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The Lodger is the eleventh episode of Series 5.
Synopsis
The Doctor forgets to set the TARDIS controls leaving Amy trapped inside as she ends up travelling one week into the future, without the Doctor. This leaves the Doctor trapped on Earth as he awaits the return of his TARDIS. While the Doctor waits, he discovers there's a house on Aickman road with a staircase that people go up, but never down... To solve the mystery of the man upstairs, the Doctor must pass himself off as a normal human being, and share a flat with Craig Owens. [1]
Plot
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Cast
Production crew
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References
- The Doctor wears a jersey with 11 on when playing a football match, both referencing him being the Eleventh Doctor and this being the eleventh episode of Series 5.
- This may also be a reference to the fact that Matt Smith originally wanted to become a professional footballer before a back injury, causing him to focus on acting instead.
- The football match may also be a reference to the FIFA World Cup England vs USA match that kicked off just as The Lodger finished, on a rival channel (ITV).
- A post card advertising a Vincent Van Gogh art display is stuck to the fridge, a reference to the previous episode, DW: Vincent and the Doctor.
- The Doctor making Craig an omelette may be a reference to Matt Smith's culinary talents - At the age of nine, Matt won at Junior Masterchef. However it may also be a reference to Gavin and Stacy, the series which James Corden starred in and wrote, in which the only food Stacy's mum ever seem to cook is omelets.
- When The Doctor rushes out of the shower in fear of Craig's safety he grabs Craig's toothbrush rather than his Sonic screwdriver, in reverse of the comic strip of the same name in which Mickey grabs The Doctors sonic screwdriver rather than his own toothbrush.
Story notes
- This episode was mistakenly entitled Reality Check, A Clinical Finish, Don't Go Up The Stairs, and Something At the Top Of The Stairs.
- "The Lodger" is also a comic strip story by Gareth Roberts. Roberts has confirmed this story is an adaptation of the basic premise of the other, however he has stated that they differ quite a lot in that the comic was written for different characters (the Tenth Doctor and Mickey Smith) and focused on the "domestic set-up" while the TV story involves "something at the top of the stairs".[2] This isn't the first adaption on the TV series,
being a previous example.
- The Doctor wears a football kit, playing for Craig's pub team, the King's Arms.
- Several previous Doctors appeared in brief flashed when The Doctor knocked heads with Craig.
- This is an Amy-lite episode, similar to the Martha (and Doctor)-lite episode DW: Blink and Donna-lite episode Midnight.
- This is the first time in the new series that the Doctor has definitively stated how many incarnations he has had — he tells Craig he is the eleventh.
- The Doctor uses a regular screwdriver and asks where the on switch is.
Ratings
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Rumours
- It is rumoured that either the Timoreen, the Ha'rik, or the Skarkish will appear – primarily because these were all listed as "new aliens" to appear in Series 5. None of them appeared
- This episode will be the one that features the Blue Peter Competition TARDIS console. The design itself did not appear, but another ship console design did.
- As this episode is before the finale, it most likely will have a foreshadowing (like in Template:DW and Template:DW) or link right into the finale (like Template:DW and Template:DW). This was proved true.
- It is likely that this episode will lead directly into the next as Claudio played by Marcus O' Donovan is listed to appear in both this episode and the following one, DW: The Pandorica Opens. The episode did not directly lead to the next, but it did have something very related to the next episode. (However Claudio did not appear in this episode).
- Amy will remember, or begin to remember, Rory by the end of the episode. Although she never remembered him enough to say it, she did find her wedding ring in the Doctor's coat.
Filming locations
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Production errors
If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.Continuity
- On Craig Owen's fridge is a ticket to the Vincent van Gogh exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay, which the Doctor, Amy and later van Gogh himself visit in the previous episode. (DW: Vincent and the Doctor)
- This is not the first time the Doctor has showered himself on screen. (DW: Spearhead from Space)
- The Doctor once again mentions that Bow ties are cool. (Template:DW)
- Craig says "Geronimo!" (The End of Time, The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below).
- The Doctor refers himself again as "the Oncoming Storm" again. (Template:DW).
- While searching the Doctor's pockets, Amy finds her old engagement ring from Rory (DW: Cold Blood).
- After the Doctor 'shares' his knowledge with Craig, he sees brief flashes of: the first, second, third, fourth, eighth, ninth and tenth Doctors; Cybermen, Rose Tyler, an Ood, and a Weeping Angel.
- The Doctor seems to have regained the fondness for cats embraced by his Sixth incarnation and later reverted into a dislike by his Tenth (DW: Fear Her).
- The Doctor previously displayed sporting talent, when he played a game of cricket. (DW: Black Orchid)
Home video releases
BBC Video - Doctor Who Series Five - Volume Four will feature The Lodger, The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang. It will be released on Monday 6th September 2010 (UK Only) on DVD and Blu-ray.[3]
See also
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External links
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Footnotes