"Hell Bent" Grade and discussion thread

[Mitty]

I just loved that original TARDIS set. I never wanted them to leave that room. I'm glad they spent quite a bit of time in there because they obviously spent a lot of time building it. I hope we see it again at some future point.

As for the rest of it though, I tend to agree with Emperor-Tiberius. Bit of a fucking mess. Maybe it'll improve by watching it a second time.

 

[Mr Soak]

So much for the cameos from McGann and Tennant.

 

[matthunter]

So much for the cameos from McGann and Tennant.

Lol fanboiz. Moff's era has had more nods to previous Doctors than anything in Six or Seven's era, yet folk are still never satisfied, are they?

 

[Mr Soak]

I wasn't really expecting them. I was suspicious about most of the rumours that popped up about the finale. It turns out this wasn't the finale we were lead to believe we were getting. I'm fine with that.

 

[Pindar]

Oh I must add space Edinburgh is way better than space Glasgow.

The original TARDIS was gorgeous, much nicer than the current interior.

 

[Vyse]

Mixed feelings, will need to watch it again to get a more proper feel. Overall, I'm very disappointed in how very little Gallifrey factored into the story. Was really expecting Gallifrey proper to return, or something. Also felt like the whole hybrid theme this series was a waste.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

The original TARDIS was gorgeous, much nicer than the current interior.

It's just...grey and white. It's dull and boring. I understand nostalgia breeds fondness but...meh. Too sterile and clinical looking, like a laboratory.

The current console room was criticized by me as a "1980's music video set" when it debuted in The Snowmen, but I've grown to like the Capaldi version with all its knickknacks and warm lighting.

If we see Clara again (and I suspect we will, probably at Capaldi's departure episode), it'll be interesting to see how she and Ashildr have decorated their TARDIS. I doubt it'll stay in its original desktop.

 

[Procutus]

The finale comes on here in just fifteen minutes, so I thought I'd read over a few comments. Now I'm not at all sure what to expect - sounds like a bit of a mess, but we'll see. I thought that last week was brilliant, but this IS Moffat-Land, so we'll see.

 

[kirk55555]

I'd say this episode was about average. I liked the Galifrey stuff, but I'm annoyed that NuWho apparently has a "no real companion death" rule, in practice if not written down (and no, Amy and Rory don't count, they died of old age at the end of a good life). Then again, I sure wish I could forget Clara, so I guess something good did happen to the Doctor I liked how The Doctor just ordered Rassilon and the high council off of Galifrey, although I wonder if they'd be let back once he left.

I'm glad we saw the General regenerate. Ever since Missy appeared, I've heard the stupidest theories from people trying to justify her gender switch while claiming that Time Lords can't switch gender when they regularly regenerate (even though we know The Corsair did). So, finally, we have on screen confirmation that gender swapping during a regeneration is normal, and doesn't need outside interference to happen.

Clara's fate was ridiculous, and I wish she'd actually died (for story reasons, and not just because I dislike her). Still, hopefully we won't see her or Me again. I did like the console room. It was very cool and retro, although I wouldn't say that I liked it better than Capaldi's Console room. The nods and mentions of previous episodes was also really cool (my personal favorite goes to The Doctor's 4 knocks comment).

I actually didn't call Waitress Clara as being real Clara, since I took the rumors that she was actually Oswin as being true. So, that was kind of cool, as was her TARDIS turing into a diner (although that would be a really stupid form for it to keep). Overall, this was an ok episode, although not the strongest and, when it comes to this two parter, I liked Heaven Sent a lot better. I'm looking forward to the christmas special, and seeing one of my favorite NuWho supporting characters return.

 

[diankra]

5) The series cannot seem to decide if the Doctor grew up poor in a barn or was high-born...

Not a problem (there's a line about how the barn is 'for the boys', as if it's a refuge for lots of scared new pupils): to get into a British public school, you generally have to be put on an admissions list by an ex-pupil father before you're born, and your parents then have to pay more than the average salary each year to send you there.
But on arrival, the older boys are allowed to treat you as their slave (or they were, I think it's been cracked down on a bit over the last 30 years)... and then in turn you get to treat the new younger boys the same in later years, and then run the country through the innate confidence that comes out of surviving this sort of bullying. Builds character, dontcha know?
So the Doctor being high-born, but then treated as !*!% at the Academy is just very posh English.

 

[Procutus]

So much for the cameos from McGann and Tennant.

Hadn't heard that one, though it would've been nice to see both of them.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I'm only halfway through. I wonder how the Sisterhood can get there. What, they have an express lane or something?

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I couldn't give it a perfect score even if there was one to rate it under. Maybe 5/10

it was good I'll say that but there were a few moments when I just looked at the screen and thought WTF? is going on.

My only real nitpick is how the hell does Clara know how to fly a TARDIS? When did she gain this knowledge? I did like that Ashildr is traveling with her as I like her.

The whole build up all season about the hybrid, and what? Nothing, that felt like a huge waste of time and energy because of all the buildup. Why did they even bother with this storyline?

I'm going to have to watch this again..

The cheesiest thing this episode was the end bit where two tardises are flying in close proximity to each other for that wanky send off. How does she land that shaped as a diner?

Will there be a full series boxset? I want that...

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Season 9 part 1 is already out, so maybe a full season set later on?

 

[Procutus]

Just how long is this ep, anyway? Parts of it have been good, but overall it's not what I had expected or hoped for.

I suppose the very end could change my mind, I suppose...

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

1:25 with commercials on BBCA.

So, if Gallifrey is "hidden" at the end of the universe, shall they open a restaurant?

 

[Mr Light]

Hunh. That episode did not go where I thought it would. I thought it was about Gallifrey, but it turned out to be about Clara.

I really loved actually dealing with Gallifrey and Time Lords and crazy hats and the Matrix. I enjoyed the Doctor kicking out Rassilon and the High Council. Though now the question becomes, what will the new Gallifrey do? Will they start interacting with the world again?

Massive minus points for recasting Timothy Dalton. Until they called him Rassilon I was completely lost on who this guy was supposed to be and what his relationship to Rassilon was.

I actually found THIS goodbye to Clara a lot more emotional than her actual death. When she learned he suffered for 4.5 billion years, and how ANGRY she was, that's what really got to me. Little teary eyed.

And boy, I certainly didn't see that ending coming. Ashilder and Almost-Dead-Clara gallivanting around the time stream in a stolen Tardis?! But we're never going to SEE it because she's off the show now? What a tease. I also thought it was tragic that this time it's the Doctor who looses the memory of the companion.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

I couldn't give it a perfect score.

it was good I'll say that but there were a few moments when I just looked at the screen and thought WTF? is going on.

My only real nitpick is how the hell does Clara know how to fly a TARDIS? When did she gain this knowledge? I did like that Ashildr is traveling with her as I like her.

There have been little scenes here and there showing Clara helping with the TARDIS controls all through this season. She's now been traveling with the Doctor for 3 years (at least), and started learning how to fly the TARDIS as far back as "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS." And as the "apprentice", it's not a stretch to imagine that she knows how to fly it by now. If River can fly it and Tasha Lem can fly it, why not Clara?

 

[Procutus]

Well, it was good but not great. So Clara is alive, but not really? I guess this does leave open the possibility that she could return at some point, though I'm guessing it's not likely. Still, I'm glad that her last scene had her on her feet and not prone on the street.

The reference to Amy and Rory was a nice touch, but somehow I was still expecting a bit more from this finale. And am I right, that sonic screwdriver that the TARDIS produced is the one he will give to River?

Not sure how to rate this one yet. Think I'll sleep on it and maybe watch it again before I do.

 

[Sparky]

I just had a thought. What if the Doctor just created the hybrid by bringing Clara back? She hates the time lords now. What if this half dead/half alive status causes her to go insane and the Doctor has to stop her from destroying Gallifrey next season.