Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Richard Clark
“He’s completely insane.”
“That…and a bit magnificent.”
Gridlock is astonishing. A story full of events I couldn’t see coming…a story that shines a deeply personal light on the Doctor’s character…a story that is, by turns, outrageous, side-splitting hilarious, poignant & melancholy. It’s unlike any recent episode, and sees Russell Davies playing with themes I’m not used to seeing in his episodes.
As far as outrageous is concerned, that’s never a problem with a Davies story. He seems determined to push the visual and conceptual envelope of the show to its limit…and usually, he succeeds. With Gridlock, he sets himself the task of out-doing Star Wars’ Corousant – resulting in futuristic spires, a steamy-wet undercity where moods are sold out of stalls, and the most outrageous conceit of all: an enclosed motorway where traffic takes six years to move five miles, and cars are stacked, one on top of the other, in an endless series. Cars in which people raise families, give birth, and plan ahead for lives they’re not sure they’re going to live…
Oh, and on the bottom level live giant, de-evoled Marcra! That’s right…a giant crab monster from 1967 (the 2nd Doctor story The Macra Terror, to be precise), brought back to life with impressive effects…and a lot of chutzpah! Doctor Who gets another case of attacking crabs…but this time, the visuals have no problem keeping up with the ideas. Throw in some more amazing cat people (and the outstanding performance of comedy genius Ardal O’Hanlon as Brannigan), car-spotting grannies, and moods delivered by sticky patch…the end result is an episode busy with a cornucopia of world-building detail.
But amidst the visual gags (look out for actors playing the parts of the famous paintings “Son of Man” and “American Gothic”), there is a deep core of sadness in this story. A story that faces the fact that times moves forward in the outer world, but can leave behind many who are trapped…or thing they’re trapped. It isn’t about the cars or the people…it’s about the Doctor.
Have we ever seen David Tennant’s Doctor more vulnerable and full of heartache? It’s not even about Rose, either…it’s about the fiction that he perpetuates – that everything is ok, and that Gallifrey and the Time Lords still exist…and that he is not alone (at least, according to the Face of Boe). But he’s sure he is, and he’s too busy trying to show off, in order to hide the loneliness. More than any other episode since the beginning of Doctor Who’s revival, Gridlock shines a harsh light on the Doctor’s character, and reveals the “lonely god” prophesy of New Earth: an ancient soul, who’s seen far too much for his own good…and desperately needs the company of friends. Listen to his description of Gallifrey in the opening scene…you’ll be as breathless as Martha. And that final scene, backed by the city-wide hymn…watching the Doctor trying to hold it together as he finally opens up to this new friend who has so impressed him…it will bring a tear to your eye.
I’m having a similar reaction to Gridlock as I did to the BSG episode Maelstrom, earlier this year…but this time, I’m going to be unequivocal in my praise. A completely unexpected episode, full of elements that might not necessarily look good on paper. But after all this time, I should be more trusting of Russell T. Davies’ genius…and no where is it more apparent than it is here.
10
