"Bring the new human. No, don't bring the new human. I'll just get distracted."

[locker_monster]

So... That was unexpected.

Wow, they did kill Clara. I'm totally surprised. They usually don't kill Companions. But when you have someone like Clara, who would never leave the Doctor under her own free will, how do you write them out of the show? I thought maybe they would switch it up, since they had to kill off Amy and Rory, but I guess Moffat wanted to go for the ultimate emotional kick to the teeth, so to speak. As you expect Clara to leave in episode 12, since it's the finale, it comes out of nowhere, here in episode 10. I thought maybe it was a psych out at one point, that the Doctor would take on the chrono-lock and that would save Clara's life or he would put her in the stasis pod - it'd be the sort of clever thing the Doctor would do - but nope. It just seems odd that Clara would be killed off. Throughout the whole season, we've had moments where the Doctor was worried about her recklessness and now it feels like she had to die because she was losing touch with her humanity. It's like Clara is being punished. I don't know. It just feels off to me. She had to be dumb to get written off. And while the whole thing was a bit convoluted, with the transferring of the chrono-lock, Clara's death is decidedly less timey-wimey than Amy and Rory's exit.

Now, I don't hate Clara, but she was never a favourite of mine either. I only warmed to her during season eight because she and Twelve had such a great rapport and the two of them were a delight to watch. I'm sad because the Doctor is sad. He cared so much for Clara and their bond was even deeper this season and now he has to go on and face whoever or whatever on his own. And man, he is going to be a wreck. We saw how he got when he thought Clara was dead in "The Witch's Familiar" and now that she's actually dead, he's going to be on the war path. I know Clara told him not to take revenge, but the Doctor is a stubborn man. Without a Companion to ground him, he's going to make some questionable decisions. And maybe that's why we are where we are right now. Clara was so caught up in the adventure that she wasn't there in the way that she used to be for the Doctor. Sigh. It's going to be tough to watch the Doctor next week.

Which leads me back to the episode. What is going on? Who is Ashildr working for? I get that the whole thing with Rigsy was a trap, but why does Ashildr need to trade the Doctor for the safety of the Street? Where was he teleported to? Is Davros waiting for him? Missy? Some other villain that we haven't met yet? And Ashildr needed to take away the TARDIS key so the Doctor couldn't be tracked? Bleepin' three parter. As if two parters weren't bad enough. Sigh.

Anyway... putting the whole Clara-is-dead thing aside, I actually liked the episode. I wouldn't say I loved it, since the story is still ongoing, but before we got to the end, the premise was interesting. A mystery tattoo, a street you can't see unless you're distracted, a murder. If the whole episode had been about trying to track down the murderer and keeping the peace of the Street, this would have been an awesome episode. Do you sacrifice one person to keep the peace? Or do you seek justice above all else? Maybe that's the theme that will run through the last two episodes. Is Clara's death a noble one that will allow all of the refugees to keep living their lives? Or will the Doctor decide to destroy everything to make the hurt go away?

You know, I can't help but feel like they squandered this season. If we had had single parters, we would have had more stories where Clara was being reckless and stupidly bold and her arc would feel more organic. I think her death here would have had more impact then. Of course, I do understand not wanting to shove it into people's faces. You want to be subtle, not obvious.

Random: So, those pictures of Jenna Coleman in that blue waitress outfit? I didn't go looking for those pictures, but I saw people putting together the costume for a cosplay. Was that just a red herring? They filmed some random scenes so it would seem like she was still working on the show? Or is there some twist coming where the Doctor does save her life? Also, when Peter Capaldi said they paused filming during episode 11 to go to Comic Con, he was totally saying that only he was leaving filming in the middle of the episode; Jenna was already done (one presumes). The building where they go looking for maps is totally the building from Sherlock's mind palace when he's trying not to die from that bullet wound. The empathy cue cards return! We only get to see one new one, though. I got spoiled on Ashildr's return. Not from anything I read, but because of the stupid closed captioning I had on when I was re-watching "Sleep No More". At one point, the captioning had "Familiar Woman's voice" or something like that and then I recognized Maisie William's voice. Funny how I didn't recognize her voice the first time I saw the trailer. The Doctor's red velvet coat finally makes its appearance. No reference at all to the new look, but new costume changes rarely get commented upon. It's nice that he's back to a more formal look and it kind of has a Three vibe to it. Aw, Rigsy has a baby daughter. Yeah, she was totally introduced just so you would feel sad if he died. But cute that the Doctor was very taken with her and wanted to bring her along. Who's Sarah Dollard? What has she written before this? Banner season; two female writers. Oh man, Peter Capaldi did such a good job in the good-bye scene. I didn't expect the Doctor to be crying, but there's enough going on in his expression that you know the Doctor is barely holding it together. And he kissed Clara's hand at the end! The shippers out there must be going nuts.

So something is happening next week, but "Heaven Sent" and "Hell Bent" are incredibly vague episode titles. "Hell Bent" would certainly describe the Doctor's frame of mind. I like to think that Missy is back, but I'm basing this theory solely on the fact that Michelle Gomez was at Comic Con and they were in the middle of episode 11 at the time. I mean, why else would she tag along if she wasn't already filming an episode? And I see why River is the Companion for the Christmas Special. If it picks up right after the finale, then the Doctor is going to need someone to talk to and River is the only person who freely drifts in and out of the Doctor's life that he would discuss personal matters with.

Hmm, I wonder if they've cast the new Companion yet or if not, if they are looking for someone right now. If filming starts again in January, then that means we should be hearing some news soon. Unless next season is all messed up. I keep hearing rumours that they're going to split season ten. As always, I want a Companion who isn't contemporary young woman. Switch it up! Have a character from the past or the future or someone who's an alien. Have a male Companion without a female Companion around.

Can't believe we're down to the last two episodes.

Comments

[newnumber6.livejournal.com]

I knew this was coming, because this was the big spoiler that I warned you to be careful of right after Ashildr's two parter... they came right out and said, "Oh, and Clara's going to die in episode 10 (and a couple other details on episode 11 and 12 that jibed with something I'd already heard and supported it." I mean, I suppose it's my own fault because they did say major spoilers, but I thought it was going to be major spoilers like "Ashildr returns in episode 10 where she's the villain" and not "BTW CLARA DIES IN 5 EPS!".

Overall I thought it was good but the episode felt a little rushed... the whole idea of a street that's an alien refugee community is such gold but it feels barely 'there'. Maybe it's just set up to be used in the future, but I feel like we could have completely ditched Sleep No More (which was awful anyway) and made this a two parter (or at least, more connected one, either another adventure with Rigsy, so we don't have to waste as much time getting reintroduced to him, or maybe introducing the alien refugee concept). But then again, maybe that would make the finale a four parter and that'd be a bit much. :)

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a friend on Facebook had posted a link with a spoilery headline to an article that totally ruined the ending for me. If I hadn't known going in that this was Clara's last episode, I would have been completely shocked. With Amy and Rory, I knew they were only good for five episodes in season seven, but here, I had naturally assumed that Clara would go all the way to the finale.

Now Moffat is going to gain a reputation for killing off beloved characters. He's like the Joss Whedon of the Whoverse. ;-)

Maybe it felt rushed because of the whole ticking clock thing? But yeah, a lot of time is spent on set up and trying to find the street and once we're there, there's a lot of information at once. But then again, this whole episode is set up for the next two episodes so it has to do a lot with its 45 minutes.

[newnumber6.livejournal.com]

Well, he didn't technically kill off Amy and Rory, just put them forcibly off-screen. And Osgood has a double. So really his beloved body-count is still pretty low. :)

Anyway, I suspect we'll hear about the next companion soonish, but probably not until the finale. Maybe we'll get a name between the finale and Christmas (or maybe he/she'll be introduced at Christmas, but not officially become a companion until then next series, sort of a "you already met the new companion!" thing), but I think more likely, sometime shortly before it begins filming in May.

Interestingly, apparently Moffat said that he's been trying to argue for slightly more than 13 episodes (of course, slightly could mean "1 more") but "we'll see".

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I thought the "pod thing" that has appeared a few times during this series would lead to something. Do you think that was it for Clara?. If it is then I think it was the most logical and dignified way for Clara to leave the Doctor.

"And he kissed Clara's hand at the end!".

I was hoping Twelve would!. Ten did it. Eleven did it. It was only fitting that he should. That was the Doctor and Clara's thing.

I've never gotten a hand kiss.:(

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to remember when they usually do announcements. Just before filming starts or right after an actor is cast. It's been, like, four years since they've had to announce a new Companion. My brain can't go back that far.

Filming begins in May? Is this a recent development? Hmm, that would account for the rumours that season ten is being split. Are they pushing back filming so Peter Capaldi can work on other projects?

I don't think they could ever get away with having more than 13 episodes. They just don't have the time or the money. I'd rather have quality over quantity to be honest.

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

I thought the "pod thing" that has appeared a few times during this series would lead to something.

Do you mean the confession dial? I want to believe that Moffat has something up his sleeve, but at the same time, I'd rather he didn't. Sometimes it's best just to have a simple resolution and not to bog it down with complicated details.

I was hoping Twelve would!. Ten did it. Eleven did it. It was only fitting that he should. That was the Doctor and Clara's thing.

My gosh, you're right. I forgot that Ten kissed Clara's hand at the end of "The Day of the Doctor". It was a nice way to show the Doctor's affection without it being too over the top.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I was referring to the pod that Clara was in during the "Zygon" two parter and "Sleep No More". I forgot about the confessional dial from the start of this series. I'm anxious to see what the Doctor has to face next.

I wonder if that was intentional by Moffat to continue the hand-kiss thing with Clara?. Probably. Now I'm waiting for someone to do a fanvid that focuses on this aspect of Clara's relationship with the Doctor.

Two thing's I forgot to mention earlier:

(1) Twelve's look: It's nice to see him with a hint of color but minus the velvet of Three.

(2) When they showed Rigsy had a baby daughter, I thought it made him look more grown up and that would mean he wouldn't be the next champion because of his responsibilities. Although that was the reason Clara was motivated to save him, since she grew up without her mother.

[newnumber6.livejournal.com]

The May thing was just the result of a quick google search for when filming was starting, but it might have been changed since, or something that somebody incorrectly misinterpreted as saying that, or it might be outright made up from the start. You know the BBC, they're generally cagey about dates until they're practically on top of them.

In any event, I think they usually do announce sometime at least a few weeks before filming. I think with Amy, we had some time to get used to her before we first saw her in the Police uniform (which was from filming leaks in the first ep). Of course, that was a special case, what with the showrunner and Doctor changeover. But IIRC, usually there's time for some promotional shots (which aren't directly from the first day of filming and often they're wearing clothes their characters never do) to ramp up some speculation, and then when filming starts we have another round of guessing based on the first shots there.

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to wonder if it's the Time Lords behind the whole scheme to trap the Doctor in some unknown location. They would know what to do with his confessional dial.

I'm sure someone will do a fanvid. That's the one thing I love about fandom. There's always someone out there who will tackle or has tackled an idea that you want to see.

Hmm, I hadn't thought about Rigsy as the next Companion, but yeah, now that he has a family, it would limit his ability to travel with the Doctor.

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised if a May start date turns out to be true. It would allow the crew to take a longer break. Filming two thirds of the year every season can't be easy.

Also, as long as they're filming around May, I'll be happy. I'm in the UK for my cruise then so maybe I can find an opportunity to make my way over to Cardiff. :-)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

There was pod featured in this episode. That must be significant.

That would be something if it were the Time Lords. I hope it's not just Missy. Only because she was the major "baddie" last series finale. But she is aware of the confessional dial so who knows?.

I'll be expecting a Clara/Doctor fanvid with a hand-kiss montage.:)

I thought if Rigsy couldn't be a full-time champion, it would be a good transition to have him around before the next champion come's along. Oh well. I like how Twelve call's him "Local Knowledge". It doesn't sound that insulting. At least it beat's "Pudding Brain".:D