Dark Water

"I'm not dead, how can I be dead?"

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 01 November 2014

Series: 8.11

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis

In the mysterious world of the Nethersphere, plans have been drawn. Missy is about to come face-to-face with the Doctor, and an impossible choice is looming.

Verdict

Dark Water was an outstanding episode of Doctor Who! It really does have everything. Unexpected moments. Incredible reveals. Tension beyond belief! It's just staggeringly good and I was so excited to watch it again for the first time in over a decade, and it absolutely delivered. Where to start? I think the pre-titles sequence is so brutal in its writing. It sets things up for what's to come in the episode in an incredible way. Clara giving her love to Danny is an emotional moment and it's really powerful that she gives him the three words of 'I love you'. That's some commitment for a woman to give and the silence on the other end of the phone is heartbreaking when it becomes apparent what actually happened. This moment hits hard because as an eleven-year-old I was actually ran over by a car on my way home from school. I obviously survived but I snapped my left femur in half so I didn't get off too lightly! Danny went full throttle and found his way to the afterlife. I think Seb is a fun character as the man to greet Danny and do the admin of entering the Nethersphere, and the moment things click for Danny is quite difficult to watch. The whole concept of the episode is dark with the idea of the afterlife as it is, but the 3W significance is honestly gruesome. I can see why there were complaints at the time of broadcast but watching now I think the significance hits hard even more. I'm all for it though! It's powerful stuff but I can completely appreciate how hurtful this might be to anyone suffering from a recent loss. The prospect of the dead still being conscious is horrifying and the three words of 'don't cremate me' is so incredibly dark. It's Moffat at his very best here. So what could be harvesting the dead? Well, the Cybermen of course! It's a shame the truth regarding the skeletons within the dark water was spoiled by the next time trailer, but when you're filming Cybermen at a famous London landmark it's never going to be kept secret! The concept is still brilliant though and the water activating sequence was magnificent. It was such an image. The Doctor claiming to be missing something obvious and then the doors closing to reveal the infamous Cyberman eye and teardrop accompanied by that bold Cyber music was sensational. I think the start of the episode with Clara manipulating the Doctor feels out of character and I honestly forgot that he turned things around on her and was always in control. I'm glad really because it felt so bad of Clara, but the Doctor's lien about caring for her despite betrayal is incredible. Missy pretending to be an android was fun and knowing the truth of her identity now, it's all the more whacky. Gemma asked alongside me if I thought she was going to be the Rani at the time and I once again more got Romana vibes. The old fashioned line, the fashion sense and I could see her claiming to be abandoned in E-Space, but what we got is so much better! I still love the look and the line of the reveal that Missy is the Master! It's just wonderful. I don't think a cliffhanger has ever made my jaw drop like that and it was a pleasure to watch again and return to those feelings. Danny is annoying at the end here as he can't find something to prove his identity to Clara, and that frustrated Gemma and I on the partner. Just come up with something! Anything! His being haunted by the boy he killed continues to be powerful stuff, but there's so much more to come. Cybermen using the dead. Missy back in full flow. What an episode! 

Rating: 10/10