This is a very entertaining and interesting episode which has one of the greatest moments, and greatest cliffhangers, in Doctor Who history as it ends with the dramatic reveal of the War Doctor, and the incredible casting of John Hurt, which was the most wonderful surprise. I will always remember my reaction when this happened. It was electrifyingly exciting and intriguing. That moment alone makes this a great episode and the majority of the episode is very good even before that great moment.
There are a couple of flaws which aren't big enough to significantly spoil the excellent episode but which I found slightly distracting: The 'conference call' with the Doctor's friends somehow meeting in a type of psychic link and having tea (or champagne in River's case) is pretty bizarre. I find it a rather silly idea.
The way this then leads to River's scenes towards the end and her physically being able to be touched is also a pretty big stretch logically. I am sure there were better ways to bring about the involvement and interactions of all the characters. They could have simply been there helping the Doctor then River could have been captured by the Great Intelligence preventing her from doing what Clara does (because there needed to be a reason for River to not step in instead of Clara).
I do not like the Trenzalore arc. Moffatt already went through a whole very long story arc that the Doctor was prophecied and destined to die at Lake Silencio which was cheated by the Doctor. He then immediately replaced that with another prophecied and destined death for the Doctor! I find it repetetive and unimaginative to do such a similar plot arc. However, this episode does not really deserve to be blamed for the faults of the Trenzalore idea. The arc elements within this episode do not add anything for me but they don't really detract from it either.
The quality of the rest of the episode in terms of acting, drama, excitement, humour and nostalgic references to the Doctor's past as well as the awesome reveal at the end easily overshadow any shortcomings.
Richard E. Grant is again perfect as the Great Intelligence, the Whisperers make a suitably scary monster, River's scenes are touching and Matt Smith is on form.
My Rating: 9.5/10.
My Series 7 Episode Ranking: 2nd of 14.
There are a couple of flaws which aren't big enough to significantly spoil the excellent episode but which I found slightly distracting: The 'conference call' with the Doctor's friends somehow meeting in a type of psychic link and having tea (or champagne in River's case) is pretty bizarre. I find it a rather silly idea.
The way this then leads to River's scenes towards the end and her physically being able to be touched is also a pretty big stretch logically. I am sure there were better ways to bring about the involvement and interactions of all the characters. They could have simply been there helping the Doctor then River could have been captured by the Great Intelligence preventing her from doing what Clara does (because there needed to be a reason for River to not step in instead of Clara).
I do not like the Trenzalore arc. Moffatt already went through a whole very long story arc that the Doctor was prophecied and destined to die at Lake Silencio which was cheated by the Doctor. He then immediately replaced that with another prophecied and destined death for the Doctor! I find it repetetive and unimaginative to do such a similar plot arc. However, this episode does not really deserve to be blamed for the faults of the Trenzalore idea. The arc elements within this episode do not add anything for me but they don't really detract from it either.
The quality of the rest of the episode in terms of acting, drama, excitement, humour and nostalgic references to the Doctor's past as well as the awesome reveal at the end easily overshadow any shortcomings.
Richard E. Grant is again perfect as the Great Intelligence, the Whisperers make a suitably scary monster, River's scenes are touching and Matt Smith is on form.
My Rating: 9.5/10.
My Series 7 Episode Ranking: 2nd of 14.