Death in Heaven

"The dead are coming home... all shiny and new."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 08 November 2014

Series: 8.12

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis

With Cybermen on the streets of London, old friends unite against old enemies, and the Doctor takes to the air in a startling new role. Can the mighty UNIT contain Missy?

Verdict

Death in Heaven was an excellent finale for Series 8! It concludes the story already started in Dark Water in impressive fashion and whilst it wasn't quite up to that standard, I find that the second part of finales have a tough task! How do you follow up the ending of the previous episode with the emergence of the Cybermen, the reveal of Missy being the Master, and the death of Danny Pink? There was a lot to tie up here and I like how the episode felt differentiated almost immediately with the arrival of UNIT. It's always welcomed to see Kate and Osgood return, and watching now with Kate still sticking around in the latest series it's crazy to think how young she looks here! She really has been around a long time and I'm all for that. She is more than living up to her father's name, and I'm just going to jump ahead here as this isn't the first time I've blogged or watched this episode! It was nice that when the Doctor was inserted as President of Earth that the jet had a picture of the Brigadier along, and the Twelfth Doctor was almost taken aback a little at the idea that all he ever wanted was a salute back. I genuinely believe him when he says all he had to do was ask. It sets things up for what's to come later in the episode and the explanation for how Kate survives falling out of the plane. I think the entire concept of the Cybermen harvesting the dead is horrifying, but it does lose its chilling effect a little once they emerge out of the ground and are a little clueless. And even Seb lets loose some of the details regarding 3W and what they really are. They're not technically in the afterlife but more of a data cloud. That still works for me, but it doesn't quite have the same impact. His death was hilarious though as Missy made an incredible impact. Honestly, Michelle Gomez is just extraordinary here. Off the chain bonkers. The way she literally plays with Osgood before killing her is outstanding! Killing off a popular character like Osgood really sells the truth about the identity of Missy. She's everything Master and more. I think the emotion that came from Danny being a Cyberman was actually strong stuff and whilst I'm far from his biggest fan, this was tough for Clara. The image of her hugging a Cyberman is just sad but I did like where she used her experience from Nightmare in Silver of the Cybermen to fake her identity as being the Doctor. That was brilliant stuff and a fun moment for sure. It was a rare moment of joy in what was a very dark finale! Missy giving the gift of a Cyber army to the Doctor feels awkward and it's just the start of a long term relationship she has with this incarnation. It does feel strange though that this was her plan all along! It was never going to work and he clearly wouldn't accept. Danny being someone to defy the Cyber programming despite the emotional inhibitor was good though and I can accept the love conquers all mentality. The image of the Brigadier as the Cyber Leader was just tremendous and even Gemma alongside my gave an aw at that moment and she's only seen Robot in which he featured! It's a lovely moment that ensure UNIT isn't quite decimated! The ending with the bracelet and Danny saving the child he killed as a soldier is almost as sad as the ending for the Doctor and Clara with them both lying to each other. The reaction of the Doctor to discovering Gallifrey wasn't where it had always been was heart wrenching. Overall, a stunning episode to end a very strong series! Less of Santa Claus though. 

Rating: 9/10