I was left rather dumbfounded by the previous week's episode, it offered up so little to the viewer. Hopes are always high for the finale, and especially when it's a two parter. The eight series I've found to be one of the most disappointing so far, it's felt a little tired and forced. Finally this episode took the show to where it needs to be, dark and shrouded in a veil of mystery and intrigue I liked the tone of this episode, very bleak and lots of trouble brewing. Missy is pretty mad cap, I liked her cameos throughout the series, but the revelation that she's The Master, left me feeling a little underwhelmed, why the need to constantly use old characters, why not have the creativity for new ones. Missy's identity proved my only real bugbear, the rest of the story was enjoyable enough. Sad that we've lost Danny, he was a pretty good character, I wonder if later down the line we'll see a return from him.
31 Reviews
Rusty...
Xstal29 December 2021
We finally find out about the strange Missy, she's certainly no innocent sissy. She seems to be harvesting spirits and souls, to be rehoused and homed in familiar moulds. Clara has a bit of a nightmare to be fair, and the Doctor should really decide how to style his hair (long 70s style like his Time Lord presentation I feel is best). Just when you think Mr. Pink is coming out of his shell, he begins a journey to a place that resembles (quite closely) something like hell, especially with the Seb character casting no spell, but it's all set up for the final episode spectacularly well (reminding me I should revisit The Ring, the original Japanese version that's actually called Ringu).
Deeper water
GameAndWatch6 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Two reveals in this episode, the Cybermen and the identity of Missy.
I watched, as others, knowing that this would be a Cybermen episode (from the show promos). I worried it would be an action Cybermen attack Earth episode. Luckily the first half is much more than that.
Clara is rather despondent and angry after loosing Pink at the beginning of the episode, and takes her frustration to the Doctor. There is an odd scene where she tries to blackmail the Doctor into perverting time lines by destroying Tardis keys. I believe this to be a key scene / set up for later, rather than it being a test of Clara's resolve. Though it could be both.
Reading about the Valeyard, this episode stinks to high heaven of him. The Nethersphere is explained to be part of a matrix data slice. Keep that in mind.
In the 'Matrix' the Valeyard possesses the body of the Keeper. Using human sacrifices to power the Dark Matrix. The Master has also previously infiltrated the Matrix. Could we have both Valeyard and Master here in Missy and Seb?
Despite Missy having the anachronisms of the Master, she keeps spouting dialogue as if she is in some way the Doctor, which is more in-line with the Valeyard. The keeper of the Nethersphere sounds an awful lot like the keeper of the Dark Matrix.
The Tardis could very likely have landed within the Master's Tardis. Which would explain the instrument failure. And indicate that Missy is indeed the Master. But something isn't quite adding up here.
I can't believe the dark water was just there for the Cybermen reveal. What is its purpose?
Watching 'Listen' again, we have Orson Pink, why? Perhaps he's Clara's son, but I'd like to think that Pink is more than that. Naff scenario is that he'll end up being a good Cyberman and save the day.
Handles is likely to make a reappearance. Perhaps Pink is rescued from the Matrix and re-augmented into Handles' head. Though that doesn't seem like much of an upgrade to me! But does lend well to Clara, Doctor and Pink being able to travel together. We could do with a good new companion.
When talking to Clara, Pink fails to really identify himself. Which does lend to ambiguity. The Doctor indicates that it all could be a masquerade. "It's impossible, the dead don't come back."
I have no quarrel with Time Lords gender swapping. And Missy is a fun character. I had no idea that the prospect could cause such outrage amongst fans! I begged for the return of the Master, but didn't really enjoy the 10th Doctor era, so welcome a return.
One last comment, Clara did say in listen: "Say something nice" to Danny. Missy says something similar. Related? Perhaps she is an amalgamation of a few characters: the Doctor, the Master, Clara and even The Valeyard!
Only a few days to enlightenment or cataclysmic disappointment.
I watched, as others, knowing that this would be a Cybermen episode (from the show promos). I worried it would be an action Cybermen attack Earth episode. Luckily the first half is much more than that.
Clara is rather despondent and angry after loosing Pink at the beginning of the episode, and takes her frustration to the Doctor. There is an odd scene where she tries to blackmail the Doctor into perverting time lines by destroying Tardis keys. I believe this to be a key scene / set up for later, rather than it being a test of Clara's resolve. Though it could be both.
Reading about the Valeyard, this episode stinks to high heaven of him. The Nethersphere is explained to be part of a matrix data slice. Keep that in mind.
In the 'Matrix' the Valeyard possesses the body of the Keeper. Using human sacrifices to power the Dark Matrix. The Master has also previously infiltrated the Matrix. Could we have both Valeyard and Master here in Missy and Seb?
Despite Missy having the anachronisms of the Master, she keeps spouting dialogue as if she is in some way the Doctor, which is more in-line with the Valeyard. The keeper of the Nethersphere sounds an awful lot like the keeper of the Dark Matrix.
The Tardis could very likely have landed within the Master's Tardis. Which would explain the instrument failure. And indicate that Missy is indeed the Master. But something isn't quite adding up here.
I can't believe the dark water was just there for the Cybermen reveal. What is its purpose?
Watching 'Listen' again, we have Orson Pink, why? Perhaps he's Clara's son, but I'd like to think that Pink is more than that. Naff scenario is that he'll end up being a good Cyberman and save the day.
Handles is likely to make a reappearance. Perhaps Pink is rescued from the Matrix and re-augmented into Handles' head. Though that doesn't seem like much of an upgrade to me! But does lend well to Clara, Doctor and Pink being able to travel together. We could do with a good new companion.
When talking to Clara, Pink fails to really identify himself. Which does lend to ambiguity. The Doctor indicates that it all could be a masquerade. "It's impossible, the dead don't come back."
I have no quarrel with Time Lords gender swapping. And Missy is a fun character. I had no idea that the prospect could cause such outrage amongst fans! I begged for the return of the Master, but didn't really enjoy the 10th Doctor era, so welcome a return.
One last comment, Clara did say in listen: "Say something nice" to Danny. Missy says something similar. Related? Perhaps she is an amalgamation of a few characters: the Doctor, the Master, Clara and even The Valeyard!
Only a few days to enlightenment or cataclysmic disappointment.
A spellbinding start to the finale
Sleepin_Dragon19 September 2015
I'm so glad Moffatt decided to revert back to the format of a two Part finale, the last few have been good, but being single episodes both felt rushed and messy. This showed what can happen when a story is allowed to develop.
I'll say it, I don't think the show can get any better then this, it was totally mesmerising as an episode, FABULOUS. I can't even begin to say what worked, who was good, it was just all amazing.
I love the utter darkness of it, Doctor Chang's explanation of the white noise, that when you die you're not really dead etc, and that the dead can still feel, just genius, literally the stuff of nightmares. The show cannot get any darker then this. 'Don't cremate me!' Shudders.
The recreated scene of the Cybermen walking in front of St Paul's Cathedral too, brilliant.
Missy, she was sensational, what a fabulous performance from Michelle Gomez, pizazz, energy, craziness, just a bubbling ball of brilliance, her reveal at the end, one of the best moments of Nu Who, it gave me chills, Gomez played off Capaldi so well. Great too that Chris Addison got to appear with Capaldi again, he's a joy too. Danny's choice at the end had me near to tears, the music was beautiful, so bleak.
10/10 Epic perfection.
I'll say it, I don't think the show can get any better then this, it was totally mesmerising as an episode, FABULOUS. I can't even begin to say what worked, who was good, it was just all amazing.
I love the utter darkness of it, Doctor Chang's explanation of the white noise, that when you die you're not really dead etc, and that the dead can still feel, just genius, literally the stuff of nightmares. The show cannot get any darker then this. 'Don't cremate me!' Shudders.
The recreated scene of the Cybermen walking in front of St Paul's Cathedral too, brilliant.
Missy, she was sensational, what a fabulous performance from Michelle Gomez, pizazz, energy, craziness, just a bubbling ball of brilliance, her reveal at the end, one of the best moments of Nu Who, it gave me chills, Gomez played off Capaldi so well. Great too that Chris Addison got to appear with Capaldi again, he's a joy too. Danny's choice at the end had me near to tears, the music was beautiful, so bleak.
10/10 Epic perfection.
Steven Moffat strikes again!
tlfirth1 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I can honestly say, Series 8 has been quite an uneven ride, with some very good episodes and so not so good episodes blended together to make a rather average series. However, that has completed changed for me! Dark Water has knocked the series right into the sky with Steven Moffat stamping his name on one of the darkest and greatest episodes of Doctor Who to date. Younger children will probably want to steer clear, but if you've ever enjoyed Doctor Who, adults gather around, because this is a roller coaster of emotions!
Written by probably one of the cleverest writers I've heard about, Dark Water has a great mix of tension, sadness, anxiety and scares. The performances from Capaldi, Coleman, Anderson, Gomez and Addison were all top notch, there's no denying the stream of talent! The music has never failed for the series, but somehow, Murray Gold manages to top himself with another stunningly foreboding rendition, which gives a tingle in the spine. Not only that, but the Cybermen's return is one of the greatest since the age of the Second Doctor, from the likes of the Tomb of the Cybermen!
This episode takes many dangerous steps, including Moffat's tendency to touch on the theory of afterlife, which may cause controversy amongst religions, but as an atheist I can turn a blind eye. However, the darker themes of this story make it all the more visceral and it's just so bloody good! Somehow, Moffat has done it again! It could be one of his best since Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - forget about it - I know it is!
Of course, I can't blatantly call it perfection, because that would be wrong! There are some slow moments, and Moffat can go too far at times, but that doesn't stop him from literally twisting the meaning around for "rest in peace"!
To finish though, the cliffhanger is quite amazing. It's completely unpredictable because Moffat made it so. Missy's reveal caps it all of wonderfully, let's just hope the finale can finish it off properly!
9.3/10
Written by probably one of the cleverest writers I've heard about, Dark Water has a great mix of tension, sadness, anxiety and scares. The performances from Capaldi, Coleman, Anderson, Gomez and Addison were all top notch, there's no denying the stream of talent! The music has never failed for the series, but somehow, Murray Gold manages to top himself with another stunningly foreboding rendition, which gives a tingle in the spine. Not only that, but the Cybermen's return is one of the greatest since the age of the Second Doctor, from the likes of the Tomb of the Cybermen!
This episode takes many dangerous steps, including Moffat's tendency to touch on the theory of afterlife, which may cause controversy amongst religions, but as an atheist I can turn a blind eye. However, the darker themes of this story make it all the more visceral and it's just so bloody good! Somehow, Moffat has done it again! It could be one of his best since Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - forget about it - I know it is!
Of course, I can't blatantly call it perfection, because that would be wrong! There are some slow moments, and Moffat can go too far at times, but that doesn't stop him from literally twisting the meaning around for "rest in peace"!
To finish though, the cliffhanger is quite amazing. It's completely unpredictable because Moffat made it so. Missy's reveal caps it all of wonderfully, let's just hope the finale can finish it off properly!
9.3/10
Absolutely loved it!
kikkapi201 November 2014
Absolutely loved it. A truly magnificent episode showing us how far Who has traveled since 2005 and how much it has matured and improved. Hard to believe that a show featuring farting aliens and burping rubbish bins is the same as this dark, rich and sophisticated masterpiece. Moffat has let the show breathe and let the story lines serve the series arc rather than being showstoppers for the Doctor. Peter Capaldi is subtle and magisterial but doesn't hog the screen and is generous in supporting the other actors. He doesn't need grandstanding speeches to show us he is the Doctor - his authority and command oozes from his portrayal - great stuff!
Hide behind the Couch goodness
Williamgold2471 November 2014
There was a peacefulness and quietness that marked the beginning of Dark Water with Clara and Danny picking up where they left off from Forest of the Night with Clara finding a way to tell Danny the whole truth. this peacefulness is promptly ripped away from Stephen Moffat. We then witness a Doctor Who companion n go properly mad and begin a treasure hunt throughout the Tardis for the seven keys with the mission of destroying the keys. Clara implores the Doctor that time can be rewritten. The Doctor replies that there are consequences and tells Clara that she should go to Hell. She replies that she probably deserved that and starts to exit the Tardis. The Doctor inquires of Clara where is she going because they are taking the Tardis to Hell.
We are greeted upon the arrival of the Tardis in the Nethersphere by Missy surrounded by skeletons. Moffat pulls at your emotional heart strings to figure out what happened to Danny Pink. We also want a resolution to who exactly is Missy and the purpose of the Nethersphere. We receive a chilling revelation about what happens to humans when they reach the Nethersphere.
Moffat being the master of misdirection occupies our attention with the Danny/ Clara drama. We also find out too late about the true nature of the Skeletons which turns out to be an old menace. Finally, the Doctor and Clara discover the true identity of the mysterious Missy. The viewer is left at the end of the episode by Moffat in a place of mortal peril and many left hiding behind their couch.
We are greeted upon the arrival of the Tardis in the Nethersphere by Missy surrounded by skeletons. Moffat pulls at your emotional heart strings to figure out what happened to Danny Pink. We also want a resolution to who exactly is Missy and the purpose of the Nethersphere. We receive a chilling revelation about what happens to humans when they reach the Nethersphere.
Moffat being the master of misdirection occupies our attention with the Danny/ Clara drama. We also find out too late about the true nature of the Skeletons which turns out to be an old menace. Finally, the Doctor and Clara discover the true identity of the mysterious Missy. The viewer is left at the end of the episode by Moffat in a place of mortal peril and many left hiding behind their couch.
Dark Water
jayfeather434 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Well, Doctor Who certainly knows how to begin a finale! Without spoiling anything, we are instantly thrown into the action within 2 minutes of air time and remain that way until the end. The return of the Cybermen worked well with the theme of the episode, giving it an eerie feeling. This episode shows Doctor Who at its best. The episode is dark, the characters are brilliantly written and the actors give truly amazing performances. The plot is brilliant and the ending is sure to grip you until next week. 'Missy. It's short for Mistress. Well I couldn't very well keep calling myself (SPOILER ALERT) The Master now, could I?' The return of two major villains, a massive cliffhanger, combined with a brilliant plot, a creepy idea and amazing actors ensures a brilliant episode. Roll on Death in Heaven!!
The Master is creepy, but brilliant...
DCSassyQueen30 January 2016
The 12th Doctor definitely made me a complete fan. I liked him before, but I love him now. I wish I had The Doctor as a friend or not I guess because he is always in trouble.
Anyways, I knew this episode would be good since it was part of the finale and it was everything. It was so damn creepy, thrilling and fun.
When Clara betrayed The Doctor, I knew he would he would not turn his back on her and it made me love him more. She even expected The Doctor to be upset. I know I would have dropped her like a hot potato, but it is good to know that The Doctor has 2 caring and forgiving hearts.
Let me finally address Clara and Danny's relationship. First of all, it was so rushed, which made it seem forced. When Danny died, I felt sad in a way I was sorry for them, but not sad in a way where in hurt me (11th & River).
Finally, I have to say I love to hate The Master. I missed his twisted mind from season 5-7 and I have always wondered how 11th would deal with him (probably would have made him darker). Anyways, I love The Mistress a.k.a Missy. She brought the crazy in this episode and I was definitely here for it.
I cannot wait for part 2.
Anyways, I knew this episode would be good since it was part of the finale and it was everything. It was so damn creepy, thrilling and fun.
When Clara betrayed The Doctor, I knew he would he would not turn his back on her and it made me love him more. She even expected The Doctor to be upset. I know I would have dropped her like a hot potato, but it is good to know that The Doctor has 2 caring and forgiving hearts.
Let me finally address Clara and Danny's relationship. First of all, it was so rushed, which made it seem forced. When Danny died, I felt sad in a way I was sorry for them, but not sad in a way where in hurt me (11th & River).
Finally, I have to say I love to hate The Master. I missed his twisted mind from season 5-7 and I have always wondered how 11th would deal with him (probably would have made him darker). Anyways, I love The Mistress a.k.a Missy. She brought the crazy in this episode and I was definitely here for it.
I cannot wait for part 2.
It was...Meh
shushi_sha3 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not a big fan of Steven Moffat, but I acknowledge his good episodes and brilliant ideas when they deserve it.
This is not one of those episodes.
We start with Clara telling Mr. Pink that she loves him, which is kind of hard for me to believe because their relationship wasn't portrayed well during the season (they argued, talked about trust and argues a little bit more) And then he died. I didn't care a bit about his dying for two reasons: 1. He was such a dull character with no development. 2. We all know that Moffat will bring him back in two minutes (Was I wrong? not really)
Soo...Danny Pink is dead and Clara decides to blackmail the Doctor into rewriting the past and bringing Danny back. I have a real problem with this part because she blackmailed him by taking all the Tardis keys and throwing them into a volcano (of course everything in her dream, but still) it's a HUGE betrayal of the Doctor, her friend and companion. For some unknown reason he agrees to take her to whatever is where Danny, it's like he said "Heck, I'll take everything I'm in charge of and believe in and throw it out of the window". because of course there will be no problem with them going to the next life, bringing someone back and changing time.
Meanwhile Danny arrived to the Nethersphere and tries to cope with death and all he has done as a soldier, the one that truly steals the show is Seb, the workers who "checks him in". He's funny, cynical and well, much more interesting that Danny. Danny himself goes through a reckoning about his life.
The Doctor and Clara arrive to the Nethersphere, meet Missy, try to understand where the f*** they are. The whole idea of the Nethersphere is quite interesting, especially the idea that dead people can feel what happens to their bodies, the 3 words "don't cremate me" were quite chilling. BTW the sequence where Missy kissed the Doctor was amusing but not asked for, if you think about who she actually is, it's defiantly disturbing. You know what, I'll just skip to that, anyway that was the reason why I watched is episode (I got Spoilers~) Missy is the Master. I hate that idea, really really hate that idea. The actress who portrays Missy is good and interesting woman,I have nothing against her. I'm against the idea that the Master can be a woman because he was a man for so long, he saw himself as a man. Changing his sexual identity is SO MUCH MORE than "hey look I got boobs!" Also, how Moffat writes women is terrible, they all have the same characteristics: sexy, smart, flirty, DEFINED BY A MAN. The true Master wouldn't kiss the Doctor (although I imagine some people on tumblr would argue with me), he wouldn't go around in a tiny hat and lipstick, come on.
Anyway, I write a lot and everything is a bit confused, but with everything that happened this episode: Danny's death, Clara's betrayal, revealing of the Master...I don't even talk about the Cyberman...I actually was quite bored and didn't care about anyone except the Doctor and that thanks to Peter Capaldi's amazing portrayal of the Doctor.
So I give that episode 6/10, but if you compare it to the other ending episodes of the previous seasons...I would give it 4/10. Let's see what the second part gives us.
This is not one of those episodes.
We start with Clara telling Mr. Pink that she loves him, which is kind of hard for me to believe because their relationship wasn't portrayed well during the season (they argued, talked about trust and argues a little bit more) And then he died. I didn't care a bit about his dying for two reasons: 1. He was such a dull character with no development. 2. We all know that Moffat will bring him back in two minutes (Was I wrong? not really)
Soo...Danny Pink is dead and Clara decides to blackmail the Doctor into rewriting the past and bringing Danny back. I have a real problem with this part because she blackmailed him by taking all the Tardis keys and throwing them into a volcano (of course everything in her dream, but still) it's a HUGE betrayal of the Doctor, her friend and companion. For some unknown reason he agrees to take her to whatever is where Danny, it's like he said "Heck, I'll take everything I'm in charge of and believe in and throw it out of the window". because of course there will be no problem with them going to the next life, bringing someone back and changing time.
Meanwhile Danny arrived to the Nethersphere and tries to cope with death and all he has done as a soldier, the one that truly steals the show is Seb, the workers who "checks him in". He's funny, cynical and well, much more interesting that Danny. Danny himself goes through a reckoning about his life.
The Doctor and Clara arrive to the Nethersphere, meet Missy, try to understand where the f*** they are. The whole idea of the Nethersphere is quite interesting, especially the idea that dead people can feel what happens to their bodies, the 3 words "don't cremate me" were quite chilling. BTW the sequence where Missy kissed the Doctor was amusing but not asked for, if you think about who she actually is, it's defiantly disturbing. You know what, I'll just skip to that, anyway that was the reason why I watched is episode (I got Spoilers~) Missy is the Master. I hate that idea, really really hate that idea. The actress who portrays Missy is good and interesting woman,I have nothing against her. I'm against the idea that the Master can be a woman because he was a man for so long, he saw himself as a man. Changing his sexual identity is SO MUCH MORE than "hey look I got boobs!" Also, how Moffat writes women is terrible, they all have the same characteristics: sexy, smart, flirty, DEFINED BY A MAN. The true Master wouldn't kiss the Doctor (although I imagine some people on tumblr would argue with me), he wouldn't go around in a tiny hat and lipstick, come on.
Anyway, I write a lot and everything is a bit confused, but with everything that happened this episode: Danny's death, Clara's betrayal, revealing of the Master...I don't even talk about the Cyberman...I actually was quite bored and didn't care about anyone except the Doctor and that thanks to Peter Capaldi's amazing portrayal of the Doctor.
So I give that episode 6/10, but if you compare it to the other ending episodes of the previous seasons...I would give it 4/10. Let's see what the second part gives us.
Intellectually intriguing; fans will be weeping.
LinkZelda1231 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Too often in entertainment, do we misconstrue a 'masterpiece', to be a sole attribute that is fully realised, such as atmosphere or ambition. However, surely a term connoting perfection should be far better suited to a confluence of everything that makes a film what it is in the first place - an enticing atmosphere, a lucid script, wonderful characters and of course an incredible story. Dark Water not only adheres this criteria, it negates it, rendering it to be one of the best TV episodes not only of this year, but perhaps of all time.
I'm sure there will be many reviews on this episode outlining the various reasons as to why it can be considered a 'masterpiece'. However, all I can do is repeat those statements, and therefore I will leave with one final thing that I have to say: Watch it and enjoy a bloody good episode of British television. And with that I bid you Adieu...
I'm sure there will be many reviews on this episode outlining the various reasons as to why it can be considered a 'masterpiece'. However, all I can do is repeat those statements, and therefore I will leave with one final thing that I have to say: Watch it and enjoy a bloody good episode of British television. And with that I bid you Adieu...
Doctor - Dark Water
Scarecrow-883 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson) becomes a casualty of "if you are close to main characters you are often screwed" so prevalent in television series. Being in love with Clara, he so happens to be talking to her when he walks in front of a moving vehicle and joins the dead spirits "among the nethersphere". This is a type of afterlife, and if so inclined Danny could choose to have his emotional attachments to his previous life (this after being able to speak to Clara from beyond the grave through a type of "spiritual wi-fi connection"!) by simply clicking "delete". Wild concepts like this type of futurecity afterlife are what have made Doctor Who quite a unique series in science fiction. It plays with conventional ideas and applies them to the Doctor Who universe. Anyway, thanks to Clara's passion for "rescuing Danny" (she threatens to toss away all "Tardis keys" into the lava of a planet but the Doctor was one step ahead of her, allowing her to go as far as she would so he could verify her feelings for this), the Doctor decides to try and take his Tardis into the afterlife! He would prefer to do this instead of the implications that could come with altering time to save him. The Master once again returns in the guise of a cyborg unit introducing the Doctor and Clara to the 3W Institute where supposedly the dead go after death. This ruse will once again square the Doctor with two old nemeses from the past
the Master with his/her madness and genius, and the unemotional, destructive cyborg forces, the cybermen. "Dark Water" is the first part in a two part story arc followed by "Death in Heaven", involving how the afterlife is used by a maniacal Time Lord (as opposed to other enemies of the Doctor) bent on once again conquering the universe (and mankind). Nice trick regarding where we think the Doctor and Clara appear to be but are not as the Master reveals to her adversary how her little plan is unfolding much to his dismay. It never fails to surprise me how the cybermen can be used in new plots that leave the Doctor once again needing some type of miracle plan to defeat them. However, this time the cybermen are at the service of the Master, although Danny's decision on whether or not to erase his emotions could play a pivotal role in her success or defeat. That the afterlife is treated as if someone was being introduced to an interview process in an office is bizarre, surreal, and rather clever.
Flat
voyou-703-6553502 November 2014
This is the worst building up of a climax that I've seen in the entire NuWho series. I can't say I care about watching the denouement next week. I will, but only because I enjoy Mr. Capaldi.
The pre-titles sequence is presented in a way that left me completely indifferent. This isn't great writing, but maybe it would have worked if Mr Pink was portrayed by someone capable of conveying an emotion. His performance all along the episode is pathetic, and that's terrible because this character is so central to today's plot.
Ensues a lot of talking, with repeated promises of disturbing explanations that end up being absolutely not disturbing, and a series of revelations that completely fail to surprise and completely succeed in demonstrating that Mr Moffat is all happy with cheap tricks. Plus we already knew we would have boring Cybermen agaaaaaain, thanks to last week's teaser; shame on that.
Let's also mention a number of plot holes, the fact that Missy, although an interesting character and actress, is more silly than creepy, and above all, once again, the fact that whatever the Doctor is doing alone on another world when he is called by Clara seems much more entertaining than what we are given to see.
As people often say on this website... Meh.
The pre-titles sequence is presented in a way that left me completely indifferent. This isn't great writing, but maybe it would have worked if Mr Pink was portrayed by someone capable of conveying an emotion. His performance all along the episode is pathetic, and that's terrible because this character is so central to today's plot.
Ensues a lot of talking, with repeated promises of disturbing explanations that end up being absolutely not disturbing, and a series of revelations that completely fail to surprise and completely succeed in demonstrating that Mr Moffat is all happy with cheap tricks. Plus we already knew we would have boring Cybermen agaaaaaain, thanks to last week's teaser; shame on that.
Let's also mention a number of plot holes, the fact that Missy, although an interesting character and actress, is more silly than creepy, and above all, once again, the fact that whatever the Doctor is doing alone on another world when he is called by Clara seems much more entertaining than what we are given to see.
As people often say on this website... Meh.
An AMAZING start to an AMAZING end.
callumtrevitt1 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Dark Water is a thrilling and tense build up to next week's final episode "Death in Heaven". This episode (by itself) is absolutely fantastic, not only is it extremely scary - but it's also very intriguing. We find out that 'Missy' is in fact 'The Master' which is what every Whovian has wanted for quite a long time! But the question that we all hold is 'Will Clara stay? or Will she die?'. I think that this episode CANNOT be judged on it's OWN - I think it's wrong for IMDb viewers to give this episode such a low rating. Besides, a TRUE Whovian WOULD NOT give this a rating below 8. I am so excited for the finale next week - these next seven days will feel like seven years!! Overall - It's leading onto an amazing finale
The Doctor meets The Mistress
Tweekums2 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The first series with Peter Capaldi playing The Doctor draws to a close with this two part story. It opens with Clara phoning Danny to tell him how much she loves him; then the line goes dead until a woman tells Clara that she picked up the phone after its owner was struck by a bus; Danny is dead! Clara tries to force The Doctor to go back in time to save Danny, but he points out that would create a paradox so instead he offers to take her to the afterlife. Danny meanwhile is coming to terms with the fact that he is dead
and with the fact that he still feels what his body feels; not something to dwell on when you are likely to be cremated! The afterlife isn't what one might expect; it isn't a beautiful paradise but 'The Nethersphere'; which looks like a dark mega-city vaguely reminiscent of that in Blade Runner. The Doctor and Clara get there and learn some horrific truths; the dead are being turned into Cybermen and the person responsible is none other than The Master, although as he is now a she it is The Mistress.
This was a solid introduction to the story. The death of Danny came as quite a surprise even if I wouldn't be surprised if he is ultimately saved quite the opposite. The idea that we continue to feel after death might not be original bit it was well handled and taps into a fundamental fear in a way that is more likely to disturb older viewers than the young. The revelation that Missy was actually The Master came as a nice surprise even though I suspect some viewers will have guessed as much. The most important thing about this revelation is that it clears the way for there to be a female Doctor one day although hopefully not for a while as Peter Capaldi is just growing into the role! The episode wasn't without its faults; the 'it was just an hallucination' resolution to Clara throwing the keys to the Tardis into a volcano was rather disappointing but not enough to spoil the episode. Having set things up nicely I hope next week's season finale will be as good.
This was a solid introduction to the story. The death of Danny came as quite a surprise even if I wouldn't be surprised if he is ultimately saved quite the opposite. The idea that we continue to feel after death might not be original bit it was well handled and taps into a fundamental fear in a way that is more likely to disturb older viewers than the young. The revelation that Missy was actually The Master came as a nice surprise even though I suspect some viewers will have guessed as much. The most important thing about this revelation is that it clears the way for there to be a female Doctor one day although hopefully not for a while as Peter Capaldi is just growing into the role! The episode wasn't without its faults; the 'it was just an hallucination' resolution to Clara throwing the keys to the Tardis into a volcano was rather disappointing but not enough to spoil the episode. Having set things up nicely I hope next week's season finale will be as good.
Orpheus
boblipton1 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Clara tells Danny she loves him on the phone. Danny steps off the sidewalk and is killed by a car. Desperate, Clara blackmails the Doctor into helping her bring him back, so they pursue him to the Nethersphere, run by Missy, where all the dead live.... sort of.
In the first part of Season Eight's finale, Steven Moffat plays with Joseph Campbell's analysis of myths. The hero descends to the Underworld -- in the case of Orpheus, for the woman he loves -- to bring her back to the world of the living.
We see some nice playing with the images. The entrance is usually via a vent in the earth; Clara's path involves a volcano. The egress to the world is a holy place; in this case, St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The loved one's return is bargained with the master of the underworld; in this case, with Missy. Finally, the bargain is poisoned; that ending, however, is the real shocker that leads into the cliffhanger for the second part, so I'll discuss it in the comments on the next episode.
Moffat's script follows the path of Orpheus, although the music is Murray Gold's. The details of the episode are filled with mad, bitter humor, including some of Moffat's best jabs.
This has been a rocky season, with some very good episodes and some astonishingly poor ones, sustained by excellent performances by Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Jenna Coleman as Clara. Whether this story is a great one depends on what happens in the second episode. However, this certainly bodes well.
In the first part of Season Eight's finale, Steven Moffat plays with Joseph Campbell's analysis of myths. The hero descends to the Underworld -- in the case of Orpheus, for the woman he loves -- to bring her back to the world of the living.
We see some nice playing with the images. The entrance is usually via a vent in the earth; Clara's path involves a volcano. The egress to the world is a holy place; in this case, St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The loved one's return is bargained with the master of the underworld; in this case, with Missy. Finally, the bargain is poisoned; that ending, however, is the real shocker that leads into the cliffhanger for the second part, so I'll discuss it in the comments on the next episode.
Moffat's script follows the path of Orpheus, although the music is Murray Gold's. The details of the episode are filled with mad, bitter humor, including some of Moffat's best jabs.
This has been a rocky season, with some very good episodes and some astonishingly poor ones, sustained by excellent performances by Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Jenna Coleman as Clara. Whether this story is a great one depends on what happens in the second episode. However, this certainly bodes well.
Could this be Doctor Who's best ever finale?
ryanjmorris2 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Well if that doesn't make up for last week then I don't know what will. Giving Dark Water a score is difficult; I don't really want to give this a full five stars when it's only half of the story, but at the same time, there is nothing here that can be faulted. I've made it no secret that I have adored Doctor Who's eighth series (bar last week's middling installment), and Dark Water is setting up what could finish as one of the show's best finales. Moffat's script is potentially one of the best he's ever written, Capaldi, Coleman and Anderson all give outstanding performances, the story is dark and is fitted appropriately for its 45 minute run-time and the ending twist is brilliantly devised and played out. In a series full of potential classics (Listen, Kill the Moon and Mummy on the Orient Express shall never be forgotten), Dark Water extraordinarily finds its place among that top tier. It is just that good.
Moffat is a polarizing writer. Whilst almost all viewers consider his work pre-showrunner to be sublime, there are frequent issues that have arisen since he took control of the show. Sometimes these issues are over-complication, sometimes these issues are based around poor logic, and sometimes these issues involve sheer absurdity. Back in my review for Deep Breath eleven weeks ago, I said that I wanted a darker yet simpler series of Doctor Who, and Moffat has done just that. Nothing here is overtly complicated, nothing here struggles in terms of logic, and nothing here is particularly absurd. But then, after "the moon is an egg", what even is absurdity in Doctor Who? Dark Water is expertly written, from Danny's death scene in the episode's opening scene to Clara's immediate reaction, all the way to the reveal of Missy's identity in the episode's climax, not one word feels out of place. The story flows from beginning to end, leaving us on three cliffhangers, none of which I have any idea what will happen next. Moffat may not always get it right, but when he does (as this proves), the result is a knockout.
Along with Moffat's script, Dark Water looks great visually, too. Pretty much every episode this series has been directed with precision and control, and this is no exception. The opening scene is effectively shot; not seeing Danny get hit by the car heightens the emotional effect we feel for Clara. Even though any mildly intelligent viewer would know that Danny was coming back later in the episode (I'm pretty certain we were meant to), we need to react emotionally to sympathise with Clara, and the writing and direction enable this perfectly. Clara's TARDIS keys sequence was also excellently framed, as were the shots and visual appearance of the skeleton tanks further in. Dark Water is not only a fantastic piece of television, but one of the best episodes of British TV I've seen all year. I'm struggling to fault any aspect of this episode, but everything from the writing, to the acting, to the score, to the direction was about as flawless as it comes. Capaldi, Coleman and Anderson are all reliably brilliant again, but this episode is stolen by Michelle Gomez, who's portrayal of Missy is fantastic enough, even before that twist.
And what a twist it is.
Moffat is a polarizing writer. Whilst almost all viewers consider his work pre-showrunner to be sublime, there are frequent issues that have arisen since he took control of the show. Sometimes these issues are over-complication, sometimes these issues are based around poor logic, and sometimes these issues involve sheer absurdity. Back in my review for Deep Breath eleven weeks ago, I said that I wanted a darker yet simpler series of Doctor Who, and Moffat has done just that. Nothing here is overtly complicated, nothing here struggles in terms of logic, and nothing here is particularly absurd. But then, after "the moon is an egg", what even is absurdity in Doctor Who? Dark Water is expertly written, from Danny's death scene in the episode's opening scene to Clara's immediate reaction, all the way to the reveal of Missy's identity in the episode's climax, not one word feels out of place. The story flows from beginning to end, leaving us on three cliffhangers, none of which I have any idea what will happen next. Moffat may not always get it right, but when he does (as this proves), the result is a knockout.
Along with Moffat's script, Dark Water looks great visually, too. Pretty much every episode this series has been directed with precision and control, and this is no exception. The opening scene is effectively shot; not seeing Danny get hit by the car heightens the emotional effect we feel for Clara. Even though any mildly intelligent viewer would know that Danny was coming back later in the episode (I'm pretty certain we were meant to), we need to react emotionally to sympathise with Clara, and the writing and direction enable this perfectly. Clara's TARDIS keys sequence was also excellently framed, as were the shots and visual appearance of the skeleton tanks further in. Dark Water is not only a fantastic piece of television, but one of the best episodes of British TV I've seen all year. I'm struggling to fault any aspect of this episode, but everything from the writing, to the acting, to the score, to the direction was about as flawless as it comes. Capaldi, Coleman and Anderson are all reliably brilliant again, but this episode is stolen by Michelle Gomez, who's portrayal of Missy is fantastic enough, even before that twist.
And what a twist it is.
Suffering by Moffat
ddff-3800019 October 2015
Steven Moffat killed Doctor Who. Everything which has been good has gone.
Moffat is a magician, he can turn gold into lead.
Moffat can only stupid: stupid characters, stupid dialogs, stupid stories. None of the companions since Rose Taylor is interesting or nice in any respect (well, of course good looking, thats it). The love stories of the companions are incredibly boring, shallow and utterly unrealistic. Need I mention the sexism of Moffat? All women are exactly the same. Moffat does not understand people or anything human. He must be dead inside.
Moffat is a magician, he can turn gold into lead.
Moffat can only stupid: stupid characters, stupid dialogs, stupid stories. None of the companions since Rose Taylor is interesting or nice in any respect (well, of course good looking, thats it). The love stories of the companions are incredibly boring, shallow and utterly unrealistic. Need I mention the sexism of Moffat? All women are exactly the same. Moffat does not understand people or anything human. He must be dead inside.
Boring as Hell
pjg-213149 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
See what I did there? Dark Water was pretty slow, and it had no real build up.
Missy reveal was surprising Clara went H.A.M.
Return of the Tardis Keys was cool.
Nethersphere was kind of disappointing, and so was the "squeee" guy.
Never liked Danny in the first place.
Missy is awesome, and she's even better in "Death in Heaven"
Cybermen reveal was ruined by previews "Don't cremate me" just sounds dumb
5/10 boring and slow Pros:Missy Cons:boring and ruined by Next Time trailers Death in Heaven was much better and had tons of great action
Missy reveal was surprising Clara went H.A.M.
Return of the Tardis Keys was cool.
Nethersphere was kind of disappointing, and so was the "squeee" guy.
Never liked Danny in the first place.
Missy is awesome, and she's even better in "Death in Heaven"
Cybermen reveal was ruined by previews "Don't cremate me" just sounds dumb
5/10 boring and slow Pros:Missy Cons:boring and ruined by Next Time trailers Death in Heaven was much better and had tons of great action
Dark Water
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow17 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I great start to this two parter, I am definitely interested to see how they resolve this episodes conflict, I liked the plot twist at the end. Not much more to say other than it was all good, I remember watching it 7 years ago, not as good as my favourite episode of this particular season: Mummy on the Orient Express.
Boring
sparrowspoo2 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
First off i think Peter is a great Doctor and Clara is very pleasing on the eyes, but lets be honest the writing and the direction of the show is poor at best.
Lets face it the Cyber Men again,I feel cheated after watching so many weak episodes this session. Next session is it going to be the Daleks again.
Right lets get back to the review of this episode. First of all would you give someone a life if they treated you the way Clara treated the Doctor...NO. Grow a spine.
Danny Pink is dead and Clara is so upset she tries to blackmail the Doctor in to saving him.
Next Missy is the Master not much of a shock as most people guested but again nothing new. There have been people saying that they can't change from male to female, well stop crying you can in Thailand.
I guess i just feel let down but most of all just out right cheated by the show as its been done so many times before on the show.
Love it or hate it its up to you but i will watch the next episode and that will be my last.
I gave it 4/10 as i found myself watching the clock on my wall rather than this.
Lets face it the Cyber Men again,I feel cheated after watching so many weak episodes this session. Next session is it going to be the Daleks again.
Right lets get back to the review of this episode. First of all would you give someone a life if they treated you the way Clara treated the Doctor...NO. Grow a spine.
Danny Pink is dead and Clara is so upset she tries to blackmail the Doctor in to saving him.
Next Missy is the Master not much of a shock as most people guested but again nothing new. There have been people saying that they can't change from male to female, well stop crying you can in Thailand.
I guess i just feel let down but most of all just out right cheated by the show as its been done so many times before on the show.
Love it or hate it its up to you but i will watch the next episode and that will be my last.
I gave it 4/10 as i found myself watching the clock on my wall rather than this.
Dark chills!
dkiliane25 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode starts with a bang - - the death of Danny Pink. Poor Danny, he really got the short end of the stick the entire season really. And Clara, of course, decides the Doctor owes her to bring Danny back/ prevent his death, betraying him in the process. And that's all within the first 5-10 minutes!
Of course, the Doctor is one step ahead and actually takes this betrayal in stride, and while not able to prevent his death, he basically agrees to go to the afterlife (in a conveniently odd timey-wimey sort of way, of course). And it gets creepier from there. Which is good.
We are treated to the Doctor finally coming face to face with Missy inside the company 3W, to darkly comical effect, who is in control of the Nethersphere, the purported afterlife. Danny Pink is indeed there in a way, but in true Doctor Who fashion, nothing is as it seems. With one reveal after the other: the Nerhersphere is actually a glorified TimeLord hard drive, Missy is in fact the Master regenerated in female form, 3W is in present London, and the creepy skeletons in the titular "dark water" are...Cybermen! (Sigh). Of course they're cybermen.
And that's really the only thing that brings the episode down a notch. I'm personally a little tired of the Cybermen. They're just never the threat they are purported to be. It's almost impossible to avoid at least some camp with them, which I don't really enjoy. Though not treated too badly here, Earth really should know how to deal with them by now. With that said, it's still a dark and exciting episode with some heartfelt drama thrown in, and Michelle Gomez is a particular delight as the bonkers Missy. 9/10
Of course, the Doctor is one step ahead and actually takes this betrayal in stride, and while not able to prevent his death, he basically agrees to go to the afterlife (in a conveniently odd timey-wimey sort of way, of course). And it gets creepier from there. Which is good.
We are treated to the Doctor finally coming face to face with Missy inside the company 3W, to darkly comical effect, who is in control of the Nethersphere, the purported afterlife. Danny Pink is indeed there in a way, but in true Doctor Who fashion, nothing is as it seems. With one reveal after the other: the Nerhersphere is actually a glorified TimeLord hard drive, Missy is in fact the Master regenerated in female form, 3W is in present London, and the creepy skeletons in the titular "dark water" are...Cybermen! (Sigh). Of course they're cybermen.
And that's really the only thing that brings the episode down a notch. I'm personally a little tired of the Cybermen. They're just never the threat they are purported to be. It's almost impossible to avoid at least some camp with them, which I don't really enjoy. Though not treated too badly here, Earth really should know how to deal with them by now. With that said, it's still a dark and exciting episode with some heartfelt drama thrown in, and Michelle Gomez is a particular delight as the bonkers Missy. 9/10
The Most Controversial And Divisive Episode Ever
Theo Robertson1 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Clara talks to Danny over the phone . There's a fleeting silence and a stranger comes on the line saying there's been an accident . As it transpires Danny has been a victim of a fatal road accident and Clara forces the Doctor to take drastic action
You've seen this compelling premise before in Paul Cornell's contribution to the Christopher Eccleston season Father's Day which still remains one of the greatest episodes the show has given us . This isn't good enough for Moffat so feels the need to go one step or rather a whole ladder better by making it only a small aspect of the episode . Cornell managed it better though and Clara throwing spare Tardis keys in to the lava pit does bring up a couple of plot holes as in how does she know where all the keys are hidden and why would the Doctor keep all his spare keys in the Tardis in he first place ? How's he going to access the Tardis where all the spares are if he loses the Tardis key in the fist place . That said there is a line where the Doctor mentions " dream patches " so I guess this early segment didn't happen ?
Then it's on to the main bulk of the story set in Heaven / Never-sphere where the mystery of Missy is about to be resolved . Unfortunately the largely publicised return of the Cybermen means the audience , or in anyway the intelligent audience will realise instantly at first glance who these skeletal forms will be turning in to . It's similar to Army Of Ghosts where the audience are able to second guess who the ghostly forms are . Once you put two and two together there's no surprises . The even more unfortunate thing is the shock revelation of " Missy " which people have been speculating on for weeks . It's the Master who has regenerated in to female form ! Moffat has always seen himself as an iconoclast but I'm afraid this desecrating continuity from the past has done himself and the show no favours . One can see himself still being executive producer in a couple of years and casting an actress in the title role . Moffat isn't a fan - he's a revolutionary trying to change the past present and future and like all revolutionaries " the end justifies the means " is his battle cry ,even if it means the ultimate demise of the show
In the aftermath of its broadcast Dark Water has now become the most controversial and divisive episode in DOCTOR WHO 50 years after it first started broadcasting . I can understand someone voting 10/10 and someone voting 1/10 so I'll give it 5/10 because we're only half way through a two part story . I really a hoping however that the " dream patches " are involved in a plot twist from next week which would make sense since we've been treated to some nonsense in an otherwise excellent season such as forests suddenly appearing worldwide and the Moon being an egg . The Master turning in to a female character surpasses any of this . It was all dream would be a cop out plot twist but a very satisfying one
You've seen this compelling premise before in Paul Cornell's contribution to the Christopher Eccleston season Father's Day which still remains one of the greatest episodes the show has given us . This isn't good enough for Moffat so feels the need to go one step or rather a whole ladder better by making it only a small aspect of the episode . Cornell managed it better though and Clara throwing spare Tardis keys in to the lava pit does bring up a couple of plot holes as in how does she know where all the keys are hidden and why would the Doctor keep all his spare keys in the Tardis in he first place ? How's he going to access the Tardis where all the spares are if he loses the Tardis key in the fist place . That said there is a line where the Doctor mentions " dream patches " so I guess this early segment didn't happen ?
Then it's on to the main bulk of the story set in Heaven / Never-sphere where the mystery of Missy is about to be resolved . Unfortunately the largely publicised return of the Cybermen means the audience , or in anyway the intelligent audience will realise instantly at first glance who these skeletal forms will be turning in to . It's similar to Army Of Ghosts where the audience are able to second guess who the ghostly forms are . Once you put two and two together there's no surprises . The even more unfortunate thing is the shock revelation of " Missy " which people have been speculating on for weeks . It's the Master who has regenerated in to female form ! Moffat has always seen himself as an iconoclast but I'm afraid this desecrating continuity from the past has done himself and the show no favours . One can see himself still being executive producer in a couple of years and casting an actress in the title role . Moffat isn't a fan - he's a revolutionary trying to change the past present and future and like all revolutionaries " the end justifies the means " is his battle cry ,even if it means the ultimate demise of the show
In the aftermath of its broadcast Dark Water has now become the most controversial and divisive episode in DOCTOR WHO 50 years after it first started broadcasting . I can understand someone voting 10/10 and someone voting 1/10 so I'll give it 5/10 because we're only half way through a two part story . I really a hoping however that the " dream patches " are involved in a plot twist from next week which would make sense since we've been treated to some nonsense in an otherwise excellent season such as forests suddenly appearing worldwide and the Moon being an egg . The Master turning in to a female character surpasses any of this . It was all dream would be a cop out plot twist but a very satisfying one
Such a pity, but ... y'know ... it's Moffat
hoytyhoyty2 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
After avoiding last week's tree-based debacle altogether (BBC Pub managed to get my review deleted - the highest compliment they could possibly have paid me), I was encouraged by some intelligent reviews mentioning the spoilers for this week.
It started out with loads of Clara, but I gritted my teeth because I'd already been forewarned of this.
But this was followed by the first moment where I actually wanted Capaldi's Doctor to commit murder. Clara, the little, selfish, self-obsessed, utterly irritating beast that she is, does not get to threaten both the doctor and the tardis. And live.
But we got all huggy and happy-happy joy-joy and that was all forgotten, Dexter final-series style. OK... whatever. I consciously forced my teeth to stop grating, and accepted this was a plot device. And it was early on in the episode, so ... let's go. What's coming.
Then the tardis developed the ability to travel to the afterlife, and the Doctor had 'wondered' about this before ... Teeth, behave!
And then here we were in this bizarre afterlife model, and yes! It was kind of weird! Pleasantly weird! OK methinks, let's go some more!
Actually - at this point I did feel a massive relief. I am involved in a project, that will hit the real world before too long, and part of its narrative does involve an afterlife concept. But ours is massively more ingenious than this little fantasy story, so ... carry on!
And then the concept of the Conscious Cadaver appears. Oh dear. Since HP Lovecraft pretty much already did this to (cough) death, with his stories that were adapted, loosely, into the ReAnimator films ... well, OK, all concepts are ultimately derivative. But the little spark of hope that Moffat might have found something new ...
OK never mind! Let's go! Let's go go go! What have you cooked up old son oh it's Cybermen right turning it off and watching something else bye.
-
--
---
Ps. For the record, in Season 8 it was 'Mummy On the Orient Express', and 'Flatline' that were the now standard 2 allowed good ... let's say one 'not rubbish' and one 'good' ... episodes per season. Close runners-up were 'Listen', which died half-way through, and 'Time Heist' which at least managed to have a complete plot-arc.
Pps. This post will be inundated by BBC Publicity with 'Unhelpful' votes, I'll be disappointed if it isn't up to at least 70 within 48 hours of posting. Let's see how many sock-puppet Facebook accounts they really have ... (update: looks like around about 30, but they held off this time thinking they were being smart)
It started out with loads of Clara, but I gritted my teeth because I'd already been forewarned of this.
But this was followed by the first moment where I actually wanted Capaldi's Doctor to commit murder. Clara, the little, selfish, self-obsessed, utterly irritating beast that she is, does not get to threaten both the doctor and the tardis. And live.
But we got all huggy and happy-happy joy-joy and that was all forgotten, Dexter final-series style. OK... whatever. I consciously forced my teeth to stop grating, and accepted this was a plot device. And it was early on in the episode, so ... let's go. What's coming.
Then the tardis developed the ability to travel to the afterlife, and the Doctor had 'wondered' about this before ... Teeth, behave!
And then here we were in this bizarre afterlife model, and yes! It was kind of weird! Pleasantly weird! OK methinks, let's go some more!
Actually - at this point I did feel a massive relief. I am involved in a project, that will hit the real world before too long, and part of its narrative does involve an afterlife concept. But ours is massively more ingenious than this little fantasy story, so ... carry on!
And then the concept of the Conscious Cadaver appears. Oh dear. Since HP Lovecraft pretty much already did this to (cough) death, with his stories that were adapted, loosely, into the ReAnimator films ... well, OK, all concepts are ultimately derivative. But the little spark of hope that Moffat might have found something new ...
OK never mind! Let's go! Let's go go go! What have you cooked up old son oh it's Cybermen right turning it off and watching something else bye.
-
--
---
Ps. For the record, in Season 8 it was 'Mummy On the Orient Express', and 'Flatline' that were the now standard 2 allowed good ... let's say one 'not rubbish' and one 'good' ... episodes per season. Close runners-up were 'Listen', which died half-way through, and 'Time Heist' which at least managed to have a complete plot-arc.
Pps. This post will be inundated by BBC Publicity with 'Unhelpful' votes, I'll be disappointed if it isn't up to at least 70 within 48 hours of posting. Let's see how many sock-puppet Facebook accounts they really have ... (update: looks like around about 30, but they held off this time thinking they were being smart)
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