Throwing a bunch of kids into an episode is usually a way to lighten the mood, a brighter and more optimistic contrast to the adult stars. Its success can vary greatly, either adding some comedy and a sense of wonder, or failing on the side of “gratingly annoying”. Thankfully In the Forest of the Night shows (for the most part) a good use of a younger cast. Not that you would expect anything less with the episode being written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Winner of the Carnegie Medal for children’s literature and the person responsible for scripting the memorable opening ceremony of the London Olympics back in 2012.
The Doctor has a navigational problem, he’s trying to get to London to meet Clara and instead finds himself in the middle of a forest. A knock on the door from a lost young girl, Maebh, leads him to the realization that he actually is in the heart of the city, but a forest has grown overnight to cover it. Similar events have taken place all over the world. The Doctor soon reunites with Clara and rest of Maebh’s class who were on a school trip and together try to unravel the mystery. Soon, the tree invasion is linked to a impending massive solar flare that will wipe out the planet, and somehow Maebh is connected.
In the Forest of the Night is a rather sweet entry into this season’s lineup. One of the most kid-focused entries in a long time, largely due to the supporting cast being made up of children but also the story itself being one reminiscent of a whimsical fairytale. The sight of Nelson’s Column being overrun with trees and vines and children running around being rather fantastical. Indeed, the opening sequence with some nice camera word to capture the perspective of the child being followed gives a magical feeling to everything, especially when encountering the Doctor and his TARDIS. It’s a reminder of how the show can truly capture a sense of wonder at times.
The story itself is an interesting one but it gets a tad overly complicated and sentimental at times. A lot of the plot is placed on young Maebh and while the young actress does well overall the episode does not invest the time needed in her development and our understanding of her. When time is given, such as the first meeting between her and the Doctor, it’s very effective. This rushed feel somewhat undermines the resonance of many of the moments including her perceived responsibility for what is happening as well as the resolution regarding her missing sister. But overall it handles the heightened child presence well, it is not grating or overly cloy, something easy to fall into when leaning on a young cast. It shows a savvy side to the children as well as touching on notes of mental illness which could do a lot of good in educating children about tolerance in many a playground.
Another issue is that the main threat of the episode never truly manifested. Trees as a villain is hard to pull off, they’re pretty inert and we’re inherently told they are good for us. Granted The Evil Dead did well with them but The Happening showed how wrong you can get. You never truly believe the panic in response to the rapid forestation is real nor the threat is real (largely because it isn’t). There are a few loose animals, wolves and tigers, in the city to give some excitement but really, the threat is too remote to feel the true sense of impending doom. The idea do give the show an interesting ecological message though.
Again the Doctor is irascible, but it does seem tempered by the children despite his protests, “I’m a Time Lord, not a child minder,” he exclaims to Clara. That said, there is a rather sweet bond between the Time Lord and his young supporting cast this week. His analogy of the TARDIS and interior space being akin to Coke and sugar is marvelous. The idea of a child’s innocence and lack of clutter upstairs leaving them far more open to ideas and the more fantastical being explored before on Doctor Who, all aspects the Doctor truly admires. Together the kids form a great ensemble and the Doctor’s rapport with them is a highlight of the episode.
Danny Pink is the most well written and likeable he’s been since the first few episodes. No longer just a sounding board for Clara, he actually serves as a moral counterpoint, her lies to him demonstrating her own flaws. While many can become carried away with the idea of traveling with the Doctor and forgive her deceptions, his honesty and rather sweet conversation with her about their future together. Coupled to his development as somewhat of a reluctant soldier means there may be something substantial to come from him in the show after all. Clara’s antics seem to have been blown and its not a nice aspect of her character, weird how she was so well developed only to have them focus on undermining out faith in here. The “next week” promo suggests this may be intentional.
In the Forest of the Night has an ethereal fairy tale quality to it, perhaps to be expected from the writer. A tale weaving the Doctor with a bunch of kids to give a rather charming adventure. Personally, it will go down as one of the weaker entries for this season with its lack of pace but I can see how it would be a highlight for many, especially the younger audience as well as families watching together. A sweet tale of tolerance and environmental awareness.
Next Time — Dark Water — In the mysterious world of the Nethersphere, plans have been drawn up. Missy is about to come face to face with the Doctor, and an impossible choice is looming. “Death is not an end” promises the sinister organisation known only as 3W — but, as the Doctor and Clara discover, you might wish it was.