Sunday 6 December 2015

Doctor Who - Hell Bent - Review


Just like that, another season of Doctor Who is over, and what a season it has been. From the excellent Zygon double bill, to last weeks episode - which I have maintained is the best of the Doctor Who revival - there have been a whole host of great moments. Not to be outdone though, Steven Moffatt has saved the biggest reveal for last. Following on from last weeks incredible Heaven Sent, Hell Bent sees the Twelfth Doctor finally make his way home to Gallifrey.

Returning to the shack from which he ended the Time War all those life times ago, he finally does what he knows had to be done: relieve the President of his duties. The last time Rassilon and the Doctor did battle in End of Time the Time Lords were banished back into the war, and here The Doctor’s mind once again trumps the President Rassilon.

He does not turn weapons on him, or even suggest his life should be paid as penance for all those lost - something he knows the President would do if the roles were reversed - but instead forces the Gallifreyan army to lay down arms and banishes the President and the council.

Capaldi’s cool calm delivery of “Get off my planet” shows just how far he has slipped into the role over the course of this season.

He is far more sure of himself now, far less reserved. He has a swagger which makes him seem almost like a rockstar - fitting given all the references to his guitar playing over the course of this season - right up to its climax.


It is the return of Clara Oswald though that will be the most divisive thread of the episode. I have already read thoughts from some that bringing her back so soon diminishes the impact of her death. I must disagree though. Her end point in Face the Raven felt rather rushed, almost the after thought of what was already a high concept episode. A building block which would allow the story to go through Heaven Sent, but not a true conclusion in the way we are accustomed to seeing companions leaving the show.

The revelation that The Doctor and Clara as a combination are The Hybrid paves the way for a proper goodbye. We learned in Heaven Sent that he would do anything to get Clara back, even if it meant waiting 4.5 billion years, whereas Hell Bent gives us the real end point of their story together. One must forget the other, or neither can move on.

He is willing to see the entire universe - and the planet he spent so long searching for - burn if it means he can have her back. In the same way he inspired recklessness in her, she too inspires it in him
. They are simply not good for one another anymore, so they must go their separate ways and in the end he must forget her if the show is ever to move forward. 

I will concede however that their story should have ended with the Doctor playing his song for a woman he doesn't realise is stood beside him, before walking into the TARDIS and seeing the Run You Clever Boy message, with Clara then returning to Gallifrey immediately. The fact we know she has time left, and is going to travel with Ashildr for a while in their stolen TARDIS before finally facing the raven does rather raise the question: What is her death for? If she can continue like this for the foreseeable why not just keep travelling with The Doctor?.

It is here that Steven Moffatt has clearly struggled with the way out. He has given Clara her proper goodbye, but somehow still can’t shut the door entirely, instead trying to have his cake and eat it too. The idea that she is still running around out there doesn’t allow the viewer to properly get the closure the episode went back to give her. You almost feel that she could cross paths with him again down the line should Jenna ever wish to return, during this undisclosed period of time while she keeps running.

It is a small quibble on a brilliant episode though, and doesn’t dampen the enjoyment any - at least on an initial watch. It is just a shame that what could have gone down as an all time classic is let down slightly by its very final act, without which (i.e with the bittersweet ending it should probably have had) the episode would jump from good to great in an instant.

All of that said, roll on Christmas and Twelve’s first meeting with River. That should be a true sight to behold.

2 comments:

  1. Also, don't forget the TARDIS of old. I had a "moment". While the exterior was different (because the chameleon circuit was not broken), it was like looking into the past. Then there is "the diner". I put quotations because even in season 7 (correct me if I am wrong), that "diner" was there. I mean the other stolen TARDIS was there. Which makes me then question...WHO put /that/ stolen TARDIS there? "Dead" Clara, Doctor 11, Or Ashildr?

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  2. Also, don't forget the TARDIS of old. I had a "moment". While the exterior was different (because the chameleon circuit was not broken), it was like looking into the past. Then there is "the diner". I put quotations because even in season 7 (correct me if I am wrong), that "diner" was there. I mean the other stolen TARDIS was there. Which makes me then question...WHO put /that/ stolen TARDIS there? "Dead" Clara, Doctor 11, Or Ashildr?

    ReplyDelete