Amy's Choice [TV/2010.5.15]

★★★★☆

  The new series is generally really good with these small-scale, character-driven dramas, and Amy's Choice is a standout example. With a simple and easy-to-execute premise (two worlds -- which is reality and which is dreamland?), Amy's Choice explores the titular character in a way that no other episode had at the time. We get to see a more honest side of her, a side that's infinitely caring and thoughtful. Yes, she's conflicted about whether she loves Rory or the Doctor more, but wouldn't you be in a similar train of thought if you were in Amy's shoes? There's the cute boyfriend she really loves, and then there's a man deeply rooted into her childhood who has gone on to show her all of time and space. She has to make a very hard choice, and I love the fact that her choice comes not from cold logic or "common sense" but from her heart, her aching heart as she realises she's loved Rory so much and she only figures it out when he dies. It's a shocking moment for the viewers when Amy proceeds to literally commit suicide to be with him -- a very careful topic to be sure, and it deserves to be written with as much thought. Thank God Amy's Choice does, then.

  This is the kind of episode you can turn on at any time of the day (provided you're not too affected by the depictions of suicide), and marvel at how creative and fun Doctor Who can be when it deals with these smaller-scale sci-fi concepts. The regulars all have fantastic moments, and Karen Gillain certainly shows how good she is, but the MVP of this round has to go to Toby Jones. He's always been a fantastic actor to portray slimy villains, and the Dream Lord is no different. Here he is, an over-the-top scene-stealer who delights being in every scene, and it's marvellous that the new series still gets these memorable one-off baddies. He's the icing on the cake for me, what makes Amy's Choice -- an already notable and hugely enjoyable episode -- truly great for me. One for the books, perhaps!