Dark Water
Series 8, Episode 11
The Series 8 finale kicks off with an unexpected tragedy. As Clara and The Doctor investigate in the TARDIS beyond the veil, the series-long mystery of "Who is Missy?" finally comes to light.
IMAGINE IT FROM MY POINT OF VIEW!
Part One of the Series 8 Finale starts with a bang, literally, as Clara emotes over the mobile airwaves to Danny, just as he is hit by a car and killed. Desperate and numb, she plays out a risky gambit by forcing The Doctor to fly them to a volcano, throwing the seven TARDIS keys into the lava to pressure him into to saving Danny. The Doctor, despite being upset at Claras “betrayal”, reveals the experience as a simulation and takes her to find Danny anyways. Tense and harrowing, the story unfolds as The Doctor and Clara are brought to the 3W Institute, which is a cover for a sinister Cyberman plot (which makes little sense) all perpetrated by Missy, AKA the Master.
The Good Things
Don't Always Soften The Bad Things...
Misdirection:
Moffat excels at this talent, and it is utilized a couple times. Firstly, to great effect, at the volcano. Next, the trick of Dark Water, hiding inorganic matter, and therefore the Cybermen, was genius.
True Character:
There is a line The Doctor says that exemplifies everything i have always felt the Doctor is about: “Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?” Absolute perfection.
Big Surprises:
Though the majority of fandom guessed by broadcast time that Missy was very likely the Master, the reveal was still nice. And there was a chance that she could have been anyone else right up to the last moment. Red herrings again.
...But Vice-Versa, The Bad Things
Don't Necessarily Spoil The Good Things...
Heaven Can Wait:
The Danny Pink, in general, afterlife sub plot was to be honest, boring. I didn't understand exactly why all the extra bits relating to the Nethersphere and cyber-zombies, or how it actually came together.
Open and Shut Case:
While the beginning was compelling, Clara never thought to just ask The Doctor for help, and we are all very aware (see:The Caretaker) the TARDIS responds to both The Doctor and Clara by opening at the snap of fingers. So why the seven keys? And why didn't the volcano scene have more to do with, oh I don't know, a certain face?
Doctor Who?:
There were a lot of Doctors in this episode. The Doctor. Doctor Chang. Doctor Skarosa. Not to mention our Doctor not really getting the picture for most of it. The Doctor I know is usually a bit more on the ball, and usually two steps ahead.
...And Make Them Unimportant.
Who Back When:
The scene of Cybermen in front of St. Pauls is reminiscent of the Second Doctor serial “The Invasion”.
Red was Your Colour:
Was that Missy's TARDIS out on the street? That certainly seems to be the consensus among the rabble. Nothing official was ever indicated.
Human Resources:
Seb is a bright spot in terms of delivery and comic relief, but it starts to grate a little near the end.
