Directed by: Justin Molotnikov
Written by: Mark Gatiss and Sarah Dollard
Air date: 14 November 2015 & 21 November 2015
Reviews so far:
Episode 9.01 - "The Magician's Apprentice"
Episode 9.02 - "The Witch's Familiar"
Episode 9.03 - "Under the Lake"
Episode 9.04 - "Before the Flood"
Episode 9.05 - "The Girl Who Died"
Episode 9.06 - "The Woman Who Lived"
Episode 9.07 - "The Zygon Invasion"
Episode 9.08 - "The Zygon Inversion"
I've watched these two episodes one after the other and to be perfectly honest, "Sleep No More" was probably my least favorite and memorable of the season, while "Face the Raven" will surely be remembered as a farewell story of Clara Oswald. It was a really well done hour, obviously heartbreaking and emotional, yet interesting and clever. Would probably enjoy it even better if it wasn't such a sad goodbye.
Oh, Clara, Clara... The Impossible Girl, born and died (over and over again) to save the Doctor. I can't believe she's actually gone. This is the most tragic aspect of the show - losing people. Everyone eventually leaves the series, some sooner than others. But death of a companion is actually quite rare, especially with someone as significant as Clara. She has been with the Doctor long enough to become a true heart of the show and right now it's hard to imagine how Twelve will go on without her. The friendship between the two was so brilliantly done and it's probably the thing I will miss the most about Clara Oswin Oswald. And this was such a hurtful departure. It makes me want to say, she deserved much better than this. All the viewers have noticed the change in Clara's behavior, quite clear to see since she lost Danny, taking unnecessary risks, trying to become more like the Doctor. Which yes, means helping people, but also getting addicted to this life, running through time and space, facing the death head on every week. And death has always been sort of a theme of Clara's story, just around the corner. I was really hoping there was a chance for a happy ending for Clara, for a new start after everything she's been though. Sadly, she was killed off instead, in quite a cruel way if you ask me. She gave up her life saving Rigsy, taking a chance to be clever and paying a price for her mistake. I liked the fact the writers showed her as brave and strong in her final moments. As always thinking about the Doctor, she knew what was coming and just wanted to make sure he's going to be okay without her. That's who she was. She was smart, kind and caring, tried to protect those around her. And deserved to find her peace in the end. Clara was there when we lost Amy and Rory, in the time of Three Doctors, when Gallifrey was almost destroyed before she helped her friend keep it safe. Not sure if I'm ready to let her go. Definitely need some time to process this. What a heartbreaking ending for such a brilliant character!
We've got to see quite many moments with the Doctor admitting how tired he is of losing people, with his decision to bring back Ashildr, him mentioning on more than one occasion how big of an impact Clara had on him and much more. "Because you were the first. The first face this face saw. And you were seared onto my hearts." Something that Eleven once told to Amy, now so very true for Twelve and Clara. These two had become truly wonderful friends, like family, and I loved seeing them travelling together in time and space. It seems impossible to imagine the present Doctor without Clara. He's not so good at being alone, it's one thing we know after all these years. So it was such a thoughtful last request from his companion, to keep the promise he once made, to be the Doctor, not a warrior, to help people, not go looking for revenge. At least he might try, though his confrontation with Me at the end confirmed that the Doctor is one person you really do not want to have as your enemy. Angry, hurt Time Lord may just turn out to be one of the most dangerous and scary beings in the universe. Peter Capaldi once again did an impressive work in all the emotional scenes of these two hours. I'm both really excited and worried about what's waiting for the Doctor after Clara's death. Hopefully, his trap will only get him closer to the Gallifrey.
It's actually hard to imagine how different Ashildr used to be and it was only a few episodes ago. The character has gone through so many changes this season, from a kind, brave girl, to hurt woman looking for something to live for and now, to Mayor Me, the protector and leader of an alien refugee camp in the heart of London. Really liked the entire concept and setting of the episode. If only there was no Chronolock leading to a Quantum Shade... There's something interesting about the conflict in this character. She's both a friend and an enemy of the Doctor at times. She's not one of the bad guys, yet she's the one the Doctor confronts with his anger over Clara's death, as it's very much also her fault. Me clearly regrets it, not wishing Clara harm but can't do anything to stop the attack. She does however keep her end of the deal with whoever it is that wanted to set the trap for the Doctor and send him away. As much as I would probably enjoy the return of this character, things will never be the same with her and the Time Lord and it's in her best interest to keep her distance.
I admit, it took me a few seconds to remember the character, but Rigsy quickly won me over in this episode. The lovely scene with his newborn daughter and the Doctor was one of the brightest part of the hour. His memorial to Clara, the painting on the abandoned TARDIS at the end, was both beautiful and sad view. Here's the man that Clara gave her life for, even though in fact, he had every chance to get out of this alive. And the guilt weighs heavy on the heart of a good man. If there's a chance for Rigsy to come back in the future episode, in a better circumstances, I would hope, I'll be happy to see him again.
And finally, a word or two about the last week's episode. I'm not particulary fond of episodes built on the concept of found footage, so this one didn't stand out for me as well. The crew, well, was kind of just there. The monsters looked fine, pretty scary but the most terrifying thing for me was the main idea behind the story. People actually trying to find a way not to lose time for sleep. Definitely agreed with the Doctor there, sleep is essential, for both body and mind. Sure, we always need more time, but still, the whole concept was quite insane for me. And the reveal that the creator of Morpheus system was helping the Sandman didn't make the story better. Wish we spent the episode more on the Doctor and Clara, especially seeing how the next episode ended.
1. Since we're saying goodbye to Clara, any favorite scenes and/or episodes of her? First thing that comes to mind for me is the introduction of Oswin and Clara falling through the Doctor's timeline - I absolutely loved that opening scene of season 7 finale.
2. Ashildr, Lady Me, Mayor Me - so many different faces of the same person. What are your thoughts about the character? Would you like to see her back on the show?
3. Any theories, hopes as for the person behind the trap for the Doctor? Is it time for Missy and Daleks' return? Or maybe it's someone else completely?
4. Did you feel "Face the Raven" was a proper goodbye to Clara? Which of the companions do you think had the best send-off?
Memorable quotes:
1. The Doctor: "You'll find it is a very small universe when I'm angry with you."
2. The Doctor: "Fix this. Fix it now."
Me: "It... It's not possible. I can't."
The Doctor: "Yes it is, you can, and you will, or this street will be over. I'll show you and all your funny little friends to the whole laughing world. I'll bring UNIT, I'll bring the Zygons. Give me a minute, I'll bring the Daleks and the Cybermen. You will save Clara, and you will do it now, or I will rain hell on you for the rest of time."
Clara: "Doctor, stop talking like that."
Me: "You can't."
The Doctor: "I can do whatever the hell I like. You've read the stories, you know who I am. And in all of that time, did you ever hear anything about anyone who stopped me?"
Me: "I know the Doctor. The Doctor would never..."
The Doctor: "The Doctor is no longer here! You are stuck with me. And I will end you, and everything you love."
3. Clara: "You. Now you listen to me. You're going to be alone now, and you're very bad at that. You're going to be furious and you're going to be sad, but listen to me. Don't let this change you. No, listen. Whatever happens next... wherever she is sending you, I know what you're capable of. You don't need to be a warrior. Promise me. Be a Doctor."
The Doctor: "What's the point of being a Doctor if I can't cure you?"
Clara: "Heal yourself. You have to. You can't let this turn you into a monster. So... I'm not asking you for a promise. I'm giving you an order. You will not insult my memory. There will be no revenge. I will die, and no-one else, here or anywhere, will suffer."
The Doctor: "What about me?"
Clara: "If there was something I could do about that, I would. I guess we're both just going to have to be brave."
4. The Doctor: "But sleep is vital. Sleep is wonderful. Even I sleep."
Clara: "When?"
The Doctor: "Well, when you're not looking."
5. The Doctor: "Hold my hand."
Clara: "I'm okay."
The Doctor: "I'm not."
What did you think about "Sleep No More" & "Face the Raven"? Any favorite scenes, quotes or theories? Feel free to let us know in the comments. And check out the trailer and episode info for the next week's "Heaven Sent" here. As always, thanks for reading!
