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   From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca   
      
   Here’s a review of *Doctor Who: Love & Monsters*:   
      
   ---   
      
   *Love & Monsters* is a unique and polarising episode   
   from the second series of *Doctor Who*. Told from   
   the perspective of Elton Pope, a regular man who becomes   
   fascinated with the Doctor, it shifts the focus away   
   from the Time Lord and instead examines how his presence   
   affects ordinary people. The episode is framed as Elton's   
   recounting of his experiences with a group of fellow   
   Doctor-enthusiasts, known as   
   LINDA (London Investigation 'N' Detective Agency), a   
   nd the disastrous encounter they have with an alien   
   being known as the Abzorbaloff.   
      
   The episode begins with Elton recalling his childhood   
   encounter with the Doctor, a fleeting but life-changing moment.   
   As an adult, Elton stumbles upon a community of people who,   
   like him, are obsessed with the Doctor. They form a close-knit   
   group that initially serves as a support network and social circle.   
   These early scenes of LINDA are charming and heartwarming,   
   showing how people can bond over shared mysteries and interests.   
   The group's camaraderie provides a stark contrast   
   to the darker events that follow, as their collective quest   
   for answers soon takes a more sinister turn.   
      
   The arrival of Victor Kennedy, an enigmatic and domineering figure,   
   marks a shift in the tone of the episode. Kennedy takes control   
   of LINDA, turning the group's focus from socialising to actively   
   hunting the Doctor. The dynamic within LINDA quickly deteriorates   
   under his leadership, and it becomes clear that Kennedy has   
   an ulterior motive. The group's innocence is gradually corrupted,   
   and the once happy gatherings are replaced with tension   
   and fear. This change in atmosphere is effectively portrayed,   
   though it does feel somewhat rushed.   
      
   Kennedy is soon revealed to be an alien creature, the Abzorbaloff,   
   who absorbs the bodies and consciousnesses of others. The concept   
   of the Abzorbaloff, designed by a young *Doctor Who* fan through   
   a Blue Peter competition, is both comedic and unsettling.   
   The creature's grotesque design and ability to trap its victims   
   inside its own flesh is disturbing, yet the character's overall   
   tone is more humorous than terrifying. The performance by Peter Kay   
   as the Abzorbaloff is intentionally over-the-top, but it straddles   
   a fine line between absurd and menacing, sometimes to mixed effect.   
      
   One of the episode's strengths is its exploration of how   
   the Doctor's actions, while heroic, can leave ripples in   
   the lives of those he barely notices. Elton is a perfect   
   example of this. His life was irrevocably changed by his   
   brief encounter with the Doctor as a child,   
   but the Doctor has no memory of Elton.   
   The emotional toll this has on Elton is palpable,   
   and the episode does a good job of showing the loneliness   
   and obsession that can stem from such experiences. Elton's   
   search for meaning, and his eventual realisation that not   
   all questions can be answered, adds emotional weight   
   to the otherwise lighthearted story.   
      
   Elton’s relationship with Jackie Tyler, Rose's mother,   
   is a surprising and touching subplot. Jackie, often relegated   
   to comic relief in the series, gets a more nuanced portrayal   
   here. Her loneliness and vulnerability come to the forefront   
   as she develops a friendship with Elton. The scenes between   
   them are some of the episode’s most grounded and emotional   
   moments. Jackie's realisation that Elton is using her to get   
   closer to the Doctor is heartbreaking, and her confrontation   
   with him is raw and honest. This subplot serves as a reminder   
   that those left behind by the Doctor have their own lives   
   and struggles, making them more than just side characters   
   in his adventures.   
      
   However, *Love & Monsters* is a divisive episode,   
   and for good reason. The tonal shifts from light comedy   
   to dark horror are jarring at times. The episode tries   
   to balance humour with serious themes, but the result   
   is uneven. The Abzorbaloff, while visually memorable,   
   feels out of place in the episode's emotional narrative.   
   The resolution to the conflict, where Elton's friends   
   are absorbed by the Abzorbaloff and ultimately help defeat him,   
   is both clever and absurd. The idea that one of Elton's friends,   
   Ursula, is partially saved but remains trapped as a sentient   
   paving stone, is an ending that has sparked   
   much debate among fans. For some, it adds to the episode's   
   quirky charm, while for others, it undermines the emotional   
   stakes of the story.   
      
   From a production standpoint, the episode is solid,   
   with good performances, particularly from Marc Warren   
   as Elton and Camille Coduri as Jackie. The direction   
   by Dan Zeff keeps the pacing brisk, and the episode's   
   visual style complements its more whimsical tone.   
   The use of Elton's video diary as a framing device   
   is an effective storytelling technique, giving the episode   
   a distinct feel from others in the series.   
      
   Ultimately, *Love & Monsters* is an ambitious episode   
   that aims to do something different within the *Doctor Who*   
   format. While it doesn’t always succeed, it's notable   
   for its attempt to explore the Doctor's impact on   
   ordinary people, rather than focusing solely on his   
   larger-than-life adventures. For viewers who appreciate   
   the more experimental side of *Doctor Who*, this episode   
   offers a refreshing change of pace. However, for those   
   who prefer the show's more traditional storytelling,   
   the episode's offbeat humour and tonal inconsistencies   
   may not resonate as strongly.   
      
   In conclusion, *Love & Monsters* is a bold and unconventional   
   episode that delivers some heartfelt moments and explores   
   interesting themes about the Doctor's effect on ordinary lives.   
   Despite its flaws, it stands out for its unique approach   
   to storytelling and its willingness to step away from   
   the typical Doctor-centric narrative.   
   While it may not be to everyone's taste, it remains   
   a memorable part of *Doctor Who's* second series.   
      
   ---   
      
   Rating: 6.5/10   
      
   While its emotional core is compelling and its experimental   
   narrative is interesting, the episode's tonal inconsistencies   
   and the bizarre nature of its villain prevent it from reaching   
   its full potential. Nonetheless, its themes and unique   
   perspective give it value.   
   --   
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