The Doctor Falls

And so we reach the end of another Dr Who series and with it, bar a one-off Christmas Special apparently reuniting this twelfth Doc with his first self, Peter Capaldi's tenure in the role. I've enjoyed this latest series very much, due in no small part to the chemistry between Capaldi and new girl Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts. I'm not keen on Matt Lucas or his character Nardole but it was a delight to see the return of John Simm as the Master and Michelle Gomez as Missy.

Told over two episodes scripted by show-runner Steven Moffat, unsurprisingly this was a deeper, timey-wimey story than usual involving an impossibly large spaceship with a multitude of differing time-zones, the return of my favourite of the Doctor's enemies, the Cybermen and a Doctor striving to avoid his inevitable regeneration.

Bill's assimilation into an early version of a Cybermen was cleverly shown as she portrayed her true self alongside her transformed self whilst her rescue by the Water-Girl from the first episode made for a neat circular finish to what has been an entertaining series, taking in as it has several excellent episodes like that involving the nano-bots, the terror under the Thames, the mystery of the lost Roman 9th Legion and the return of the Ice Warriors.

Not as light or as flashy as some of the earlier episodes, this one took more concentration than usual but repaid its greater demands on the viewer. Cryptic references abounded as to the identity of the next Time Lord, convincing me at least it will be a woman.

Anyway it seems that for the next series there'll definitely be no Capaldi, Gomez, Lucas, Simm or Bailey giving the next production team carte-balance for the next version of our favourite time traveller.

I'll miss Capaldi and would put him in my top three of previous doctors. Grouchy but funny, superior but humane, he's been very good value in the part, plus of course I'll miss his Scottish accent.

I hate to see him go. Loved the Doctor. I would enjoy if he came back for season 13. We need him back.

It was! I loved the dialogues, the allusions, the meanings.. So many double and triple meanings and contexts - it was remarkable! And kind. And beautiful <3 It is completely necessary for DW to exist in this world so that future generations (if they are still watching) could get inspired to do good and to think and to learn and to be compassionate. Just that.

Series 10 hasn't been amazing, but this episode is just wonderful in every way. Beautiful acting, writing, direction, and music. I'm not going to spoil anything, but the last few minutes were awe-inspiring. Simply wonderful.

This is Doctor Who at its most beautiful, an entire series coming to a well poised and rewarding conclusion with every character finding its place, well done Steven Moffat, we had wonder, sadness, questions and answers and a little bit of something in our eyes.

10 Seasons down the line in the reboot, which had its ups and downs and on his final bow before the Christmas Special Moffat decides to play with emotion and character than swashbuckling action. Oh, and what a glorious treat.

Was it as good as World Enough and Time? I don't know. All I know is at the end of the hour long run, I was satisfied beyond words. There was closure and wonder in equal measures and this is what Doctor Who is all about.

Rachel Talalay's measured direction and pace are reminiscent of Heaven Sent and Murray Gold continues to make the show musically brilliant.

Season 10 has not been the most consistent one for me, nowhere matching the stakes set by Season 9. But the last two episodes summarize the Moffat era - daring, inventive and not shy of breaking rules or going the extra mile. Say what you may - but the man will be missed.

And then there's Capaldi - do we have enough words? What a Doctor he's been. There's really little left to say.

We have an hour more of Moffat and Capaldi (with a surprise) left and all we can do is enjoy it in all it's glory come Christmas before the show moves on to newer territory.

There is a feeling of foreboding, but not without appreciation for the brilliance of the Season Finale. Feels like an era coming to an end. Thoroughly satisfying. 10/10.