Doctor Who Review - The Doctor Falls

It's the end of another series, and we've got two Masters, two companions, a boatload of Cyberman and an awesome preceding episode. Can this one stick the landing?
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[@andrewhayden1075]

"The doctor's dead, he said he hates you" "The doctor's dead, he said he hates you" "Ye I heard it the first time"

[@outlander1998]

I think the Master's and Missy's fate is the best part of the episode, it truly portrays the character for what it is, self-destructive and while I would've loved Missy working with the Doctor that truly was the perfect end to her arc as a character

[@Knights_of_Zurg]

I loved the episode, but one thing my daughter was quite upset about...Missi at the end chose the Doctor, and to try to be good, but the Doctor never knew. That really upset her that he didn't.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

It's funny the things some people pick up on... I'm not sure I can formulate an argument against that... I need to rewatch it to see if I can no-prize this.

[@evelynjade42]

Without hope Without witness Without reward I think it means more that Missy makes this choice but the Doctor doesn't see her do it, because it means she is genuinely making it for herself rather than for the Doctor's benefit.

[@nicholas7695]

@@evelynjade42 exactly what I was gonna say

[@enigmatickendo]

I agree with a lot of what you said. This definitely held up as a finale. But I disagree with your point on Simm. At the start of the episode, he had a wonderful "Master" moment with The Doctor tied up that I don't think anyone else could have pulled off. A lot of this season is about Missy changing, Simm served as the antagonist there - like the devil whispering in her ear. He was just there to play The Master, which he did wonderfully. That, and it bridged the gap, filled in the blanks. I really think this episode would have lost out on an awful lot without Simm.

[@thegamingninja3578]

I agree with what you said, John sims master is only there as the antagonist which may make him seem one dimensional but like you said the main focus is on Missy and having the master and Missy together shows how much Missy has changed and shows us that this is her final test. Will Missy stand with the doctor or betray him and go with the master. I know some people may feel disappointed that the master didn't get much to do and he's only there because of Missy, which is a fair statement, some people will like that and some other people probably won't but I think it is essential for him to be there for Missy's final test

[@Barldon]

Season 10 was absolutely brilliant imo. I wasn't too keen on the other 12th doctor series', despite loving the acting of Capaldi himself. I think it was something to do with the general writing of the show. But season 10 was a great up to end it on, and honestly I would consider it Moffat's best work on Doctor Who as a whole. Something to really remember a great Doctor by.

[@ianpage9979]

Sean Pertwee is Jon Pertwee's son. They look nearly exactly the same and he can do a fantastic impression of his father's doctor. He's also a great actor (see his work on Gotham) and if anybody would respect Pertwee's Doctor it's his own son. The Third Doctor is one of my favorites and I would love to see him interact with a modern doctor, especially because he's so 70s.

[@sanguinoctua]

Yeah, he's literally the only other recasting I'd be okay with at this present time.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I'm seeing him brought up a lot in response to my feelings on this notion. And while I think he could do a good job, it's more the precedent and people running too far with it later that I'm worried about. Sure specific instances could work, and that would be one (I've been a fan of Jon Pertwee even longer than I've been a fan of Doctor Who thanks to seeing Dog Soldiers.) However I just get really nervous that it makes it too easy for later show runners to do it badly and I don't know if it'll be worth it in the end.

[@ianpage9979]

Council of Geeks I completely understand your point of view and I tend to agree. I Just wanted to state a specific instance which I would be ok with, personally.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Blah! Meant Sean and said Jon. See? Even I get them mixed up, so yeah it'd be solid.

[@borjankosarac3645]

It's implied strongly that Simm!Master regenerating near the Cybermen is setting up how Missy will use them in Series 8... also, all the signs pointed to it I felt. Not that they COULDN'T put a new incarnation between them (or more, if they want Missy's death to be the Master's ultimate end) but I'd find that sketchier than the more predictable outcome of the Master/Mistress coming back without explaining why Missy didn't die a permanent death (as the Simm!Master clearly intended).

[@archie4president330]

Nearly cried at Nardole's goodbye- I thought it was a great final episode.

[@RavenThom]

i'm not human, you know..... that made you nearly cry?

[@RavenThom]

ha was a decent K 9

[@RavenThom]

you are watching the wrong show, if thats what you look for. Go somewhere else please

[@TheGreatBradjo]

Frankly, Nardole was an unnecessary appendage all season. However, there are a few times when he pops up with a one-liner at just the right moment and it's HILARIOUS. I think that we as Whovians are just not as used to the Doctor rollin' with more than one companion at a time, unlike previous incantations that had many with him at any given time. Especially #5. He had a full ENTOURAGE of girls... And Adric.

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

One liners and jokes are not the point of this show. It's not a comedy show. Humor needs to serve the story, not the other way around. That said, I liked Nardole. A white schlubby guy who was smart and useful! I didn't think that was still allowed.

[@jjjnettie]

The Master killing Missy. I think they came up with that one scene, liked it so much that they just had to squeeze it into the storyline somehow. And while it was a great scene, a high light of the show, I think both Michelle and John deserved more screen time to build up the story around it.

[@colinp2238]

But is it suicide as he killed his future self?

[@endruler8625]

I think the Christmas special is going to show capaldi and the first doctor saving Gallifrey in the Day of the Doctor. In the first doctor's regeneration episode, he was injured and sick for reasons unknown before he regenerated. This might be the last adventure for the first Doctor as well, if they have him regenerate as well on the Christmas special.

[@j_6469]

Endruler I hope it'll have the 1st Doctor remind Capaldi of the importance of regeneration and why he shouldn't hate it.

[@Aioria0171]

It would be awesome. :)

[@therojowo]

I think John Simm's Master was included to show how far Missy had grown as a character.

[@kristienwhitneyjohns2215]

I dont think Missys final moment would have been quite so powerful without The master being there.

[@Jedi_Spartan]

I love the way John Simm Master interacts with Missy, also as she remembered being shoved against a wall (but not the part where the Master gets turned on by his next incarnations) I think that she may have remembered shooting herself with the laser screwdriver and had a plan for survival eg: having some sort of shield and pretending that the laser affected her

[@meghanafer]

It really was one of the best season in the new doctor series

[@highvoltage7797]

legoisnotonfire It's called an opinion I know it's strange that someone likes something more than you do. Also yes equal to series 1 and 5

[@meghanafer]

legoisnotonfire I loved the season, I don't think I have to answer to you about my likes and dislikes. You have a problem, you know where to shove it

[@enigmatickendo]

A proper fan of Doctor Who? I don't know who you think you are, but Doctor Who is a diverse show. Doctor Who is a hundred different things, with a hundred different types of fans. They don't write to cater to you specifically. I've seen every classic episodes. I listen to the audios. I even sat through the stills of the missing episodes. This is easily among my top five seasons, not just of new Who, but of all Who.

[@meghanafer]

MIley Kendrick I have not watched a lot of the old doctor . Just started, finished the first season with Hartnell, the reason I started watching it was to learn more about Mondas before the season finale... loved season 1.

[@enigmatickendo]

No spoilers, but if you're only on season one, it's gonna be a while before you reach The Mondasions.. XD

[@bensjammin9]

I really really want McGann to make a return at some point for an episode or two.

[@bensjammin9]

I agree that I really hope the next Doctor is kept secret, though I know it won't be.

[@MultiZelda13]

BSK I think he needs a season just for himself. It could be a spun off or a weird tangent flashback season. I don't care how it happens. It doesnt have to be narratively justified in a meta sense to do this. Just do it. Don't explain yourself and it'll be great. I feel that he could become my favorite doctor if they did that. I love what I've heard from big finish.

[@Ozzy_2014]

He was in the mini webisode Night of the Doctor. It's on the disc of The day of the Doctor.

[@danielhenze8182]

@@bensjammin9 well the next doctor is crap

[@CarlB_1962]

Something must've happened in Moffat's past to make him pathologically incapable of killing off any of his main characters (in Doctor Who at least) and letting them stay dead - he always has to find a way to bring them back, ruining the dramatic impact of the supposed death. The full horror of Bill's conversion was brilliantly conveyed in World Enough and Time but spoiled (IMO) by her "fairy-tale" departure. I was expecting The Doctor Falls to be a train wreck but I think Moffat just about avoided that and, overall, I did enjoy the episode, despite its flaws.

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

What if we saw an epilogue of Cyber-Bill living on for centuries as the people's protector, friend, and living repository of history? Remember she's supposed to be really smart (although they do nothing to show us this, they only tell us it's so but they do not show us which is bad writing). She could watch generations of people grow up and become the most treasured thing in the world to that community. Then when finally her systems start to fail and they can no longer repair and maintain her implants, she dies knowing she improved the lives of 100's of people... No forget that, life can't be worth living at all if you're not young and having sex! That's all that matters! I'm starting to hate this show.

[@logansmith2703]

Carl B meanwhile he killed off Missy. Granted that'll get reversed at some point.

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

I think Simm's master had to escape - so Missy could exist at all. Otherwise timey-wimey kablooey. But Simm leaving because he had to and Missy staying because she wanted to would be a better ending. I get it the way it was done: The Master is evil and evil screws itself in the end, is ultimately self-destructive. I get wanting to show that, but all of Missy's work to improve, to be more good, should have amounted to something. I guess she was going to stay, but then why stab her younger self? You can't remember your younger self's point of view while your with yourself (that was established in Dr. Who ages ago). She could not have know for sure that her regeneration happened that way, it was a pointless crazy risk to take for no reason at all. Just let him go. He has to get away! That's how time works in the show! You could argue getting Simm to his TARDIS safely was more important than anything else anybody could have done on that ship. It's all just... sloppy

[@HazarTulum]

Killing off the Master is nothing new. He's managed to survive being burned alive, burned in a funeral pyre after being shot and refusing to regenerate, and thrown into a black hole. Trust me, the Master will return

[@doctorwhofanatic6057]

I hated doctor falls it's worse then hell bent and I hate hell bent

[@andreamiller3578]

I enjoyed Capaldi with Bill and Nardole so much more than 12 with Clara. I wanted more, and I'm sad I won't get that, but I'm glad we had this season.

[@darrentonks7807]

John Sim played a great role, it was the right decision, I don't understand your logic, John Sim could still come back as a all you saw was him going down in the lift, he may be able to hold back regen like Capaldi. This is what happens Chibnall will have a plan, the shows safe for next 5 years

[@darrentonks7807]

Mike DeMarco exactly it's funny how we appear to have a possibly definitive death for Missy but all you saw was John Sim going down a lift with row with a new circuit for the Tardis. how do you know Chibnall wanted this option to bring him back

[@darrentonks7807]

Qeebo2 true but she had no idea about her future, allegedly John Sim had his circuit to leave in the tardis,, he's ruined his future unless Missy may have knew what was going to happen to her and taken precautions. You never saw Sim die or regenerate so it would be easy to write an escape plan, it was only a knife wound. Pl us which way is the time distortion to slow things down at the top bottom of the ship as I forgot. The Master will return in what shape or form who knows and who cares

[@darrentonks7807]

Knowing your future gives you the chance to change it "Matt Smith" season 6

[@rich1051414]

Alex, all you are doing is hating on this show comment after comment. Go do something enjoyable, stop spreading your misery. As far as master being dead for good, I wouldn't be so sure. The master managed to keep living without regenerations for a very long time. He has alternate ways of living on.

[@darrentonks7807]

Qeebo2 plenty of ways to do it for writers, Chris Chibnall would have been briefed on everything that was going to happen in the series. In the RTD era Moffatt blocked Jenny being killed off permanently though he never pursued it as a storyline. I think after Missy got shot even though Sim said it was a fatal blast, she would have found away. There was a scene where when she said no to standing with the doctor it looked like she had given him something. Regarding her death I think they should have shown a scene where the body had disappeared or Sim had time to do something clever in the tardis to resurrect her but force to regenerate. She could have been the equivalent of the doctors Vale-yard so she could be the only version of the Master to be good and the Valeyard could be the Doctors closest version of evil. That could have been an interesting concept. A series where they swap roles until they regenerate.

[@lukewalker5717]

First Man to walk the moon was Neil Armstrong .

[@chanceneck8072]

Well congratu-fucking-lations then!!

[@teaboi8875]

666th person to view this video - not joking.

[@excelents]

The final scene. This is just after THE Doctor leaves the Snowcap base after defeating the Cybermen in the 10th Planet at the south pole (set in the year 1986) and before he regenerates in his Tardis so we get two Re-generations in the Christmas episode.

[@AlessandroAltosoleChannel]

i have to agree on john simm, it was funny to see him interact with missy but he didn't do anything, but i accept it because the previous episode was great and he had a major role in what happens there. i hoped we saw him became gomez but i get that moffat wanted to leave chibnall multiple ways to bring back the master so we see him laugh and nothing else and we see nothing of gomez after she "dies"

[@toddthesweatynerdguy1450]

I've been looking for a KZbin channel that has Doctor Who episode reviews and I like what I've seen here so far. I commented on "World enough and time" review about how I at the time thought it wasn't impossible for spoilers to be leaked and gave an example and you in a civil and polite manner pointed flaws in my example and things I hadn't considered. I find it so rare to have someone politely disagree (most people will add insults in a disagreement) with you in KZbin comment sections. That's just a couple of reasons for why I've subscribed to your channel, you have a fan in me. Keep making quality videos and I'll keep watching.

[@toddthesweatynerdguy1450]

Oops forgot to mention great review, thank you

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Thank you kindly on all counts!

[@nathanyou1899]

I honestly would have preferred it if it had been the 8th doctor for three reasons 1 . Paul Mcgann still looks the part 2. He didn't get enough time 3. he is the doctor most lost himself in regeneration

[@nicoleisttoll2026]

I enjoyed it, even though it had a completely different vibe than last week's episode. But I still have some issues that made me cringe in disbelief: 1. How the heck does the Doctor's body stay in one piece in the middle of an explosion that ripped probably hundreds of Cybermen to shreds (as we clearly get to see, btw.)? 2. If the Master and therefore Missy doesn't remember the whole ordeal, how come, she has a spare dematerialisation circuit? Personally, I didn't like the cop-out with the pilot saving Bill. Why does it always have to be an "everybody lives" thing with Moffat?! I would have cried buckets and buckets, if the Pilot (can't remember her name) had been some sort of hallucination to give a dying Cyberman-Bill a moment of comfort. That would have been heart-wrenching in a good way. But that? I was just like: Please, don't let it be the tears that save the Doctor! And, what can I say? They did.

[@nathanyou1899]

I would be funny if the end of the Christmas special was him staring to regenerate for real but they didn't reveal the new doctor till next season

[@JelloMiniatures]

Only other classic Doctor recast and return I want is Sean Pertwee as my favourite classic, his father The Third Doctor.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I'd be open to that specifically. But again, I just worry about it might lead to later.

[@danielhenze8182]

4th all the way

[@Azphreal]

I feel there was a good reason for Simms to be there, Missy was faced with the 2 versions of herself that she could be either the 'Doctor' or the 'Master'. About the 'master' coming back, if Missy could remember to have the TRADIS part she could also remember killing herself so she may have done something to she did not die or could regenerate which I hope does not happen as she grew on me.

[@NoverMaC]

this is the best finale i have ever watched

[@mrwholesome2182]

I fr think that matt smith would be amazing in this again and to have him back for maybe just a few more years would be amazing. I love the whole bouncyness and childish feeling of him and when he got serious it fit soooo well. But i hope they bring back the 9th doctor again because hes probably one of the best and could do this again

[@scotthadden9816]

I much preferred the Doctor Falls to World Enough & Time.

[@JammyJamesGaming]

It's sad to see nardole and bill leave I really enjoyed their roles in this season, I would like to see them return one day

[@LosloTypical]

When it was leaked that the first Doctor would return, the leak Christmas synopsis did include the Master. If that were true, then we may see Simm return.

[@grafikpapst]

I think the Master was their more as an visual representation of Missys inner struggle. Its in the most real sense it can get her past catching up with her, making her doubt herself and backstabbing her. It wouldnt have worked that well without Simm being there, so I think he was necessary for Missys Arc, even though I widsh they would have used him more.

[@Payne2view]

The holding back regeneration idea is annoying. The whole point of a regeneration is that it is the last thing a time lord's body can do when near death. Of course it started with David Tenant's tour of old companions but it has been taken too far with the four or five onsets being suppressed in one episode. The re-appearance of the Pilot was a good surprise for me. It not only solved the CyberBill problem but gave a further explanation of the character and capabilities of that entity. I was sad that Missy was "killed off", although the possibility of "I had an absorbing panel in my back all along because I knew you were going to do that" is still there. It was a shame that the Master becoming a Time Lady was presented as a "that just happens" regeneration thing. It would have been better to have involved the Sisterhood of Karn, especially as Missy says "welcome to the sisterhood" to the Master.

[@deebeedaydreamer]

4:55 "The Master's coming back..." Didn't think it would be that soon, though.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

In the episode the Master asked Missy are you my next regeneration? She says she is not sure, so the Master can come back as a regeneration between the two of them. 👍🏻 I would like this because why should the Doctor run into the Masters regenerations in order?

[@BaloonBoy7]

I think if they did that it would be hard to do much in the way of character development, cause we know what happened to the character.

[@bensjammin9]

This 2-parter was the best finale since season 5, which is my favorite finale, in my opinion. Fantastic episode overall. Peter Capaldi peaked again before his end, which was amazing to watch.

[@bensjammin9]

The pilot creature is just confusing though. It was nice and happy, but I really wish it wasn't so convoluted.

[@charliecartwright4371]

I love how the different time zones thing remained important in this episode, and meant the cybermen kept getting stronger over little time, raising the threat in a reasonable way

[@candoentertainment9118]

Liked your review. Sean Pertwee, son of 3RD Doctor Jon Pertwee, ( who plays Alfred on Gotham). looks and sounds just like his father. I would have no problem with him as 3rd Doctor...if it ever comes up.......thoughts?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Much like the use of David Bradley, I would have zero problem with that specific casting (I've been a Jon Pertwee fan longer than I've been a Doctor Who fan thanks to Dog Soldiers.) However I would still dread what would be done down the line because of the precedent that it sets.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Blah! Meant Sean and said Jon. See? Even I get them mixed up, so yeah it'd be solid.

[@aisyayahaya2320]

John simm in this episode is more of to show the change in the character, the master, especially, when Pcap did his speech. Not only the attitude changed, it shows where/when did the master may have regenerated into missy.

[@nathanyou1899]

I glad they retcond the cyber origins (even marinas)

[@cas2762]

I think that Simm's Master needed to be there to show Missy's change and growth. It's a comparison, to see how DIFFERENT Missy is from different her previous regeneration.

[@weepingdalek2568]

TBH I kinda feel like Capaldi should've regenerated this episode

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

I want to see David Bradley do a story as the 1st Doctor but I agree that Capaldi should be out this episode. Perhaps his regeneration (Doctor 13) would have issues that the 1st Doctor would help him with, and maybe as others have suggested Bradley's 1st Doctor gets injured in said encounter and that explains why he's weakened in his last story and has to regenerate the first time. Remember, the 1st Doctor has never regenerated before. He knows about it being from Gallifrey but he has never experience it first hand.

[@weepingdalek2568]

Z1gguratVert1go Well obviously there's a problem with Capaldi's regeneration, he flat out refuses to even though he needs to, Hartnell's Doctor should be able to help him with that

[@GiqqleszOE]

Z1gguratVert1go p

[@weepingdalek2568]

Abbria Garrett What? P is not a verb, P is a letter

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

I hadn't thought of that. Yes that's a good point. Perhaps the whole episode will be a telepathic communication? Seems to take hours but takes a few minutes of real time? It would be hard to write that well, especially in a Christmas context. These days I don't think TV writers in general are up to the challenges they set for themselves.

[@paulwalker3758]

I've a strand for you which might be retained for their 11th season: Murray Gold composing the music. That's a strand I want to stick around for a LONG time.

[@isexuallyidentifyaswilliam9321]

Moffat got a blank slate with his companions, so why shouldn't Chibnall as well?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

No real reason I can give outside of a personal preference.

[@knightblade2694]

Where can I buy the screwdriver you use in these videos?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Amazon.

[@Rainos62]

it would make for an interesting regeneration story for the next doctor in where the doctors turns back then forward because of something

[@jwilleseries7764]

There are at least 8 version of the Master we never have seen in any media so it might be a much younget Master the 13th Doctor encounter in a future episode 😉

[@keithboyd655]

I know this was 5 months ago, but i'm just getting started with watching your channel. Great work, by the way. You have a very diplomatic way of presenting your thoughts without demanding a rally. But question: am I wrong in my understanding that the Master (Sims) was the one to create the Mondasian Cybermen? Didn't his character contribute that to the episode? Not sure if classic Doctor Who ever touches on whether the Master came across them, so I don't know if this falls into the Bootstrap Paradox. But, if the Master created the Mondasian Cybermen, then that gives a really interesting muse; did the Space Shuttle that this episode takes place on escape and allow Mondasian Cybermen to return to Mondas and lead into "The Tenth Planet"? Because that would mean that John Sims' master was really contributory.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

It’s been a while since I saw the episode. However my read on it is that some form of Cybermen is a nearly inevitable upshot of humans doing anything to stay alive and the Master only pushed the natural progression forward if anything.

[@pipsdontlie3031]

I'm torn on the Bill send off. On one hand, unlike Clara, her death wasn't her fault and she really didn't deserve to go, on the other hand, just like Clara, Moffat doesn't seem to want to actually kill off a character (Missy doesn't count, they can always pull some bullshit with the master and it's excusable because it's the Master and River doesn't much count, due to wibbly wobbly stuff, the doctor still technically can see her again, though I'm fine with her send off in Husbands of River Song), and it really makes the show have zero consequence. Everyone is saying that it's sweet that she went off with Heather, but we only had one episode with Heather, there wasn't much there for us to care about. Another thing that bothered me was how inconsequential Missy and The Master were to the plot. They didn't do anything to the actual episodes plot, only their own plot. Other than that though, I loved it. The Master and Missy's chemistry was ridiculously good, the plot was good. The way they handled Bill was almost perfect (with exception to her send off), and I'm very much thrilled that the note we ended off on was not that twee send off. Thrilled to see the Christmas special. This is perhaps only the third episode I actually cried (The Angel's Take Manhattan and The Time of the Doctor were the only other times I've cried during the show, but that is because I am a cold heartless bastard), Missy's demise was incredibly tragic and I didn't see it coming at all (unlike apparently everyone else, I didn't know she was leaving the show). Great episode, tragic, hopeful, suspenseful and maybe just a bit twee.

[@kimmi-zy4pj]

I felt that John Simms was crucial to this episode because it was like missy's externalization of her feelings. I felt it represented her struggle between good and bad and how she's always suppose to be bad. Like, the master never assumed she would turn good and I don't think she did either. So i do think brining the master back was like her almost reviewing herself and her past, and how she came to the realization that in fact it was where she was always going.

[@isexuallyidentifyaswilliam9321]

I actually would like for someone to come in to play the Delgado version of the Master for a future episode, perhaps a future Christmas special

[@chanceneck8072]

I like this comment without even reading it, because I think, your nickname is just fantastic!!!......

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

Delgado's Master can never work these days. You can't have dignity and poise, no. Everything has to be OVER THE TOP WOOOOOOO!!!! The producers and writers think we're too stupid to handle a character like Delgado's master. They're the stupid ones if you ask me, I think fans old and new would love it. When are we going to get tired of being talked down to?

[@isexuallyidentifyaswilliam9321]

Well with the way millennial SJWs think and operate, can you actually blame the producers for thinking like that?

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

Yes I can. "We produce crap because our audience is dumb" is a lazy excuse. Perhaps the producers really can't do better, because it is they who are the SJWs really? Millennials are too young to control anything, they don't run TV studios, they don't run anything yet. This is what elite leftists said about my generation (X) even when we controlled nothing, and now it's happening again. I reject it. If you serve Millennials something good they'll know it, and they'll respond.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I cried too this was really good

[@jarjarbanks5715]

I believe that with the return of Davros that it's before the creation of the reality bomb. Although I'm not sure I haven't watched the episode in a while. If anyone could mention something from the episode that says otherwise to this theory than please let me know.

[@direnova6284]

Reinvention has always been Dr Who's greatest asset. Just look at the excitement(especially in the UK) over the choice of the new Doctor,only James Bond comes close to that. Watching new actors grow into the Doctor is the most interesting part of the show for me, it's a great part for great actors who get to play with all their tools. Casting the part in your head is such fun,just how interesting would it be to see Tom Hardy in the part ? Or....Emma Thompson...Hmmm...!!! Hugh Grant !

[@malvaashdown]

Really good review! I feel you on many points, and I do hope the BBC will keep the secret about who's going to be the next Doctor.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

That would make me sooooooooooo happy. But I don't expect it.

[@enigma8573]

A way they might work round the whole "dead master" thing could be that john simm has a couple more regenerations before missy. That could work but it would have to be a really good actor and a really good story. just thinking

[@logansmith2703]

mondasian master alternatively they can just resurrect them like in the last Simm story.

[@enigma8573]

+logan smith, they will probably resurect him at some point but if a master or missy comes back (which I think he will) it will be a new actor to move it on

[@Yan_Alkovic]

I feel like Nardole could've stayed if it weren't for plot-specific reasons. Just like Jack Harkness, Nardole would've had a much easier time dealing with the Doctor's regeneration and he may have even been able to smooth it out to the point where we could have the most easy-going post-regeneration period for the Doctor, so that he'd step into his new adventure in Season 11 already fully aware of himself instead of trying to recuperate and save the world at the same time. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, it's just that we've gotta have one smooth regeneration someday. And Nardole himself would be accepting of regeneration (seeing as how he can sympathise with the Doctor when it comes to changing faces), and that _does_ need to happen someday. So far all of the Doctor's companions in the revival have had a hard time accepting the new face, and it'd be really nice to see a change in that department. Now, I thought that the Master was a welcome addition, because he was so funny! _His_ gender should be "comic relief". I suppose I didn't notice the fact that he really didn't do much because I was too busy laughing at his jokes. Honestly, I think John Simm was a much better Master this time than he was in all his past appearances. But the whole "Master kills Missy" thing was really silly IMO, because while it _is_ symbolic of the Master not allowing himself to stand with the Doctor even if that's all he's ever wanted, it mostly felt pointless because the Master got out of really hopeless situations before, so everyone knows that he's coming back. My biggest criticism of this episode is that "Moffat's Magical Omnipotent Space Water" was just too bad of a plot device. Unlike the vast majority of people, I liked Hell Bent more than Heaven Sent, mostly because Clara got at least a somewhat decent ending as opposed to just dying. But I can't look at that objectively because I'm a Clara fanboy, so any scenario that at least gives Clara a good life before her inevitable death is good in my book. But with this episode's companion resolution, I didn't like the fact that a)Bill's not dead and b) "Moffat's Magical Omnipotent Space Water" is *SO* omnipotent that it can undo cyber-conversion. But I'm not looking at it objectively, either, because I didn't like Bill and I didn't like the Pilot. I mean, my favourite part from that episode (besides Classic Who references and Nardole) was the Mauvellan cameo. Yeah. Otherwise I agree with everything you said! The Doctor Falls not amazing, not at all bad, but could've been much better. Now imagine someday in the future some space explorer is gonna call a waterfall on another planet "The Doctor Falls" in honour of his idol the 88th Doctor, without knowing that "The Doctor Falls" was also the title for an episode in the Early 21 century Doctor Who era.

[@themastersmadface8241]

Did anyone catch how the Master survived the End of Time part 2? It's a question I've wanted answered for some time and I don't know if it was in this episode.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Not explained in detail. Likely never will be. Much like how we don't know how Davros survived the end of Series 4.

[@themastersmadface8241]

Council of Geeks Sad Face

[@jokerz7936]

Easy way to bring the Master back or another Mistress is make Missy not the next incarnation after Simms. Reveal there were other incarnations between them and they had run ins with future doctors.

[@chanceneck8072]

Wow, your grammar made it hard for me to understand, what you were trying to say, but I think, I agree with you.....

[@IG7799-c4u]

Speaking of grammar, why so many commas? ^

[@gaz0428]

I feel like harold saxon killing missy was perfect. I like to think she remembered that being there as harold saxon and may have really wanted to stand by the doctor at the end, bbut know she couldnt. And head canon maybe saxon decided to blow up everyone making missy saving the day on some level.

[@nightowl8477]

12:13 that's why I don't really like the idea of the Curator. I'd rather think that a future doctor grew annoyed with humans and picked up the fourth incarnation as a companion. You could even give him a better death, and then send him back to his last story but this time we see shots of him holding back a regeneration.

[@nightowl8477]

I just realised I pretty much already said this 9 months ago. Great.

[@nightowl8477]

I was just about to type this. Fuckin hell

[@adorkability]

I thought it was good, but not as good as the previous episode. And like you, I also think that the Master will be back eventually even though we've probably seen the end of his Missy incarnation. I also felt like Simm was a bit wasted here. I liked the way Nardol left, but I'm a bit conflicted on Bill's exit. On the one hand, I do like the way she left with Heather to explore the universe, and it left the way open for her possible return in the future. But on the other hand, it's a classic Moffat move- Kill off a companion without actually killing them off. Amy, Rory, Clara. Even River. He just can't seem to kill off his any of his characters. It would have been a ballsier move to just let Bill die as a cyberman.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I'm kind of two minds on the "dead but not really dead" departure for companions. I think it's more indicative of a problem of making the companions so enamored with life on the Tardis that the only way to make them leave is by "killing" them. Nobody has willingly decided to leave since Martha. And while I agree it'd be more gutsy to have just killed her, I was reminded by another commenter that the show is ultimately a hopeful one. So I kind of accept that sometimes it means it doesn't go quite as dark or as harsh as it could (or as part of me would like it to,) just because that's not what Doctor Who is.

[@sleepysera]

I don't agree with Simmon's master being not needed. I think to really see Missy's nature we 1) needed a counterforce to the doctor, tempting her back into old habits and 2) a mirror to show well how far she's come compared to her old self. Missy's change wouldn't have been nearly as impactful or clear if Simmon's master wasn't there. Not to mention how wonderful it all ended with the master self-destructing, which is very much a core part of that character.

[@DeschHunter]

I think they will solve it that way: since there is cry for a female doctor, and they force Bill to be the most liked companion, plus the line: I don´t want to live,if I cannot be myself... smells sooo much like Bill is going to be the new Doctor...

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

I think you can interpret the Master "killing" Missy as him doing so because he didn't like what he had become, and saying she was going to die was something he did out of spite. He's too much of an egomaniac that he'd ever want to kill himself in the future. He did so out of spite like he was shortening that generative cycle, or that this incarnation had grown too soft and the next one that would come after Missy wouldn't be quite so much, which has as future born out to be the case. Either way, I really doubt the Master would truly want to have killed himself because it just doesn't fit with his character that he would so something like that

[@psychedelicgeekstudios9194]

I'm really happy that Bill got to end up with Heather, and I think that they executed it really well. Gonna miss her.

[@KapybaraKSP]

does pjt anyone realise thst the saying where there's tear.... it is also a hidden reference to the ere doctors regeneration?

[@zeonthefox]

really stupid thing for me to notice but the laser screwdriver also has sonic settings it shows that even though the master hatse the doctor he is still copping him and the doctor has copied the master by putting a sonic beam weapon in his screwdriver

[@enigma8573]

i noticed that too

[@mohammadsoori9831]

So are you going to do a 12th doctor's top 10 episodes after Christmas special?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

But of course!

[@mohammadsoori9831]

hell yeah!

[@ragnarok42007]

This may be my favorite season ender of the Modern Series, and very near a Top 10 episode for me, simply because of all the excellent moments throughout. I tend to disagree with people who say that John Simm's Master is superfluous, because his entire role is really to compare and contrast what Missy is now to what the Master was. She's still cunning, devious, and fairly insane . . . but she also has that almost-good streak in her. The key moment is during Capaldi's epic Be Kind speech, when Simm clearly doesn't care at all, while Missy listens but still, initially, walks away. His appearance here helps us to see the character growth, and to wonder if that will stick when the Master makes the inevitable return. Plus - it was fun seeing the two of them together. They had some fabulous moments together. Very much looking forward to Christmas, though very sad Capaldi is leaving.

[@Freak80MC]

Before I watch this, I gotta say that I can't wait to see your opinion on John Simm being brought back. Because in my opinion his return was wasted completely. I mean, he befriended Bill in a decade-long plan just so he could see the Doctor's reaction, and then once the Cybermen are turned on him like 10 minutes in, he just goes along with the Doctor and Missy without even *attempting* to kill him or sabotage his plans or *something*! That was such a disappointing end to his run. EDIT: You at least seem to agree with me on how useless his inclusion was, especially for something that was a multi-Master story. Also, I really don't think that parallel evolution theory holds up for the alternate universe version of the Cybermen given that we never saw them in this world before this.

[@tanyairwin3695]

If they really feel the need to bring past Doctors back, I hope they get Sean Pertwee to do the part of the third Doctor. He looks so much like his father, he could pull it off. IMO.

[@peterd440]

Bill is returning for one last hurrah in the Christmas special.

[@ukmediawarrior]

Oh god no, please say you are joking? Why bother putting everyone through the wringer in this episode, giving her a nice send off then have her come back one episode later?!

[@CouncilofGeeks]

It could work depending on use. Basically if it's more of an Amy in Time of the Doctor and less of a Clara in Hell Bent then I'll be ok with it.

[@peterd440]

She has been seen on location with Capaldi away from the studio.

[@zipgow]

My least favorite part of this episode was the part when Missy explains why she can't remember anything that happened. (I'm kinda hoping she used that explanation to throw her old self off the scent. Maybe she rigged his weapon so he'd use it, thinking it was lethal, but she altered its setting, while he wasn't looking?)

[@zipgow]

Maybe that's why she was laughing? At him?

[@SuperLaney81]

You see, as already said, I too believe Simm's appearance is a set up - that he will in fact, return to the series full time - the very fact you DIDN'T see him regenerate ;-)Guys I'm still confused as to why the original crew of 20 that went down just stayed down there rather than just coming straight back up? Maybe it was due to harmful effects of time dilation? Also, the ship was coming from Mondas, the crew were Mondasian -- so WHICH PLANET were they actually heading to, where colonists were....?

[@ryanspees2857]

Here's is is a great recommendation if they need an actor for the third doctor. Sean pertwee, son of Jon pertwee. After what I've seen him do in Gotham he's perfect for the role. Just get him a wig.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

He would be great, and much like David Bradley I'd be ok with that specific casting. But I'd still stand by what I say here: I fear the precedent and what might be done down the line when there isn't such an ideal choice but a show runner decides to do it anyways.

[@jackaylward-williams9064]

I really wish that they’d tried to hush up who would be playing the next doctor until the Christmas special aired. I can just imagine how shocking Capaldi’s regeneration would have been if I hadn’t already known that he was going to become a women, but I doubt that anyone had that experience and it seems almost impossible that a new viewer would be able to watch enough of the show for that scene to have meaning without also finding out who the 13th Doctor was at some point

[@jackalblades6822]

there were a lot of things i did not like about series 10... but this was a nice way to end it and i can look back and be, "that was a solid season." i am very much looking forward to where the show goes from here. hopefully there is a companion i can care about a bit more. (i know in one video i mention how much i was disliking her character, but said she had sparks of energy, or something, she did very very well in this episode.) loved the tie back to the first episode in the series. i really enjoyed the simms part of the story. yay just being stuck somewhere!

[@jasoneustice8034]

I agree always move forward with the generations and I agree doing that with the first doctor seems OK but I couldn't see it with the other doctors

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

And the two masters thing was wasted too. How could the Doctor be stupid enough to ask the younger Master to stay? He has to leave, to get away, to guarantee Missy exists. The dangers of meeting one's self is casually ignored. If the younger Master dies, Missy doesn't exist and kaboom - massive damage to the timeline. The kind of thing that is extremely dangerous (whenever the writers feel like remembering it is). Wouldn't it be better if they had actually gotten back to Mondas, and the Master/Missy did something as stupid as each killing the other which led to a timey-wimey explosion so powerful it wrecked Mondas's ecosystem and started it on its path out of the Solar System? Making the slow painful destruction of Mondas a Fixed Point in Time? THAT would have been epic and a gorgeous call-back to the original show. What we got was watered-down weaksauce.

[@craigchampagne7797]

It must be so hard to wrap a series up. It wasn't as good a the last episode but it was a good ending - and we rarely get them. I can't see them re-casting Classic Doctors except maybe Sean Pertwee as Three because I think he really wants to do it and like David Bradley, it'd be a respectful homage not a stunt.

[@craigchampagne7797]

www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-06-14/jon-pertwees-son-sean-reveals-he-was-asked-to-be-in-last-years-doctor-who

[@clara_bandicoot]

I definitely agree on Simm. He felt too underused for large points of this episode. On the whole though, loved it. World Enough and Time was better, but that goes without saying. Feeling sad though that so many characters are going, it truly is the end of an era. I was sceptical about Missy (back in 2014), Bill and Nardole when I first saw them, but I loved them all and they will be sorely missed. But no one will be as missed as Capaldi. Bradley was phenomenal in An Adventure in Space and Time, it is in my opinion by far Gatiss's best work for Who (not a fan of Victory of the Daleks, Sleep No More, Idiot's Lantern etc) so I'm expecting great things. You are right though, I know my dad will be outraged if they cast any old guy as the Fourth Doctor

[@paulflint6254]

return of moist girl

[@tiffanyrich6652]

I agree with your view of the Master in this episode. I love Simm's portrayal of the character and was really looking forward to his return. Unfortunately his return added nothing to the episode and the character became so one dimensional and campy it was painful at times. Over all the episode was good but nothing I would rewatch.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Thank god we don't have to worry about stupid nitpicking anymore!

[@darrentonks7807]

I wonder how many of the shows like Arrow,Flash,Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow etc run for more then 10 Seasons let alone 54 years. Walking Dead is probably the exception but even that's slowly going into decline.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Because Doctor Who has the unique ability to refresh the lead cast, you can't realistically expect anything else to last as long. Most shows don't make 10 years because of fatigue. The actors get it, the creative staff gets it and ultimately the fans start to get it. There are a few exceptions here and there (Simpsons is probably the elephant in the room on that one) but by and large you start to feel the burn out after a while. Being able to literally change the face of the show does a lot to stave that off.

[@darrentonks7807]

Council of Geeks Yeah we all know the reason mate it was rhetorical, it's just people have opinions granted and 90% of what people say are really stupid and I can't see their logic. We all know Moffatt doesn't like killing off companions and we moan at the end as if we expect him to do it, so what, it won't ruin the show. RTD didn't kill off companions. He covers all demographics and there will be young children out there that have had Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie as their first Doctor and companion. Moffatt can walk away with his head held high and the trolls or wannabe reviewers who think their opinions are relevant or actually think they think about things, don't go on first impressions, let things digest and then voice the views. The reaction video people are the worst as they don't pay attention, have that gormless look and then has what's going on when they haven't paid attention to a single thing. At least you do actually watch it and review it. It Shows peak and trough at different times I'm sure dr who had dips in the 70s and obviously 80s although part of that was from BBC 1 controller twat Michael Grade who pitted it against Coronation Street in its prime.

[@darrentonks7807]

Find a good idea a show can run and run

[@darrentonks7807]

Unless you saturate it for all it's worth with 22 episodes a year, I can see The walking going into decline in the next couple of years so it will be back to the comics again

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

Missy could easily come back - she would have remembered the event and made plans to protect herself when it happened from her point of view. Easy!

[@ukmediawarrior]

Bill's 'end' was a cop out, totally, and it was pretty much exactly how Clara left at the end of 'Hell Bent' when she and Ashildr run away in a TARDIS to explore the universe together. Both this and that episode were both written by Moffat which just goes to prove it was time he moved on, he has been repeating himself over and over in the last couple of seasons. This episode also ruined the build up of Missy, the best character in this season. We know now she had changed, we know the Doctor succeeded in making her good, but for the Master to kill her and prevent her regeneration was a mistake. You do not kill a character as good as Missy (well unless Michelle Gomez didn't want to come back), especially when you already have so much emotion in this episode with Nardol leaving, the Doctor dying and Bill ... doing whatever it was that happened to Bill. They could of let Missy escape somehow, maybe join the Doctor and save him, something to keep her around. But The Master basically killing himself just showed what a complete psychopath he was ... although if he was so far gone he would kill himself then how the hell did Missy become good I wonder? The Cybermen, after such a big build up last episode are pretty much wasted in this one. They have no threat to them at all being blown up left right and centre and with the Doctor waltzing through the woods killing them off one at a time and none of them firing back. There were also, as per usual in this season, leaps of logic or ignoring logic altogether in this episode. The Doctor says if they take the lift to the bridge the Cybermen will have a thousand years to upgrade themselves due to the time difference, but if that's the case how have the Cybermen and the Doctor and Co. been using the lifts at all? Why didn't the Cybermen upgrade each other as they went along rather than some being old and some being new? That doesn't follow Cybermen logic which dictates they must always be the best they can be. How did they punch through the, what must have been, incredibly thick deck plates between levels so easily? If the Doctor and Nardol were using fuel lines under the deck plate to blow things up why didn't the entire deck blow? They are using FUEL lines?! And at the end, the Doctor blows the entire deck, everyone and everything dies, every Cyberman left ... but Bill survives? How exactly?

[@jvblhc]

I enjoyed your review of The Doctor Falls, and agree with much of what you say. For me, World Enough and Time and The Doctor Falls were the best episodes of what I found to be a very average, underwhelming season. That being said, I know mileage varies for each viewer, and what I think was average, others will think of as outstanding. And I am very much looking forward to the Christmas special, which, for now, I will call The Doctor's Last Stand.

[@knightblade2694]

Where can I buy that screwdriver????

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Amazon.

[@Aioria0171]

I would like to see Sean Pertwee showing up as the 3rd Doctor at some point, because he's a great actor just like his father. And the episode itself, well... I like it but I agree that it could have been a little more aggressive and the resolution was very easy, the Doctor just needs to wave the sonic for a Cyberman blows up? Really? And they could have shown Bill blowing up some Cybermen as well. John Simm was underused and Michelle Gomez brought something extra for her performance. It could have been the best finale for a Doctor but they just played safe, in my opinion. I think is a solid 8/10.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

The sonic wasn't blowing up Cybermen, he'd downloaded the software that Nardole had created that let him set off explosions wherever he wanted in that area. So he was blowing up the ground at their feet, not the Cybermen directly. Sorry, don't mean to nitpick. Yeah, safe is a fair word for the episode where it could have been pushed a little harder.

[@Aioria0171]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that download, so my bad. It's just that I watched 6 different episodes from 6 different series afterwards, so it slipped my mind. :p

[@Aioria0171]

Oh, and I would like to see a video about what can we expect from Chibnall, now that we know he has a 5 year plan and wants to make a more "kid friendly"/"familiar" show.

[@Aioria0171]

It's true, I forgot about it as the episode was developing. Thanks. :)

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I'm not sure I can get a full video out of just those tiny bits of info, but let me think about it.

[@berliner0]

love your vids do you think simm changed into missy?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I think that's probably the intent, but I like that they left the door open for him to have been other incarnations in between so other writers have the freedom to do that if they want.

[@peterhibbert8491]

Do you go with Tesla, wanting to send electricity to a planet where they are short of supply? Wouldn't Tesla's real life character and work fit well into the creation of a regenerated Doctor Who?

[@namegoeshere5220]

Don't regenerate the current Doctor into past Doctors, as it is just a bad idea. But Baker's "You may find yourself revisiting a few, but just the old favorites, eh" and your worry now has me paranoid worried... Hopefully, he meant literally revisiting like we are about to see this Christmas with Nu1 Doctor. Hopefully.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I don't think they'll ever do it. The implication is that it happens SO FAR into his future that in my mind we never actually get there.

[@nightowl8477]

12:10 how do you feel about the Curator then?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I’m fine with that because since Baker will never actually take up this role again it’s just part of the perpetual nature of the Doctor and the show. It’s an Easter egg not a retrograde direction for the show as a whole.

[@elizabeths50]

I think John Simm's Master showed in real time, what an evil, uncaring, narcissistic jerk the Master is. For Missy to actually be so changed, that her "Master" was willing to stand with the Doctor, only the Doctor will never know, because the Master killed her before she could stand with him, is only evident when you see what a horrible jerk the Master has always been.. That Missy willing to stand with the Doctor is a huge thing, since it is a really big departure from the nature of the Master. For those who do not know the older versions of the Master, I thought it was a perfect play off of each other. And the point was for it to be a "Day Of The Master" kind of episode, to showcase the Master, period. And I think that Missy remembered changing form the Master to Missy quite clearly and that she knew all along she was going to cause him to regenerate into her. Or another version of the Master, since they hem-hawed around her being the next incarnation). She even said that bit about the scary woman telling him to make sure he had a replacement dematerialization circuit, implying it was her version of the Master that told his version of the Master to make sure to always have a spare circuit on hand.

[@darrentonks7807]

Clever boy

[@angelamccafferrty9487]

I disagree John Simm is always a delight and him and Gomez together was fantastic. It was the perfect ending the past Master kills his future rather than stand with the doctor is so fitting of his Master. I do agree I am really gonna miss Missy though

[@johnstebbins24]

Thoughts on The Pilot?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Here's my review I did when it aired: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn6knHd-irp1sLM

[@johnstebbins24]

oops. Not the episode. I meant her role in "The Doctor Falls" Understandable.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I thought it played off pretty well. I get that some people are kind of tired of the "oh they're dead, no wait not really" thing that's gone on during Moffat's run, but I think this was one of the better instances of that.

[@Emme-Kappa]

thsi was the best episode of the series.. and this two-parter was a fucking masterpiece to say the least.

[@remusrogers2514]

They should of cgi the original face on to David Bradley, and alter his voice to be more like william hartnell

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Regardless of my thoughts on that idea, BBC doesn't have the kind of money to try and pull a Tarkin in Rogue One kind of maneuver.