude
| writer = [[Russell T. Davies]]
| director = [[Alice Troughton]]
| director = [[Alice Troughton]]
| writer = [[Russell T Davies]]
| script_editor =
| producer = [[Phil Collinson]]
| script_editor = [[Helen Raynor]]
| producer = [[Phil Collinson]]
| executive_producer = Russell T. Davies<br>[[Julie Gardner]]
| executive_producer = Russell T Davies<br>[[Julie Gardner]]
| production_code = 4.10
| date = [[14 June]] [[2008]]
| composer = [[Murray Gold]]
| production_code = 4.8
| series = [[List of Doctor Who serials#Series 4 (2008)|Series 4]]
| series = [[Doctor Who (series 4)|Series 4]]
| length = 45 mins
| length = 45 minutes
| preceding = "[[Forest of the Dead]]"
| date = {{Start date|2008|6|14|df=y}}
| following = "[[Turn Left (Doctor Who)|Turn Left]]"
| preceding = "[[Forest of the Dead]]"
| imdb_id = 1208128
| following = "[[Turn Left]]"
| future = yes
}}
}}
"'''Midnight'''" is the tenth episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 4)|fourth series]] of the British [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was first broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 14 June 2008. The episode placed emphasis on the [[Tenth Doctor]], with his [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companion]], [[Donna Noble]] playing a minimal role. As a result, this episode has been described as being "companion-lite",<ref name="SJWTL" /> in contrast to the usual "Doctor-lite" episodes.


The episode is largely set on board a small touring vehicle that stops in the middle of a tour on the hostile surface of the planet Midnight and has its cockpit destroyed with its driver and mechanic still inside by an unseen entity. The entity is depicted only through sound effects and by its possession of one of the vehicle's passengers, Sky Silvestry, who repeats the words of the other passengers on board.
"'''Midnight'''"<ref name="dwm396" /> is the tenth episode of the [[List of Doctor Who serials#Series 4 (2008)|fourth series]] of [[United Kingdom|British]] [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It will be broadcast on [[BBC One]] on [[14 June]] [[2008]]


"Midnight" was watched by 8.05 million viewers. It received positive reviews from critics, who particularly liked the psychological horror of the unseen creature, as well as the tense claustrophobic atmosphere of the episode. The performances of Sharp and Tennant were widely praised.
==Synopsis==

<!-- PLEASE DO NOT add the official synopsis. It is copyrighted.-->
==Plot==
On the planet Midnight, [[Donna Noble]] goes sunbathing while the [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|Doctor]] boards a shuttle bus to the Sapphire Waterfall. However, something dangerous is going with him, signaling its presence with its constant knocking on the side of the bus.<ref name="dwm396" />
<!-- Per MOS:TVPLOT, this summary should not be more than 400 words -->
The [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Donna Noble|Donna]] visit the resort planet Midnight, which is bathed in lethal radiation from its star. The Doctor takes a shuttle tour to visit a waterfall made of sapphires. He goes alone, unable to convince Donna to leave the comfort of the local spa. Mid-route, the shuttle unexpectedly stops; the Doctor joins Driver Joe and Mechanic Claude in the cockpit, with all systems appearing operational, but the shuttle still not moving. The Doctor asks Joe to open the cockpit radiation shielding to see what may be causing the problem, and before they are closed again, Claude claims to have seen something moving outside. Joe calls in for a rescue shuttle.

The Doctor returns to the cabin, and everyone hears knocking on the sides of the shuttle. The knocking seems to follow their movements, but soon only comes from the side of the shuttle where one passenger, Sky, is cowering. The shuttle rocks violently, and the hostess finds that the cockpit has been ripped from the shuttle. The Doctor and other passengers see Sky behaving oddly, repeating what they are saying; frightened, the passengers think she has become possessed by whatever was outside. Sky begins talking simultaneously with the passengers, increasing the paranoia among the group. They begin to debate throwing Sky out onto the surface of the planet, and after the Doctor objects, they threaten to throw him out as well. Sky then begins only repeating what the Doctor says.

As the Doctor tries to reason with Sky, he suddenly appears unable to move. Sky starts saying things before the Doctor repeats them, making the other passengers believe the entity has moved on to possess the Doctor. Unable to communicate with the Doctor, the passengers soon become paranoid. Sky attempts to convince the passengers that she is back to normal, and that they must throw the Doctor off the shuttle.

While most of the other passengers start to pull the Doctor towards the shuttle door, the hostess, hearing Sky use some of the Doctor's unusual phrases, realises Sky is still possessed. The hostess pulls herself and Sky out of the cabin and into the radiation. The Doctor is freed and the shuttle passengers are rescued and returned to the resort. The Doctor intends to have the resort removed from the planet, still feeling haunted.


==Production==
==Production==
===Writing===
This episode is the fiftieth episode filmed for the revived series, and was filmed at the same time as "[[Turn Left (Doctor Who)|Turn Left]]". Donna has a minimal role in the episode, while the Doctor has a minimal role in "Turn Left".<ref name="dwm396" /><ref name="rtsynopsis">{{cite journal |year=2008 |month=April |title=The Stars are Coming Out |journal=[[Radio Times]] |issue=5-11 April 2008 |pages=pp 14-24 |accessdate=2008-04-01 |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref><ref name="bbcsynopsis">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk25/sat.shtml#sat_doctor_who|title=Doctor Who – Midnight Ep 10/13|date=2008-05-29|publisher=[[BBC|BBC Press Office]]|language=English|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref>
"Midnight" was filmed at the same time as "[[Turn Left]]"; Donna has a minor role in the episode (appearing in only the pre-credits sequence and the final scene), while the Doctor has a minor role in "Turn Left".<ref name="dwm396">{{Cite magazine|date=29 May 2008|magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]]|issue=396|title=Doctor Who Magazine}}</ref>{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=109}}<ref name="rtsynopsis">{{Cite magazine|date=April 2008 |title=The Stars are Coming Out |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |issue=5–11 April 2008 |pages=14–24 |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref> For this reason Stephen James Walker has described this episode in his book ''Monsters Within'' as being "companion-lite".<ref name="SJWTL">{{Cite book|last=Walker |first=Stephen James |author-link = Stephen James Walker |title=Monsters Within: the Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who 2008 |date=17 December 2008 |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |location=[[Tolworth]], [[London]], England |isbn=978-1-84583-027-4 |pages=182–194 |chapter=Chapter 4.11 – Turn Left}}</ref> [[Russell T Davies]] has stated that "Midnight" was inspired by the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode "[[Darmok]]".<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=none |journal=SFX |issue=200 |page=140 |date=October 2010}}</ref>


Davies wrote the story to replace a previously planned story (replaced due to similarity with a just-filmed script) by [[Tom Macrae]]. He said the episode was his response to "[[Voyage of the Damned (Doctor Who)|Voyage of the Damned]]", which "had demonstrated the best in human nature." He decided to focus on the dark side of humanity, and "the way people turn on each other."{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=109}} He later stated that he "fancied a little run of dark episodes" to match the feel of Moffat's [[Silence in the Library|library]] [[Forest of the Dead|two-parter]], getting an idea that was "like an itch" and "wouldn't go away".{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=115}} Davies realised that an act of imitation "could be mocking, irritating and unnerving", stating "when somebody keeps doing it, it drives you mad."{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=109}} He wrote the threat to the Doctor to have two aspects: the possession and the human paranoia. Davies said "It's very rare to see the Doctor out of control, but he cannot control people."{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}}
===Cast notes===

Guest star [[David Troughton]] is the son of [[Second Doctor]] actor [[Patrick Troughton]]. He appeared as an uncredited extra in the first, fifth, and sixth episodes of the Second Doctor serial ''[[The Enemy of the World]]'';<ref name=Enemy>{{cite serial | title = [[The Enemy of the World]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = Writer [[David Whitaker]], Director [[Barry Letts]], Producer [[Innes Lloyd]] | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One|BBC1]] | city = London | began = 1967-12-23 | ended = 1968-01-27}}</ref> as Private Moor in the sixth episode of the Second Doctor serial ''[[The War Games]]'';<ref name="War">{{cite serial | title = [[The War Games]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = Writers [[Malcolm Hulke]] and [[Terrance Dicks]], Director [[David Maloney]], Producer [[Derrick Sherwin]] | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One|BBC1]] | city = London | began = 1969-04-19 | ended = 1969-06-21}}</ref> and as King Peladon in all four episodes of the [[Third Doctor]] serial ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]''.<ref name="Curse">{{cite serial | title = [[The Curse of Peladon]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = Writer [[Brian Hayles]] and [[Terrance Dicks]] (uncredited), Director [[Lennie Mayne]], Producer [[Barry Letts]] | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One|BBC1]] | city = London | began = 1972-01-29 | ended = 1972-02-19}}</ref><ref name=IMDBDT>{{cite news|title=Filmography by TV series for David Troughton|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0873739/filmoseries#tt0056751|publisher=[[IMDB]]|date=[[2008-04-01]]|accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref> David Troughton is the second child of an actor to have played the Doctor to appear in Series 4 in a guest role (the first being [[Georgia Moffett]] in "[[The Doctor's Daughter]]").
The script of the episode ran for sixty pages, with the bulk of it consisting of just one scene &mdash; Scene 9, which ran for forty-four pages. The scene featured the conversation and rising paranoia of the passengers on the shuttle.{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}}

===Casting===
[[David Troughton]] was a late replacement for [[Sam Kelly]] as Professor Hobbes, who broke his leg and had to withdraw from the production.<ref name="Radio Times">{{Cite web|title=David Troughton guest-stars|website=[[Radio Times]]|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/doctor-who/david-troughton-guest-stars/|date=June 2008|access-date=16 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226211856/http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/doctor-who/david-troughton-guest-stars/}}</ref> He joined the rest of the cast in [[Cardiff]] with just two days notice.<ref name="Radio Times"/> He is the son of [[Patrick Troughton]], who portrayed the [[Second Doctor]]. David has had a long association with the series since the 1960s, appearing as an uncredited extra in ''[[The Enemy of the World]]'', and as a guest character in ''[[The War Games]]'', and in ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]''. He has also appeared in some ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas.{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}}

The main guest star for the episode was [[Lesley Sharp]] as Sky Silvestry, who had worked with Davies twice before. Davies himself suggested her for the role, stating "I actually wrote it thinking of her." Sharp herself was keen for the role, saying she "admired the way the new ''Doctor Who'' had gone", calling it "wonderfully written and executed."{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}} [[Daniel Ryan (actor)|Daniel Ryan]], who had also worked with Davies before, had announced in a 2006 interview that he was going to ask [[Russell T Davies]] for a role in ''Doctor Who'', as he wanted his children to see him acting on television in a programme that was not inaccessible.<ref>{{Cite news|author= Green, Kris|date= 23 October 2006|url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a38080/daniel-ryan/|title= Daniel Ryan|website= [[Digital Spy]]|access-date= 12 December 2022|archive-date= 12 December 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221212075204/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a38080/daniel-ryan/|url-status= live}}</ref> It was the second TV role for [[Colin Morgan]], who stated he had much to "learn from David Tennant."{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}}

===Filming===
Filming for the episode took two weeks, from 27 November to 11 December 2007. The majority of the filming took place in Studio 6 at [[Upper Boat Studios]], with the exception of the opening and closing scenes. These scenes were shot on the last day, as they included Tate, who was busy on the set of the Doctor-lite episode "Turn Left". The scenes were filmed in a spa resort in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]].{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=109}} Murray Gold completed the score for the episode in April, with re-dubbing of a few scenes and post-production also finishing that month.{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=114}}

During filming, Scene 9 was broken into several sub-scenes, with each focusing on part of the growing paranoia. The production team noted that due to the scene's real-time nature, it was almost possible to film the entire scene in one go.{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=110}} For the overlapping dialogue scenes, Alice Troughton had the cast performing the shot several times. The scene was first shot normally, and then several times with all but one character miming. This ensured that each line could be recorded for the final sound mix.{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=112}}

==Broadcast and reception==
The episode was first broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 14 June 2008, and ran against ITV1's coverage of [[Euro 2008]]. The episode was also shown on the [[Gloucester Guildhall]]'s cinema screen, due to an arrangement made by the BBC, similar to the one for the [[Doctor Who series 3|previous]] series' "[[Blink (Doctor Who)|Blink]]". A corresponding [[Doctor Who Confidential]] episode was broadcast afterwards on [[BBC Three]].{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=115}}

===Ratings===
"Midnight" was watched by 8.05 million viewers, a 38% share of the total television audience, making it the fifth most-watched programme of the week, and the top rated show of the day. This made it one of the highest-rated episode in the show's history. The episode received an [[Appreciation Index]] score of 86 (considered Excellent).<ref name="barb.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/?_s=4 |title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes |website=[[Barb Audiences]] |access-date=19 August 2024}} (No permanent link available. Search for relevant dates.)</ref>{{sfn|Pixley|2008|p=115}}

===Reception===
Many reviewers found the episode to have a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, finding that it made for a great horror episode.<ref name="TGR" /><ref name="TRR" /><ref name="GRR" /> The performances of Lesley Sharp and David Tennant were praised,<ref name=GRR /><ref name="DSR" /><ref name="AVR" /> along with the contrast in the characteristics of the passengers.<ref name="AVR" /><ref name="IGNR" /> The creepiness of the unseen creature was also praised by reviewers.<ref name="TGR" /><ref name="GRR" /><ref name="DSR" /><ref name="IGNR" />

''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Sam Wollaston found the episode great, stating that "it gnaws away at you." He also praised the fact that the episode is "psychological drama rather than full-blown horror; creepy-unknown scary, not special-effect-monster scary."<ref name="TGR">{{Cite web|author=Wollaston, Sam| title=Doctor Who was absolutely terrifying - and we didn't even get to see the monster| website=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/16/television |date=16 June 2008|access-date=16 June 2008}}</ref> Patrick Mulkern of ''[[Radio Times]]'' praised the episode, stating that "psychological thrills abound", and characterising it as "containing psychodrama", which tested the talents of Tennant and Sharp. He also said the technical challenge of speaking simultaneously was well met by Sharp and Tennant.<ref name="RTR">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/midnight/|access-date=10 November 2024|date=15 October 2013|last=Mulkern|first=Patrick|title=Midnight ★★★★|website=[[Radio Times]]|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914221837/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/midnight/|url-status=live}}</ref> William Gallagher, in a blog for ''Radio Times'' was generally positive about the episode, but said that though he doesn't understand what is missing, he would have "liked just a beat more, just a tiny further step before the resolution". However, he did find the contrast with the typical ''Doctor Who'' episode startling.<ref>{{cite web|first=William |last=Gallagher |title=Doctor Who: Midnight |work=[[Radio Times]]| url=http://radiotimes.com/blogs/338-doctor-who-midnight |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=13 June 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 November 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120165541/http://www.radiotimes.com/blogs/338-doctor-who-midnight/}}</ref>

''[[IGN]]'''s Travis Fickett rated the episode 8.6 out of 10, commenting that it was "a nice change of pace" from the more complex and emotional two-parter that preceded it.<ref name="IGNR">{{cite web|first=Travis|last=Fickett|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/07/doctor-who-midnight-review|title=Doctor Who: "Midnight" Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=7 July 2008|access-date=12 December 2022|archive-date=12 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212075221/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/07/doctor-who-midnight-review|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]''{{'}}s Andrew Billen noted that Davies had chosen to forgo special effects and chases in favour of dialogue, but that it "felt too much of a writing exercise to be really scary" and was an example of how the 2008 series "fails as often as it succeeds".<ref name="TRR">{{Cite web|author=Billen, Andrew|title=How the West was Lost; Doctor Who|work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-the-west-was-lost-doctor-who-rmx99kjqt7x|date=16 June 2008 |access-date=12 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616015411/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4132908.ece|archive-date=16 June 2011}}</ref> Keith Phipps of ''[[A.V. Club]]'', gave it an 'A' and called the episode the best of the season. He found the story to be tragic, placing the Doctor in a situation where "he does everything right" but still finds himself "overwhelmed by forces he can't control".<ref name="AVR">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-midnight-1798204661|access-date=10 November 2024|date=12 July 2018|last=Phipps|first=Keith|title=Doctor Who: "Midnight"|website=[[A.V. Club]]|archive-date=3 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603234240/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-midnight-1798204661|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, ''IGN'''s listed "Midnight" as the second-best Tennant episode of the show, calling it "a taught, genuinely unsettling journey into the human condition", the show at "its very bleakest and best."<ref>{{cite web| first=Matt| last=Wales| title=Top 10 Tennant Doctor Who Stories| website=[[IGN]]| url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/05/top-10-tennant-doctor-who-stories| date=5 January 2010| access-date=12 December 2022| archive-date=12 December 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212075204/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/05/top-10-tennant-doctor-who-stories| url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[Digital Spy]]'' listed the episode as the fifth-best. It was emphasised that the episode was in contrast to his era's "supposed staples": dark and terrifying, instead of camp and boisterous.<ref name="DSR">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a524638/doctor-who-top-10-best-stories-5-midnight/|access-date=10 November 2024|date=21 October 2013|last=Morgan|first=Jeffery|title=Doctor Who' top 10 best stories: 5 - 'Midnight'|website=[[Digital Spy]]|archive-date=15 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915231902/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a524638/doctor-who-top-10-best-stories-5-midnight/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' listed the episode as the second best Davies-written story, characterising it as "a bottle episode that could be taught in film school" and "the stuff of Doctor Who legend". The episode was said to have importance, showing that "without a human companion at his side, strangers don't tend to trust the Doctor".<ref name="GRR">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-best-russell-t-davies-episodes/|access-date=10 November 2024|date=11 October 2021|last=Mercante|first=Alyssa|title=The 10 best Doctor Who episodes written by Russell T. Davies|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|archive-date=24 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824171322/https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-best-russell-t-davies-episodes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The episode has been adapted three times for the stage: by students from Salford University's BA Performing Arts and Media Performance courses in March 2011, at the Lass O'Gowrie pub theatre in Manchester in January 2012, and by Sporadic Productions as part of the Adelaide Fringe in 2016.<ref>{{cite book |first=Philip |last=Purser-Hallard |author-link=Philip Purser-Hallard |title=[[The Black Archive]] #69: Midnight |publisher=Obverse Books |year=2024 |pages=115, 119, 123}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite magazine |title=Series Four Companion |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |date=19 November 2008 |issue=20 – Special Edition}}
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote|Tenth Doctor}}
{{Wikiquote|Tenth Doctor}}
{{TardisIndexFile|Midnight (TV story)}}
{{TardisIndexFile|Midnight (TV story)}}
*{{BBCDWnew | year=2008 | id=S4_10 | title=Midnight }}
*{{BBCDWnew | year=2008 | id=S4_10 | title=Midnight }}
*{{IMDB episode|1208128|Midnight}}
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*{{Brief|id=2008j|title=Midnight|quotes=y}}
*{{Doctor Who RG|id=who_tv40|title=Midnight|quotes=y}}
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===Reviews===
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*{{DWRG| id=??? | title=Midnight | quotes=y}}
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[[Category:Tenth Doctor episodes|Midnight]]
[[Category:Tenth Doctor episodes]]
[[Category:2008 television episodes]]
[[Category:2008 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Bottle television episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Russell T Davies]]
[[Category:Television episodes about spirit possession]]
[[Category:Fiction about body swapping]]
[[Category:Psychological horror]]

Latest revision as of 11:12, 13 November 2024

196 – "Midnight"
Doctor Who episode
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byAlice Troughton
Written byRussell T Davies
Script editorHelen Raynor
Produced byPhil Collinson
Executive producer(s)Russell T Davies
Julie Gardner
Music byMurray Gold
Production code4.8
SeriesSeries 4
Running time45 minutes
First broadcast14 June 2008 (2008-06-14)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"Forest of the Dead" 		Followed by →
"Turn Left"
List of episodes (2005–present)

"Midnight" is the tenth episode of the fourth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 14 June 2008. The episode placed emphasis on the Tenth Doctor, with his companion, Donna Noble playing a minimal role. As a result, this episode has been described as being "companion-lite",[1] in contrast to the usual "Doctor-lite" episodes.

The episode is largely set on board a small touring vehicle that stops in the middle of a tour on the hostile surface of the planet Midnight and has its cockpit destroyed with its driver and mechanic still inside by an unseen entity. The entity is depicted only through sound effects and by its possession of one of the vehicle's passengers, Sky Silvestry, who repeats the words of the other passengers on board.

"Midnight" was watched by 8.05 million viewers. It received positive reviews from critics, who particularly liked the psychological horror of the unseen creature, as well as the tense claustrophobic atmosphere of the episode. The performances of Sharp and Tennant were widely praised.

Plot

[edit]

The Tenth Doctor and Donna visit the resort planet Midnight, which is bathed in lethal radiation from its star. The Doctor takes a shuttle tour to visit a waterfall made of sapphires. He goes alone, unable to convince Donna to leave the comfort of the local spa. Mid-route, the shuttle unexpectedly stops; the Doctor joins Driver Joe and Mechanic Claude in the cockpit, with all systems appearing operational, but the shuttle still not moving. The Doctor asks Joe to open the cockpit radiation shielding to see what may be causing the problem, and before they are closed again, Claude claims to have seen something moving outside. Joe calls in for a rescue shuttle.

The Doctor returns to the cabin, and everyone hears knocking on the sides of the shuttle. The knocking seems to follow their movements, but soon only comes from the side of the shuttle where one passenger, Sky, is cowering. The shuttle rocks violently, and the hostess finds that the cockpit has been ripped from the shuttle. The Doctor and other passengers see Sky behaving oddly, repeating what they are saying; frightened, the passengers think she has become possessed by whatever was outside. Sky begins talking simultaneously with the passengers, increasing the paranoia among the group. They begin to debate throwing Sky out onto the surface of the planet, and after the Doctor objects, they threaten to throw him out as well. Sky then begins only repeating what the Doctor says.

As the Doctor tries to reason with Sky, he suddenly appears unable to move. Sky starts saying things before the Doctor repeats them, making the other passengers believe the entity has moved on to possess the Doctor. Unable to communicate with the Doctor, the passengers soon become paranoid. Sky attempts to convince the passengers that she is back to normal, and that they must throw the Doctor off the shuttle.

While most of the other passengers start to pull the Doctor towards the shuttle door, the hostess, hearing Sky use some of the Doctor's unusual phrases, realises Sky is still possessed. The hostess pulls herself and Sky out of the cabin and into the radiation. The Doctor is freed and the shuttle passengers are rescued and returned to the resort. The Doctor intends to have the resort removed from the planet, still feeling haunted.

Production

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Writing

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"Midnight" was filmed at the same time as "Turn Left"; Donna has a minor role in the episode (appearing in only the pre-credits sequence and the final scene), while the Doctor has a minor role in "Turn Left".[2][3][4] For this reason Stephen James Walker has described this episode in his book Monsters Within as being "companion-lite".[1] Russell T Davies has stated that "Midnight" was inspired by the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Darmok".[5]

Davies wrote the story to replace a previously planned story (replaced due to similarity with a just-filmed script) by Tom Macrae. He said the episode was his response to "Voyage of the Damned", which "had demonstrated the best in human nature." He decided to focus on the dark side of humanity, and "the way people turn on each other."[3] He later stated that he "fancied a little run of dark episodes" to match the feel of Moffat's library two-parter, getting an idea that was "like an itch" and "wouldn't go away".[6] Davies realised that an act of imitation "could be mocking, irritating and unnerving", stating "when somebody keeps doing it, it drives you mad."[3] He wrote the threat to the Doctor to have two aspects: the possession and the human paranoia. Davies said "It's very rare to see the Doctor out of control, but he cannot control people."[7]

The script of the episode ran for sixty pages, with the bulk of it consisting of just one scene — Scene 9, which ran for forty-four pages. The scene featured the conversation and rising paranoia of the passengers on the shuttle.[7]

Casting

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David Troughton was a late replacement for Sam Kelly as Professor Hobbes, who broke his leg and had to withdraw from the production.[8] He joined the rest of the cast in Cardiff with just two days notice.[8] He is the son of Patrick Troughton, who portrayed the Second Doctor. David has had a long association with the series since the 1960s, appearing as an uncredited extra in The Enemy of the World, and as a guest character in The War Games, and in The Curse of Peladon. He has also appeared in some Doctor Who audio dramas.[7]

The main guest star for the episode was Lesley Sharp as Sky Silvestry, who had worked with Davies twice before. Davies himself suggested her for the role, stating "I actually wrote it thinking of her." Sharp herself was keen for the role, saying she "admired the way the new Doctor Who had gone", calling it "wonderfully written and executed."[7] Daniel Ryan, who had also worked with Davies before, had announced in a 2006 interview that he was going to ask Russell T Davies for a role in Doctor Who, as he wanted his children to see him acting on television in a programme that was not inaccessible.[9] It was the second TV role for Colin Morgan, who stated he had much to "learn from David Tennant."[7]

Filming

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Filming for the episode took two weeks, from 27 November to 11 December 2007. The majority of the filming took place in Studio 6 at Upper Boat Studios, with the exception of the opening and closing scenes. These scenes were shot on the last day, as they included Tate, who was busy on the set of the Doctor-lite episode "Turn Left". The scenes were filmed in a spa resort in Newport.[3] Murray Gold completed the score for the episode in April, with re-dubbing of a few scenes and post-production also finishing that month.[10]

During filming, Scene 9 was broken into several sub-scenes, with each focusing on part of the growing paranoia. The production team noted that due to the scene's real-time nature, it was almost possible to film the entire scene in one go.[7] For the overlapping dialogue scenes, Alice Troughton had the cast performing the shot several times. The scene was first shot normally, and then several times with all but one character miming. This ensured that each line could be recorded for the final sound mix.[11]

Broadcast and reception

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The episode was first broadcast on BBC One on 14 June 2008, and ran against ITV1's coverage of Euro 2008. The episode was also shown on the Gloucester Guildhall's cinema screen, due to an arrangement made by the BBC, similar to the one for the previous series' "Blink". A corresponding Doctor Who Confidential episode was broadcast afterwards on BBC Three.[6]

Ratings

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"Midnight" was watched by 8.05 million viewers, a 38% share of the total television audience, making it the fifth most-watched programme of the week, and the top rated show of the day. This made it one of the highest-rated episode in the show's history. The episode received an Appreciation Index score of 86 (considered Excellent).[12][6]

Reception

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Many reviewers found the episode to have a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, finding that it made for a great horror episode.[13][14][15] The performances of Lesley Sharp and David Tennant were praised,[15][16][17] along with the contrast in the characteristics of the passengers.[17][18] The creepiness of the unseen creature was also praised by reviewers.[13][15][16][18]

The Guardian's Sam Wollaston found the episode great, stating that "it gnaws away at you." He also praised the fact that the episode is "psychological drama rather than full-blown horror; creepy-unknown scary, not special-effect-monster scary."[13] Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times praised the episode, stating that "psychological thrills abound", and characterising it as "containing psychodrama", which tested the talents of Tennant and Sharp. He also said the technical challenge of speaking simultaneously was well met by Sharp and Tennant.[19] William Gallagher, in a blog for Radio Times was generally positive about the episode, but said that though he doesn't understand what is missing, he would have "liked just a beat more, just a tiny further step before the resolution". However, he did find the contrast with the typical Doctor Who episode startling.[20]

IGN's Travis Fickett rated the episode 8.6 out of 10, commenting that it was "a nice change of pace" from the more complex and emotional two-parter that preceded it.[18] The Times's Andrew Billen noted that Davies had chosen to forgo special effects and chases in favour of dialogue, but that it "felt too much of a writing exercise to be really scary" and was an example of how the 2008 series "fails as often as it succeeds".[14] Keith Phipps of A.V. Club, gave it an 'A' and called the episode the best of the season. He found the story to be tragic, placing the Doctor in a situation where "he does everything right" but still finds himself "overwhelmed by forces he can't control".[17]

In 2010, IGN's listed "Midnight" as the second-best Tennant episode of the show, calling it "a taught, genuinely unsettling journey into the human condition", the show at "its very bleakest and best."[21] In 2013, Digital Spy listed the episode as the fifth-best. It was emphasised that the episode was in contrast to his era's "supposed staples": dark and terrifying, instead of camp and boisterous.[16] In 2021, GamesRadar+ listed the episode as the second best Davies-written story, characterising it as "a bottle episode that could be taught in film school" and "the stuff of Doctor Who legend". The episode was said to have importance, showing that "without a human companion at his side, strangers don't tend to trust the Doctor".[15]

Legacy

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The episode has been adapted three times for the stage: by students from Salford University's BA Performing Arts and Media Performance courses in March 2011, at the Lass O'Gowrie pub theatre in Manchester in January 2012, and by Sporadic Productions as part of the Adelaide Fringe in 2016.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b Walker, Stephen James (17 December 2008). "Chapter 4.11 – Turn Left". Monsters Within: the Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who 2008. Tolworth, London, England: Telos Publishing. pp. 182–194. ISBN 978-1-84583-027-4.
  2. ^ "Doctor Who Magazine". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 396. 29 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d Pixley 2008, p. 109.
  4. ^ "The Stars are Coming Out". Radio Times. No. 5–11 April 2008. BBC. April 2008. pp. 14–24.
  5. ^ SFX (200): 140. October 2010.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  6. ^ a b c Pixley 2008, p. 115.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Pixley 2008, p. 110.
  8. ^ a b "David Troughton guest-stars". Radio Times. June 2008. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  9. ^ Green, Kris (23 October 2006). "Daniel Ryan". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  10. ^ Pixley 2008, p. 114.
  11. ^ Pixley 2008, p. 112.
  12. ^ "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Barb Audiences. Retrieved 19 August 2024. (No permanent link available. Search for relevant dates.)
  13. ^ a b c Wollaston, Sam (16 June 2008). "Doctor Who was absolutely terrifying - and we didn't even get to see the monster". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  14. ^ a b Billen, Andrew (16 June 2008). "How the West was Lost; Doctor Who". The Times. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d Mercante, Alyssa (11 October 2021). "The 10 best Doctor Who episodes written by Russell T. Davies". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b c Morgan, Jeffery (21 October 2013). "Doctor Who' top 10 best stories: 5 - 'Midnight'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Phipps, Keith (12 July 2018). "Doctor Who: "Midnight"". A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Fickett, Travis (7 July 2008). "Doctor Who: "Midnight" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  19. ^ Mulkern, Patrick (15 October 2013). "Midnight ★★★★". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  20. ^ Gallagher, William (14 June 2010). "Doctor Who: Midnight". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  21. ^ Wales, Matt (5 January 2010). "Top 10 Tennant Doctor Who Stories". IGN. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  22. ^ Purser-Hallard, Philip (2024). The Black Archive #69: Midnight. Obverse Books. pp. 115, 119, 123.

Bibliography

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  • Pixley, Andrew (19 November 2008). "Series Four Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 20 – Special Edition.
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