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Episode recap: "Forest of the Dead"
“Every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call... everybody lives.”
—River Song
As promised, here is the abbreviated blog for this episode. For this week only I'll vary for my normal posting format.
OK, right off the bat, wow! Another episode that makes up for some of those earlier misses this season. Although it seemed like the majority of the episode was set up to get us to that wonderful red herring of an ending (the Doctor leaving the diary & screwdriver behind with River lamenting via voiceover), oh WHAT AN ENDING (voiced like David Tennant's outbursts)! So many ideas, themes and philosophical concepts have been packed into this episode (with ideas carried over from part one), that I literally have no idea where to begin. Hmmm. OK, we might as well hit the main one that stood out to me then expand from there.
Existentialism
As the young girl watches her television in the beginning, she mentions to her father that The Library is an actual channel on the TV. He chides her because he has told her multiple times that The Library is only in her mind. She flips through the various channels (all Library related with the appropriate frantic music in the background —nice touch) until she comes across Donna being removed from the back of an ambulance. Dr. Moon, the same therapist that is caring for the girl in her 'world,' visits Donna in her room. Donna has no idea who he is until he reminds her. They proceed to go for a walk outside and Donna is taken aback because she doesn't realize how they ended up out there (the audience is made to initially think is a normal editorial cut rather than the way Donna experiences it). These jumps become commonplace as Donna life continues on. After seven years, a marriage with children, Donna begins to question her own reality when, for an instant, an image of the Doctor accidentally breaking through. Later, we see the girl flipping the stations from The Library/Doctor to the Donna channel. Even later, Donna encounters Miss Evangelista, she she knew (briefly) in the 'real' world who tells her that her existence is only virtual.
I could continue but then that would be a boring recap of Donna's time in the Library's hard drive and I think ya'll get the point. If ya'll don't, then let's continue...
I enjoy the very concept of 'reality,' the sometimes absurdity of it as well as one's personal perception of reality. For example, my reality is completely different from every other person I meet. How I perceive others probably differs from how they perceive themselves and vise versa. So my reality is my own, individual from others. I create impressions of others in my mind after interacting (directly or indirectly) with them in any number of ways (I meet them personally, I read about them, etc etc). Until I have those impressions... until they are on my radar, even for the briefest of time, they do not exist to me. They are not 'real.' Basically, it's the ol' 'tree falls in a forest' question. To put it another way, consider yourself... your head... like a vast open field of vision. Better put, think of yerself as not having a head at all. Your perception of the world around you is done via your senses (eyes, smell, touch, etc). You create things within that perception to become a reality (people walking by, a newspaper on the table, etc). Those same things could interact with you causing you to change your perception and so on. As Marvin the Paranoid Android would say, “Here I am, brain the size of a planet...” I am, I exist, the world is me... or something like that.
Whew, now with that out of the way (ha), lemme explain how I feel this concept fits into this episode.
This episode of Doctor Who goes to extreme measures to have the audience think for themselves, to have them question the reality of each of the characters' situations and to decide for themselves, which reality is actually 'real.' To break it down via some of the characters:
Vashta Nerada: the books are their forest and the people there are the intruders. Besides being in their nature, they see nothing wrong with killing other lifeforms that enter The Library.
Donna: after she is 'saved' and after some gentle guiding by Dr. Moon, she experience what she desires the most. She ends up with a husband (who barely talks back) and children that she loves dearly. This world is hers. When Miss Evangelista shares the 'truth' with her, Donna's universe is shattered, literally. Does Donna really want to go back to her old life when her life inside the hard drive seems so much better? It's an almost Matrix-like experience for her.
Dr. Moon: he is literally a world in himself since he IS the moon. He stabilizes the environment within the hard drive to match his programming (or world view).
Miss Evangelista: very interesting, this one. In the 'real' world, she is considered beautiful but ditzy. According to her, there was some corruption when she was transferred to the hard drive and now has a disfigured face, but is highly intelligent. Maybe this was not an error but rather, what she always desired.
CAL: I will say that CAL is the basic existential archetype: her world is her house and she literally experiences others via changing the channel. So Donna's, the Doctor's and everyone else involved reality, is controlled by this young girl. The Doctor/Donna are watchers —they travel through time to experience other time periods -they watch. But (to quote a ST:TNG episode title), who watches the watchers?
Doctor/River: Sorry, I won't even begin to tackle these two. Mainly because this is supposed to be an abbreviated blog and if I did, I would be here for many days writing about them (and this blog would never be posted). Help a fella out and please post your views about these characters in the comments section.
One other point I'd like to make concerning this idea is that it's not just the characters in the episode that are affected. We, as the audience, experience the episodes differently. I'm sure I'll be called to task on my views above (or for not posting about the Doctor/River) and I know that one does not need all that info above to enjoy this episode. That's the beauty of this episode: it works on many different levels and no matter what one believes, no matter how one experiences it, the end result is completely unique to that viewer. Much like CAL settles on various channels that please her, we can effectively change the channel on her.
Within the final minutes of the episode, the Doctor/Donna stand within the TARDIS, the interior of which is bigger on the inside than out. They stand there, staring out the entrance, staring into the camera (at us), the Doctor snaps his fingers and the doors to the ship close. The door, this reality of an episode, will soon be over for us. Cut to: River, in the computer, closing her TARDIS shaped diary, like the doors that the Doctor just closed. She kisses her children as they fall asleep in their beds (possibly after reading to them from her diary of her experiences). She leaves their room, but before she does, she gazes at them, then directly into the camera... at the audience...at us... smiles and says “sweet dreams, everyone” then she turns out the lights. The existence is over...
Thus ends my rantings on this theme. Since I went on a bit too long with a boring perception of mine (heh) and since I am running out of time (If I only had more time! Wait a minute! I got all the time I want! I got a time machine!), I'll post some poorly unedited notes (more unedited than my normal blogs —tee hee) that I took during my viewing of the episode. These were points I did wish to make or cover just didn't have time. Maybe these will be of interest (or not, heh). Enjoy my reality... err I mean my notes!
When River essentially blasts open a hole in the wall to escape, did anyone else think to themselves: “Into the garbage chute, flyboy”?
In regards to River's sonic screwdriver and the Doctor's questioning, River states: “I didn't pluck it from your cold dead hands if that's what you are worried about.” Hmmmm...
I complained before and will do so again (it's what I do in my reality matrix): but come on Doctor! You've had to encountered someone from your future in your present before! Wake up! Well, I guess he finally did after River whispers his 'real' name into his ear (reality? Existence?). Humorous how he is able to completely push that to the side immediately afterwards and starts his rant about the sonic screwdriver.
Before River whispers into Doctor's ear she says, “And I am sorry. I'm really very sorry,” which is a slightly re-worded version of the revival series Doctor's tag line.
First shot of Donna in the hospital, is of a reflection of her in her PJ's, sitting on a bed. Perception? When Donna and her husband read over the mysterious note, the camera is set looking through the window in their house, with a reflection of the robed figure walking past outside. Reminds me of Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (besides robed figure, was also about watching/watchers/audience).
Looking up through the opening in the ceiling/roof and Moon (Dr Moon) and sky —perception/existence.
Trees still used for paper production in the 51st century?
Enjoyed the twist at the end... setting the audience up to think that was over by leaving the diary and sonic screwdriver there, but like in the episodes “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances,” nobody dies... although, is a digital existence inside a computer's hard drive what the people who were eaten by the creatures the existence that they longed for?
Who is real and who is not? Or rather, what is real or not? Donna's children question their own existence, even though they are computer generated. How terrifying it must had been for her and for them. Reminds me of those ST:TNG episodes with the holodeck characters becoming sentient.
For a slightly different take on this from CAL (young girl's) POV (especially when she freaks at Miss Evangelista sharing the truth with Donna):
Urashima Taro
Miss Evangelista's name? Any reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion?
Wait... someone had a chicken leg on his person, in his environmental suit's pocket? Wrapped in tin foil? Besides wondering why in 51st century, people are still using tin foil to wrap their food, let alone a chicken leg (they did have them in the previous episode as well), isn't this kind of absurd? Hmmm. See the link above about Existentialism.
Funny quote:
Donna: “This isn't the real me? This isn't my real body? But I've been dieting!”
Crazy notes, huh? Please feel free to expand upon, shoot down and/or offer new insights into this episode via your comments! I'd really like to read your views and opinions on this episode. One thing I forgot to mention above, is that if DW wasn't using a season long story arc, this episode, especially this ending, would be the perfect season finale for this season. OK, until next time, take care!
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Jul 4, 2008 2:10 AM
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Hey all!
Again, my apologies for the delay in posting this blog. Please feel free to expand upon or tear down anything and everything I posted above. Also, two things I wanna quickly point out:
1 – As been said countless of times before, I am well aware of the various grammatical issues in my blogs. Although I do go over everything, please note the time that I post these things as well as the amount of time it takes me to write them (hours) and know I do miss a great many things as a result. I freely admit that I “ain't being no writer” and like I said, I do briefly go over it all, but understand that I am just a volunteer (the majority of the bloggers are). There are copy editors that are supposed to go over these things and edit them accordingly. IMO, although I do care about what I write and how it's presented, the copy editors are paid to edit. I'll take full responsibility for factual errors within the blog... but not for grammar/editing. The editors need to edit (then again, maybe I scare them off because my pieces are way longer than what they want for the website -heheh).
Just wanted to clarify.
2 - I didn't want to link to Wikipedia but b/c of time constraints so take what you read there with a grain of salt. Don't get me wrong, its a great research site/tool, but since it can be edited by anyone, it shouldn't be used as the final word for anything.
3 – In regards to my Neon Genesis Evangelion reference above, here is something I wanted to include in the blog, but felt that it was inappropriate b/c it wasn't completely about DW. I had already going off on a tangent in regards to the philosophy within the episode, so I didn't want to bog it down anymore... plus, I was tired and need mucho sleep.  Although it may not be anything, I do find it odd that her name is Evangelista and she enters Donna's virtual reality in order to share with her ideas of Donna's existence there... especially after viewing the weird final two televised episodes of this anime series. Feel free to shoot down this theory too (if you are fans a Evangelion).
SPOILERS: Neon Genesis Evangelion
This episode reminds me of the final two episodes of the Japanese animated television series (and to an extent, the final motion picture/s), Neon Genesis Evangelion. The last paragraph in this spoiler section will contain the actual spoiler (for those that might wish to watch this series).
Although I would not recommend this to anyone who has not watched anime before, this series is a favorite of mine and broke many conceptions of what anime is (or could be). It was broadcast on Japanese television in the mid-90's and made it's way over here years later on various home video releases. For the unprepared, it's extremely bloody and violent as well as one or two (off screen) depictions of sex (I do believe that Japanese television clamped down on anime series after this one completed it's run). Much like part one of this two part Doctor Who episode arc, the series begins one way (typical giant robot saves the world storyline) and by the time the last episode aired being something of an enigma. I will not get into any further detail about it save to say that fans of this Doctor Who episode might... might like this series for it's deep and sometimes very ambiguous themes -just remember my warnings above (note: if you do watch the series, I recommend the original Japanese language w/subs track as the English dub makes my ears bleed - ew)
http://www.advfilms.com/titles/evangelion/
This series ran for 26 episodes, with the final two episodes being a very weird look into certain characters mind's and points of view. We are shown alternate realities of what could be as well as examination of the existence (for the main character). I am not a fan of these last two episodes; however, I do like the idea that the producers decided to end the series in such a weird way. It does sort of make sense, but then again it does not (if my terrible memory serves, the creator of the show was going through a difficult time in his life and the show was one way of dealing with his personal issues). What is real? What is not? Is my perception of what is 'real' the correct reality? (On a side note: the outcry was so great about the final two episodes that the studio released a theatrical motion picture that replaced the final episodes of the TV series. At one point in the movie, we see a live action shot of a theater audience looking ahead at the screen/camera. We watch television and movies to escape reality for a short time but what makes our own reality any less absurd than what's going on on-screen?).
END SPOILERS
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Jul 4, 2008 2:15 AM
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Just a couple of quick comments since it's been a week and my thoughts on the episode have somewhat drained away.
I think that River apologized to the Doctor before whispering his name in his ear because it is a spoiler, and he HATES spoilers. Remember that he said that there's only one reason why she'd know his name? Well, her knowing his name tells him that he (marries her, fathers her, etc...) sometime in the future. I'm going to go with marries her. He didn't want to read the diary because it was full of spoilers, (as she mentioned that to him more than once.) River seemed to feel that she had no choice but to clue him in to the fact that he could fully trust her, and whispering his name to him was the ONLY way that she believed that she could do it.
I've never heard of Neon Genesis Evangelion, so I hadn't made any connection. After reading the synopsis, it could very well be where they got the name for Miss Evangelista. I had thought it was a shot at the former super model, Linda Evangelista, with them saying that she's pretty but dumb.
I would like to add that Erin, who did the BSG blog, went on vacation without telling the bloggers once and if her blog wasn't posted the next day, regardless if she was on vacation or not, many of the bloggers just absolutely railed on her. They called her lazy and that tv guide should replace her and on and on. I was one of those who defended her. I sure hope that the people who attacked Erin don't read this blog and they don't attack Robert. They do this voluntarily, they aren't paid for it. Just be glad that he's blogging on Dr Who at all.
Thanks for the recap, Robert. Like others have written late in last week's blog, since Dr Who isn't back for another week, this week's blog may fill that void for some.
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Jul 4, 2008 7:18 AM
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I don't mind the "shortened" recap. I think you covered enough in plot terms to deal with the subtext of the story-that's really more relevant.
I don't mind too much the late entry since there's no episode on tonight.
As you say this in a rich story dealing with the theme of perception and reality. The ending was a wonderful surprise
The situation with Donna was rather sad. It reminds me of that Star Trek:TNG episode, Inner Light, where Picard basically experienced the same incident and it had the same effect. How terrible for Donna to have everything she wanted out of life (pre-Doctor) and be happy. And then it gets yanked away from her. I am unsure how I felt about the reveal that her husband was real and not a fantasy.
This was the best story of the season. Not necessarily the most entertaining, but there was so much to ponder and digest. Even with the happy ending, there's a bittersweet quality to it. Yes those two will continue to adventure and enjoy life (at least until the usual heroing season end episodes) but you know there's still the somber feeling. Akin to being told at some point you will suffer a terrible horrible illness when it comes time for you to die, but not being told when that day will happen. You have to deal with it and not dwell, but you you still know it could be around the corner at any moment.
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Jul 4, 2008 10:46 AM
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HELP! Robert, as always I loveyour blogs but this was the one time when I needed a real recap. I had a family emergency, missed the ep and didn't record it. Does anyone know where I can find the episode? Thank you!
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Jul 4, 2008 10:48 AM
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Am I the only one who caught Donna's "husband" at the end seeing her leave with the Doctor and trying to call out to her but can't because of his studder?
Maybe Donna will get her Computer life in the future.
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Jul 4, 2008 11:33 AM
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thanks for another great blog, Robert. I love your observations on things like camera angles and themes. The other bloggers here should take notes - I wish you'd do the one for Battlestar Galactica as well! You obviously appreciate good scifi, with a STNG, Hitchhiker's Guide and Neon Evangelion reference all in one blog. Though your 'who watches the watchers' is a version of Alan Moore's 'who watches the Watchmen' from the classic Watchmen comic. Which is also a takeoff on something else, can't remember.
I posted last week how much I wept at this episode. So freakin' brilliant. Loved it.
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Jul 4, 2008 12:19 PM
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Hey, who turned out the lights?
Wow, can Catherine Tate act! I loved Rose and Martha, but could not imagine Billie or Freema doing this episode. Initially I thought Catherine was going to be comic relief, but she has shown some amazing depth.
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Jul 4, 2008 1:02 PM
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Regarding River: I, too, think she was his wife; all of the other possibilities mentioned just seem to have too many holes in them.
What I think is more important is that the circle is now complete - River would never have called the Doctor to the Library if they didn't have this established relationship, and now the Doctor is going to seek her out, which he wouldn't have done if he hadn't met her in the Library.
To me, this makes perfect time-travel sense. My husband says I'm wrong, and the Doctor was going to do this anyway because it was already in his future. Any opinions?
Also, to the person who questioned the Doctor dealing with someone he hadn't met yet: In "Blink", he met someone who already knew him, at the end of the episode when she gave him all of her notes about what had/would happen. He had no problem with it whatsoever. I think River drove him nuts because she was so obviously someone far closer to him (even before she whispered his name), than he would normally allow. Who was this person, and how did she manage to get so far under his skin?? Her diary obviously had years, if not decades, of notes. He had every reason to be wary.
Enough for now.
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Jul 4, 2008 1:17 PM
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I'll say it every week: every name means something serving as a clue! (In some cases, just references...) 
Even though Mr. Ivins thinks it's too obvious to be a reference to Linda Evangelista, I do think "Miss Evangelista" is a reference to Linda Evangelista. In our world, "she's pretty but dumb." A few years back, she made that horrific comment, "It was God who made me so beautiful. If I weren't, then I'd be a teacher."
As for "River Song," I think her name refers to something that never dies (or two things that never die) and will live on forever within the hard drive of CAL ("The Girl"). (I cannot remember what her 'real' name was...) Dr. Moon...all about the names!
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Jul 4, 2008 3:27 PM
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Uh, as for the Watchers reference, I think some guy from Italy beat everyone to it...by about 2000 years, give or take.
allie08, as I was in a generous mood at the tail end of the "Silence" blog, I'll continue the good cheer. Check My Messages in the Message Board on how to see the ep you missed. And by "My Messages", I mean YOUR messages. Or am I simply overstating the obvious?
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Jul 4, 2008 5:06 PM
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AStef - THANK YOU! I found the episode and watched it and am so glad I did. No recap, not even one written as brillantly as Robert's, could do this episode justice.
Random thoughts: could River Swan be a Time Lord of sorts herself or a woman from his planet? The obvious answer certainly seems to be that they have some sort of commitment to each other in the future - marriage might be too "simplistic" for a Time Lord. But if she had some sort of planetary connection to him perhaps that is why he was "able" to tell her his real name? He has had other family before - (at least according to wikipedia) although not a true partner. Maybe he can only get married once and to that person he can tell his name...or maybe the person that knows his name is also responsible for his death. I'm rambling so I will stop.
One coherent thought - I loved Donna's virtual life and it was heartbreaking to see Lee try and stutter her name in the end. I hope Donna ends her time as a companion by finding Lee again and being with him.
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Jul 4, 2008 6:05 PM
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Where to begin . . . I haven't read through everyone's posts yet (as I usually do), but I just want to ramble about the episode.
First, thanks for our blog this week. Hope the vacation was fun and relaxing. Now, on to DW . . .
I laughed about the chicken and foil too, just as I wondered why the heck that 51st century library wasn't digitalized. Of course, if it were, we wouldn't have the bad guys. (oh, the headache)
I also laughed that River got stuck with Donna's "children". Hopefully, whne the Doctor visits, he can twiddle with the programming and add some characters. I thought it was incredibly sweet that he manages to save River, and even sweeter that he still comes to visit.
I believe that River has to be the future mate rather than the offspring. There was just something too intimate to her greetings and dealings with the Doctor that smacked of husband/wife than father/daughter.
Loved the diary. Again, these people never heard of digital devices?
I'm reminded of a Bradbury story called "August 2002: Night Meeting" that brings up the same kinds of questions about past/future, existence/perception, etc. Amazing what our minds will do to protect us.
Loved the Donna stuff--shows us what she really wants--at least eventually.
I do hope they can bring River back/get to that part of the story before the series wraps for good.
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Jul 4, 2008 8:17 PM
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allie08, in the episode where the Doctor is cloned, he tells Donna that he had a wife and children, who were killed in the time wars. SciFi is known for its revisionist history, so who knows . . .
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Jul 4, 2008 8:26 PM
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"The obvious answer certainly seems to be that they have some sort of commitment to each other in the future - marriage might be too 'simplistic' for a Time Lord. "
Good point, alllie08!
"I believe that River has to be the future mate rather than the offspring. There was just something too intimate to her greetings and dealings with the Doctor that smacked of husband/wife than father/daughter."
Also well put, tvfan1957. This is what I meant when I said the other possibilities had too many holes in them. Decedents just don't look at you the way River looked at the Dr.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:41 PM
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