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Yeah I was confused about whether or not this was supposed to be a two part story or not considering every other story has been two parters.
The monsters had the potential to be up there in terms of scariness with the weeping angels and the Vashta Nerada. Something innocuous such as the sleep in your eye/statues/dust and shadows, turning into something far more sinister. Unfortunately, they never reached those heights.
This episode felt like filler, there wasn’t really a narrative to it, and it had no overarching effect to the series as a whole. There was nothing to be gained from it. It wasn’t a “bad” episode per se but it had potential that it never reached. The characters weren’t engaging. Whilst we were warned not to get “too attached” to them, who really cared when they died?
It was a disappointing episode.
[adrotate group="5"]All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixSo, I think I’ve decided that I didn’t enjoy this episode and that it’s going to stay my least favorite of the season. Any brilliance and high concept Mark Gatiss is playing with is, for me, overshadowed by the silliness and B-level style of the actual plot and what we were asked to watch for an hour. High art and high concept can be great, especially in an experiment type setting, but this episode became deadly dull and never made a lick of sense (something I think even the Doctor knows and acknowledges when he screams “none of this makes any sense.”)
FAVORITES
–Not having any opening credits is a nice touch, reminding us that what we’re watching isn’t an episode of Doctor Who but supposed to be “found footage” of “real events” that “actually happened.” The credits at the beginning would take us out of that moment.
—–“What happened?” “From the beginning of time? That’s a very long story.”
–“Hold my hand.” “I’m fine.” “I’m not.” The fact that Clara will be gone soon made the Doctor wanting to hold her hand even more poignant.
—Clara never gets to name things. Only the Doctor gets to name new creatures the duo stumble upon.
–The guy who played Rasmussen was very good. Insane, but good.
DISLIKED
–Too many random red-shirts! I didn’t know any of their names by the end and I didn’t care if any of them died.
–There are a lot of ideas embedded in the story that would be far more interesting than this actual episode: grunts, the Great Catastrophe, people living on Titan, a new labor force.
–So. Many. Dark. Hallways. I know it’s the aesthetic they needed in order to sell the “found footage” narrative but at the same time, I do actually need to be able to see what is going on.
–Those Sandmen costumes were straight out of the 1970s Classic Who Era (and honestly I’m not sure why I dislike that because yay Classic Who, except that they were so cheaply made as to be silly)
–I have Mr. Sandman stuck in my head. UGH.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Clara is dead!
This was a pretty decent episode, probably my favourite of the Capaldi run so far, and it was a very fitting end for the character. Basically, Clara’s increasing recklessness got her killed. We’ve seen how those around Clara, including the Doctor, have been showing concern over her behaviour since Danny Pink’s death and it feels like a natural conclusion that eventually Clara’s luck would run out. Clara namechecked Danny which felt like the writers were trying to soften her death with an implied “she and Danny will be reunited in death”, however, I never bought into the Clara/Danny relationship as a deep meaningful thing. They certainly weren’t an Amy and Rory level of deep. There was no “together or not at all” moment for Clara and Danny.
This episode was the first part in a two/three parter story which will inevitably lead us into the Christmas special, probably where we will meet the new companion. The one bit of the episode I didn’t like is how the Doctor was threatening to reign Hell down on what is essentially an alien refugee camp if Ashildr didn’t stop Clara’s death. Whilst I get that the Doctor grows fond of his companions, he’s lost companions before so what makes Clara so special that the doctor would be willing to harm innocents because of her?
I never liked Clara, so her death doesn’t upset me, especially when it was caused by her own stupid recklessness. However, I think any “sadness” over her death is diminished when the writers start pushing Clara as an almost “mary-sue” character who is supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Trying to force Clara as a likeable character onto the audience only makes her more unlikeable.
I’m interested to see how the show does now that Clara is gone as, IMO, she’s been dragging it down slowly ever since her first modern day appearance.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixI thought that was incredible. Brilliant performances all around, especially from Capaldi tonight. Not sure where it ranks overall, but it’s up top for sure.
So, I’m not a huge fan of Clara and I don’t like some directions the writers took her in starting in S8, but there was a very clear narrative through point with her, namely the addiction thesis that eventually lead to a reckless decision and then to her death. I thought her death was wonderfully handled and while I won’t miss her like I miss, say, Rose or Donna, her narrative had a beginning, a middle, and an end with an important, well thought out thesis and I respect that. A lot.
Peter. Capaldi. Just…PETER CAPALDI. God. He does the angry Doctor so well. It wasn’t that Clara was special (or more special) than others he’s lost (like Adric, the only other companion to actually die a non-natural death). It was that the Doctor couldn’t take care of Clara. He was supposed to do that, in his mythic divine nature. But he failed and now the person he’s supposed to look after is gone–because Clara’s thesis is addiction but the Doctor’s is enabling. He never once stopped picking her up for adventures; he never voiced overt concern over her reckless nature. He never stopped letting her come along. The Doctor never wanted to be alone (it’s his greatest fear) so he enabled the addict. He saw what was happening to her and he never put the kibosh on it because, in a lot of ways, the Doctor is selfish. He didn’t want to be alone, he wants to experience the joys and wonders of the universe with someone who’s never seen it (the mayflies of the world, like he and Ashildr said back in “The Woman Who Lived”). He is as responsible for her death as Clara is, and that’s why he’s angry (he was rather responsible for Adric as well, so it’s a nice parallel)
I think we all know where the Doctor’s gone and who summoned him. Moffat told us on the 50th where the Doctor would be going: “home. The long way round.” It took almost two seasons, but we’re going home to Gallifrey!
The Time Lords and their funny hats are coming back, I’d bet money on it. God. I can’t wait. I’ve missed those funny hats and the holier than thou Time Lords.
Trailer for next week “Heaven Sent”
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Overall, I thought this episode was outstanding. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out what happened to Rigsy and the sudden turn when everything fell into place and we realized that Mayor Me was playing a long con. Clara’s exit was very very good, though not as emotionally upsetting (for me) as others simply because I never truly connected to her like I did, say, Rose or Donna. Peter Capaldi brought his A-game to this episode and I thought his rage moments were great, helping to remind the audience that while we associate the Doctor with warm, fuzzy feelings and cute characteristics, he is essentially an immortal god who could wield power over life and death if he so chose. It felt very “The Waters of Mars” and the idea of Time Lord Victorious.
LIKED
–Peter Capaldi, again. Honestly, this is why I was so excited when he was announced as the Doctor. You give him excellent written material and he makes it sing.
–It was nice seeing Rigsy. He was the perfect past “companion” to bring back for this episode. Why bring back Risgy (from season 8’s wonderful ‘Flatline’)–an episode where Clara first took on the moniker Doctor and pretended to see through his eyes–if not to remind us all that the more addicted Clara becomes, the more like the Doctor she is.
–“Don’t bring the new human. I’ll just get distracted.” Bless
–There was a very strong whiff of “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman in this episode. And by strong whiff, I mean they almost literally lifted the entire concept and used it, adding aliens instead of missing people. I’m okay with that because Neverwhere is amazing.
–Maisie is great in this role. She’s going to have quite a career ahead of her once GoT is over.
–Jenna also did a really nice job in her last appearance. Loved her telling the Doctor not to be a Warrior, but a Doctor.
–The Time Lords are coming!! I just know it. It’s also a nice way to add to the seasonal arc of friends and enemies and how intermixed those two become because while the TL are his people, something tells me that the aren’t bringing the Doctor home for tea and cookies.
–Bringing back the Confession Dial. This entire season has had a nice round arc and we’re almost back to where we started.
–Some really terrific music cues, particularly Clara’s final scene.
–The Janus aliens area a cool idea, wouldn’t mind seeing more of them
MIXED
–Name checking Danny Pink. Well, it’s about time. He’s been all over the past few episodes but never name checked. But at the same time, the relationship between Danny and Clara, for me at least, never resonated because we never really got to know Danny outside of his archetype of “soldier.” Because Danny was so grounded and focused on the here and now, he never entered that TARDIS, a place where your true character often shines through. Because I never really knew Danny and never really knew him and Clara together, mentioning him finally doesn’t have quite the punch it should.
DISLIKED
–I’m worried that Moff will undo Clara’s noble and brave death by having the Doctor “do a thing” that will bring her back (but obviously Clara will still leave the show somehow, but just not dead). This is actually a big part of why Clara got as reckless as she did: How could Clara not become reckless and addicted when the Doctor proves time and time again that there are few consequences to traveling with him? The day is always saved, the wrongs are mostly righted, and very seldom do people die. Even losing Danny wasn’t enough to end Clara’s belief that the Doctor can save people–remember how she dragged him to “heaven” to save her boyfriend? For Clara, it’s okay to be reckless and to move through these adventures like the proverbial bull in the china shop because the Doctor is a magical, wonderful and fairy tale-like being who can fix said shattered pottery. To bring her back now, or handwave away her death, would be to undo the idea that life with the Doctor has consequences.
–No but really, someone kill the Sonic Glasses already
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Let be the irrational heart amongst the brains aka smart logical people . I was a complete emotional wreck. Like I sobbed so hard. I cried buckets of tears. I cried and yelled at Clara you stupid girl. You stupid girl. Not like this. I want you with Danny.
Now I am, always have been, my entire existence the outlier. I loved Clara. She was perky fun girl who grew up into a perky complex but fun woman. And by George I loved her. I loved her so much. I know that makes me the weird oddball. But hey the world and more importantly a group of friends like ourselves can use a weird oddball in their midst. Right? That is what I tell myself.
But one thing I wonder with the impossible Girl, was she always died. In every existence incarnation of her day she died. So deep down I expected Clara to die but hope that something timey whimey thing will happen and she would not be dead but with Danny in some altered reality.
I think Clara became more reckless after she lost Danny. I think Clara wanted to be with Danny. I think Clara was braved because she accepted this because she would be with Danny.
I think they dance around Danny name because Clara was avoiding that heartbreak and constantly consoling herself in the drug of being a companion. Grief and Mourning is a tricky thing and I think I give Moffat the credit well I liked how they handle it with Clara and even the Doctor.
Another thing the symbolism of the time ticking down and the raven of death. Was perfect because that is how it felt all season up to this moment. That time was ticking down for Clara and soon she would depart. That was nicely handle.
Good by impossible Girl.
Anyway overall this episode was handled well. I love the twoface aliens. That was the coolest species I seen in a long time. Hope they show them again. The refuge camp made me think of the issues of the world today.
Thank you @RumplesGirl and other ranchers for comforting me. I know that you all didn’t feel the same how I did about Clara. But I love that you all were very empathetic with me not sympathetic but empathetic. I love that about our friendship.
"I will be kind but I will speak my mind."
But one thing I wonder with the impossible Girl, was she always died. In every existence incarnation of her day she died.
That is a good point. It was a very fitting end for Clara, I just hope it sticks this time.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixI have a lot of very mixed thoughts on 9×11 so I’ll only give a few things here and now:
1) Peter Capaldi is a genius and he makes this entire episode. Moffat is too far up his own…ego… for this episode to be anything but overly complicated, overly “art house” and overly indulgent. But Capaldi is basically an acting god.
2) No but really. Moffat take five steps back and remember the roots of this little 2 cent BBC show, kay?
3) Oh ye god. Fine. You want to pull in some canon from the Movie (8th Doctor). Great. I love the movie and Paul McGann. However (gods, however) did it have to be the one thing that like 99.5% of the fandom *hates?!* The Doctor is the hybrid because the movie decided he was half human/half time lord. The fandom…did not enjoy that.
4) Is the Doctor about to become the Valeyard? (Oh please say yes, please say yes. I do so love Trial of a Time Lord)
More later
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"This episode doesn’t rank in my top three of the season, but it’s about middling for me. There is a very big problem with pacing in this week’s episode. We spent the first 20 mins running around like mad, from the castle to the Doctor’s mind palace (whoops, wrong Moffat show…) and back again. And then the narrative came to an abrupt halt as the Doctor worked in 82 min increments to figure everything out. Then it all went off the rails as we watched the *same* events play out again and again and again for 2 billion years. All of that is fairly characteristic of Moffat, but the truly egregious thing, to me at least, is that when the Doctor finally got out of his Underworld experience and found himself on Gallifrey, we didn’t get a single moment to breathe and take it all in, instead Moffat had Wandering Gallifrey Boy approach the Doctor and the next big plot point (hybrid) come into the narrative. All these big whollops and reveals, one right after the next, makes the episode feel jam packed and heavy and confused. Moffat has got to remember to let us breathe and he *needs* to ease up off that throttle.
LIKED
–Peter Capaldi. He is magnificent. Even though I had some issues (clearly) with the script, the man knows how to act.
–Some great music cues.
–Gallifrey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
–Clara’s one line about basically getting over her death because everyone loses people they love. Including the Doctor. I am hopeful (twitch) that this Moff’s way of assuring us that the Doctor isn’t going to be in mourning forever over this one companion
MIXED
–The Doctor is the hybrid. Yeah yeah yeah, the movie says he’s half human/half Time Lord. But it’s bothersome that Moff is going to pull one of the tidbits that most of the fandom doesn’t like and use it for his own plot. However, I’m willing to see where it goes next week.
DISLIKED
–The pacing of this episode was all over the place, I was bored 20 mins in, and excited and seriously confused by the end.
–The mind palace trick is cool but we don’t need to see it every single time the Doctor thinks he is going to die. Also, it’s a total riff on Sherlock. I get it Moff, you run both shows!
–So the little Gallifrey boy just happened to be right in that exact spot when the Doctor stepped out? Convenient much?
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"I love the episode RG. The play of death grief, loss, mourning, heaven, hell, all played out with just no one besides the doctor, ghost clara, that random child. and death?
Psychological and Psyche just draws me in and nothing draws me in like an individual running and fighting and chasing his own demons. I have to say Peter Capaldi commanded this episode and maybe that is why I wasn’t bother by the pacing.
This episode reminded me a few Star Trek episodes when Riker and Crusher were each trapped in their own personal crazy worlds. It also reminded me of some old timey classic Twilight Zone.
Overall I enjoyed it very much but I did figure a lot of it out. That he has been doing this for some time and the skulls he was seeing was his. I had no idea how he was going to get out of this. So I understood why he kept coming back he was going to Win. And that one moment when he said why cant I for once lose just lose. He wanted to give up And he was told No. He was going to win.
Overall I enjoyed this tremendously. As for the hybrid and Gallifrey stuff I am such a newbie to Who that I not full acquire to the certain aspects of the fandom that are not please.
I enjoy Doctor Who but I came in so late in the game I lack the investment that others have into the mythos and art of the series.
However I can respect the fact that others have them, I swear if they were to screw up with with the mythos of Star Trek. Wait they did do that not a good example. Although I dont mind the changes of new Star Trek. I kind of see it as an altered reality as they so explained it.
"I will be kind but I will speak my mind."
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