12 Notable Moments From The Eaters of Light
Mark McCullough makes his choices from the tenth episode of Series 10.
A standalone episode ten before a two-part finale featuring Missy and the Cybermen; An episode that takes a more thematic approach rather than a traditional story-telling one; A writer that has everyone excited to see what they can bring to the show. No, it’s not 2014’s In the Forest of the Night, it’s Rona Munro’s The Eaters of the Light. There was much hype around Munro’s return, and it has certainly proved to have been warranted.
12. The Intro
11. Crows Can Talk
The first idea that gets suggested by Munro is the concept of Crows having the ability to talk, it is stated that was the case in the past and that they used to converse with humans. We are told that this is no longer the case because humanity neglected to continue this practise and as a result (the Doctor suggests) the crows are sulking producing the noise that we are accustomed to. The concept is mostly dropped as the narrative focuses elsewhere, but the theme that associated here, the loss of communication, is something that becomes prevalent later on. The narrative eventually returns the concept of the crows and in doing so disproving the Doctor’s theory and cementing the memories of Kar and the Ninth Legion’s sacrifice.
10. TARDIS Telepathic Translations
Right from her introduction there has been something different about Bill and the way the narrative has handled her. The writers have adopted a much more realistic approach of having Bill learn things as she goes instead of the information dump that previous companions have received which has almost become a trope of the show. I have vastly preferred this approach for several reasons including the one highlighted here: it gives Bill a lot more agency and a chance to show how smart she is. In the episode, she realises she doesn’t know Latin yet is communicating in it, so she logically deduces that the TARDIS must be responsible, something the Doctor later confirms to be correct.
9. The Doctor’s Escape
One of the most comical scenes of the episode comes when the Doctor and Nardole are held captive by the native highlanders whilst they wait for Kar. Nardole shines in this scene as he attempts to use his charm to ingratiate himself to avoid any trouble, something he continues to do after the Doctor enters the portal. Despite being a captive of the natives, the Doctor ensures that he is still the one in the position of authority evoking fear in the group as he challenges Kar and Ban. The highlight of the scene comes when the Doctor does what he does best, thinking on his feet he comes up with an escape plan using the only thing he had at his disposal: Nardole’s popcorn.
8. Roman Sexuality
There’s a wonderful scene where the narrative explores sexuality, framed by Lucius’ advances on Bill, leading to her having to explain to him that she is lesbian. This is delivered via a clever subversion of expectation where Munro has her character accept this, but comment on how limited this approach is restricting your attraction to a single sex. This works well and gives representation to a group that often find themselves lacking in that regard. However, it should be considered that whilst historically accurate, what is depicted in the episode represents a simplification and romanticising of true thoughts on sexuality at the time within the Roman Empire. That said, in terms of the episode and direction of the series as a whole, the scene feels necessary and works effectively.
7. One Man Can
I’ve chosen to include the scene between Bill and Lucius where they discuss what the Doctor is capable of, and the magnitude of an effect which one man can have. There are a few things demonstrated here, most notably the extent of Bill’s faith in the Doctor and his abilities to overcome anything the universe throws at him. I can’t help but view this scene as potential foreshadowing for the finale where the Doctor leaves Bill in Missy’s care and things may not end as well. Also explored here is Bill’s views of the activities of the Roman Empire and its treatment of the people it invades as well as the Roman’s beliefs on cowardice. What Bill shows here is that whilst she is their friend and is supporting them, she won’t hesitate to challenge anything she disagrees with.
6. The Eaters of the Light
The concept of the monsters themselves is left mostly to the viewers’ imagination. What we are presented with are huge locusts which kill by absorbing the sunlight from their victims. Ignoring the science behind that, because whether it is possible or not is ultimately irrelevant to the enjoyment of the episode. This positions the creatures as genuine threats because in enough numbers they could devour the sun and leave Earth lifeless. The introduction to the creature, and the reason why it is on Earth is done in an effective way that does not feel like revisiting old ground, and to place the creature at the centre of the conflict between the natives and the invaders allows for Munro to begin to string her thematic threads together.
5. Everybody sounds like Children
This moment was perhaps my favourite of the whole lot, perhaps even a contender for moment of the series as Munro uses the situation she has crafted to offer a commentary on the nature of conflict that could be extended to daily life itself. In fact, to call it a commentary does not give it the full credit it deserves, it’s a lesson that would be sufficient to consider this episode mandatory viewing for anyone. What I am referring too of course is how adeptly Munro demonstrates that a simple lack of communication is the issue underlining a lot of what is wrong. The ability to talk with someone and see where they are coming from is shown to be enough to resolve difficulties, to empathise with someone enough to form a connection. The value of listening to a perspective different to your own is something that cannot be overstated enough, and the fear that arises when you are unable to do so is something that is evident in society through the plethora of different -isms which unfortunately exist.
4. Fulfilling their Destiny
There are throwbacks to the episode I mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article (In the Forest of the Night) in the form of the idea of the Doctor taking responsibility for Earth. Previously Clara sends the Doctor away saying that Earth isn’t his planet (also echoing his claim in Kill the Moon) whereas here it is the Doctor who wants to be Earth’s saviour and his companion telling him that it is not his place. This provides a wonderful glimpse the extent of the Twelfth Doctor’s development over the course of his three seasons. Here he is insistent that it is he who protects the Earth and not those who were destined to do so, the result involves them outnumbering the Doctor and finishing what they intended to do thus saving the Earth. It great to see the Doctor come full circle especially in what was his last standalone story before the beginning of the end of his tenure.
3. Music’s Funny Like That
Following on from a call back to a previous episode ten of the Capaldi era, we move on to discuss another. There is the revisitation of the theme of memories in the form of music. It is implied as the audience revisit the opening scene that the protagonists live on in the form of the music played as they made their sacrifice which can still be heard in that spot to this day. For fans of the show it would be impossible not to draw comparisons to Clara, particularly in light of the Doctor’s line about hating it when people brave. Both call backs show great awareness of the show from Munro and adds to the appeal of the episode to longer term fans.
2. Missy in the TARDIS
One of the biggest conflicts of the episode came in the final moments as it was revealed that the Doctor had rewarded Missy for her actions at the end of The Empress of Mars by foregoing his duty to return her to the Vault. This scene delivers the conflict with several humorous undertones including Nardole’s threat to initiate his squeaky voice and Missy’s role being suggested as nothing more than cheap TARDIS maintenance. The disagreement itself is certainly the most interesting aspect and is something which is sure to generate a lot of tension in the opening moments of the finale. Bonus points also should be given for the fact that the scene means that Munro has written for the Master in both eras of the show.
1. Missy Cries
The effect of Missy’s presence on the dynamics of the TARDIS team was not the only tantalising titbit that was thrown up this week. Perhaps even more interesting than that is the exploration of the relationship between the Doctor and the Master, one of the show’s most iconic duos. The concept of Missy turning out is something I have already called a masterstroke, but here it is used to a level which exceeds anything we have been presented with so far. Here we see the Master feel emotion, we sympathise with her whereas until now even empathy was a stretch. This takes the character to a fascinating new place and lays an incredible foundation for the finale to build upon come Saturday.