Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Series 7 marked its conclusion in The Name of the Doctor on Saturday as its shocking cliffhanger was met with a tidal wave of reactions from fans and critics alike.
You can check out what you have been saying about it here but now it’s time to see what the press made of it – and it’s very good news! The general consensus is that the Series 7 finale was a rip-roaring success as the Telegraph says this series “finished on a high” with a climax “full of high-stakes drama, head-spinning twists and surprises”.
The praise continues over at the Independent, who think the “utterly brilliant” climactic adventure had “everything you could want from a good episode ofDoctor Who”. It was “an astonishing finale” writes the Radio Times, while the Guardian describes Steven Moffat’s “mindbending” script as “possibly the best finale we’ve seen”. According to SFX, the finale delivered “big time” with its “kaleidoscope of nostalgia” and “stunning visuals”.
In the overnight ratings department the dramatic episode was watched by 5.46 million.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
This weekend the world of Doctor Who as we know and love it was shaken by the big revelations in the Series 7 final and it has definitely got us all talking!
We were promised an “epic and huge” climax to the series and that we did get, as Steven Moffat once again proved he doesn’t do things by halves. The end credits rolled and the nation tried to digested its gigantanormus cliffhanger as you took to our episode discussion to share your initial thoughts, and here’s our round up of some of your reactions so far…
The Name of the Doctor was “fast paced, emotional and truly captivating” writes pirko, who hails it as “the best season finale that Moffat has delivered”. These sentiments were shared by David, who described it as “a wonderful finale”. “I really loved that episode,” added Blink. “It ended, and I instantly played it again.” According to Profzed “it was an incredible episode”, as joshrr summarised his thoughts using one word: “Spectacular”.
However the episode hasn’t been received as favourably by all. Steve suggests Steven Moffat’s “destroyed the worlds best Sci Fi” show while JC remained on the fence saying the episode was “only a so-so” one, although it had its fair share of “interesting bits” too.
Well an episode like this was always going to spark debate right? Thank you to everyone who’s shared their views with us already, and if you haven’t yet you can get involved in the conversation here. Please avoid the comments if you haven’t yet seen this episode, as all of its events (and we mean ALL) are being openly discussed. Have fun, Whovians!
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Steven Moffat has released a message via the official site to thank the fans who kept the Series 7 finale a secret.
Preordered copies of the boxset were accidentally sent out early which meant there was a danger of The Name of the Doctor details leaking out before its transmission. After the BBC urged fans to keep the information under wraps, none of the details made it to the web (hurrah!) which meant the rest of us could enjoy the finale in all its glory – thank you! And the showrunner had this to say…
Well that was all a bit Keystone Cops, wasn’t it? Our biggest surprise, our most secret episode, a revelation about the Doctor that changes everything…
…and we’d have got away with it too, if we hadn’t accidentally sent Blu Ray copies of The Name of the Doctor to 210 Doctor Who fans in America.
Erm – security-wise, that’s not GOOD, is it? I mean, it’s not top notch, it’s hard to defend as professional level, hard-line secrecy.
My favourite fact is that they’re BLU RAYS. Listen, we don’t just leak any old rubbish, we leak in high def. 1080p or nothing, that’s us. Every last pixel in beautifully rendered detail. It’s like getting caught extra naked.
But here’s the thing. Never mind us blundering fools, check out the fans. 210 of them, with the top secret episode in their grasp – and because we asked nicely, they didn’t breathe a word. Not one. Even Doctor Who websites have been closing their comments sections, just in case anyone blurts. I’m gobsmacked. I’m impressed. Actually, I’m humbled. And we are all very grateful.
Now you might be thinking, what does all this matter? It’s a plot development in the mad old fantasy world of Doctor Who, why is that important? Well of course, it’s not important, and in the scheme of things, it doesn’t matter at all. Just as it doesn’t matter when you’re telling a joke, and some idiot shouts out the punchline before you finish. It’s irritating, that’s all. It’s bad manners.
Well no bad manners here! 210 Doctor Who fans kept the secret, and many, many more fans helped. I wish I could send you all flowers, but I don’t know where you live (and given our record, you really shouldn’t be sharing private information with us.)
More proof (not that we needed it) that Whovians are the best fans in the entire cosmos!
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Clara is summoned to an impossible conference call, alerting her that the deadly Whisper Men are closing in on Vastra, Jenny and Strax. Someone is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him toward the one place in all of time and space that he should never go.
So there we have it. Series 7 reached its huge climax tonight as secrets were revealed.
It was the one we have all been waiting for with the hours of anticipation and speculation all leading up to this moment. The question on everybody’s lips has been “Clara who?” and we’ve all been concocting our own theories as to who this “impossible” girl might be after we met in Asylum of the Daleks. Unlike the Doctor, we were expecting her to pop up again in The Snowmen, and he has been on a mission of discovery ever since…
As well as that, the Doctor had to deal with the consequences of his “greatest secret”, which laid hanging in the balance as the Great Intelligence returned to lead him towards the one place in time and space he should never visit. Ready and waiting for our Time Lord at the fields of Trenzalore was a trap ready to unravel his past, present and future.
On paper The Name of the Doctor was an epic adventure which spanned the history of the series itself, as everything was set in place for the next time we see the Doctor later this year in November’s 50th anniversary extravaganza (no biggie!). So what did you make of tonight’s events? It is said they’ll “change the course of Who” forever, but is it a change for the better? Were the answers we got a worthy pay off? And what about that ending – the “moment of all moments”? There is lots to be said about the finale – and then some – and one place to do it so discuss all the drama below. Spoilers!
Stick with us as we bring you all the post-Series 7 news and prepare for something big…
The Name of the Doctor will be revealed to the Whovians of the world (probably… maybe…) in just two days time, and in case you needed some more teasing here’s a few words from Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman!
In an introduction to the episode the Clara Oswald actress describes the finale, in which her “impossible” character’s identity will be discovered, as “such a treat for the fans”. “It goes somewhere dark and completely new,” she teases, as the Doctor himself adds: “The team is back together.”
He continued: “Throughout this series we have been building up to the revelation in this episode then it kicks us on somewhere else. The ending’s just the moment of moments.”
And here’s a field report from Strax who will be returning alongside Vastra and Jenny…
The “epic and huge” series finale will air on Saturday (18th May) at 7pm on BBC One.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
We’re just 3 days away from this year’s “epic and huge” (Jenna’s words, not ours!) series finale and what is arguably one of the most talked about episodes in Who history.
Of course that’s to be expected with a name like The Name of the Doctor – the climax to Clara’s first series “couldn’t be much bigger”, as the “impossible” girl’s truth will at long last be revealed and that will just be the start of the big drama ahead. There is also that small matter of the Doctor’s “greatest secret” to unravel – and all in 45 minutes too!
As well as all that the Great Intelligence is back and so is River Song as old friends unite to protect the Doctor from a deadly trap which threatens his past, present and future. In December, Steven said the finale contains “more than you think could possibly happen in one episode”. “It’s got some serious fanboy-pleasing going on in it,” he’s teased SFX.
So there’s plenty to be said about the finale and we know you’ve got your own theories to add to the mix. Click the links below to share the speculation on the events that “will change the course of Who” forever – and do not miss its epic trailers and prequel!
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Jenna-Louise Coleman has revealed that Saturday’s big final of Doctor Who “couldn’t be much bigger”.
In The Name of the Doctor there will be lots of surprises as Clara’s “impossible” identity is revealed along with the Doctor’s “greatest secret”, and who knows what else? In an interview with What’s On TV, the actress teased that the stakes have never been higher. “It is a huge episode,” she said. “It leads nicely to the amazing 50th anniversary this November.”
She reaffirmed that the events of the finale will alter “the direction of the show forever”, promising: “What happens to both Clara and the Doctor really bonds them together. It is transformational and revelatory.” And their relationship will feel “a lot freer” after it is all out in the open. “What’s been interesting filming the 50th is that all of that’s been lifted away,” Jenna explained. “It is all about those two and spending time together. It’s a nice change and it’ll be interesting to see where it goes with Clara and the Doctor from here.”
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Jenna-Louise Coleman takes the cover of this week’s Radio Times ahead of the highly anticipated series finale.
Inside the actress reflects on her first series in the TARDIS and the mysteries that have surrounded her character Clara ahead of their resolutions in Saturday’s finale.
“Richard E. Grant is back with his evil Great Intelligence, the Doctor’s greatest secret is revealed,” she teased. “All of his friends rally round to protect him.”
She promises: “We finally learn why the Doctor has met Clara so many different times.”
Read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times, on sale today (Tuesday) priced £1.60.
The final, which is “filled with drama”, airs on Saturday night from 7pm on BBC One.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Now we have all recovered from the Nightmare in Silver, it’s time to see what the critics had to say!
The Guardian has kicked off the proceedings by describing Neil Gaiman’s script as “whimsical but effective” while SFX’s review says it was “only a partial success”. Their sentiments are shared by the Telegraph, who note it had the “Marmite effect”. The episode “failed to live up to the hype” according to the Independent although they do praise Matt Smith for his “impressive” peformance throughout.
There’s more mixed reviews over at CraveOnline and Radio Times – the first ponders over “what it could have been” as the latter describe it as “an almighty Cyber flop”. That is what they have to say - have yours here. This episode was watched by 4.7 million.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
A number of fans who had ordered Series 7: Part 2 on DVD have had a shock delivery with the arrival of the boxset SIX days before the transmission of the final episode.
This has naturally caused quite a stir across fan forums and social networking sites and we’d like to reassure our visitors that we will NOT be revealing any plot information or details from The Name of the Doctor – as a precaution, we have decided to put commenting on moderation in the build up to the episode so nothing unnecessary slips through the net.
This means you will still be able to comment and have your say on our articles, but your posts won’t appear straight away while we check their suitability. The majority of fans – including us – don’t want to know anything, and not only is it more gratifying to wait and watch new episodes live, it is also respectful to the cast and crew who work tirelessly to produce the show we all adore. Help us help them tell their story how it should be told…
We’ll leave you with this tweet from the BBC Doctor Who Twitter for an added incentive:
…and that’s worth not knowing, right!? Come on Whovians, no spoilers – we can do this!
The Name of the Doctor airs Saturday 18th May at 7pm on BBC One. See the trailers!
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