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Doctor Who
S10.E7
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IMDbPro

The Pyramid at the End of the World

  • Episode aired May 27, 2017
  • TV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
Pearl Mackie in Doctor Who (2005)
AdventureDramaSci-Fi

A 5,000-year-old pyramid appears overnight, baffling everyone including the Doctor.A 5,000-year-old pyramid appears overnight, baffling everyone including the Doctor.A 5,000-year-old pyramid appears overnight, baffling everyone including the Doctor.

  • Director
    • Daniel Nettheim
  • Writers
    • Peter Harness
    • Steven Moffat
    • Chris Chibnall
  • Stars
    • Peter Capaldi
    • Pearl Mackie
    • Matt Lucas
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    5.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Daniel Nettheim
    • Writers
      • Peter Harness
      • Steven Moffat
      • Chris Chibnall
    • Stars
      • Peter Capaldi
      • Pearl Mackie
      • Matt Lucas
    • 25User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos24

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Peter Capaldi
    Peter Capaldi
    • The Doctor
    Pearl Mackie
    Pearl Mackie
    • Bill
    Matt Lucas
    Matt Lucas
    • Nardole
    Togo Igawa
    Togo Igawa
    • Secretary General
    Nigel Hastings
    Nigel Hastings
    • The Commander
    Eben Young
    • Colonel Don Brabbit
    Rachel Denning
    • Erica
    Tony Gardner
    Tony Gardner
    • Douglas
    Andrew Byron
    Andrew Byron
    • Ilya
    Daphne Cheung
    • Xiaolian
    Jamie Hill
    • Monk
    Tim Bentinck
    Tim Bentinck
    • Voice of the Monk
    • (voice)
    Ronke Adekoluejo
    Ronke Adekoluejo
    • Penny
    • (uncredited)
    Matthew Rohman
    • Monk
    • (uncredited)
    Raven Shanelle
    • Mind Controlled Civilian
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Daniel Nettheim
    • Writers
      • Peter Harness
      • Steven Moffat
      • Chris Chibnall
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    7.65K
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    Featured reviews

    8Xstal

    The Monks Meet the Organ Grinder's Monkeys...

    The monks make their demands without moving their lips, who knew aliens could be such great ventriloquists, as they show what will happen if misunderstood, and monkeys of the world see a future not good. Capitulation is the name of the monastic game, as the world's simians demonstrate why they're so pathetic and lame, like the blind leading the blind and getting their just deserts, there's only one person now to stop enslavement and avert.
    4sailor_julia

    No thank you

    I only gave four stars because I don't like bills.

    Since the beginning I found her annoying. Donna Rose, Amy, Rory or Clara would have never given to the monks.

    The actress didn't do a bad job, it's just her character. I understand she had big shooes to fill after the departure of Clara but it didn't do the trick for me.
    8Sleepin_Dragon

    Tick Tock goes the Doomsday clock

    The question had to be how could the possibly build on last week's Extremis, this episode promised so much, and for the most part I felt it delivered. You can't watch it without being incredibly aware of the huge political message being driven, the possibility of World War Three.

    OK, the Monks made a good adversary, I liked them, creepy, measured, and a matter of fact element to them, no shouting or berating, just a clear message, domination. I loved their illuminated strands that could tell the future, and there's also a question mark hanging over the possibility that we're actually in another simulated world.

    Absolutely loved Erica, played by the brilliant Rachel Denning, how nice would it be to see a return from her. Pearl Mackie was excellent as always, but I wasn't too convinced about the mix of Generals and Colonels.

    Elements of the story have been done to death, the countdown timer, the viral bacteria, so it loses a couple of marks for originality (lack of)

    I know the FA cup final was on, but they've started changing the broadcast time every week again, come on BBC, that's not on.

    A little down on par compared to the very high standard set this season, but it still has a quality, I am left with a sense of intrigue as to how the trilogy concludes, and what impact Missy has.
    5Theo Robertson

    The Claws Of Pyramids

    A Pyramid appears from nowhere and Earth's military forces are powerless to stop a countdown to the end of the world

    This reminded me in some ways of the 1971 story The Claws of Axos where an alien race offer a solution to Mankind's problem but you know there's going to be a catch. Axos isn't considered an especially good story from the period but the reason I liked it was because Michael Ferguson directed the script with directorial flourish and imagination. Here with this 2017 episode director Daniel Nettheim just brings a journeyman style to the proceedings. To be fair to all the directors who have worked on the show DOCTOR WHO isn't really something to bring in auteur aspects but even so I do wish directors would try and bring an element of risk and their own hallmark to the stories

    Narrative wise Pyramids is no great shakes and if you're an old school fan like me you'll be irritated how NuWho works . The UN call on "President Doctor" who turns up spouts innumerable lines giving away plot mechanics and exposition and more often than not the problem is easily resolved , too easily in fact . There's also the gut instinct that the Monks feature in a three episode story that will almost certainly have been better told as one 45 minute episode . Time will tell but there's a feeling here that the season is deteriorating slightly after a fairly good low key start
    10scampster-45377

    So Far So Good

    We are halfway through the series and halfway through the Monk Trilogy, and each episode has left me feeling really impressed with this season's quality. Obviously the visuals for the Series have been getting better, shown by the Pyramid itself and its controlling of the plane and submarine. The script quality has been outstanding, with this episode being on par with its previous episode "Extremis", making the two of these greats for the Series as a whole.

    Our three main leads develop their relationship to new levels, especially Mackie's Bill and Capaldi's Doctor, making the experience much more enjoyable. The guest stars were also really well written and acted, with Rachel Denning as Erica a great stand-out.

    The cliffhanger is brilliantly emotional and worrying for the Doctor; how can he save the Earth this time?

    The Monks are once again incredible through their eerie voices and creepy costumes, with their powers making them extremely threatening and like omnipotent gods compared to humans. This episode expands on their characters more, which gives them an even creepier vibe, whilst also making for a more unique and intriguing invasion story.

    Halfway through Series 10, and its already become one of the best of NuWho; a great jumping on point and brilliant continuation for all viewers. It's a shame the ratings are significantly lower than in recent years, as this is becoming a truly outstanding series.

    Episode 7 "The Pyramid at the End of the World" - 10/10

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The episode had the working title of First Contact (Number 122). This was a reference to the number of occasions on which UNIT had encountered alien lifeforms, ostensibly, always for the first time.
    • Goofs
      There are a multitude of ways to accomplish sterilization, but the ones mentioned by Erica are among the least effective. A scientist would suggest chemical, autoclave (high heat steam), pressure, or irradiation before suggesting dropping something into boiling water.
    • Quotes

      Erica: [surprised when the Tardis appears] Oh my god!

      The Doctor: No, I'm the Doctor, but it's an easy mistake to make.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Doctor Who Reviews: Defending Doctor Who's Fake News Flop (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Doctor Who Theme
      Written by Ron Grainer

      Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 27, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (United Kingdom)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • The old leper colony, Abades, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain(Turmezistan exteriors)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 46m
    • Color
      • Color

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