Empire of Death REVIEW - Doctor Who: KerVAM Episode #50

[@ftumschk]

Given that the 6th Doctor's costume made a cameo appearance in this episode, and Sutekh was destroyed in the Vortex, perhaps it _wasn't_ merely an ordinary leash, but a Timeleash.

[@ftumschk]

PS, hang on in there Elliott. There's no way that Hell Bent is as bad as they make it out to be! I've heard the criticisms/reasons, but I just don't buy them; it's a pretty solid episode of Doctor Who.

[@EruditoHacker]

Congrats on 50 episodes guys! I’m one of those listeners that doesn’t comment much, but I’m listening! Always look forward to hearing your thoughts after each episode!

[@lgoamity]

Had the assumption that Ruby had learned her Mom's name in 2046... and just passed along the names/bios for UNIT to crunch. See if they can backtrack/link the details around 2004, see how they link. Once they have the name, her Mom's Social Media alone might have narrowed down where she lived, went to school, who her friends were/are...

[@AndrewBobBill]

23:23 "Back-Story and Mystery do not equal Character" "And that's all Ruby is" "It's a shame because I like Ruby's personality"😄

[@BaronMartin]

Hi, planning to do complete soundtracks for Season 1 episodes? :)

[@stephenreed2093]

A reset resolution isn’t necessarily a problem, if there is a satisfying and logical lead up to it. I wish the Doctor had done something more ‘scientific’, for example examine Sutekh’s dust and find a way to alter it or imbue it with his regeneration energy.

[@ishaandw]

You guys are very kind to this episode.

[@Hercules_Flexing]

Apologies for the failed attempt at brevity. Congratulations on 50-well-discussed episodes of Doctor Who! Always enjoy listening to you lads share your thoughts. For this episode, you largely hit all of the thoughts and opinions I had with the episode. Wish I had enjoyed the episode but I disliked most of the writing. The VFX, and performances were proper highlights, however I was very distracted by how flimsy the plot worked together. I was definitely left with many questions that I don't expect to get answers to, and am feeling less enthusiastic about the next season. Some sporadic points I wanted to share from listening to your show that may contribute to your thoughts about the whole season: Is this finale’s “resolution” how Russell undoes the Flux / brings back Gallifrey? Or is that a happy accident that I shouldn’t give him credit for? I wonder if this is meant to be Millie’s send-off because she isn’t the companion next season, or at least the primary one, so she won’t get a send-off down the line… much like Martha. I wonder if they are going to address who the Meep’s boss is next season, and/or bring back the Master from the gold tooth (I kinda hope not). Maybe Mrs. Flood will end up being the woman RTD chooses to have picked it up? But also... I don't really care? RTD spends too much time hyping things up, and if the takeaway from this storyline is that things are important because I make them important, why should I trust a future or already planted mystery box? Mrs. Flood's cryptic message at the end was laughable coming right off of Ncuti's explanation of why Ruby's mother was important. Never mind the snow and Carol of the Bells, or Maestro's lines. I really disliked how much Ruby cared about her biological (or “real Mom” as she annoyingly kept saying) mother because as someone with a large foster family, most kiddos do not have the level of interest in pursuing a relationship with their bio-parent. Carla is her real mom, and I actually felt bad for her several times when Ruby was so dismissive of her. I said it last week but I really hated the Memory Tardis because I am a non-UK fan and couldn’t watch that. Which like… isn’t the BBC targeting international fans now given that episodes from at midnight in the UK? Seems like they don’t have their priorities straight. Little bit left here… Ncuti not saying, “I Love You” back to Ruby was strange. It’s in-character for the Doctor, sure. But isn’t this the emotional one? The one really connected to his feelings? I thought we had moved past him being closed off. Lastly, Susan. I know fans say they shouldn’t bring her back because it’s been too long, and it should be saved for a special moment. I think with how much RTD has written about her in this season, they really should. Doctor Who isn’t “clean” in its logic or limits anymore (see: War and Shalka Doctor, the Timeless Child, Bi-generation, etc.). I think that at this point it would be a disservice to the show to never bring her back just for the sake of keeping things pure. Also you are not alone Elliot. Hell Bent was fantastic. :)

[@elliotttalksf1825]

Can’t wait to hear your guys opinions on this episode 😂

[@booradley8895]

Controversially I put this on par with series 11 finale as Chibnall said how it was a first draft and not exactly what he wanted. What was RTD excuse? He has had enough time to write something better. I didn't watch the whole video as the dumping on Chibnall has just got old. Did anyone ask what was the point of Rose in the last 2 episodes? Plus a 13 year old child bearing arms when RTD stupidly said the sonic was too much like a gun. Just don't understand his logic

[@tissuecompressioneliminato9096]

I mostly enjoyed the story, but I do have quite a few issues with the way things were done. Ruby's mom being an "ordinary" (albeit with a very troubling teenage pregnancy and abusive home life background) person is something I'm completely on board with. And if the characters in the show did what fans do, and started wildly speculating without any explicit evidence, it could have worked beautifully. But having actual weird and mysterious things happen around her and Ruby completely torpedoes any credibility in the reveal. It makes it a cheat. I do have a couple of thoughts on why Sutekh cared so much. One is The TARDIS had gotten into his head and was manipulating him subtly to make him vulnerable. She wouldn't have not noticed him clinging onto her for god knows how long. So she played a 7th Doctor style long game with him. The other is, as Sutekh has become, to all intents and purposes, an actual God, The Doctor and Ruby's faith in the mystery and belief that her mom was someone with special significance could be what got under his skin. I think the latter was something RTD was getting at, but it's so clumsily executed and explained that it's not clear at all.

[@joshuaverran9443]

The ending was crap.