I've been a huge fan of Peter Capaldi's Doctor since his debut in Deep Breath, his finest performance coming in The Zygon Inversion, but I think he surpassed that here, he was sensational.
The episode promised so much, the preceding episode World enough and time had been the best episode I've seen in a long time. I approached this episode with a degree of caution, a few too many times a fabulous penultimate episode had led into a poor concluding one. I'd class this as the best concluding episode under the Moffat era. The episode felt stripped back, a more simple plot then in previous series. A different tone from the dark, almost horror like world enough and time.
As for the best elements, Capaldi I've mentioned, his speech to the Master/Missy I felt was his best moment in the role, he was outstanding, making his Doctor a very warm character. Pearl Mackie has been a revelation all series, fantastic from her again, I truly hope she decides to return. John Simm and Michelle Gomez added something else to this episode, superb interplay between the two, so much fun and yet so dark. Simm had a better time of it here then he did in the end of time, allowed to deliver a very dark Master, nice also to see a change of direction for Missy.
Great use of the Mondasian Cybermen, a more then worthy adversary, they delivered. Great special effects, and a nice performance from Sam Spiro.
I'd imagine many people shed a few tears after this, and for some it may have been a bit sentimental, but I thought it a true triumph of writing and acting, Moffat managed to pretty much sign off in sixty minutes, answering several questions. Fair to say that the team are ending on a high.
Series ten has been so good, Saturday evenings will be lacking that bit of magic for some time. As always with this show it will continue, and I can't wait to see what plans Chris Chibnall has, I only hope they include Pearl Mackie.
Thanks Capaldi and co, Series 10 has been outstanding. 10/10
