Story: Face the Raven
Written By: Sarah Dollard
Length: 50 Minutes
Year: 2015
After the previous week's misstep with the ill-conceived (and ironically sleep inducing) found footage episode, this unusually strong season gets immediately back on track with "Face the Raven," an episode that brings back Ashildr/Me and ends on an unexpected and sad note.
Rigsy (first seen in last season's "Flatline") calls the TARDIS (having received the number from Clara) and asks for help, as he is missing the memories of an entire day and has a tattoo...a tatoo that is counting down. The Doctor believes it is counting down to his death and there is nothing he can do, but he decides to try anyhow. They search for aliens that may be hiding in London, and they find a Trap Street, a hidden street that no one can find except the refugee aliens living on the street. Ashildr is running the street and is the one who put the tattoo on Rigsy, claiming he murdered one of the streets residence.
It is revealed when another person with this "Quantum Shade" is killed by "The Raven" that the tattoo can be transferred to another person who willingly excepts it. Clara, thinking she has a clever plan, decides to ask Rigsy to give the tattoo to her, thinking the risk is worth this young father going home to his baby. She is also thinking about how Ashildr promised the Doctor that no harm would come to Clara...she figures if anything it will buy them time. Ashildr did say it was absolute. But it all leads to a simple outcome - this was all a trap to get the Doctor. Rigsy never killed anyone, it was just known that he had contact with the Doctor and could get him there. When Ashildr goes to take the tattoo off of Rigsy, it is revealed that in changing it over to Clara...it can't be stopped at all anymore. The Raven is coming for her...and there is absolutely nothing the Doctor can do about it this time.
I knew Clara would be leaving this season...but I had no idea it would be before the season was out. When she actually died, I was kind of shocked. I thought if she was leaving at the end of the season it was possible death could come to her, because her increased recklessness has definitely been a theme this series. I just thought it would be in the finale, not with two episodes left to go. Nice shock there Moffat and co!
In the end the Clara is dead, and the Doctor warns Ashildr that even though Clara wanted no revenge carried out in her name, she better stay out of his way. He is then transported away, by who ever Ahildr is working with...and we are left wondering what lies ahead for the Doctor this season.
I really liked this episode, great character stuff and some good Doctor Who-like ideas. Plenty to enjoy here. It is all wonderfully moody and atmospheric, and it has a fine story that takes a sharp turn I honestly didn't see coming. The final scene between the Doctor and Clara is wonderfully performed by our two leads, and once again a simple scene with characters and no effects elevates this episode...what a season we are having this year!
NEXT TIME: The Doctor All Alone
Written By: Sarah Dollard
Length: 50 Minutes
Year: 2015
After the previous week's misstep with the ill-conceived (and ironically sleep inducing) found footage episode, this unusually strong season gets immediately back on track with "Face the Raven," an episode that brings back Ashildr/Me and ends on an unexpected and sad note.
It is revealed when another person with this "Quantum Shade" is killed by "The Raven" that the tattoo can be transferred to another person who willingly excepts it. Clara, thinking she has a clever plan, decides to ask Rigsy to give the tattoo to her, thinking the risk is worth this young father going home to his baby. She is also thinking about how Ashildr promised the Doctor that no harm would come to Clara...she figures if anything it will buy them time. Ashildr did say it was absolute. But it all leads to a simple outcome - this was all a trap to get the Doctor. Rigsy never killed anyone, it was just known that he had contact with the Doctor and could get him there. When Ashildr goes to take the tattoo off of Rigsy, it is revealed that in changing it over to Clara...it can't be stopped at all anymore. The Raven is coming for her...and there is absolutely nothing the Doctor can do about it this time.
I knew Clara would be leaving this season...but I had no idea it would be before the season was out. When she actually died, I was kind of shocked. I thought if she was leaving at the end of the season it was possible death could come to her, because her increased recklessness has definitely been a theme this series. I just thought it would be in the finale, not with two episodes left to go. Nice shock there Moffat and co!
In the end the Clara is dead, and the Doctor warns Ashildr that even though Clara wanted no revenge carried out in her name, she better stay out of his way. He is then transported away, by who ever Ahildr is working with...and we are left wondering what lies ahead for the Doctor this season.
I really liked this episode, great character stuff and some good Doctor Who-like ideas. Plenty to enjoy here. It is all wonderfully moody and atmospheric, and it has a fine story that takes a sharp turn I honestly didn't see coming. The final scene between the Doctor and Clara is wonderfully performed by our two leads, and once again a simple scene with characters and no effects elevates this episode...what a season we are having this year!
NEXT TIME: The Doctor All Alone
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