WATCH ALONG | DOCTOR WHO | 8x12 | Death in Heaven
Added 2023-06-23 14:00:11 +0000 UTCA Few Notes:
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Comments
How would Moffat have known about the backlash? It’s filmed before any of it is aired.
Josh
2023-06-25 19:19:34 +0000 UTCMissy is my favorite iteration of the Master to date. I really love her performance. John Sim has gone on the record to say that he didn't get to act the Master the way he wanted to. His version was insane but in a really crazy uncontrollable way. Missy on the otherhand is insane but more in an unhinged way. The fact she handed the cyber army over to the Doctor show's just how cookie this version is. This story (including the last episode) is the most complained about story of Doctor Who. The idea of converting the dead to Cybermen didn't sit well with the general population.
SeeJay
2023-06-24 09:38:21 +0000 UTCIt's so interesting watching this episode and episode 8 of The War Games in the same week. So many unexpected parallels. I'd never thought about this before, but it's fascinating how Missy and the War Chief both basically try to tempt the Doctor with the same offer, of using an army to bring peace and/or justice to the galaxy. And the way Lieutenant Carstairs and Russell defer to the Doctor and call him "sir" keeps reminding me of what Danny said about the Doctor being an officer. Two episodes with thematic similarities, made 40+ years apart but still lining up together on the schedule = a fun coincidence!
Ghostwriter
2023-06-24 00:06:47 +0000 UTCIt's a strange finale for sure. I agree with you that it feels anticlimactic and just a bit meh. Danny was written off the show due to fan backlash. Stephen Moffat said at a comic con that he saw how much the fans were disliking Danny and so they came up with a way of writing him out while sticking to the story they wanted to tell with Missy. And because of what Stephen said, many people in the fandom believe that Missy killed Danny, this has never been confirmed at all, it's just a fan theory, but it makes sense. He's been getting in the way of The Doctor and Clara all series and causing tension, Missy couldn't have that because she's desperate for them to stay together (all I can say about that for now). Plus she's insane lol and she wanted a way to get The Doctor and Clara to her Cyberman filled institute. So it all matches up. As for the Cybermen, I totally agree that they should've given an explanation as to why Danny and The Brigadier weren't taken over by Missy's control. Also the killing of Osgood felt so anti climatic and random. And even the stuff with the Cyberman particles turning dead bodies into Cybermen gets no real explanation and doesn't feel like it makes much sense. But there are things in this episode that I like. Missy is FANTASTIC, she's my second favourite incarnation of The Master. She gets that manic thing spot on. And I also really like how despite everything, the connection and love between The Doctor and Clara was still there. The fact that they lied to each other so they'd both be happy is the most adorble thing. She loved Danny, but what she feels for The Doctor is SO much deeper. And what The Doctor feels for her is so deep too. It's like Missy said, he'd go to hell for her if she asked him to. 😍 Overall this series is a mixed bag, I used to love it and there are still many episodes that I think are FANTASTIC. I also love 12 and love him with Clara. But every time I rewatch, I definitely find more and more flaws with the series. It does have it's issues. It's 4th in my order at this point.
Siobhan Linehan
2023-06-23 22:50:21 +0000 UTCActually, when I watched it the first time, I had the same reaction as you. I found it a bit strange, especially the ending. Now, after rewatching it with you, I actually caught a lot more things which were going on, and I find it much better than previously. There is a reason, why the ending scene was a bit strange, but I won't got into that now. And Michelle Gomez as Missy is just hilarious. I think she must have had so much fun with this role. Alex Kingston (who plays River) is actually often asked on conventions, which other character she would have liked to play, and her answer was always: Missy.
Michael Oswald
2023-06-23 17:23:02 +0000 UTCThe "Hey missy you so fine" song was totally unscripted. Michelle Gomez was tied up for quite some time between takes, and just started singing out of boredom. The camera happened to be running and Moffat opted to keep it in.
Malcolm Wolf
2023-06-23 16:46:12 +0000 UTCGenerally I think conversion/mind control does not happen sometimes because some people have a strong sense of duty that cannot be totally erased. You might recall back in 10's era the then head of Torchwood was converted, but still was able to push past the conversion by continually repeating "I did my duty for queen and country"
Malcolm Wolf
2023-06-23 16:35:42 +0000 UTC3W, the 3 words was explained in part 1: it was the words: "Don't cremate me". It was explained by the 3W guy to Clara and the Doctor when playing the tape of the voices of the deceased.
Michael Oswald
2023-06-23 15:48:16 +0000 UTC
