Rate & Discuss: Face the Raven
The Doctor and Clara, with their old friend Rigsy, find themselves in a magical alien world, hidden on a street in the heart of London. Sheltered within are some of the most fearsome creatures of the universe… and Ashildr! With a death sentence hanging over their heads, not all of the intruders will get out alive.
After last weekend’s innovative adventure (it was Sleep No More, by the way, just in case you’ve blocked it out of your memory for whatever reason), Doctor Who went back to what we know and love tonight for what’s been one of Series 9’s most anticipated episodes yet.
And, in true Doctor Who fashion, it was one of those anticipated episodes that we literally knew nothing about. Which is, you know, fun. We did know, however, that it would feature the return of two familiar faces in the form of Maisie Williams as Ashildr – who hadn’t seen the Doctor for centuries – and Joivan Wade as Rigsy, who, erm… last saw the Doctor much more recently (last year, in fact). Poor old Rigsy called upon Team TARDIS for help when he discovered a mysterious tattoo counting down to his untimely demise which meant that it was time for our heroes to Face the Raven by journeying to a magical alien world that probably reminded you of Harry Potter. Unfortunately, not everybody would get out alive…
So, that was Face the Raven and this is where you can tell us what you thought of it! There were shocks and surprises around every hidden corner but were you ultimately impressed by Sarah Dollard’s Whoniversal debut? After that cliffhanger, it’s now full steam ahead as we countdown to Heaven Sent, but what will lie in store for the Doctor in the first chapter of this year’s highly anticipated series finale? We have no idea, but we’re terrified already…
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NOTE: This discussion will NOT be spoiler monitored so please do not read the comments if you haven’t seen Face the Raven. You have been warned!
I gotta say, When that ending happened I am not convinced as I have read something about the last two episodes. I am convinced there are a still a couple more scenes that have been shot and saved for the last two episodes
2 main reasons I loved this episode.
1/ A writer that can actually write, and
2/ CLARA’S DEAD!!!!
Yippee!!!!!!!!!1
Jenna was fantastic in last night’s episode. The end was quite moving. Sniff!
I am hoping there will be a “Happy Ever After in the Afterlife” type scene in the finale.
Not that I believe in the Afterlife but in the terms of DW it’s fine ;)
In Series 8, my unhappiness with the quality of the series meant that I decided to stop hoping to be emotionally thrilled or moved by the rest of the series and after I did, I took the rest of the series at face value and could actually watch without the weight of my own expectations.
That time, with only two episodes left, has come for Series 9. When the companion dies and you feel absolutely nothing, that is terrifying as a fan.
The episode itself was largely vacuous. The setup was good, streets with aliens living together that shouldn’t have been able to, Rigsy having visited before with no memory of it because of retcon, famously used by Torchwood, but then it went no where. Ashildr, The Doctor, Clara and Rigsy just stood around talking for most of the episode. The setting was good, but there was very little plot.
The Doctor’s evil side coming out is problematic for two reasons. Firstly, that’s not the Doctor I know. Yes, the 11th Doctor hid in the clouds after the Angels got Amy and Rory, but such open aggression and threat …… The Master would be proud.
Secondly, having said that, the aggression from the 12th Doctor isn’t shocking to me and that’s because it isn’t much of a contrast. The 12th Doctor has always been dark, slow to care and serious, so moving it up a notch isn’t too difficult to take.
In contrast, you have the 10th Doctor. Bright, bouncy, Allon-sy and then he’d change. A shadow almost formed over his brow and it was like black clouds on a sunny day. His behaviour at the end of Waters of Mars was shocking, the Time Lord victorious, the winner of the Time War who time itself would obey. Scenes to get your heart beating faster. It was the contrast that did it. The 12th Doctor has threatened darkness since the beginning.
Some believe this is a sign of The Valeyard showing through, in which case will 2016’s series be called Valeyard Who? Granted, the 13th Doctor trying to redeem himself is an interesting idea, but like the War Doctor, he wouldn’t be The Doctor.
So, in finishing this long review, I am going to take the rest of this series at face value. No hopes, no expectations and if I happen to like something, great.