‘THE GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
The Tenth Doctor meets Madame de Pompadour with Rose and Mickey
This episode is by Steven Moffat. This is a complex ‘Doctor Who’ story set in two time zones – one is set in 18th century France and the other is set on a spaceship in the 51st century! Confusing, hey?!
‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ is a love story for the Tenth Doctor. I enjoyed this episode when I saw it. It’s not as good as ‘The Empty Child’/’The Doctor Dances’, but it’s pretty enjoyable and so interesting.
I’m afraid my Mum doesn’t like this episode very much. Even though there is an 18th century period setting in it, she still doesn’t get what goes on. I understand the episode, but it is very complex indeed.
The Doctor, Rose and Mickey visit a spaceship in the 51st century where there is no crew. There are however clockwork droids who have opened time windows to reach the past in 18th century France.
The Clockwork Droids are stalking the beautiful Madame de Pompadour, as they want her brain to pilot their ship. The Doctor meets and falls in love with her and intends to save her from the droids.
Sophia Myles guest stars as Madame de Pompadour (or Reinette as she calls herself). Sophia has appeared in the 2001 TV adaptation of ‘The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby’ and she also played Lady Penelope in the 2004 ‘Thunderbirds’ film.
It was lovely to see Sophia in this ‘Doctor Who’ episode and it’s easy to understand why the Doctor would fall in love with her. Sophia dated David Tennant not long after this episode for a short while.
David Tennant is superb as the Doctor in this. It was interesting to see a romantic side to the Doctor which is rarely seen before and how he interacts with a French aristocrat who falls in love with him.
Billie Piper is great as Rose Tyler. She doesn’t have a major part to play in this episode, but I liked it when she observes the Doctor with Reinette and when she warns her of the droids coming for her.
This is Noel Clarke as Mickey’s first trip in the TARDIS. It was interesting to see Mickey as a companion. He’s not so used to the travelling, but gets excited when he finds himself on a spaceship.
The Clockwork Droids are an interesting set of monsters to watch. One wonders why they want Reinette’s brain for their ship. They’re obviously ‘thick’ and dress up in 18th century French clothes.
There’s a horse that appears in this episode who the Doctor names Arthur. David Tennant gets to ride on horseback when crashing through a wall to save Reinette from the Clockwork Droids before they kill her at the ball in Versailles.
There is a lot of jumping between 18th century France and the 51st century spaceship in the episode, which is confusing. The link is a fireplace in Reinette’s bedroom which swivels round for the Doctor.
The last scene where the Doctor is parted from Reinette forever was pretty heart-breaking to watch. Seeing the Doctor read Reinette’s letter to him in the TARDIS was very sad and was moving to watch.
‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ has been an enjoyable ‘Doctor Who’ episode. David Tennant delivers a great performance as the Doctor and Sophia Myles is very wonderful as Madame de Pompadour. It is a pretty complex episode to watch, but it has a sweet central love story that will melt your heart.
The DVD/Blu-ray special features for this episode are as follows. There’s an in-vision commentary with David Tennant, Sophia Myles and producer Phil Collinson. There’s also the ‘Doctor Who Confidential’ episode ‘Script to Screen’.
As of February 2026, I’ve had a signed photo of Madame de Pompadour in ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ signed by Sophia Myles at the ‘London Comic Con Spring’ in February 2026.
‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ rating – 7/10
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Bradley's Basement 
This is an episode I’ve enjoyed upon repeated viewing, originally i couldn’t wrap my head around the plot but upon further rewatches I’ve appreciated this episode more.
Excellent review Tim.
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Hi Simon.
Glad you enjoyed my review on ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’.
If I were to rank the Steven Moffat episodes in the RTD era in terms of the best and well-written, it would go like this:
*’Time-Crash’
*’Blink’
*’The Empty Child’/’The Doctor Dances’
*’Silence In The Library’/’Forest of the Dead’
*’The Girl in the Fireplace’
At least I find the Steven Moffat episodes in the RTD era more enjoyable compared to how his actual era turned out (with some exceptions including ones in Series 5). We can agree that most of the Steven Moffat’s ‘Doctor Who’ era is a mixed bag anyway.
Thanks for your comments.
Tim. 🙂
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Just as the Graham Williams era was a mixed bag after the Hinchcliffe era, I could still find enjoyment in Moffat’s reign. And even during Capaldi’s creatively conflicted time on the show. When you’re a Whovian, you certainly learn how to find your significant enjoyments in many areas despite inevitable criticisms. The Girl in the Fireplace is an episode that I enjoyed mainly because of the beautiful Sophia Myles. Thank you, Tim, for your review.
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Hi scifimike,
Yeah, I’d like to think I’m highlighting positives and negatives when it comes to reviewing the Steven Moffat era of ‘Doctor Who’, both in Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi’s tenures. It’s always easy to criticise an era of ‘Doctor Who’ you’re not so fond of, but it’s always good to mention the good points too. Glad you enjoyed ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’, especially because Sophia Myles is in it. 😆
Many thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed my review on the episode.
Tim 🙂
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You’re welcome. I’d have liked to see a happier ending to The Girl in the Fireplace. But Sophia’s contribution to the Doctor Who Lockdown channel made up for it.
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Hi scifimike,
Thanks for sharing the ‘Doctor Who Lockdown’ YouTube video featuring Sophia Myles. That’s the first time I’ve seen the video. I hope it gets included in a Target novelization of ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ someday.
Many thanks,
Tim 🙂
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