What will cap off the 10th season of the new Time Lord? Probably by saving the world again and losing his Hand. Bill only had 12 episodes with the new Handmaid before she became a new life form again, like the previous Clara, and the Doctor escapes into the world once more without saying goodbye.
The final episode is not just about saying goodbye to the main character, the very experienced Peter Capaldi, but to the whole of his most famous gang around his companion, as well as the Master and his reincarnation Missy.
The story continues the previous theme of the emergence of the Cybermen, with the Doctor saving the inhabited world again, but it's really his last story in his current reincarnation. To make it not just about saying goodbye to the lead actor, a large part of the story is taken up by the relationship between the Master and Missy. Missy, as the next reincarnation, is more experienced and also quite a bit more complex than her younger self, and so the big spark between John Simm and Michelle Gomez overshadows the actual story of the Doctor and his companion.
The big farewell episode could have been taken a little differently, and there have been a few better episodes in the few seasons I've been watching the show that have been funnier and even darker. Also, the show's main creator, Steven Moffat, won't be continuing on for another season, so the stories with new characters, maybe even a little cameo, will continue on.
Peter Capaldi has managed to animate and enhance his character quite a bit throughout his episodes, and his acting has brought a lot of his soul to each story. His new companion Bill, however, hasn't managed to form enough of a relationship with the Doctor during his 12 episodes to allow their mutual feelings (the elusive grandfather-apprentice) to carry over and culminate throughout the series. They've had a lot of interesting stories together, with new and old enemies, but 12 episodes is awfully short to get to know each other that much.
We mustn't forget the new reincarnation in the last episode, which Moffat deliberately keeps delaying because they still don't know who will play the Doctor next. It distracts quite a bit from the story, which should continue in a new way. The final transformation of the person both external and internal won't happen, so we'll have to wait for the new season, where we're sure to be introduced to a new character in collaboration with the very first Doctor (David Bradley), who showed up for the last few minutes to presumably talk the Doctor (Capaldi) into completing his reincarnation.
Capaldi's Time Lord was very hilarious, the last episode also wrapped up all the important elements respectfully, but the next seasons will simply be different, there will be possible cameos for sure, like Clara Oswald, Amy and Bill, but it just won't be the same as it has been for the last 10 years.
I rate the whole episode pretty below average, only 70%. You might say that's not enough, but for the fact that we're saying goodbye to Capaldi, Pearl Mackie and John Simm and Michelle Gomez, and of course lead creator Steven Moffat, I was really expecting more. Maybe a few more cameos, maybe even a momentary return of previous companions. Nothing came through other than a story that was a little disjointed with parts where the Doctor tries to stop the reincarnation. The other thing that bothers me a bit is some of the parts that the Master and Missy take completely for themselves. I was just expecting more, and I'm curious to see a whole new cast tackle their glorious history.
Thank you Karoline Koblížková for proofreading
Original edition of this article July 6, 2017 – Kritiky.cz
