'Empire of Death' (2024) Reaction and Discussion | Series 14 | Doctor Who

We’re back to discuss the eighth and final episode of Doctor Who Series 14!
Did this episode feel like enough? Was there a better way to structure this two part story? What was this season missing? Is Ruby’s mother really a nobody, or is there more to the story than we’re being told? Why is Mrs. Flood wearing a Romana 1 outfit?
Join us as we discuss all of these questions, how we feel about the resolutions of EMPIRE OF DEATH and Series 14, and think about the future of Doctor Who all in the latest episode of The Doctor’s Companion!
NEXT: THE LONG WAY ROUND 11!
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[@alfje5492]

A few things from the commentary: - RTD likes Rey Nobody, so decided to make Ruby's mom a 'nobody' - the 'kind mother' scene was almost cut, but RTD wanted to show Sutekh's effect on the universe. - the memory-Tardis was made for this finale, but they liked the set so much that they kept it and the Tales of the Tardis came from there. - RTD thought of Sutekh hanging onto the Tardis after he saw Pyramids in 1975! - Lenny Rush (Morris) was indeed originally cast as the voice of baby Eric

[@DuelingGenre]

Thanks!

[@alfje5492]

RTD does need to leave these world-ending threats that get resolved and reset so easily, out of his finales and focus on what he does best: character, drama, emotions! Sutekh was just background noise in the engaging (but ultimately disappointing) search for Ruby's mum. Great setup and a meh resolution, pretty much on track for RTD. Anyway, we got some good episodes in this series and hopefully s2 will be even better (and longer?)

[@DuelingGenre]

Won't be longer, unfortunately. But hopefully it won't feature any Doctor/Companion lite episodes, at least!

[@averyeml]

I’d be fine with Ruby’s mom being a nobody if Ruby ended up being a somebody through some chain of events. Like cool, she’s just a chick, the season was very pro-adoption, but yeah even in a “magic is bleeding through” kinda season she’s not making magic snow to the point where literal gods are confused and scared just by wanting something hard enough.

[@DuelingGenre]

Really robs them of any power. And if they're going to be the focus going forward, that seems like a mistake.