Hell Bent

Been catching up with Doctor Who recently as not really been a fan Of Capaldi's portrayal or the direction that the writing has taken. Thinks it's far too clever, The problem in trying to say something profound you need to at least be engaging which this season and the previous one certainly haven't been.

I think the problem is Moffat's writing. Although everyone rightly loves the episode Blink from an earlier season, he's been allowed to get away with naval gazing writing and with Peter Capaldi's performance rather tiresome and extremely boring (embarrassing scenes with an electric guitar need an honourable mention as well). Jenna Coleman was entirely wasted in these two seasons as she appears to have no chemistry with Capaldi. At least Matt Smith knew it was all a bit of a nonsense. I sincerely hope that the introduction of Jodie Whittaker and a new writing team will be fresh air and a cool reinvention for a show that needs something new !!!

Sorry, but what is everyone's problem with this? It's one of the best finales in Doctor who history, and if you can't see that, I honestly feel sorry for you.

Having escaped the trap of his own Confession dial, the Doctor is on Gallifrey, as are the Sisterhood of Karn. The Timelords extract Clara just prior to her death, she's effectively a ticking time bomb, The Doctor defies the rules in a battle to keep her alive and save her from facing the Raven.

I'll start with the positives, the visuals were utterly brilliant, the scenes of Gallifrey, the special effects, the costumes, a visual feast. Capaldi is literally moving up the Doctor's list for me week by week, he is unbelievable in the role, I truly believe that his Doctor would do anything for Clara. Capaldi and Coleman's scenes were once again exceptional. The scenes in the Classic TARDIS set looked brilliant, so retro, and overdue an appearance.

On the downside, Face the Raven and Heaven Sent literally left me speechless, this didn't quite live up to the standard of those. Moffat has used the cheating death theme once to often, Clara's 'living' cheapened the bravery and hard hitting scene of Face the Raven. How many times can he use the not really dead concept, it was tired a few seasons back, it's now desperate.

It was a very dialogue heavy episode, what was done was done brilliantly, I'm just left a little flat by Clara, she'd been given an awesome send off, and now it all feels divisive. Also a little lacking in terms of action.

7/10 it was good, I just hoped for a bit more.

Sometimes the head can get stuck up one-way channels, fighting against things coming the other way causes irritating tangles, and angles. The hope for some overwhelming reveal, with the expectation removed and broken by an unimaginative climax seal, a feeling of being let down by informal contract and a broken deal. Having conjured numerous blind alleys and red herrings, the conclusion is I'm now past caring of the pairing, and the faux Viking immortal is underwhelming and despairing. Looking forward to bigger and better things in the future (some hope), but there are gaping wounds ahead that cannot be closed by a simple suture.

This season story arch was more suited to the 9th Doctor and Rose, as they were would have carried it off. Whereas the characters here, come across as unlikable and dull. Which is a shame because the story itself wasn't bad.