Doctor Who Season 14, Episode 8 | Review full of spoilers for Empire Of Death

“Doctor Who” is taking a break until Christmas – and here is our spoiler-filled review of the season 14 finale, “Empire Of Death.”

So many spoilers follow…

The last episode of Doctor Who‘s return series, The Legend of Ruby Sundayoffered the kind of penultimate episode that Russell T Davies always did well in his first run of the show. Despite the “okay, let’s do that again” build-up to the Sutekh reveal, it was a large-scale blockbuster episode that Realm of Death. And as for the last few episodes? They tended to be a bit more mixed, and that was the case with this one too.

First, the agenda item with Realm of Death required killing pretty much everyone. The series picked up pretty much where we left off last time, in a hurry to defeat the Doctor. Sutekh had been exposed, so now they let him do a lot of damage.

Admiring Sutekh wrapped around the TARDIS was one of the weaker visual effects of the series, there is little doubt about what was happening: people died in clouds of dust, avenger-like. The Doctor told us that this was basically the most terrifying villain he had ever faced, and the implications of Sutekh’s plan quickly became clear. I thought as I watched that almost everything had died with Flow a year or two ago (something that still affects Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor), but still, the destruction was swift. The point was clear.

Fair does that too: the sequences in which dust whirls down the street and devastates everything in its path are powerful. At one point it reminded me a little of the film Deep Impacta film whose visual elements are already quite dated. There is no danger of that kind here.

But back to business. Doctor Who loves a bit of retrofit, and here it turns out that the Doctor had failed to rid us of Sutekh in the 1970s. Pyramid of Mars. Someone needs to talk to Tom Baker. If I understand correctly, Sutekh has been travelling in the TARDIS ever since, travelling through time and space, manipulating things and getting stronger, until Ncuti Gatwa came along.

So we got a much of death very early on, but that kind of fake death that feels a little weightless. The fact that so many people believed that – all but a handful, actually – meant that they were bound to come back by the end of the episode. We’re too well conditioned into the storytelling of television to believe that. Did anyone really believe that UNIT and Mel came along to be fobbed off? Me neither.

A few weeks ago I asked questions in these reviews about perception filters that were mentioned by name, and what can I say: they cover about 73 yards. In fact, the episode 73 metres was also a must-see because of the flashback to the world’s most dangerous Prime Minister, Roger ap Gwilliam. His decision to introduce compulsory DNA registration in 2046 is a turning point in the search for Ruby’s mother. And is also very useful in defeating a villain.

On this point: part of me cannot help but think about the fact that two terrible enemies from Doctor Who past – The Celestial Toymaker and Sutekh – were brought back, and I enjoyed seeing them both. It was real nerd gold to see them show up, but then it was a bit odd to see them defeated so easily at the end.

I understand that the episode wasn’t about a fight between the Doctor and an enemy, but still: we’re told that Sutekh was basically on the Doctor’s tail for so long and then he’s gone. On the plus side, I really love it – and it feels very Doctor Who-y – that he is beaten with an elastic rope, a glove and a whistle. But still.

Likewise, Susan Twist’s appearances in this series were great and the mystery of who she was was entertaining. I hope she accepts the UNIT invitation though, otherwise it feels like she didn’t quite get the ending the build-up warranted.

The mystery surrounding Ruby’s mother was far more satisfying and a real climax that also left another story thread. It may have been against the Doctor’s advice, but Ruby’s conversation with her mother – an ordinary person who, through her ordinariness, saved the universe in a way – led to a small, tender, emotional moment that I found really moving.

And then there was an apparent farewell to Ruby Sunday that few of us believe either. There are a few crumbs left: we know that Ruby’s father appears to be an imposter for unknown reasons, and that may be something Russell T. Davies has up his sleeve for a future story. But Ruby saying “I love you” to the Doctor doesn’t really feel like the ultimate goodbye either. While I don’t think the central couple worked as well as the Doctor’s adventures with Rose or Clara, there is still unfinished business here.

A few other things.

I think Bonnie Langford’s return was really worth it, even when she was transformed into a deadly force of destructive evil. And when Realm of Death smaller – the Doctor just wondering why he’s still alive – I liked that better. Also, as always, Russell T. Davies fires off a line or two to fire off salvos about how the modern world could be better, and I love that he brings that to a show aimed primarily at teens. And damn, the man can pack a hell of a lot of punch with a single line.

Then, of course, Anita Dobson got a new coat.

She has been a moody figure in the background since The Church on Ruby Roadwhen she knew exactly what a TARDIS was. Then last week she became the evil Anita Dobson. Now she’s predicting a terrible end for the Doctor. We’ve focused on the woman who became Susan Triad for the past few weeks. But Anita Posh Coat exudes danger, and lots of it. With a sad, dejected Doctor – and watching Ncuti Gatwa in that role was the highlight of the series for me – we head into the Christmas special, where danger is clearly at the forefront.

Nevertheless, I can not say that I was particularly overwhelmed by Realm of Death. It seemed a little lame to me overall, although it was definitely improved by Ruby’s reunion. I’m well-trained in the world of Russell T. Davies Doctor Who to realize that what now looks resolved may not be resolved. I also think that this particular series of eight episodes had two or three absolute blockbusters. So I am a happy Doctor Who Fan. I’m glad it’s back, I’m glad it’s doing so well, and I hope the younger audience that keeps this brilliant program going will get a little more out of Realm of Death when I.

Joy for the worldthen. See you at Christmas.

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