Episode 8.11: Dark Water
Written by: Steven Moffat
Directed by: Rachel Talalay
Airdate: 1 November 2014
There's so much darkness in this episode. Death truly changes everything. It's hard to imagine someone could be so cruel to steal the dead and use their souls to destroy the living and the worlds they live in. But as we can guess, there's the Master, or now the Mistress, who prefers to be called Missy, who has no problem crossing this line. It's a very dark, disturbing and heartbreaking story. And it's a big return for not just this one old enemy of the Doctor but also a comeback of the Cybermen, created by the Master with the dying minds and bodies of the people. It feels hard to even write about it, to be honest, especially in the day like that.
First, the short summary of the episode. Clara finally decides to tell Danny the entire truth but the phone call between them ends tragically when he is hit by a car and killed. Heartbroken Clara, who can't even cry after him, decides to blackmail the Doctor into changing the past and saving her love. The Doctor, who notices the change in her behavior and only creates an illusion of her being in control, forgives her betrayal and chooses to find and travel to the place where Danny currently is and bring him back if possible. The Doctor and Clara get to a facility named 3W where they find skeletons contained in a blue liquid and meet Missy, who introduces herself as a droid. Meanwhile Danny wakes up after his death and meets one of Missy's employees, Seb, who informs him about his situation and arranges a meeting with a little boy Danny killed on the war. The Doctor and Clara also meet Doctor Chang who tells them more about 3W. He explains to them that the dead are conscious and the company tries to keep them comfortable, often using so-called "dark water" which can only display organic material. He also allows Clara to contact Danny from his office and leaves the room with the Doctor. She tries to find a proof it's really Danny but in the end he realizes that Clara would die to stay with him and doesn't give her one, causing her to end the call.
Meanwhile, Missy drains the dark water from the tanks, thus revealing Cybermen (not just skeletons) inside. She also kills Doctor Chang, admits to the Doctor she's not actually a droid, but is the Master, now the Time Lady called Missy. The shocked Doctor locates the exit and finds out the building they were in is St Paul's cathedral in London. He's unable to evacuate the people in the area and the Cybermen start to march out and prepare to attack. And Danny, unaware of the reality of the situation, is left with a decision to delete his emotions (heartbroken after talking to Clara) and become another Cyberman.
The Sad Story of Danny Pink
When we first met Danny he already seemed like an interesting and likeable character. He made a very positive on me during his
introduction, I was excited about his future connection with Clara and was waiting for him to meet the Doctor and maybe even become friends with him, given the things the two had in common. Sadly I can't say I'm glad with how his story was written a few episodes later. After
The Caretaker his character was mostly reduced to these short phone calls with Clara where she often lied to him and tested his extraordinary support and patience. The exception was the episode last week but I can't call it a real improvement. It's such a shame when I think about the missed potential of the character and how great he could have been if he spent more time with both the Doctor and Clara. His death at the beginning of the episode was such a sad moment for me. And if it's really over for him... he deserved so much more. He was never in a way of the Doctor and Clara (like I've heard people saying), if you ask me. He really loved her and protected her, like in this episode. And his story is a sad one. If this is a goodbye, I'm gonna miss Danny Pink. There were moments when he reminded me of Rory and Mickey, and sometimes seemed like someone unique entirely. Poor Danny. Great performance by Samuel Anderson!
The Mystery of Missy the Master
I have to admit, after all the great references to the Original Series this season, I was hoping the show might decide to re-introduce the character that is not known to the New Who fans who never got a chance to watch the adventures of the first Eight Doctors. Still, I actually missed the Master, he hasn't been around since an episode that is still quite painful in my memory. And I was wondering what could have happened to him for a while now. Which is probably why it wasn't the biggest surprise to see him, now her, again. When I found out that Missy is someone the Doctor knows and I realized the Time Lord aspect of the her mystery, the Master was my first guess. And I'm sure many other fans as well. I can't say the Master's cruelty is news to me but to steal the dead and tell them the most terrifying lie possible, that they can still feel what happens to their bodies after death, is one of the most disturbing things I've seen. I certainly hope Clara didn't believe in the 3W ("Don't cremate me") because even the idea feels too traumatic to accept. Sadly, it's a very effective lie in Missy's mind, cause it pretty much guarantees the dead's willingness to delete their emotions and become Cybermen. On the more positive note (probably the only one in the episode), Missy's interactions with the Doctor (the kiss!) end up being even funnier when we discover she's actually the Master. Michelle Gomez makes quite an impression in the episode, in both the lighter and the dark moments. Kudos!
The Doctor and Clara against the Impossible
After all the ups and downs this season, Danny's death caused Clara to completely change her perspective and betray the Doctor. Her addiction to the travelling in TARDIS, the wonders of the Universe, her arguments with the Doctor and even her pride after acting more like him at one point, it all suddenly lost its meaning. Losing her love, especially after admitting how much Danny truly means to her, not to mention the most ordinary and abrupt nature of his death, made her determined to make the Doctor change his fate. In the most powerful
scene of the episode, beautifully acted by Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi, Clara decides to destroy all the keys to the TARDIS if the Doctor refuses to rewrite Danny's story, even if it meant her losing her friendship with the Doctor, even if it meant their death in the volcano. How far would you go to save someone you love? In Clara's case, as far as it gets. The Doctor doesn't blame her for actions though. In one of his defining moments, Twelve, who so often appeared to be cold, calculated and a stranger to kindness, decides to do the impossible, find the world of the dead, break all the rules and bring someone
back, just to help his best friend with her heartbreaking pain. He lost so many people in the past and never did such a thing for himself but his forgiveness and this choice show just how much he really cares about Clara. In case you were still looking for the Doctor's emotional side, this was it. The very human thing to do. In the most impossible way. The relationship between the Doctor and Clara was a rocky one in this season. But their bond only seems stronger at this point. It makes me wonder how the things are going to end in the next episode. Is there a chance for a happy ending for them? And Danny? The finale is now less than a week away. I'm both excited and scared about it. How about you?
Whovian notes and questions:
1. Such a dark and impressive episode this week. Breathtaking, tense and traumatic. But absolutely worth watching. That's my opinion. What did you think about it?
2. What do think will happen to Danny in the finale?
3. Did you like Missy is the Master reveal? Who did you think/want her to be?
4. How do you think will Clara and the Doctor's story end next week? Do you think it's Clara's last episode or do you believe she's going to stay/survive the finale?
5. Any favorite scenes/quotes in the episode? You already know my pick for the Scene of the Week. Here are some memorable quotes from the hour:
"Clara: One last chance. And I don’t care about the rules. I don’t give a damn about paradoxes. Save Danny, bring him back or I swear … you will never step inside your TARDIS again."
"Doctor: You betrayed me … betrayed my trust. You betrayed our friendship, you betrayed everything that I’ve ever stood for. You let me down!
Clara: Then why are you helping me?
Doctor: Why? Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?"
"Clara: I don’t deserve a friend like you.
Doctor: Clara, I’m terribly sorry, but I’m exactly what you deserve."
"Missy : At 3W, afterlife means aftercare.
Clara: Okay, a bit strange.
Doctor: Very. Why have the scrolling text AND a voice?"
"Doctor: Clara … is it over now?"
"Doctor: Who are you?
Missy: Oh, you know who I am. I’m Missy.
Doctor: Who’s Missy?
Missy: Please, try to keep up. Short for Mistress. Well, I couldn’t very well keep calling myself the Master, now could I?"
Thank you for all the comments and for reading. Go ahead and share your thoughts about the episode below. Till the finale!
