The episode, which was inspired in part by the fact that the actors David Tennant and Billie Piper were filming other episodes, and following the model of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "The Zeppo" and Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Lower Decks", gave significantly less screentime to the show's two lead actors. Instead, actor Marc Warren takes up most of the episode's acting responsibilities. Although "Love & Monsters" received mixed-to-negative reviews on original airing, it has since inspired an annual tradition of successful "Doctor-light" and "companion-light" episodes, such as Steven Moffat's "Blink" in 2007, Davies's own back-to-back 2008 episodes "Midnight" and "Turn Left", and Gareth Roberts's "The Lodger" in 2010.
"Love & Monsters" is presented as an excerpt from the video diary of Elton Pope, a young ELO fan, describing his encounters with the Doctor. Elton's on-camera narration forms a present-day frame story to a series of flashbacks related to his investigation of the Doctor. Elton recounts a chance meeting with the Doctor, and recalls having seen the same man as a young child in his living room one night. Searching the Internet, he discovers others, including Ursula Blake, who have also reported similar experiences with the Doctor. Elton and Ursula form LINDA—"London Investigation 'N' Detective Agency"—with three others, Bridget, Bliss, and Mr. Skinner, and meet in a library basement to discuss their experiences, but soon their activities become more social in nature. Elton and Ursula become closer through these meetings.
"Love & Monsters" is presented as an excerpt from the video diary of Elton Pope, a young ELO fan, describing his encounters with the Doctor. Elton's on-camera narration forms a present-day frame story to a series of flashbacks related to his investigation of the Doctor. Elton recounts a chance meeting with the Doctor, and recalls having seen the same man as a young child in his living room one night. Searching the Internet, he discovers others, including Ursula Blake, who have also reported similar experiences with the Doctor. Elton and Ursula form LINDA—"London Investigation 'N' Detective Agency"—with three others, Bridget, Bliss, and Mr. Skinner, and meet in a library basement to discuss their experiences, but soon their activities become more social in nature. Elton and Ursula become closer through these meetings.
