So that was very different, but I liked it. A very nice send-off. A chance for Moffat to very ostentatiously put right several mistakes of the past, especially the botched afterlife plot from Capaldi's first season. All the interesting notes hit well. Very nice deferred central decision in the end. Excellent gesture of putting back everything exactly as he left it when he took over. One thing he got wrong -- the Christmas armistice was in no was the only time that happened during a war. It happens all the bloody time. Human beings, as a whole, hesitate to kill people they haven't been properly introduced to, as Pratchett said; they stop fighting as soon as you'll turn your back on them. On good days.
I liked it. High points: Not everything is an evil plan, this ep was much better for that. David Bradley. Fuck all those malcontents and there "but it's not the original guy!!!!!" bullshit. The banter. Very fun. OF COURSE that's who the Captain was Good to see Rusty The use of Bill was not forced in the way I'd feared it would be. Seemed organic to the story and yet still carried the emotional weight necessary. It was not stronger or weaker for the callbacks at the end but I enjoy that sort of thing. the monologue before dying was touching and a classic Capaldi soliloquy moment. "Hate is always foolish, love is always wise; always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind"
How do we feel the chick from Broadchurch will do? That the 10th Dr was in that is delicious juxtaposition.
Jodie Whittaker not only has an impressive background across a variety of roles, but she has the unanimous approval of the previous Doctors. I suppose that final scene, though, was a comment about women drivers/sop for the boobirds.
OnDemand finally uploaded the rerun so I could call it up, and catch the first 3rd that I missed. Great sendoff.
I think it was a direct callback to the very first episode of Moffat's run. He got the Doctor as he was falling out of the TARDIS, he put her back exactly as he he found him. As for the future, I have no doubt that Whittaker is up to it. I am more worried about a new showrunner whose previous episodes were all mediocre. But hope springs eternal.
Had a chance to see this a second time. Some random thoughts (maybe more after I’ve seen it again): Overall, an excellent sendoff for my favorite Doctor. Played to his strengths, especially in the long speeches. If I had a quibble, it would be that there was much too much “Who are you, really?” between the First Doctor and the 12th, and between 12 and Bill. Some tighter editing might have helped. Good to see Rusty again, and to know that the Doctor’s lesson took hold. Loved the Lethbridge-Stewart reveal. Now, of course, I’m wondering if we’ll see the German soldier or his descendants in the future.
Very much enjoyed it, only downside was Capaldi's monologue whilst regenerating - went on too long. Not as bad as Tennant's grand tour though. Nice to have a non-threat too. I imagine Rusty is going to be very annoyed he got to miss out on the Doctor dying...
Prediction, half (or more!) of the fedora wearers bitching about Jodie Whitaker are going to be bawling their eyes out when she gives her goodbye regeneration speech in a few years.
Scroll further down the page and you'll see another letter Capaldi sent to a woman on her birthday. The man seems like a class act.
Outstanding conclusion to Capaldi's run. I think he might be my second-favorite Doctor after Tom Baker. The moment that really hit me right in the feels, tho . . . actually had me tearing up . . . was when Clara showed up. Oh dear God, that was perfect.
He's a wonderful man. http://m.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/peter-capaldi-doctor-who-fan-autism_n_4904202 I can't find the article, but I also recall reading that Capaldi pushed for his Doctor to adopt the hoodie and sunglasses "so poor children can dress up as the Doctor too."
