Doctor Who 9x12 "Hell Bent" Reaction

[@Ladco77]

This episode makes perfect sense in the context of the Doctor's timeline. Right after this is the Husbands of River Song. It took this realization of letting Clara go that made it possible for him to accept letting River go. I don't think he could have done that if he hadn't gone through this with Clara first.

[@FahadAyaz]

I hadn't thought of it like that. Very good point!

[@ThePonderer]

Lots of people HAAAAATE this episode and I gotta say, I never got it. I find this a *fascinating* end to a fascinating and knowingly unhealthy Doctor/companion relationship. After all their emotional turmoil and push and pull and codependency, it was a real ballsy move in my opinion to make an epic finale all about how their symbiosis is just *not good* for either of them or the universe around them.

[@caomhan84]

I'm with you. Thing is, the DW fandom just aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. If they don't like something, it becomes absolute. There's no such thing as nuance. There's no such thing as deeper meaning. There's just "I HATE THIS AND IT SUCKS AND CLARA SUCKS AND MOFFAT SUCKS AND...." It's gotten to the point that I can't post on any message boards anymore. Anyway, Moffat took a chance to really explore the Companion/Doctor relationship with Clara and Twelve. From the consequences of her trying to be like him, to him going too far not to lose her....it *was* fascinating. It was like a torrid love affair that had to end because both people are in way too deep. I remember one exchange I had with a "hater" back when this aired, and he said "When Sarah Jane left, she just left! She just packed up her things and left! It wasn't a big deal! Why does it have to be such a big deal with Clara?!" I said "It's no longer the 1970's. God forbid someone tries to evolve the storyline." People forget that the companion is the lens through which the audience sees the Doctor. Clara lost her earthbound anchor when Danny died. Her mom was dead. She wasn't close to her dad. All she had was the Doctor....and she went "all in." It was the extension to what Rose said in 2005..."He showed me a better way of living life...." Clara took that and ran with it.

[@corndog4848]

Here is the reason most don’t like it. Face the Raven and Heaven Sent are two great episodes, Heaven Sent being one of the best in Doctor Who. Both episodes are weakened by this finale because the basis of both episodes is Clara’s death, which is taken away for a happy ending with zero consequences. There are parts of this episode I really like but way too many problems.

[@corndog4848]

The only consequence of this episode is also taken away in Twice upon a time.

[@caomhan84]

Brad Bell .....and yet again, even in your explanation, you demonstrate why the people don't like it purposely boil down so many of the layered themes to the simplistic "it cheapens Clara's death" thing. The fact is, there's way more going on psychologically and interpersonally and with regard to the evolution of the companion within the new series. People who like this episode recognize these things. People who don't like it either refuse to see them or are just too obtuse to consider them. This is why it's so exhausting to discuss these episodes with the DW fandom. It's akin to asking 5th graders to analyze Romeo and Juliet and they say "It's about two people who loved each other and they died." The DW fanbase seems incapable of grasping multiple thematic elements.

[@corndog4848]

caomhan84 what was wrong with her original exit? Why is their a need for every companion in Doctor Who to get a happy ending with little to no consequences ever? They built a nice arch for Clara, dying due to her trying to be like the Doctor, then they retcon it two episodes later by letting her basically avoid death for as long as she wants and go on adventures.

[@herticalt]

The Duty of Care line. Clara says it during Kill the Moon about Courtney her student. The Doctor says it about Clara in Under the Lake and Clara laughs him off not taking it seriously. That's why when he says it to her in the Cloisters it has such an impact.

[@chris-hz2wd]

I love hell bent, I love the trilogy of face the raven, heaven sent, hell bent and I love 12 and Clara and I don’t care what anyone thinks

[@Haruspis7]

My favourite crackpot theory: the Clara we see in The Name of the Doctor, who meets the First Doctor? That's her, back on Gallifrey. That's not an echo. And the TARDIS she tells him to steal? That's her one. "Don't steal that one, steal THIS one. The navigation system's knackered, but you'll have much more fun!" It would be, if you'd been travelling around in it for thousands of years of 'wiggle room.' It's a classic Moffat Loop - we end Hell Bent with her taking up the mantle of being 'The Doctor' (a title, a promise to live up to), with Twelve's parting words to her being the rules of being The Doctor. And then, back on Gallifrey, a long time in his past - and her future - in a barn, and an old workshop, she passes the mantle back to him.

[@Grace38042]

Haruspis Omg I love this.

[@Spooky1611]

This is golden. I'd like to think that, which makes me love the things that are left open for your own imagination in stories like these

[@Connorpullinger]

I LOVE this theory. I’m definitely agree with this and it makes me love Clara even more !!

[@ferretleaf]

YES!! I love this theory!!

[@danivarius]

Utter clap trap of course

[@MargaritaLife]

I love Clara and the Twelfth Doctor so much. They had so much expression, power and pain. How many tears were shed, my heart was broken. That's probably why I'm doing so much video with them. This story still doesn't let me go. Thanks for these reactions, I have great pleasure in watching and remember all my feelings!

[@petrasurminova3999]

Margarita Life I love your videos ❤

[@MargaritaLife]

Petra Surminová thank you!)

[@Jason_xofilos]

I hope enjoyed your reaction. While I don’t always agree with your edited KZbin moments but thank you for all your time and work editing. Filming your reaction is the enjoyable and easy part. Editing may have enjoyable moments and a sense of achievement when each video is completed and uploaded. Enjoy your time off and away from video editing. 👍😎

[@retatreasure5615]

Clara never clicked with Matt for me. Hated the impossible girl story. But with Capaldi, Clara was brilliant. I love how their relationship blossomed over 2 seasons. To meet it was the most realistic and honest Doctor/Companion relationship of new Who. It was a deeper connection because we actually got to see it grow from scratch and not have it be the companion totally enamored with the Doctor after one adventure as with previous Doctors and companions.

[@gaynor1721]

Nope! Twelve and Clara were mismatched. That's why they were always at odds with each other. I preferred the lady that's coming in the next episode for Twelve.

[@englishmidnight]

I had a duty of care, one of the best lines ever.

[@aaronsmith9891]

I just realised how often the black board was used in Clara’s era, kinda becoming a symbol of her (the teacher). Like it was in several episodes even if Clara wasn’t using it (Listen, Last Christmas)

[@chanceneck8072]

OK, we know about all the haters, but who actually LOVES this episode?? Who´s with me?

[@Kasterborous1963]

I love it.

[@hellsingmongrel]

yeah, I love this episode.

[@danh1773]

Absolutely loved it. There’s no reason not to.

[@alastairbrand4998]

Absolutely. Clara's "death" in Face the Raven, and the subsequent storyline, is less about her death than about the consequence of the Doctor's willingness to abandon his principles to save her. Clara (and previous / subsequent) companions serve as a lens for us to observe the Doctor, while these events demonstrate the Doctor's limits - as observed by Ohila when she challenges him to face her. In that context, the return of Gallifrey could not have been better used - despite the objections of the haters. One final observation. I loved the little in-joke when Ohila is challenged by the Timelords in context of her appearance at these events. Her reply that "I heard the Doctor had returned; one so loves fireworks!"- a nicely subtle reference to the first appearance of the sisterhood (Brain of Morbius) when the fourth doctor restores the sacred flame by the judicious use of a banger.

[@chris-hz2wd]

Hell yeah I love hell bent!

[@scriptscribbles894]

This is my personal favorite episode for a lot of reasons, most of all for Clara getting a triumphant ending. There's so many fans of her rushing to fill in what happens next, and it means the world to them. My favorite part, though, is how the hybrid prophecy comes true. The Doctor, Clara, and Me all stand in the ruins of Gallifrey at the end there. The Doctor destroys a billion billion of his own hearts in the confession dial. And they unravel the web of time changing Face the Raven. I agree with your feelings on Clara. I don't personally connect with her, but the complexity she gets is fantastic, and she and the Twelfth Doctor work amazingly together. Jenna Coleman is also phenomenal.

[@alastairbrand4998]

I was thinking the same thing, in context of the prophesy being fulfilled - and because of that, despite the negative responses of many people I believe this episode really works. A lot of those who disliked it seemed to believe that the reappearance of Gallifrey was wasted but what else would have worked in context of the Doctor's ambiguous relationship with Gallifrey, and positively antagonistic relationship with the Time Lords.

[@mikeruth959]

I have never cried more in my entire life, than I have with this episode its so beautiful. I wish in my wildest dreams, to have a love or friendship like that of Clara and Doctor.

[@paulwagner688]

Extremely underrated in this season is Maisie Williams' range as an actor. The difference between when we first see Ashildir and where she ends up at the end of the universe is striking. She really portrays that wisdom gained by going the long way round. As Moffat said, "at this point she's so far beyond the Doctor"

[@joeastbury8032]

Most underrated finale for me, I love it and I don't care what anyone says about it. I love it.

[@cutthr0atjake]

Joe Astbury Opposite way round for me. I hated this episode & thought it tarnished what had been a great series.

[@chuckyfranze289]

Joe Astbury me to

[@joeastbury8032]

cutthr0atjake I can see why people don't like it, if you're not a big Clara fan than this season can be a hurdle. For me, I think she's okay. But honestly, I think Hell Bent is an episode where you have to really look deep. The point being it's meant to show that Clara can be the Doctor, and that when they are together their relationship is deeply unhealthy. They keep pushing one another and that's why they need to be apart from one another, one psycopath per TARDIS.

[@mattopotamus5885]

Joe Astbury I'm also the opposite, it seems that many people are opposites on the finales of the last 2 seasons. For example I really disliked hell bent and enjoyed the doctor falls which many people hated, it's weird

[@joeastbury8032]

mattopotamus I love the Doctor Falls as well, I wouldn't say most people hated it. It might not be as well recived as the episode before but it was still a good finale overall most people seem to think.

[@Ladco77]

The Doctor's "duty of care" comment got me thinking. Clara's the impossible girl. She's been there from the very beginning, saving the Doctor. Imagine by this point how many times the Doctor has watched her die. Losing a loved one is always hard. Now imagine having to lose them over and over again in different ways in different times and knowing that every time the Doctor meets her again, it'll end with them watching her die again. That would drive anyone to do anything to break the cycle.

[@bombird8813]

A lot of people dislike this episode because they were expecting it to be the doctor only on gallifrey and for the hybrid to have a big role,they got upset when it was just another send off to Clara. But that’s what it needed to be. The whole series has been building their strong relationship whereas the hybrid has only been hinted at. It has shown Clara and Doctor be strongly connected and when the doctor lost her he lost everything. He became angry and stopped being the doctor. So they had to come to a conclusion of wiping one of their memorys. People also get mad that Clara didn’t die and that face the Raven was pointless. But her death in that episode is what drove the doctor mad and she said in this episode she will eventually go to gallifey to get put back. I love the concept that the two of them together is the hybrid. And it came to a sad conclusion where the doctor forgets Clara and must start anew. This is a great episode. It’s sad and beautiful.

[@kivimik]

I actually appreciated that Gallifrey was a means to an end and not an end in itself. Leaving the the thread of Gallifrey untied opens it up to more possibilities for future Gallifrey stories, especially regarding Rassilon.

[@youtubeaccount1124]

Gallifrey shouldn’t have been brought back in the first place The Day Of The Doctor ruined The entire RTD era how can you watch Episodes with The Ninth And Tenth Doctors talking about how they miss it when it was out there the whole time

[@Lukecash2]

KZbin Account 112 Gallifrey should have never been destroyed to begin with. It made it too much like Superman. Besides its explained the other older Doctors wouldn't remember saving the planet at all.

[@KeterLordFR]

The paradox created by the Doctor working with other versions of him to save Gallifrey made it so that he wouldn't remember it. His memory was erased every time, and in the case of Nine the last thing he remembered before becoming this version is him as the War Doctor being ready to use the Moment to stop the war. Since Gallifrey disappeared from it's original location and the Daleks attacking it were gone too, he naturally assumed that he had used the Moment and managed to escape before the destruction; after all, he was supposed to be the only one capable of escaping the Time Lock that he had placed upon the Time War. Eleven probably remembered because he was the one destined to start looking for Gallifrey, and the rift created by the TimeLords on Trenzalore made him see that it was still somewhere. After all, Eleven had proved before that he could remember people lost outside of the Universe, like Rory. As for Twelve, well, assuming that he went and saved Gallifrey right between series 9 and 10, he already knew that it was still out there, so even if he forgot about saving it it didn't really matter.

[@youtubeaccount697]

@@kivimik atleast we have Big finish

[@williamjeffery8210]

OMG! I didn't get the "leaves" imagery of Clara's portrait till right now!! I thought it was a great season finale & farewell to Clara. Wonderful reaction as always! Have a great vacation!!

[@crashfan9997]

I just realised him dropping the spoon was a reference to Robot of Sherwood.

[@LiamDuke]

I can't believe how quickly you're getting through Capaldi's era, seems like no time at all since Deep Breath. I feel like I enjoy this finale more than most, though I didn't really like the story arc of the hybrid coming down to a game of Guess Who (puns, ha). Apart from that I really like it, probably because I love Clara. Though I'm just as conflicted as to which of her two Series 9 exits were more suitable. For her story arc of becoming like the Doctor this episode is a great ending but I love the tragedy of Face the Raven too. Enjoy your well deserved break!

[@cantproducemyownnick]

At the end of it all I sure would like to sit down at an empty diner, share some unbelievable stories with a friendly bartender and wave goodbye to all the wonderful things that come and go. I don't know story-wise, but Hell Bent is definitely my place of comfort. I'm glad this episode exists.

[@livingandthriving]

I enjoyed this too. I was actually surprised that a lot of people didn't like it. Granted, it's not my favorite season finale, but it's still really good, IMO. But to each their own. I suppose people's enjoyment of it depends partly on whether or not they like Clara and/or wanted to see her back. One thing I've noticed is that despite having a reputation for killing off characters, Steven Moffat actually rarely kills them off for good (and even when he kills them for real he manages to bring them back for one last hurrah, like he did here). I think he hates goodbyes just as much as the Doctor does.

[@chanceneck8072]

I do believe though, that the prophecy meant him and The Master! They´ve been enemies since forever and imagining them together on the same side, becoming a threat for The Timelords and maybe even the entire universe (remember the Valeyard!) seems VERY interesting to me!

[@LiamDuke]

Linda Thomas Think you're in the wrong place for that I'm afraid

[@obiwankenobi687]

Liam Duke I feel like the ‘the hybrid will stand in the ashes of gallifrey and unravel the web of time’ or whatever he said line should have been an alternative line of events that would happen if the doctor had let Clara live, hence him and Clara being the hybrid. Clara would then have to sacrifice herself again to save time from unraveling thus destroying the hybrid once and for all

[@BunniMonster]

Criminally underrated. Come at me..

[@Wipeout325]

TheBunniMonster why?

[@BunniMonster]

It's a great little episode, I do not understand the massive negative reaction it recieved. The complaints of "Ugh, why can't Clara just die??" and "Why would he just steal a Tardis and run away, what a waste of Gallifrey", seem like complete non-issues. Clara is still dead, just the long way round, we saw her die, that IS how she dies, the Doctor didn't bring her back to life, she wasn't dead yet.. Clara with a TARDIS is Clara before she dies.. Wibbly Wobbly.. As for the second complaint: Well, that's just what The Doctor does. There were some genuinely touching moments, funny moments, dramatic moments.. It has everything you'd expect from a solid Who episode but a ridiculous amount of people can't see past Clara not being a corpse.

[@petersvillage7447]

I think people just misconstrue the whole point of the story. It's not about a great and awesome Return To Gallifrey, it's about the Doctor going through Hell and climbing up to the Heaven that exiled him, just to save his friend. If you're expecting something else it's certainly going to disappoint.

[@BunniMonster]

+Tristan Precisely this. As somebody who lost someone very dear to me, the emotional and physical struggle, the single-mindedness behind the Doc's need to have her back, spoke volumes. Another thing that I find to be a weird accusation leveled at the episode is that whole "Moffat pussied out and changed his mind about killing Clara 2 episodes later", completely ignoring the fact that it's the same damn story just split across 3 episodes. Like they'd be fine with it if this, Face the Raven and Heaven Sent were just one giant feature-length episode. Seems totally nonsensical.

[@petersvillage7447]

Yes, these are episodes about grief and loss in a surprisingly truthful way. I think we'd agree that *sometimes* - perhaps more often than not - reversing a character's death can be a dramatic failure, especially when it means the dramatic value of the death is reversed out... but I think people make the mistake of applying this 'rule' to these three episodes, overlooking the way the episodes seem to be deliberately riffing on Orpheus & Eurydice. That's the emotional underpinning, the emotional purpose, of these episodes - to say that Clara shouldn't have been brought back is to misunderstand the story being told. Mind you, this is not to say people are 'wrong' if they don't enjoy it, only that I think it's an invalid criticism to say that Clara being 'revived' is anything other than the whole point.

[@dominicbuckley8309]

14:40 "Is it Wilf?" LOLOLOL!

[@Hanmacx]

Dominic Buckley would have been better

[@firefly24601]

The first time I saw this episode, I was worried it would be The Master... :)

[@georgelinford5576]

@@firefly24601 same

[@georgelinford5576]

If they ever bring back Wilf I will officially loose my shit.

[@nathanjordon6950]

@@georgelinford5576 and Donna and her mother

[@philipbroughton8920]

Raven, hell bent, heaven sent. Amazing trilogy. Some of the best, most adult Dr Who ever done covering, grief, revenge, obsession, acceptance and taking all those knocks, using them and moving on. Brilliant.

[@Samviking01]

So glad other people see this. Series 9 supremacy 👍

[@DentonXV]

I adore this episode, and this three parter is my favourite story in Doctor Who. It’s a tragic and beautiful depiction and metaphor for the stages of grief.

[@thekernewekpenguin]

Unlike many, I actually really enjoyed this finale, and the whole Clara arc! I loved her arc wrapped up, but also how she's shown to be so like the Doctor, and so even when she's facing her own death, like the Doctor she runs away from it! Heaven Sent was a phenominal episode, better than this one (for me), same with Face the Raven, but I don't think that this one does the other two a diservice, rather, I think it works well with them. What I got from it, is that even if you lose someone, it's the memory of them that keeps them alive, that although it's hard, they're not truly gone so long as you remember them, and they only die when you cannot/don't remember. Just my take on it anyway ;) Anyway love the reaction as usual and cannot wait to see a certain Christmas Special coming up :D

[@3DMaterializer]

Some of the coolest lines in Doctor Who are: Who the hell does me think he is? -The man who won the Time War sir. And: I was at Skull Moon sir.

[@Slimdykey]

I always loved Clara, shes definitely my favourite companion but I have seen a lot of hate of her character. I don't know how many times I've seen this episode but I cry every time, what really gets me is "I have a duty of care" great reaction as always!

[@nathanjordon6950]

Tbh I absolutely hated Clara and most of seasons 7 8 and 9 at the time. For some reason to me, they just seem to get better with time and every time I watch these episodes they impact me more and more and I realise how truly great the writing was. I think it must have been to do with my negative train of thought at the time mixed with missing Amy and Rory (which was a big part of my childhood) and because of that I didn't really try to listen and follow the beautiful storyline. Now, I see it as pure art and I wish I could see them for the first time again in the light that I see them now

[@GwendolynnBY]

i think i felt more emotions watching hell bent than in any other hour of television.

[@angelicacutajar8455]

*ive been waiting 4.5 billion years for this reactionnnnnnnn* 10:40 im in tears again 19:00 I literally can't take it anymore, with Clara's farewell playing in the background. This is the best twelveclara episode and it hurts so so darn much. Moffat wanted to kill us twelveclara shippers with this season 25:50... how.... how... I... did.... not..... know.... WHYYYYYYYYYYY?????????????????

[@LOSTinmycreation]

Clara and 12 are my favourite together. For me their relationship is the deepest I've seen with any of the Doctors and the people he's travelled with. They don't even need words, just a look conveys everything. They are twin flames!

[@stevesmith5883]

Same, I also love how as well as being the closest and deepest of the compainion/doctor relationships it's also platonic. I have no issue with romance I actually liked 10/Rose and 11/Clara (Whoffle was my go to ship back in the tumblr days haha), but I do love how an incredibly close and emotional relationship was presented without hints of romance or flirtation as I'm a believer in that irl.

[@Azrial01]

When this episode first aired, I was positive that the Clara in the diner was one of Clara's 'impossible girl' echos from season 7. I love that they subverted that idea and took the story in a whole different direction. One of the best season finales this show has ever had.

[@MrDarkwing78]

Oh my god, long time since I watched this episode last, and I just realised, “What colour is it?” is a throwback to Rory in Asylum of the Daleks, Clara”s first ever appearance!

[@Grace38042]

I loved this episode so much, and I just don't get why it's so underrated. Some people keep on complaining about the fact that it ruined Face The Raven, but imo it really didn't. I mean Clara died eventually, and what we saw in 9x10 still happens, just many years in the future. It's still very "sad and beautiful", and I don't think it was ruined at all. Also I loved your reaction, I was literally crying together with you at some point, and I really really liked the review in the end, it was so accurate. Now take care of yourself, you really deserve it girl! Take all the time you need, we'll be waiting for you ❤❤

[@supremegodjohan1964]

12th doctor: "get off my planet"

[@firefly24601]

Clara's face when Ohica tells her "We think, four and a half billion years..." Hats off to Jenna for that subtle face change. It floored me.

[@adnandlala]

Favourite season finale from doctor who!! Love this episode so much!!!

[@TheScrollsOfGaming]

This episode really isn't as bad as people say it is

[@HellfireComms]

Nah it's not, but it's certainly not a good follow-up to Heaven Sent.

[@theCallumB]

Problem for me is it kinda ruins the whole point of Heaven Sent, which is the whole grief and getting over her death thing. And making Heaven Sent pointless makes me a sad boi.

[@thewhovianwithasmallcollec7319]

heven sent all about moving on from loss hell bent its ok kids if you can reserect the dead all the time i mean just wow it ruins heven sent

[@johnlochness]

Like many I got fed up of Moffat killing people and then bringing them back, but that ending always gets to me, especially when Clara opens the cafe door to reveal the tardis.

[@youtubeaccount1124]

Let’s be honest Heaven Sent isn’t that good anyway. It’s not like Journeys End following The Stolen Earth. Both Heaven Sent And Hell Bent are below par Episodes

[@cypher515]

"It's always four knocks."

[@AS-wk9gg]

Series 9 Hybrid story FULLY EXPLAINED: Series 9 Hybrid Story (Fully explained) WORTH READING! In series 9, the doctor is still reflecting on his morals of ‘good and evil’ (Arc from Series 8] and reaches a stance with himself that he seems content with: ‘I’m the doctor and I save people, no matter what!’ (Girl who died). This starts to haunt him though as he sees that he went too far with saving someone (Ashildr) and he has actually made her life hell (As seen in The woman who lived). This prompts the hybrid ideology in his head (from what Davros said) and begins to symbolize it throughout the series (Such as in the episode titles themselves: Girl, Woman, Died, Lived, Invasion, Inversion, Heaven, Hell)- Beautiful symbolism! After Ashildr, The doctor starts to worry more about Clara and also his own methods- In under the lake/ Before the flood he talks about the importance of death and why it cannot be changed and yet just 1 Episode later he cheats death and gives Ashildr immortality (Showing how he is becoming a hybrid). By Face the raven, the doctor realizes that his duty to protect Clara has failed and she has died- Prompting him to become more of the hybrid (As seen in the scenes where he threatens Ashildr) but Clara calms him down (“Be a Doctor”/“Don’t let this turn you into a monster”) In Heaven sent- The hybrid story progresses further and the doctor’s fear of the hybrid starts to contradict itself (thus becoming EVEN MORE like the hybrid) and in Hell bent. He becomes the Hybrid: He makes the same mistake twice, giving Ashildr immortality and cheating death and then doing the same with Clara (caused by the fear of him doing it the first time). The doctor’s fear of the hybrid forces him to become it: ‘The bootstrap paradox’ (explained in Before the Flood). The hybrid is the doctor and his contradicting beliefs; The hybrid is the doctor and Clara (As missy said ‘The control freak and the man who can’t be controlled). The hybrid is many things compacted into one. (Which IS a hybrid in itself). Even Clara’s Death is a hybrid as Ashildr explained “It was sad but beautiful” and then the doctor went and ruined it- Brilliant Storyline This storyline is easily my favorite EVER as it plays out not just as references (Like Bad wolf, Harold Saxon, Stolen earth) But it plays out between many different things: The characters and their development, quotes, individual storylines, references, character exits, the episode titles and even the whole series structure). Series 9 is the series that MOST relies on its story arc to be popular and for me it worked. There are SOOOO many links and symbolism’s within the series that I just think it’s the most beautifully written series of any TV show ever. Sorry for the long rant, but people still think this story is ‘Too confusing’ or they say it ‘doesn’t make sense’. I hope this helps them understand it.

[@DarthRushy]

Or maybe it's just a buzzword that Moffat thought up. You're giving him way too much credit. First of all, why were all the bells of Gallifrey ringing if the planet(nor time apparently, since Clara just flies off) was never in any danger? How does the Doctor cheat the confession dial by saying he knows what the Hybrid is when he later confirms that he doesn't? If the whole prophecy was about Gallifrey being in ruins, why does that never happen? You are just like the Stanley Kubrick fans who think the Shining is about the moon landing because "it all matches up". Whereas the truth of the matter is that the Shining is a scary horror movie and Hell Bent is boring drivel that tries to be Waters Of Mars without the atmosphere or tension.

[@Hanmacx]

DarthRushy the doctor thinks he knows what the hybrid is Technically not a lie

[@DarthRushy]

Guessing it and knowing it are far from the same thing. The dial would know the difference.

[@DarthRushy]

"It doesn't matter what the Hybrid is, it only matters that I convinced them that I knew."

[@granddaddyotaku636]

DarthRushy If we've learned anything about the laws of time in Doctor Who, its that certain fixed points in time if changed can cause a tear in the fabric of reality. The bells ring because the danger of Clara staying alive is real. If Clara stays alive for too long, her presence in the universe might end up destroying it over time. But since Gallifrey is near the end of the universe and is where Clara first surfaced, its probably going to take a while before the effects start to happen, if they ever do. Cause chances are she'll go back to die before its too late. P.s Gallifrey was in ruins at the end of the universe/time. Me/Ashildr and the Doctor were standing in its ruins. Time and Universe was ending all around them. And even if it wasn't gallifrey, metaphorically speaking they were standing in the ruins of the entire universe, Gallifrey would be apart of the ruins. The entire season was one BIG Metaphor. It was meant to be a little ambiguous. :)

[@troyboyblueuk]

Oh boyyy here we go 🎉 have a great two weeks off, Jess! You’ve earned it! 💖

[@peregrine5327]

I know it's a small thing (and was even cut out of the reaction), but my absolute FAVORITE part of this episode is when the Doctor approaches the gunship and it... backs off, away from him, as he approaches. Such a small and SO awesome.

[@bombird8813]

The important thing that Clara told the doctor in the cloisters is thought to be,”I love you” 😭😭

[@intrinsical]

Clara's arc was setup right at her beginning in Asylum of the Daleks. She was established as one of the smartest human. So smart that even the Daleks wanted her intellect. The Doctor knows this after testing her in The Snowmen (remember the umbrella?). Missy also knows this because Missy chose Clara for The Doctor both because of Clara's intellect and because Clara has Missy's controlling nature. And inevitably because of that intellect, Clara learns how The Doctor operates. This is demonstrated in Flatline and Mummy on the Orient Express. Clara then get even more lessons from both The Doctor AND Missy in The Doctor's Apprentice and The Witches' Familiar. So by the time she died in Face the Raven, Clara has already learned almost everything she needs to be a Doctor-like figure in her own right. She just needed to learn that there are consequences to her actions, and that she should be humble and caring (which she learns in Face The Raven). Hell Bent gives her immortality, a cafe/TARDIS and a companion in Me... ending her arc and starting a brand new chapter in Clara's story.

[@jwinder]

I enjoy this episode. I think they put a lot of work into properly saying good bye to a companion. My thoughts on Clara's Tardis: I loved it, and I consider it an important end to her character arc in fully becoming her version of the doctor, after learning what it is to be the doctor in previous episodes. It is also interesting to consider the parallels between what the doctor did to Ashildr and then to Clara.

[@dawngribble4027]

What might that name come to mean.....

[@TheFallofTheEleventh]

Sesska, as someone who’s channel is about editing Doctor Who Trailers (had to take a break currently due to a family members death) I have to say, I have had an absolute marvel of a time watching you get into Doctor Who. Seeing you go from someone being introduced to 9, meet 10, 11. Your reaction to the 50th! And MICKEYYYYYYYYY! Just wanna say, absolutely love your videos! Can’t wait for the next reaction! As always! Much love

[@emmax9852]

For some reason I really connected with Clara's character, especially her dealing with death/grief throughout the series.

[@wobaguk]

"I was dead and gone" = "...that when you've bowed, you leave the crowd..." Clara channeling another fave character

[@hybridbutterfly3908]

Quoting Buffy Summers when talking about Clara Oswald! 💕

[@mrsirty3019]

Fun fact. The cafe that 12 and Clara is in. Is the same cafe that's 11, Rory, river, and Amy goes to in America in the impossible astronaut.

[@jsm5557]

12 mentions that fact when talking to Clara.

[@LuckeMasse]

Clara getting her own TARDIS is her reward for realising she went too far and how brave she was at the end of Face the Raven, something the Doctor obviously didn't manage as well. The whole idea of her is she's the Doctor and has the exact same moral values and mindset. If she had died because she tried to be the Doctor, the message would be "don't be like or follow the Doctor, it'll kill you" and thus every single moral and message he's had in the show would've been thrown up in the air. Having her almost literally becoming the Doctor by succeeding in the end, you're painting him and his morals as something you should aspire for.

[@ZakJordan98]

LuckeMasse And that's exactly why i hate that! It undermines her fate in Face The Raven, and solidifies her as Steven Moffat's Mary Sue Creators Pet. Her demise in Face The Raven was fitting because she went too far trying to imitiate The Doctor and it had fatal consequences for her. Bringing her back in Hell Bent undermines that heavily and also retroactively makes Heaven Sent worse cause now that beautiful metaphor for grief means nothing since The Doctor learned nothing. Anyway to the point. Having Clara essentially be made immortal and given her own TARDIS solidified her as a Mary Sue and Moffat's Creators pet cause the consequences of her actions are gone and she got rewarded for her carelessness, removing all emotional weight to her passing

[@bombird8813]

Zak Rosenfeld does no one understand that Clara is going to eventually go back to gallifrey to get put back to her death

[@markc4008]

I've always found 'Mary Sue' to be a lazy cop out for people not willing to actually talk about why they don't like said character. It's easy to simply call someone a Mary Sue. Everyone does it. Yet nobody actually bothers to examine and analyze those same characters to show that they are indeed a Mary Sue. Mary Sue, of course, is these days an outdated and sexist term to describe... well... female characters doing the same thing men do. I mean... the Doctor is granted a continued existence almost every season, for no reason other than he's the titular character. Yet you never see any Mary Sue comments about that. Funny, isn't it?

[@ZakJordan98]

Bombird 88 Yes i do understand but this is Clara we're talking about, she's gonna have hundreds of adventures. And with the way Big Finish has been milking spin off's lately (New Earth, Lady Christina) there's gonna be hundreds of padding out

[@LuckeMasse]

That's not what a Mary Sue is and no it doesn't at all undermine her fate in Face the Raven unless you purely think the surface level value of a character dying is more interesting than deeper character work. Since when are we supposed to paint trying to be like The Doctor a *bad* thing? That literally throws away any value the show has had in terms of his ethics and what he teaches the audience. The whole point in Hell Bent is the Doctor *wasn't* the Doctor. She didn't get rewarded for her carelessness, because she lost The Doctor, that's always what's been the far more emotional heft to any companion exit. It's them getting split up and not getting so see each other again that's emotional, not "oh she died". A character dying to get rid of them in the show doesn't even work when time-travel is such an integral part of it. She was rewarded because she *learned* that she was being careless and accepted her fate, that's why "let me be brave" is a line. The Doctor didn't get to that point until the end of Hell Bent when he finally realises what he's been doing, which is a literal line. The Doctor didn't learn anything? Did you not even watch the episode? He still remembers everything *but* Clara. He's literally the one telling the story in the diner. That's why when Clara's about to tell the Doctor something important in the cloister - the camera moves away from them and we don't get to hear what she says, because at the end the Doctor says "she told me something very important but I have no idea what she said". This is all made *very* clear in the episode and we know exactly what he remembers because he flat out tells us. He remembers there was a Clara, they travelled together etc, he just doesn't remember what she meant to him and why he would go so far to get her back. But he knows the consequences of it and the most important part, "run you clever boy, and be a Doctor". We even flat out *see* that the Doctor has learned this in the very next episode, which we'll get to later.

[@djashley2002]

I really like this episode and feel that decision to give Clara her own TARDIS and companion was the correct one (also still hoping for a Clara and Me series). Oh, and once you get to the end of classic Who you still have all the Big Finish audio stories to look forward to - plenty of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Doctors stories, plus a handful of 10th, (and hopefully by then some 11th Doctor material if Matt and co can find the time), adding up to around 350 additional stories so far. Enjoy your break.

[@nathanjordon6950]

I suppose it makes sense in the way she always took control in "being the doctor" and taking his role in a lot of circumstances and then obviously she was dispersed through his timeline as his defender so her finally becoming something for her own and becoming her own doctor is a pretty perfect ending to her character. I didn't really see it that way until now. I always thought she should have faced her fate with dignity and returned to her time line giving the doctor some sort of closure where he'd be able to move on without blaming himself and think of her as his hero rather than another person who's life he had ruined.

[@glsimsonakhiin]

Personally, I think Clara's escalation towards becoming the Doctor means her ending up with a TARDIS and a companion is her perfect ending.

[@Payne2view]

Do you think "Me" would let Clara keep their "TARDIS"? There is a betrayal episode just waiting to be written.

[@bombird8813]

But don’t forget after she travels with me for a while she has to go back to her death but it’s ok since she is brave and is facing it willingly

[@blazingocean4206]

glsimsonakhiin By the end of the episode she went back. She died again. The Tardis is decorated with her face as a tomb/memory. There's only one Tardis.

[@williansouza8724]

no ;-; Clara is not the doctor and she trying to be the doctor was what caused her death then why she became the doctor????? ?????

[@KeterLordFR]

If a theory in another comment is right, after travelling for a while with "me", Clara went back to Gallifrey way before the Time War and put the Tardis back in the workshop. She then told the First Doctor to take it (as seen in "The name of The Doctor"), and after that she went back to the Extraction chamber in order to be put back at the moment of her death. But it's nothing more than a theory, unless the writers confirm it.

[@paulwagner688]

Holy crap. "she fell where she stood". Damn you Moffatt.

[@rog2224]

The first 20 minutes are a Spaghetti Western on Gallifrey.

[@ChristopherUSSmith]

Roger O'Donnell More Like a tomato soup western on Gallifrey. lol

[@viirinsoftworks4719]

I know you did this video a long time ago, but since the show never brought up the hybrid again, I'll say my thought here: The hybrid is two people... that become one. Something somewhere merges two people into one somehow, being Me and Clara. The dead that can't live + the living that can't die = destroy spacetime and causality simply by existing.

[@nerdfightercommenter6969]

The story on paper alone is convoluted and messy but they beautiful moments just played out incredibly with amazing acting, direction, and dialogue. I see why people don’t like it but I can’t hear that Clara’s theme on the guitar without melting

[@Domihork]

"Is it Wilf?" :D I lost it

[@acereporter73]

This episode breaks my heart all over again for Clara.

[@jackwarren5608]

Have a great two weeks off!!! No matter what people think of the episode, your reaction was brilliant !!

[@chipsnyder]

I love the finale. Clara is my favorite companion, and I'm glad that she gets her own Tardis. Eventually she'll go back to Gallifrey and have to face the raven, but I like the idea of her having adventures with Ashildr beforehand. The acting by Peter and Jenna was phenomenal in this episode.

[@ChristopherUSSmith]

Chip Snyder The acting was great, however the script was sh!t, In the vast majority of Whovians' opinions.

[@brandiboyd4181]

I also don't have strong feelings for Clara either way, but I will admit that it hit me right in the feels that the only thing Clara ever asked was "Run you clever boy and remember me." And the only thing she doesn't get is for the Doctor to remember her. Have a happy break!

[@lcg4936]

I love this episode, and I love the story arc from the beginning. People hate, I don't understand. What is wrong with it? As I see, when The Doctor was a child he loosed himself into the cloisters for four days, why did he survived? Why the sliders didn't kill him? I think The Doctor is the hybrid, so they could cut the problem. But, what is the point of killing the hybrid if you kill the Doctor as well. Without The Doctor there would be no universe to save, so they let him go but they spoke to him about the hybrid, and that's the reason of all the fear that Twelve feels about himself (am I a good man?). And, one more time, as in " The Pandorica" , the fear for the prophecy brings the prophecy. The Time Lords are responsible for Clara's death, and they put the most dangerous person in the universe trapped in an endless loop of fear and pain. Please, they know (we know) The Doctor; what he could chose? The easy thing or the right and terrible thing? But now The Doctor is broken, and he becomes the hybrid. He conquest Gallifrey in one amazing ten minutes western. Fifteen minutes later The hybrid stands in the ruins of Gallifrey, and he is so damaged that he can do anything to fix his broken heart. He is ready to break a billion of billions of hearts. That is the prophecy, and the only person that can stop the hybrid is The Doctor, but not without Clara. Clara is the anchor, she saves The Doctor, and The Doctor saves her. I love this three parts.

[@thedoctork1037]

My favorite episode in the entire show, even more than the previous ep.

[@fabiofarrooficial]

Clara's Tardis is a reference to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I think.

[@mycroft16]

This is one of the longest arcs in Doctor Who history... one that started with Deep Breath. The Doctor, having a brand new regeneration cycle, not sure who he is, or who he is meant to be, starting over, realizing he has made a lot of mistakes and not wanting to make the same ones again. Over the episodes you see him go through a bit of a teenager time as well with the glasses and rebelling against all the rules and his own code, and finally... he becomes The Doctor at the end.

[@SwiftFoxProductions]

This is very belated and I'm probably not the first to say it but, you really need to watch the 1990s Doctor Who TV Movie (aka the 8th Doctor's lone appearance). The 8th Doctor is, actually, my second favorite after the 11th Doctor so, if you were already enjoying his appearance in that little 50th Anniversary mini-episode, I think you'd have a lot of fun watching his TV movie.

[@csk7769]

most romantic confession of love i've ever seen and we don't even get to hear Clara say the words. For those that somehow still haven't got it, Me even spells it out that Doc saying he's doing this for Clara because he misses her and she's his friend is because he's in denial

[@alittle_welshgirl9498]

Yes I love this episode ❤️

[@thewhovianwithasmallcollec7319]

thats a very unpopular oppinion

[@alittle_welshgirl9498]

the whovian with a small collection it might be unpopular and I will agree I didn’t like it at first but I have grown to love it although I do think Clara should have remained dead as her send off was beautiful 💖

[@defiante1]

Finally caught up with your entire Doctor Who series, got here on time for a change, love your channel :D

[@DRockeh]

you mentioned that you liked the little bit you saw of 8. You've actually seen everything of 8 (not including the audio stories). He had the one movie, and then the special leading up to the 50th anniversary. (If I'm missing anything, someone please correct me)

[@bustedsim]

I really believe that the important thing Clara told the Doctor was that she loved him, and this 2-parter really cemented for me how, despite never going there (no doubt partly due the regeneration from 11) these two really loved each other, in a non-physical, but romantic way. They loved each other on a level of, the soul? I guess. Clara was inspired by the Doctor, he showed her how much she could do, and he loved her because she was the one who embraced his life, who knew the boundaries and how to push him towards being his best.They almost knew each other better than they knew themselves. Its a really, transcendent relationship, and very sweet.

[@timloomis2671]

I like the idea of Clara and me out on adventure...bring on the spin off...

[@nzrockboi]

Damn right about Peter and his stunning command of emotional portrayals that blow my mind

[@Cheezeblade]

I really wanted it to say, "And remember me"

[@deebeedaydreamer]

"I'm a glutten for punishment and I like sad things." - The perfect Whovian

[@secpendragon9760]

This is character assassination, yes. But it's deliberate. Hell, half the people who watched this episode forgot that the character we see for most of this episode isn't even really the Doctor. He's literally wrestling with grief and the idea that he may very well be the Hybrid, down to him recognizing that he broke all of his own rules. Not until he finds his TARDIS and sees Clara's final message does he truly become the Doctor again, and even that might be pushing it

[@stillinhere]

I'm glad you do these reactions. Sometimes I get wrapped up with people who are... unable to just enjoy it (for varied reasons) anymore. It's a show and I take it as a show, but I love it so much, and I don't have a lot of people I feel share this with me. So, take your break, and come back when you're ready. You've given me something to look forward to, so thank you.

[@oldwebshooter]

I don't care what you say, I actually liked Hell Bent!

[@Wipeout325]

evildonkey why?

[@oldwebshooter]

Its GOOD, the only thing I might agree on is that Clara should have stayed dead. But other than that.

[@Wipeout325]

evildonkey why is it good?

[@markmckeown87]

I doubt he has to defend his opinion.

[@oldwebshooter]

Seeing the Timelords again, seeing Doctor Who's original TARDIS type. Seeing the Sisterhood of Khan's leader in a main episode again.

[@TheRealMediaMan]

He’s my favorite Dr and I love the Clara story line.

[@mjm3091]

I forgot he said all this stuff to Clara, about pears and everything... lol

[@brabbelbeest]

Hi Sesska, though I liked the last interaction between Clara and the Doctor, giving them a proper farewell, I think Ashildir/me said it best in her “it was sad... and it was beautiful and you had no right to change that...” speech. Listen to that part again, I think her position reflects the thoughts and feelings of many fans. On a side note: enjoy your well-deserved holliday!!

[@NY4Life]

As far as I'm concerned, This season ended with my heart broken no matter what happens from this moment on, I love Doctor Who but the scars from the season will be with me forever

[@granadosvm]

As somebody else said in a clip of this episode, a duty of care kept for four and a half billion years, is called love.

[@Southsidestu]

I think when you examine the season as a whole this is the episode that had to happen, as he talks about there being rules, ripples that become tidal waves and a duty of care him extracting Clara from her time stream, using a gun etc was how it had to go down. The problem was that her death in Face the Raven was just too well done, her behaving as if she was The Doctor catching up her, coming to terms with it, being the only person to face it head on and "let me be brave" was kind of perfect that it does feel like that has been cheated a bit. As for her having adventures in her own TARDIS, I wasn't a fan of it but it wouldn't of worked if she just went straight back to her death, that wasn't Clara The scenes between The Doctor and Clara in The Cloisters and The TARDIS were beautiful and acted fantastically and I wouldn't give them up for a different ending. A lot of people say they don't like how it ended and I agree that some of it doesn't sit right with me but how else could it of gone down? What else would he spend 4 & a half billion years in his confession dial for? It makes sense, even if it was not what we wanted, that's not how things always go For the record I loved Clara and her relationship with 12 has been my favourite relationship between Doctor and companion and I am very happy to hear that 12 has become your second favourite Doctor. I never thought anyone would come close to 10 and I am not saying that I like him more because I have not watched much 10 for a while but he is at least equal Enjoy your time off you certainly deserve it and Thank You for all the hard work you put into your channel, it is greatly appreciated xx

[@FaultyTARDIS]

I've literally been watching since you started series 5 (then went back and watched series 1-4) and i've been waiting patiently to see you get to capaldi's era, as i feel it would make the best reactions for you, whilst i actually enjoy how much you cry at Matt Smith (i was soooooo excited waiting for you to get to his episode of Sarah Jane Adventure ;p) I'm so happy these last 3 reactions have been as good as watching the episodes for the first time or when showing them to my friends! Keep up all the awesome reactions you do! I can't wait for you to finish series 10! Hope you enjoy it :)

[@justicevow]

I loved this episode, and how they keep it different and moving, but still true its theme. I do like Clara, except when Danny Pink was involved, i didn't like him at all. but i loved how Clara was strong, honest and just so human! I really appreciate the effort you put into making these videos, i watch every one for them, sometimes more then once, i do think about the effort you put in and out of everyone who does something like this, you're the only one i consistently watch, other channels are lucky if i have been back more then once if that. I think you're my favorite companion, because when i watch this, you're always along for the ride!

[@Connorpullinger]

I LOVE this episode. The departure for Clara is so so so so good. Truely heartbreaking. I cry everytime and I find this season so so good. The next season is also incredible. Twelves relationship with his companions is a true highlight of the show, and they are two of my favourite doctor/companion relationships. Peter Capaldi is such a great actor and his work with Jenna Coleman was so so inspiring and emotional. Can’t express my love for them enough

[@jonnyrockwell]

You are looking super fine and happy :) I'm gutted that your soon going to be catching up with us Brits :( BUT I've enjoyed every single damn minute and I've laughed and cried with you as you took an awesome journey watching Who with us! Thank you so much and god bless you ma'am x

[@YoRocky89]

I met Jenna Coleman a few years ago at Fan Expo in Toronto, she was very sweet, and I'm glad I got to meet her before her time on DW came to an end. In some ways I liked S9 more than S8, and I'm sure you'll enjoy S10. Thanks for these great reactions this season, and I hope you enjoy your break. ;)

[@leonidasrising5998]

Now I just can’t wait for your reaction for the Christmas special trust me you will love it and have a nice break I hope you enjoy it

[@JeremyDuncan]

OH MY GOSH. I have hated this episode for the lack of gallifrey, but I just realized what the doctor and clara's relationship was, and it makes me LOVE her character at last. They have a toxic relationship. The doctor has never had that with any of his other companions, and this was their preverbial break up! This gives this episode special meaning for me.

[@werewolfofmandalore]

I'm late here but it seems like a lot of the fanbase missed the purpose of this episode. The Doctor became The Hybrid, Me was right, The Hybrid is two people not one. The Doctor went too far, he broke all the rules for Clara, to try to help her the way she helped h because they cared for each other that deeply. Not /love/ but the love of two friends who share a deep bond.

[@Diagonals_]

I came to love Clara - she may be my favorite modern series companion (Bill would be close second). I think - for me, anyway - the way I appreciate Clara as much as I do is because I separate her from her time with 11 and her time with 12. I don't think she was particularly good with 11 (though I do enjoy their episodes quite a bit). But she was a perfect fit for 12, ad once they got out of his first season and began to nail down his character, I think it works extremely well. I think "Heave Sent" is one of the most incredible things I've seen on TV, and certainly one of the best things Doctor Who has ever done (I've been watching for 33 years - since I was 3). I think "Hell Bent" wraps it up nicely, but at first I think it seems like a let down in some ways - and I think that was intentional. "Heaven Sent" and its implications are so massive it can't be topped. So the finale - while epic in moments - boiled it down to an intimate emotional story. I think it works very well. A few thoughts: I usually am not a fan of this sort of thing but I love that they had Capaldi play Clara's theme on guitar, making it diagetic. His memory of her became a song. I also firmly believe they in some way expressed their love for each other. I have always interpreted The Doctor's answer to Clara's distress about him allowing himself to be tortured in the dial for so long, telling her "I had a duty of care," as a gut punch and The Doctor telling Clara he loved her. I was perhaps slightly annoyed in the new series when it kept going back to the companion and The Doctor being a bit romantic, but I think it is fully earned here. The undoing death thing would normally bug me too, but they emphasized that she'll be going back to her death scene in "Face the Raven." I do very much like that she basically became The Doctor, complete with companion - and Me finally gets to travel the universe. I don't think this undoes Clara's tragic end. One of the beautiful moments of the episode for me is when The Doctor realizes it is his memory being wiped and immediately begins to tell Clara how to be The Doctor (or A Doctor or whatever). That always chokes me up. But I love that his saying goodbye to her is outlining to her how to be The Doctor. Lastly: I have to say, much as I appreciate RTD, I love how Moffat's era seems so often like a rebuttal to it. One after the other - "No, the Doctor does not commit genocide!" - and in this episode it is the refutation of The Doctor wiping Clara's memory. They actually give Jenna some lines to argue why it would be a violation to do so, and in the end they decide to basically flip a coin but in a consensual action as equals. Donna got mind-raped - she, too, obviously would rather had died than have her mind erased and lose those memories but a man decided she needed to be violated for her own good against her will. I always liked that Moffat rebutted that here and gave Jenna a cracking good speech as to why it was not right. I loved your reactions this season and I can't wait until you get to the Christmas episode and season 10!

[@FirlowXD]

Every time I see this episode the more I warm up to and even start to love it. It's a great character study in futility and revenge and feeling sad for the loss of a love one, the denial that comes with it. It's not perfect -- they wasted the return of galifrey in my eyes, but I respect it the episode all the same. Is it "good" objectively, no. But I enjoy it and it makes sense, especially as I enjoy delving into character relationships outside of my opinions of the characters and such. It's definitely good if you enjoy writing because its so INTERESTING to pick apart, and see all the things it did well and what it didn't.

[@mithicash1444]

Took me a while to realize why the Tardis is the most advanced and most dangerous ship in the universe. It has infinite space and the technology to make any given matter into any other matter, meaning it can create and build literally ANYTHING within that local Tardis universe! We may not see those capabilities, but I understand why everyone is actually scared of the Doctor

[@AtomicAdam91]

Not my favorite finale, but by no means my least favorite. I can understand why people dislike parts of it, but I don't get why the episode as a whole is so LOATHED. There are far worse episodes of NuWho than this one in my opinion. Maybe it's because people have very high expectations of Doctor Who. Some people say it ruins Face the Raven, and I suppose to those who really want to see Clara just die miserably, maybe it does? I tend to disagree. Technically she does have to go back at some point, or time stays broken (that's the assumption I've always made). Not to mention the impact of the episode is still there (to me). The important part to me isn't the actual death but rather Clara's courage and bravery in facing it. That still happens regardless of if she is saved permanently or temporarily by the Doctor and the Time Lords. The death is just the part that comes after.

[@ambidextrous4383]

I feel like it's good to give her the chance to change some of her fate. She didn't die protecting someone, she died because she made a tactical error. It was good and all, and sad and all, but in the end was it worth the pain? I would say, no. I am glad she gets a little bit of "wiggle room" minus Doctor Funkenstein.

[@srmcd1]

Don't know if you caught it, but Me's suggestion that the Doctor is half-human is a vague reference to the Eighth Doctor's TV Movie

[@kenmcauliffe3028]

This episode receives a lot of hate, especially coming on the heels of "Face the Raven" and "Heaven Sent." Personally, I think the idea of Clara and Me traveling in a diner-shaped TARDIS to be delightfully Douglas-Adams-Fourth-Doctor-Era bonkers. :) And I am glad that the Doctor and Clara got their closure. The final words "Run you clever boy and be a Doctor" were an appropriate send-off for Clara. That said, it is slightly disappointing that the Doctor's first trip to Gallifrey post "Day of the Doctor" was focused on Clara. I did like Clara's character when she appeared on the scene; she was a much needed shot in the arm for Eleven. But, just as the RTD era seemed obsessed about Rose, Moffat's era became obsessed around Clara, noticeable first in the number of times that Clara seemed to exit, but coming back repeatedly, sidelinining other potential companions. Then, seeing the Doctor do crazy stuff like shoot the General, who had been on the Doctor's side, yet also acting rationally throughout. That was just disturbing. Anyway, Jess, good job on the recap. You captured the different issues beautifully. Enjoy your break. :)

[@sergejg9627]

What about The Husbands of River Song ?

[@darkhumour741]

My biggest problem with this finale is the treatment of Gallifrey. The 50th hyped it up as the next milestone of the show, something HUGE...and here they just used it to get Clara's ending from point A to B.

[@MildeAmasoj]

Dark Humour The Doctor doesn’t really want to go back to Gallifrey. He wants to get it back because he killed everyone and destroyed it and he feels horribly guilty. But once it’s back - or actually, once it was never destroyed, he’s happy it’s back but he doesn’t want to go back. He wouldn’t fit in. They’d cramp his style. It actually makes sense. He came back just to leave again, because his goal was just to save the planet and the people he’d killed, not to actually stay there.

[@SauqinaR]

Cuz it's not gallofrey that is important. It's the doctor's feelings.

[@coecludd]

Enjoy your break - really enjoy your reactions and look forward to you watching series 10. Cheers and thanks :-)

[@abnormallynormal4614]

I was in the middle of a movie but it can wait

[@AnnekeOosterink]

A theory i really like is the relationship the doctor has with the first face he saw (10 with Rose, but not Martha, 11 with Amy, 12 with Clara) is different, stronger perhaps than any other relationship with other complanions. I really like that theory because it explains 11's rememberance of Amy at the end of his run, and 12's reaction to Clara's death. :)