Series 6, Episode 11 | 1 part | First broadcast: 17 September 2011 | Writer: Toby Whithouse | Director: Nick Hurran
Cast
- Matt Smith as the Doctor
- Karen Gillan as Amy Pond
- Arthur Darvill as Rory Williams
- David Walliams as Gibbis
Summary
Trapped inside a shifting alien construct disguised as a dated 1980s hotel, the Doctor, Amy, and Rory join a handful of stranded guests being hunted room by room by a Minotaur-like creature that feeds on faith and fear. As the group’s beliefs are twisted against them one by one, the Doctor realises the only way to save Amy is to shatter her lifelong faith in him.
Interesting Facts
- Each hotel room manifests a guest’s deepest personal fear, a conceit that lets the episode explore several characters’ psychology in isolation.
- The Minotaur is ultimately revealed to be an ancient, weary creature seeking release from its own eternal role as a predator.
- The Doctor’s deliberate destruction of Amy’s faith in him to save her life marks a pivotal, painful turning point in their friendship.
- This episode’s bleak tone directly sets up the Doctor’s decision to leave Amy and Rory behind at its conclusion.
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