Fear Forecast: Father's Day

Fear Factor 2: Our kids are only Quite Scared.

bbc.co.uk's Fear Forecasters tally the terror in episode eight - Father's Day:

(1) Samuel's delighted. "It's tiny Rose!"

The kids happily 'sing along' to the theme tune and Harry reads out the words as they appear.

(2) There's a hit and run. "Just like that Simpsons PC game," observes Adam, sagely.

(4) Harry and Amy watch in silence. This is serious stuff.

(5) Samuel and Adam solemn during Rose's rescue of her dad. Samuel rubs mum's arm for comfort (hers, not his). This is going to be characteristic of the whole viewing.

Amy is bemused "There's two Roses now aren't there Daddy?" Harry corrects her. "Three. The little Rose, remember?"

Samuel and Adam shout "Bad Wolf!" when they see the poster on the wall. They have no idea what it means, but are intrigued by this. Each episode is now like "Where's Wally?"

(6) Samuel's big grin at the "boyfriend" comment. This is something he finds funny every episode. When you're 8 years old, jokes bear endless repetition.

(7) Harry: "Uh oh, what's that!" The Reaper's-eye-view appears. Adam: "Oh deeaaar!"

(8) As things get domestic, Amy and Harry start munching apple slices.

Mum and dad are easily old enough to remember the Eighties, and get absurdly excited at the Green Man poster.

(9) Samuel and Adam start fidgeting during the "ordinary man" discussion. Adam perks up when the Doctor leaves abruptly: "Oh, goodness!"

(10) Some off-screen deaths at the hands (well, the talons) of the Reapers. Adam and Samuel go very quiet.

(11) Adam: "They're being killed off! In church!"

(12) The TARDIS is just a box... the boys are goggle-eyed with amazement.

(14) The car disappears. "What happened there?" asks a puzzled Amy.

(15) "Four Roses!" laughs Harry.

(16) During the "he's a failure" discussion, Samuel is chewing his pen top. Dad reaches for a tissue. There's something in his eye.

(17) The attack on the playground. Amy is concerned. Samuel: "Oh boy!" He thinks this is the scariest part of the programme. But "how does he know they are monsters? He didn't see them."

(18) Reaper attack. Amy greets the scene with a grimace and reaches for some more fruit.

(20) Reaper attack. Samuel and Adam are astonished. Samuel: "Ooh! It's gone for the vicar!"

(21) Big grins from Adam and Samuel as the Doctor decides, "I should have done that ages ago."

(22) Dad continues to sniffle. Harry and Amy look on keenly to see if any more Roses or monsters turn up.

(23) "Is this my fault?" asks Rose. Samuel stares at his mum, appalled. A forlorn shoe appears on TV.

(25) The "taxi home" speech puzzles Samuel and Adam) it seems to be making their own mum sad.

(26) The kids are delighted at seeing another young, old friend. "Mickey!" they cry.

(27) The Doctor's line "You're not going to bring about the end of the world, are you?" greatly amused Samuel. "Hee hee," he says, like a comic character.

"I like baby Rose" smiles Amy.

(29) During a lull in the action, Amy grabs a tissue from the box and balances it on her nose. "Look at me!" Harry does so, sternly. "Shh Amy, I'm trying to listen!"

(31) Samuel fiddles distractedly during the "are we still together/bedtime stories/picnics" conversation that Rose has with her dad. Adam is all attentive though, and slightly scandalised: "She's lying! Why would she lie to her dad?" Adam's dad pats him on the head.

(33) Rose's father says to her: "I'm your dad. It's my job for it to be my fault." Adam and Samuel check out their own dad's reaction to this, but he is strangely unwilling to meet their gaze.

Without warning, a monster appears! Amy, bizarrely, finds this scene quite funny. "Doctor Who's been eaten, and the monster's flied into the TARDIS, hasn't he Daddy?" Harry, on the edge of his seat, shushes her again.

(34) Is the Doctor dead? Adam and Samuel are quiet with concern. "The world's doomed," Adam frets.

(36) Amy gives her Daddy a cuddle, and offers him a browning slice of apple. "Why are you sad?" she asks.

Samuel has a Stephen Hawking moment: "It's reversing and repeating time," he decides. Adam has twigged what Rose's dad is going to do: "He knows how to stop it happening."

(38) Onscreen-dad says: "Who am I, love?" Rose replies: "My daddy." Samuel and Adam aren't moved by this personally, but aware that their own parents are sniffling at this Railway Children moment. Samuel strokes mum's arm.

(39) Adam and Samuel amused by the on-screen parents snogging.

(40) Samuel cuddles mum during the "All these extra hours" speech. "Something amazing's going to happen soon," he reassures her.

(41) The Reapers fold up and vanish, the Doctor suddenly reappears, and Rose's dad hits the tarmac. Samuel is sad for his own mum. Adam is greatly moved by the conclusion. So the whole family have a big hug.

(44) NEXT TIME... "Woah! Now that one looks really scary" says Harry with a grin. Samuel sees the dashing hero giving a different kind of hug to our heroine. "Rose gets another boyfriend?" yells Samuel, "that's three!"

---

The Fear Factors

1: Mildly Scary
2: Quite Scary
3: Very Scary
4: Chilling
5: Terrifying

Kitty
It was brill i was crying the whole way through.WOW, Billie Piper you were so good i wish i could act like that, and the doctor too of course. i love this programme so much cause it is so emotional and life-like. How much do the doctor and Rose actually like each other?!!!

matthew
Matthew aged 6 from Yeadon I found the entire series very exciting, a little scary at first, but i soon got used to it, bring me some more ASAP please. my dad loves it too!

Maria
I loved the piano music in this episode - it really complemented the story. Could a book of piano music from Doctor Who PLEASE be released?

Maria (16)
I really enjoyed this emotional episode. During the last two weeks of exam leave, when all my exams were finished, I watched this episode every day while I was eating lunch.

Charlotte {almost 13}
One thing that is starting to annoy me is that Rose keeps getting annoyed when people think that her and the Doctor are a couple, and can't work out why they think this. They do go walking around holding hands.

sian
I thought that the monsters in this were not that scary but I started crying at the end I thought it eas really sad.

Adam tariq
I was scared when the Doctor got eaten.I was only scared because I thought it was the last DOCTOR WHO.The Tardis is a box inside it is massive.

The Assistant
Unfortunately what should have been a great story was ruined by the writer. The Reapers came because Rose created a Paradox by saving her Dad. But by her Dad dying in a different place with people and the driver giving himeself up we have another Paradox. After all Rose went to see her father because she believed he died alone. Well now her doesn't, ergo she doesn't need to go back and be that person. Another Paradox, so where are the Reapers. Please don't do Paradox stories if you can't write them

Megan Bowler
I cried my eyes out when the doctor died. But I jumped up and down on the settee when he came back to life! Another really good episode :)

charlotte(10)
i was crying when the doctor died then i was jumping for joy when he came back to life

Veryan
My mom screamed when Rose's dad handed her the baby. That's what startled me.

kizzy bowden
It was the best doctor who episode ever and I think that the way they made the doctor die was great and I will always love that episode.

Ross Wingate (11)
It's unusual how you can change the Future.It's like "Back To The Future (part 2)".Maybe if I had a T.A.R.D.I.S. I would go back to the 70's and make my parents rich for today

Carl (15)
The Reapers should appear more often- the thing is so many paradoxes have been created in various episodes. And why did the reaper only appear inside when Rose touched the baby Rose? Just baby Rose seeing her should make a paradox. Ok, I'm confused now :S Paradoxes are WEIRD. I like them though- good food for thought.

kaz
it is deffinately not scary the monsters are quite sweet actually

Rai (16)
Why did I have to cry? This is probably my favourite episode, although the reapers weren't really scary. Doctor Who was killed though, but it was clever how the car kept driving round.

jim
not scary at all.

Laura Ogden (14)
i think this episode was brillant not to scary but not to soft (if you get it) this episode was just the best out of the whole lot espically with baby rose. i cant wait till the next episode

Joe (10)
not scary at all it actually made me feel happy

Lizzie
The monsters were the scariest yet, but it was cool to see Mickey as a little kid!

Pete Hazell
I can't quite believe that I actually burst into tears a couple of times during this one - didn't know TV could still do that to me! Not a particularly scary episode in itself, although I'm mildly terrified that they've started making "historical" adventures set when I was 14 years old!

Susie
This episode, while it didn't make me cry (except for one moment), did make me think about the fact that, while Rose's travels with the Doctor are great fun to watch, she does actually have a life back on Earth, and that she's not a super-strong girl with no feelings. When she saves her dad's life shows us this. However, the bit that did make me cry was when Rose's father asks her "Who am I?" and she replies "My daddy", I did start to get a bit teary. The worst part was that I watched it with my dad. Went and hugged him after it was over. :D All in all, a great episode.

E-Liz
Whew, that's scary...I'm all upset now *sniff*. Great episode. Let's watch it again!

Brenda
This was the best episode (so far!) v. moving! Rose is soooo cool!!

Caz
Doctor Who rules! Bit upset about Pete though.

Sarah
this series of Dr Who has been the most surprising, especially since it has offered a chance for character development for the supporting characters especially Rose. She comes across as an interesting person in her own right, rather than as some pretty bimbo who trips over invisible rocks to "sprain her ankle" at an inconvenient moment. Chris protrays a Dr with emotional intensity, and different to what'sgone before. Excellent storylines. Can't wait to see what they do with the cybermen or even, gasp, the master... After having seen the showdown with the last dalek, would have loved to have seen CE facing off with him. Ah well.

Nika
This episode was great. I don't really cry much, especially at emotional TV programmes. When I saw the clip I thought "oh, dear" because I hate emotional TV programmes, but they did this episode so well I loved it! The ending was a bit predictable - there was no way Rose's father was going to survive. Can't wait for next week's episode.

Mark Healey
I was sat with my two year old daughter on my knee all the way through, hugging her tight, and I definitely had something in my eye by the end. Superb and extremely moving. I'm planning picnics as I type...

Rebecca
This has DEFINITELY been the best episode of the series. I was literally crying my eyes out over this one. I agree with an earlier comment which said that Billie Piper deserves an award for this, she's a great actress! I can't understand why Adam didn't find the bit where Rose said "My Daddy" moving, I am the same age as him and I think it was the best part of the episode!

caz
me and my friends watched tis at a sleepover.I always watch doctor who but my friends dont so i persuaded them to watch it.We all sat there near to tears when we new roses dad would have to kill himself.Now both my fiends are hooked.ten out of ten for tension at the end and excitement the whole way through it.WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Reaper
Reapers rock! Bring them back the next time there is some kind of paradox. They are my favourite Doctor Who creatures.

David Wilson
I remember back when Sara Jane left Dr Who how sad i felt then when Adric was killed and i had no idea that was happening i was in shock. Fathers Day is by far the Only Dr Who episode that has truely moved me to tears. Here i am a 40yr old guy weeping over this extremely moving story. This is by far my favourite episode ever for the sheer emotions it evoked in me. Keep up the fantastic work this new series ROCKS....

Loving the alien
Billie Piper just gets better and better. Her acting in this episode was worthy of a Bafta TV award. But the trailers for the following episode spoil the emotional impact of the previous one. They are very intrusive.

John
Such a moving episode probably the saddest since Adric was killed. What I liked about it is that sometimes we have no control over the feelings and important people in our lives, especially when we make decisions or "stuff happens." With the new series The Doctor, Rose and her mom have all become important to all of us.

Cei
Been watching since Pertwee, but never been moved to tears before. A bit close to my own experience I guess but beautifully written. All the episodes have been so far. Now ... when are we going to get an explaination for this "last of the time lords/Gallifrey has been destroyed" stuff? Re-watched my video of the 8th Doctor's TV movie, but all was okay at the end of that. Why has such a drastic change been made? Or is the Doctor going to be allowed to sort it out?

Bruce
I couldn't stop hugging my nine month old daughter for nearly 20 minutes after this one.

Mike Leuty
A superb programme: theology for kids, with an exploration of the love between parents and their children, reconciliation, redemption and sacrifice, and two explicit statements of the worth of every individual. Shaun Dingwall's "Gethsemane" moment was beautifully acted. This Daddy soon ran out of handkerchiefs. Thanks to everyone involved.

david
reapers are cool and great.

Mini Dalek
How good was that episode? When Rose said, "My daddy," I was nearly crying. I also thought the part with small Mickey in it was funny! I can't wait to see next weeks', I think that the Empty Child's voice is scary! Well Done Team!

Alex Brailsford
It was a brill episode and when I saw the car apearing and disapearing I knew Roses' dad had to kill himself to save everyone. Out of the seris i'd give Doctor who a rating of ten out of ten.I can't wait until the next episode!

jamie
it was brilliant

novachild
This was an interesting episode that played more on emotion than fear factor. That said, much of the plot is left unexplained, and the time paradox itself isnt't sufficiently logical to perpetuate the story. And the domestic whining between Rose's parents became irritating very quickly. They raised the bar in The End of the World, lowered it to its lowest depths in the last 2-parter, and raised it again in Dalek. Let's hope the bar finds a happy place to be, rather than these quirky, slightly disappointing episodes. It would also have been much more effective if it wasn't the middle of the day. The time-creatures looked silly in broad daylight. But all in all, a nice drama, if a little overstuffed with unnecessary plot devices and quirky editing.

Noel
Excellent episode, emotion, love, paradoxes, great. Billie Piper is filling her role to perfection, getting better with each episode

Scott
Well done bbc for excellent episode of doctor who fathers day, I found the episode confusing at first as the car kept reappearing, Then i took to it as the episode came to a close. Well written. I give you ten points.

Francesco
...totally riveting...officially my favorite episode after The Unquiet Dead, for it's melancholic feel, touching moments and some great shots. 80's details went downa treat as well. My friends and I rushed back see it...as always :-P I think these kind of episode are the best as the dialogue is relalistic and you feel the characters evolving and something significant actually haeppning. Unlike The two-parter with the attack on London, which was a little too rushed i felt, and even though so much had happened, no one seemed to be any different. Great eneding though....Number 10 totalled Brutal :-p

armadillozenith
Overall excellent, some loose ends I didn't work out, but a brave venture into unusual emotional land for Doctor Who. Sniff!

Bobette
This episode was the saddest yet! I love Doctor Who, and I can't wait for the empty child ;)

Mark
It's Doctor Who but it's not like Doctor Who but it's Doctor Who!!! I was blown away by this episode. The team have really made the show a character driven programme and its all the better for it! Well done and keep up the great output!

Mark
This was a really moving episode, and although Rose occasionally gets on my nerves, I thought she was quite a good character this week. Having watched this with my younger brother Paul (7 years old) I couldn't be shocked when the Reaper "killed" the Doctor, cos I was laughing too hard at the look on his face. His jaw just hit the floor and was stuck there for about ten minutes. Seriously though, great episode, and "The Empty Child" looks cool too. Do the makers of the new series like world wars or something? Everytime a world war is featured, it's an automatic two part story :D Also, I agree with Samuel. Rose has far too many boyfriends from far too many different time periods. God, she's probably gonna turn out to be Eva Braun next. And if she does it will be a two-parter, simply because of Hitler and World War 2 :D Fear Factor- 2

sam
The Doctor being eaten! I thought "He can't regenerate right now can he?"

meliebug
I think that this episode of doctor who was the coolest! It made me feel sad when her father died and I thought i was going to cry but as i was babysitting my 10 year old brother i thought it best not too! Im the doctor didnt die because he is my favourite character,he is so funny! Baby rose is one of the cutest babies in the world! And who is the gorgeous american in the next episode?! i'll have too wait and see! two thumbs up for this episode!

John
Father's Day was excellent. My Wife & I got married in 1987 so the story brought back memories of our Wedding. What I love about this series is that it is not frightened to tackle character. Well done BBC Wales

Martin
Can we please go back to episodes where the kids are hiding behind the sofa rather than having mum and dad sobbing on the sofa? Scary I can deal with, adn you haven't given the kids nightmares yet, but you might have put up an 'unsuitable for parents' warning before that one!

Paul Jackson
Fantastic, the whole family were in tears! What writing, what acting, what next?

Mike
Beautifully written, directed and acted. Very special and possibly best episode so far...

Chuffer
A real lumpy-throat episode. The discussions between Rose and her dad were beautiful, and I had tears in my eyes during her speech about "picnics and bedtime stories". Doctor Who continues to surprise and shock. Glorious telly.

matt
Another great episode based more on storyline than fear. Completly unique to any previous episode in this series Fear Factor 3

Luke
A cracking episode which had me sobbing like a baby at the end. I had to ring up my dad and tell him how much I love him. Well done Paul Cornell.

Devillo the Worm
Something similar happened in the family involving a car, and I wasnt too sure if it was a good idea to see this. However, this was probably the best written episode to date, and the most emotional. The scene in the playground and in peoples homes where 'normal' people just dissapear works perfectly. Thats what Doctor Who is all about. The Normal and Mundane every day situations being the scenes of such horror. Doctor Who isnt Sci-Fi, its Drama with a Sci-fi background.

Matt
Wow, we need a Parental Emotional Impact Forecast too. Samuel should be the next Doctor. Amy for PM.

Tim McNiven (13)
Since my own dad died i've wished all my life to stop him. This episode touched a the nerves and i had to sniff very quitely as not to look soft next to my best mate!

Andy
I had to watch it a second time on Sunday because I had tears in my eyes and couldn't see the screen properly on Saturday! Well done team.

Glis
"My Daddy"...and I was gone. I think the last time I cried at Doctor Who was when "my" first doctor (Jon Pertwee) turned into Tom Baker!

Jack's Dad
Jack's only 5 but he worked out the plot pretty well - Mum and dad had a tear in their eye at the end. The chemistry between The Doctor and Rose is fantastic - such a shame that we lose this Docotr s soon!

sue
Brilliant episode. Me and my nine year old daughter watched it and she thinks that this doctor is the best ever. She`s likes it more scary.Cant wait for the next one.

Emms
Must say congratz to the writer on this one. So moving and excellently written,i have loved all of the new series and the next episode looks very interesting! :D

Ed Death (14)
Pretty cool. The horrible dragon thin gies were a nice touch. The whole 'seeing the world through the villains eyes before its introduced' thing is an old tradition of Doctor who, first intorduced in 'Doctor Who and the SIlurians'. Glad to see it back. I was a bit worried about the actress playing Rose as a child- hope she's OK.

Rachel
That was the most emmotional episode I have seen, my sister got totally freaked out when the reaper was killing everyone! T'was brilliant, I can't wait till the next ep!

Mysticaloctopus
Great episode, but there's a kind of paradox - if baby rose died, rose wouldn't have been alive to save her dad, so she wouldn't have caused the reapers, so baby rose wouldn't die, so rose would save her dad and kill baby rose... o_O paradox!

Purple Amaya
Fear factor during the 7pm show was 1. But during the late night repeat on BBC3 it was 4! Lights off, parents gone to bed, middle of the night...really really scary, I kept expecting to be gobbled up by monsters from behind the sofa! The scenes with Rose's dad were so emotional. And the Bad Wolf references are compelling, I can't wait to see where they lead! Doctor Who is "fantastic"! :>

Ian
This was a brilliant epsiode, i had tears in my eyes, reminding me of my dad. Had to stroke my cat for comfort. Well done, next weeks looks cool!

Josh Langford
I am only 12 and have loved doctor who since I was small. I think the idea of changing the past and watching the consequences is agood idea. I'm not sure if theres another story like this. One of the best so far!

Patrick
Well its a first! a grown man of 32 and yes watching with my two daughters 8&7, moved to tears by doctor who...who wouldve thought it. Top class episode this one...just top class..emotional, visual, this is what tv is about. Brownie points by the bucket load goes to the bbc for bringing such a infamous programme and taking it up five or six levels.

Carl
I thought the episode wasn't very scary at all. In fact i thought it was more romantic than scary! This doesn't suit Doctor Who at all! I know there are reapers but thats the only mildly scary factor on it! As for the next epsiode now THAT looks cool. Ill kill myslef if i miss it.

Beard
Good to see some hardcore time paradoxes to confuse those new to this kind of thing, a good point in the series to bring it in. Thought the reapers were quite good; they looked pretty mean with their wings folded up, though when they 'flashed' they looked about as hard as busted. Still, i guess this one was more about the storyline...I was more worried that Rose was going to drastically alter time than that everyone was going to get killed for it...guess I've seen too much Doctor Who to expect too many people to be killed off! Good one all round though, I thought.

The daleks lil helper
I don't cry in titanic, bambi or any other supposed to be sad films but this episode of doctor who made me and my mum cry so much. I was very scared when the dr was eaten cos hes cute and very cool though the end was predictable when roses dad saw the car. Overall that episode rocked. =)

nat
like most people my age,I only find Doctor Who mildly scary, although I don't mind it not being scary, I think that if it decreases the number of people watching it.It is perfect as it is,funny,cool and brill effects.I am glad they didn't use the alternative version for the reapers as it looks silly

Caroline
I wasn't convinced by the new Doctor Who for the first few weeks, but 'The Long Game' and 'Father's Day' were both excellent. I love the UST between Rose and the Doctor - how much do they blatantly love each other? All the scenes between Rose and her father were great and I had tears in my eyes when he said that it was his job for it to be his fault, and when he died. Can't wait for next week (and also for the 'Bad Wolf' episode to find out what that's all about).

Gizmo
wow what an episode! all the emotion rose must be feeling, and next weeks episode! WOAH!!

Serpico
For the first time since Adric died I had a tear in my eye watching the show. KUTGW!

Sir Barnaby
This was a pretty scary story with a good story for Rose and her father. However the Reaper plot is just something for the Doctor Two. I give this a fear Factor 3.

Rodger
One of the most moving episodes I have ever seen. Very well written, had a tear in my eye throughout the show!

Jamie
I love Doctor Who i can't wait untill the next one!