Review: Doctor Who - Hell Bent

Every story ever told really happened. Stories... are where memories go when they're forgotten

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24142

Every story ever told really happened. Stories... are where memories go when they're forgotten

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24142

The Doctor has finally returned to Gallifrey but he's got an axe to grind in this fearless yet controversial finale...

 

'Every story ever told really happened. Stories are where memories go when they're forgotten.'

Every story ever told really happened. Stories... are where memories go when they're forgotten.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24142

Every story ever told really happened. Stories... are where memories go when they're forgotten.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24142

As I observed last year, Doctor Who finales are tricky beasts that have to withhold the strain of wrapping up a whole series as well as delivering a great story in themselves. Steven Moffat's era, in particular, has been home to both finales that have flown (e.g. Series Five's 'The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang') and those that have flopped (Series Six's 'The Wedding of River Song' is probably one of the weaker episodes in a very story run). For me, 'Hell Bent' also doesn't quite live up to the string of outstanding episodes that have led up to it. On its own terms, it is a cracking, fan-pleasing hour but it suffers when placed in the wider context of the show.

For instance, despite a couple of attempts to return, the Time Lords and Gallifrey have been mostly talked about rather than seen in the revived series, endowing them with a mythical quality. As such, I'm still not sure of Gallifrey's comeback proper to the Whoniverse and am not convinced it needed to happen as, despite the hints, nothing major was revealed about the Time Lords. Unlike the return of Davros in the series opener, this episode didn't do anything new with the Doctor's people, merely referencing elements that hardcore fans will already be familiar with. That said, the planet and its people were realised beautifully - as was the other TARDIS that very much resembled the First Doctor's (complete with a strainer in the time rotor).

Of course, the second big return of the episode is Clara who incredibly survives to live another day (and potentially another and another ad infinitum). On the one hand, you are glad the character has a second chance at life, the universe and everything but a part of me feels this is a cheap twist after we already cried our tears for Clara in the excellent 'Face the Raven.' However, while it undercuts the ongoing character arc from the past two years of her increasing recklessness, it does fit Clara as a whole - she always did keep coming back from the dead. Now Me and Clara can spin-off into fans' imaginations in their American Diner TARDIS while blowing raspberries at those who don't like the idea of a female Doctor.

Likewise, I can't criticise the performances of Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman who were as good as ever, giving us one last hurrah of the amazing chemistry they have enjoyed this year. Amongst Time Lords in funny hats and talk of Hybrids, the pair make the Donna Noble-in-reverse ending work. And you have to admire the sheer gall of Moffat's script. It shows how unashamedly fearless this episode was that I haven't even discussed the Doctor breaking his own moral code and shooting a man!
 
So while it is a shame that this finale has irked me so (and affected my feelings for another episode I.e. 'Face the Raven') there is still enough brilliance in this series for me to call it the best of the last few years. Just like this episode, Series Nine was hell bent on taking the show by the scruff of the neck and ringing us much drama from it as it could (ouch, that's a violent metaphor). In that, it completely succeeded.

Clara Who? - The Doctor loses his memories of his best friend in an(other) unexpected goodbye.

Next time: River Song returns - with a new spouse - in time for some festive hijinks involving decapitation. Only in Doctor Who! 'The Husbands of River Song'. 5.15PM. Christmas Day. BBC One.