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Doctor Who: The Empty Child (1)
The time-travelling duo land in London in 1941, at the height of the Blitz, and discover the city's homeless children are being terrorised by a ghostly youngster. To add to the mystery, the Army are guarding a peculiar cylinder - and a dashing officer soon threatens the Doctor's hero status in Rose's eyes.
| 8.8/10 (12 Votes cast) |
Episode Info
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Episode number: 1x9 Production Number: 109 Airdate: Saturday May 21st, 2005 Alternate Airdates:
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Ireland
Australia
US (
Germany
Recap
The Doctor is following a capsule through the time/space vortex, and informs Rose that it's emitting a distress signal. He locks onto it and it jumps time tracks and heads toward the center of London. They materialize in an alleyway in London and set out to find the capsule, although the Doctor notes they may be several weeks or months behind. As they start searching, they're unaware that someone is watching them. The pair finds a locked door with music behind it. As the Doctor opens the door, Rose hears a child's voice, calling for its mummy. She looks up at the roof and sees a boy wearing a World War II gas mask, and goes off to investigate...Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Date: January 21, 1941
Location: London, England, UK
Location: London, England, UK
The planes seen about to bomb London, and coming right at Rose, look like the Heinkel He 111 German twin engine bomber.
This episode marks the first appearance of Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) on the series.
There is no Bad Wolf reference in this episode, although there is one in "The Doctor Dances".
Episode Quotes
The Empty Children: (repeated line) Are you my mummy?
Rose: What's the emergency?
The Doctor: It's mauve.
Rose: Mauve?
The Doctor: Universally recognized color for danger.
Rose: What happened to red?
The Doctor: That's just humans. By everyone else's standards, red's camp. Oh, the misunderstandings! All those "red alerts," all that dancing.
The Doctor: It's mauve.
Rose: Mauve?
The Doctor: Universally recognized color for danger.
Rose: What happened to red?
The Doctor: That's just humans. By everyone else's standards, red's camp. Oh, the misunderstandings! All those "red alerts," all that dancing.
The Doctor: D'you know how long you can knock around space without happening to bump into Earth?
Rose: Five days? Or is that just when we're out of milk?
The Doctor: All the species in all the universe and it has to come out of a cow.
Rose: Five days? Or is that just when we're out of milk?
The Doctor: All the species in all the universe and it has to come out of a cow.
Rose: Not very Spock, is it? Just asking.
The Doctor: Door, music, people. What do you think?
Rose: I think you should do a scan for alien tech. Gimme some Spock! For once, would it kill you?
The Doctor: Door, music, people. What do you think?
Rose: I think you should do a scan for alien tech. Gimme some Spock! For once, would it kill you?
The Doctor: Excuse me, excuse me. Could I have everyone's attention, just for a mo? Be very quick. Hello! It might seem like a stupid question, but has anything fallen from the sky recently?
The Doctor: You know, one day, just one day maybe, I'm gonna meet somebody who gets the whole 'don't wander off' thing. Nine hundred years of phone box travel, it's the only thing left to surprise me.
The Doctor: (as the TARDIS police box phone rings) Ringing? What's that about? Ringing? You're not even a real phone and you're ringing?
(while being captured in a strange beam by Capt. Jack, which keeps her from falling to her death)
Jack: Oh, and can you switch off your cell phone.
Rose: Wha…?
Jack: No, seriously, it interferes with my instruments.
Rose: You know, no one ever believes that.
Jack: Thank you, that’s much better.
Rose: Oh yeah, that’s a real load off, that is! I’m hanging in the sky in the middle of a German air raid with a Union Jack across my chest, but, hey, my mobile phone’s off!
Jack: Oh, and can you switch off your cell phone.
Rose: Wha…?
Jack: No, seriously, it interferes with my instruments.
Rose: You know, no one ever believes that.
Jack: Thank you, that’s much better.
Rose: Oh yeah, that’s a real load off, that is! I’m hanging in the sky in the middle of a German air raid with a Union Jack across my chest, but, hey, my mobile phone’s off!
(As Rose is suspended in a beam above London)
Jack: Ready for you! … Hold tight!
Rose: To what!
Jack: Fair point.
Jack: Ready for you! … Hold tight!
Rose: To what!
Jack: Fair point.
The Doctor: So that's what you do, is it, Nancy?
Nancy: What is?
The Doctor: Soon as the sirens go, you find a big fat family meal still warm on the table, with everyone down in the air raid shelter, and bingo, feeding frenzy for the homeless kids of London town. Puddings for all. As long as the bombs don't get you.
Nancy: Something wrong with that?
The Doctor: Wrong with that? It's brilliant. I'm not sure if it's Marxism in action or a West End musical.
Nancy: What is?
The Doctor: Soon as the sirens go, you find a big fat family meal still warm on the table, with everyone down in the air raid shelter, and bingo, feeding frenzy for the homeless kids of London town. Puddings for all. As long as the bombs don't get you.
Nancy: Something wrong with that?
The Doctor: Wrong with that? It's brilliant. I'm not sure if it's Marxism in action or a West End musical.
The Doctor: And I'm looking for a blonde in a Union Jack. A specific one, mind you. I didn't just wake up this morning with a craving.
Rose: So, who are you supposed to be then?
Captain Jack Harkness: (handing her his ID papers) Captain Jack Harkness, 133 Squadron, Royal Air Force. American volunteer.
Rose: Liar. This is psychic paper. It tells me whatever you want it to tell me.
Captain Jack Harkness: How do you know?
Rose: Two things. One, I have a friend that uses this all the time.
Captain Jack Harkness: Ah.
Rose: And two, you just handed me a piece of paper telling me you're single and you work out.
Captain Jack Harkness: Tricky thing, psychic paper.
Rose: Yeah. Can't let your mind wander when you're handing it over.
Captain Jack Harkness: (reading the psychic paper) Oh, you sort of have a boyfriend called Mickey Smith, but you consider yourself to be footloose and fancy-free.
Rose: What?
Captain Jack Harkness: Actually the word you use is "available."
Rose: No way.
Captain Jack Harkness: And another one, "very."
Captain Jack Harkness: (handing her his ID papers) Captain Jack Harkness, 133 Squadron, Royal Air Force. American volunteer.
Rose: Liar. This is psychic paper. It tells me whatever you want it to tell me.
Captain Jack Harkness: How do you know?
Rose: Two things. One, I have a friend that uses this all the time.
Captain Jack Harkness: Ah.
Rose: And two, you just handed me a piece of paper telling me you're single and you work out.
Captain Jack Harkness: Tricky thing, psychic paper.
Rose: Yeah. Can't let your mind wander when you're handing it over.
Captain Jack Harkness: (reading the psychic paper) Oh, you sort of have a boyfriend called Mickey Smith, but you consider yourself to be footloose and fancy-free.
Rose: What?
Captain Jack Harkness: Actually the word you use is "available."
Rose: No way.
Captain Jack Harkness: And another one, "very."
Nancy: How did you follow me here?
The Doctor: I'm good at following me. I've got the nose for it.
Nancy: People can't usually follow me unless I want them to.
The Doctor: My nose has special powers.
Nancy: Yeah? Is that why it's...
The Doctor: What?
Nancy: Nothing.
The Doctor: What?
Nancy: Nothing. Do your ears have special powers too?
The Doctor: What are you trying to say?
Nancy: Good night, mister.
The Doctor: I'm good at following me. I've got the nose for it.
Nancy: People can't usually follow me unless I want them to.
The Doctor: My nose has special powers.
Nancy: Yeah? Is that why it's...
The Doctor: What?
Nancy: Nothing.
The Doctor: What?
Nancy: Nothing. Do your ears have special powers too?
The Doctor: What are you trying to say?
Nancy: Good night, mister.
Captain Jack Harkness: So… when you say 'your companion', how disappointed should I be?
Rose: Okay. We're standing in mid-air on a space-ship during a German air raid. Do you really think now's a good time to be coming on to me?
Captain Jack Harkness: Perhaps not.
Rose: Ah, it was just a suggestion.
Rose: Okay. We're standing in mid-air on a space-ship during a German air raid. Do you really think now's a good time to be coming on to me?
Captain Jack Harkness: Perhaps not.
Rose: Ah, it was just a suggestion.
Captain Jack Harkness: It’s 1941. The height of the London Blitz. The height of the German bombing campaign. And something else has fallen on London, a fully-equipped Chula warship. The last one in existence, armed to the teeth. And I know where it is. Because I parked it. If the Agency can name the right price, I can get it for you. But in two hours, a German bomb is gonna fall on it and destroy it forever. That’s your deadline. That’s the deal. Now, shall we discuss payment?
Rose: You used to be a Time Agent. Now you're some kind of freelancer.
Captain Jack Harkness: Oh, that's a little harsh. I like to think of myself as a criminal.
Captain Jack Harkness: Oh, that's a little harsh. I like to think of myself as a criminal.
Captain Jack Harkness: So, this companion of yours. Does he handle the business?
Rose: Well… I delegate a lot of that, yeah.
Captain Jack Harkness: Well, maybe we should go find him.
Rose: And how you gonna do that?
Captain Jack Harkness: Easy. I'll just scan for alien tech.
Rose: Finally, a professional.
Rose: Well… I delegate a lot of that, yeah.
Captain Jack Harkness: Well, maybe we should go find him.
Rose: And how you gonna do that?
Captain Jack Harkness: Easy. I'll just scan for alien tech.
Rose: Finally, a professional.
The Doctor: Amazing.
Nancy: What is?
The Doctor: 1941. Right now, not very far from here the German war machine is rolling up the map of Europe. Country after country, falling like dominoes. Nothing can stop it. Nothing, until one tiny, damp little island says "no". No, not here. A mouse in front of a lion. You're amazing, the lot of you. Don't know what you do to Hitler. You frighten the hell out of me. Off you go, then. Do what you got to do. Save the world.
Nancy: What is?
The Doctor: 1941. Right now, not very far from here the German war machine is rolling up the map of Europe. Country after country, falling like dominoes. Nothing can stop it. Nothing, until one tiny, damp little island says "no". No, not here. A mouse in front of a lion. You're amazing, the lot of you. Don't know what you do to Hitler. You frighten the hell out of me. Off you go, then. Do what you got to do. Save the world.
The Doctor: You’re very sick.
Dr Constantine: Dying, I should think. I just haven’t been able to find the time. Are you a doctor?
The Doctor: I have my moments.
Dr Constantine: Dying, I should think. I just haven’t been able to find the time. Are you a doctor?
The Doctor: I have my moments.
Dr. Constantine: Before the war, I was a father and grandfather. Now I'm neither... but I'm still a doctor.
The Doctor: Yeah. Know the feeling.
The Doctor: Yeah. Know the feeling.
Captain Jack Harkness: It's a real pleasure to meet you, Mr Spock.
The Doctor: Mr Spock?
Rose: What was I supposed to say? You don't have a name. Don't you ever get tired of "The Doctor"? Doctor who?
The Doctor: Nine centuries in, I'm coping.
The Doctor: Mr Spock?
Rose: What was I supposed to say? You don't have a name. Don't you ever get tired of "The Doctor"? Doctor who?
The Doctor: Nine centuries in, I'm coping.
Jack: (to the Doctor) Saw your time travel vehicle. Love the retro look, by the way. Nice panels.
Captain Jack Harkness: (to Rose and the Doctor) Oh, should've known, the way you guys are blending in with the local color. I mean, Flag Girl was bad enough, but u-boat captain?
Cultural References
Jack: Oh, and can you switch off your cell phone.
Rose: Wha…?
Jack: No, seriously, it interferes with my instruments.
Rose: You know, no one really believes that.
A reference to many who feel the FAA’s rule about turning off cell phones and computer equipment on airline departures is merely a joke to help the stewardess and stewards, and not in fact a true problem for the aircraft.
Rose: Wha…?
Jack: No, seriously, it interferes with my instruments.
Rose: You know, no one really believes that.
A reference to many who feel the FAA’s rule about turning off cell phones and computer equipment on airline departures is merely a joke to help the stewardess and stewards, and not in fact a true problem for the aircraft.
Other Episode Crew
| • Executive Producer | Russell T. Davies | Mal Young (1) | Julie Gardner (1) |
| • Producer | Phil Collinson |
| • Associate Producer | Helen Vallis |
| • Production Designer | Michael Edward Thomas (3) |
| • Editor | Liana Del Giudice |
| • Casting | Andy Pryor |
| • First Assistant Director | Jon Older |
| • Second Assistant Director | Steff Morris |
| • Costume Designer | Lucinda Wright |
| • Grip | John Robinson (3) |
| • Camera Operator | Martin Stephens |
| • Set Decorator | Liz Griffiths (1) |
| • Location Manager | Llyr Morus |
| • Property Master | Adrian Anscombe |
| • Production Coordinator | Jess Van Niekerk |
| • Assistant Editor | Ceres Doyle |
| • Post Production Supervisor | Marie Brown (2) |
| • Gaffer | Mark Hutchings |
| • On-Line Editor | Matthew Clarke (2) | Zoe Cassey |
| • Director of Photography | Ernie Vincze |
| • Stunts | Kim McGarrity |
| • Stunt Coordinator | Lee Sheward |
| • Production Management | Tracie Simpson |
| • Special Effects | Will Cohen (3) |
| • Script Editor | Helen Raynor |
| • Dubbing Mixer | Tim Ricketts |
| • Sound Recordist | Ian Richardson (3) |
| • Third Assistant Director | Dan Mumford |
| • Boom Operator | Damian Richardson |
| • Art Department Coordinator | Gwenllian Llwyd |
| • Main Title Theme | Ron Grainer |
| • Visual Effects Supervisor | David Houghton |
| • Production Accountant | Endaf Emyr Williams |
| • Best Boy | Peter Chester |
| • Casting Associate | Kirsty Robertson |
| • Colorist | Jamie Wilkinson |
| • Continuity | Non Eleri Hughes |
| • Focus Puller | Mark Isaac |
| • Graphic Artist | Jenny Bowers |
| • Makeup Artist | Steve Williams (3) | Claire Pritchard |
| • Dialogue Editor | Paul McFadden |
| • A/production Accountant | Kath Blackman | Debi Griffiths |
| • Concept Artist | Bryan Hitch |
| • Production Buyer | Catherine Samuel |
| • Supervising Art Director | Stephen Nicholas |
| • Standby Art Director | Arwel Wyn Jones |
| • Construction Manager | Andrew Smith (3) |
| • Standby Props | Tristan Howell | Phill Shellard |
| • Wardrobe Supervisor | Yolanda Peart-Smith |
| • Sound Special Effects Editor | Paul Jefferies |
| • Make-up Designer | Davy Jones |
| • Make-up Supervisor | Linda Davie |
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