"I'm not A Doctor. I am THE Doctor. The original, you might say" Firstly, there's a couple of audio issues in the first 10 minutes. Sorry about that. That'll be fixed in the marathon version next year. But until then, be sure to hit that "like" button and leave any comment down below to appease the almighty algorithm!
14:48-14:54 2017 was a rough year for me so I wasn’t really keeping track on Doctor who around that time but when I saw this episode I was completely taken off guard!! I thought it was an amazing twist at the time and had they done a better job of keeping it quiet it would’ve definitely been up there with the greatest twists in the show👌🏻👍🏻
I don't get how you think the first Mondasians being in a state worse than death and begging Bill to kill them is fine but Dark Water was "too dark". Seems ridiculously hypocritical And The Master reveal did take me completely by surprise
I honestly always thought Bills last lines about her sexuality was her way of saying she loved him (in a platonic way) since she says: ”You know how I’m usually all about women - and kind of people my own age” - i.e. that’s the people I usually love but I also love you who don’t fit into those categories.
I agree. My reading was that she started preparing to tell him she loved him platonically, but like Nardole with the two of them later on, she couldn't really find the words for their relationship
The most beautiful thing about Capaldi’s Doctor is that not only was he arguably one of the most sincere but you could also edit in Malcolm Tucker clips of him swearing up at storm and it wouldn’t be out of character whatsoever
I found it boring, contrived, and silly. Two Masters and the Cybermen working together is just a rehash of series 8's finale. Bill's death was a plot device that was totally avoidable. Some of the dialogue is unnecessary and dated commentary. It's just a mess.
@@bluehero-96, except the Cybermen were basically slaves to Missy in series 8 and actively fight against both Masters in series 10. Bill doesn’t die and her conversion is a necessary thing to happen if you want to focus on the body horror aspect of the Cybermen. This varies from person to person but I personally love the dialogue, it’s much more poignant than we get nowadays with 13.
Finally, someone who gets Bill's reference to her sexuality in her final scene with the doctor! It's not "wokeness" or some other bullshit, it's bill being genuinely thankful for having a friend she can share anything with and not have to worry about being judge. It's a great note for them to end on in my eyes
I feel the same way because I too am not out of the closet to my parents but with strangers or friends I (can) let them know that i am trans. It's much more easier somehow. But I wonder whether, if I were to travel with the Doctor and meet my parents when they were younger, I would be more open to them because they wouldn't know me yet and vice versa...that would be an interesting story to explore with a character in a time travel TV series.
No. It was a joke, read the script. Bill says "You know how I'm into women, and kinda people my own age?" which inflates the Doctor's ego, thinking she's gonna say she loves him, only for her to say "Glad you knew that." She knew she was playing with his vanity, just messing around.
@@nightowl8477 I understood the scene to be Bill actually telling the Doctor that she loved him without explicitly saying it. It doesn't make sense for Bill to be poking fun at him in the context of that scene, and the delivery of "glad you knew that" is more bittersweet than playful. The Doctor's belated reaction that he has after she leaves is also presented to be pretty serious.
This is top tier Doctor Who. A legendary story that's one of the best Cybermen narratives, a brilliant dual Master story and finally, *finally* a finale (and series) worthy of Peter Capaldi's magnificent talents. Pretty much everything about this one works, but deep down it is frustrating in aspects that aren't exactly its fault - it's not Capaldi's regeneration, and it took him this long to get a good, memorable finale. Still, ignoring the stuff after it as well as the wider context of the era it's a part of, this is a majestic piece of television - epic, emotional, grandiose, sombre, high concept and brilliant. Easily the best finale of the past ten years (since Big Bang) and without a doubt my favourite Twelfth Doctor story. If only he was written this well throughout his run! He would've easily been my favourite if that was the case.
Count me among the people who didn't see through the Simm Master's disguise. I knew John Simm was returning and I'd seen the promotion for it, but weirdly this worked as an accidental double bluff. Because his return was in no way a secret, I didn't expect that his appearance would be played as a surprise within the episode itself, so I wasn't looking out for it. I'm glad pretty much everyone agrees how great this story was. Such a high point to end the Capaldi era on! Which does make Twice Upon a Time a shame. Though I can't quite fully commit to the "fever dream" headcanon, because TUaT does tidy up the loose ends of The Doctor not remembering Clara, and that he never found out about Bill's water deity rescue. I wouldn't want those revelations gone.
Rachael Talalay is such a fantastic director, this two-parter is some of her best work and as such it's got some of the best direction of any Doctor Who story ever, in my opinion. There are so many fantastic moments here. The image of the Mondasian Cyberman holding the Doctor's body, the two Masters facing off, the shot of the Doctor wielding the Screwdriver as he goes into battle - Rachael Talalay just gets it, and out of interest she also directed Dark Water, Death in Heaven, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, all of which also have some truly beautiful imagery.
I used to *love* World Enough and Time while finding The Doctor Falls pretty boring and unengaging. Looking back on it more recently, I honestly think the whole two parter is one of the better finales the show has had. It’s all really impactful.
So, the reveal of the cybermen were spoiled for me in a series 10 trailer I got as ab ad on youtube, so when I saw the cloth faced patients I knew it was the cybermen, but razor came off as some nice, caring person, I honestly expected him to be converted, and for bill to suffer through lossing someone she'd been friends with for 10 years, her grief causing her to get angry at the doctor, for him to having wasted the time as to flip his screwdriver for 3 months when that tiny waste of time killed her best friends. The reveal took me by COMPLETE suprise I loved the set up, I imagined a mad dash to the top floor for the tardis team whilst being chased by cybermen, who're tearing the ship apart racing for the tardis, their last hope of survival. But the reveal of simons and the converstion of bill rocked me. Though I did feel disappointed at the true finale.
I really like the idea of the Mondasian Cybermen eventually into the Cybus-men and eventually into the Nightmare-in-Silver Cybermen over the course of the years. As well as The Doctor's speech about how the Cybermen are inevitable, whether that's on Earth, Mondas, Telos, Marinus or wherever. Humankind will always find ways to survive - Cybermen are but one way of achieving that.
The only thing this story needed to do to be perfect, or at least free of complaint-worthy issues for me, was have the Doctor actually regenerate when he's lying on the floor of the TARDIS and his forehead starts to glow, as was originally planned (they only made Twice Upon A Time because they would've lost the show's Christmas slot without it). That way, Capaldi would have had his final stand, and his last words would've been, "Pity, no stars... I hoped there's be stars" - I was tearing up as you played that clip, no lie. Even with the ending we got, it's my favourite finale, hands down, and Capaldi's second best episode after Heaven Sent. And while you do lose the body horror element of the Cybermen in The Doctor Falls, the hopeless situation the Doctor is forced into really makes them a proper threat for me - he has to blow up an entire floor, killing himself in the process, just to slow them down. Also, the speech about kindness is terrific, and the line "Without hope, without witness, without reward" has been stuck in my head since I first heard it - I mean, I can quote most of the episode off the top of my head and recite that speech almost word for word, but that line in paticular has embedded itself in my memory, permanently at this point. Also, I have confidence that the Razor disguise would've fooled people if John Simm hadn't been announced, because I didn't realise it was him until his conversation with Missy, and that was only because he started dropping lines like "Oh, you really have been here before" and that comment about not being self-destructive.
Ugh, it pisses me off so much that this wasn't Capaldi's last story. Not only had up until this point Moffat more or less redeemed himself from past finales and story arcs, but it's just a much more interesting end for 12 than the pointless Twice Upon a Time... I'd even have sacrificed not having a Christmas Special to have Jodie be brought in at the end of this story and wait even longer to get her first story, than to have the forced Twice Upon a Time
I mean Twice Upon a Time is meant to give this doctor a more happy end (as well as the knowledge that his companions did survive and live long happy lives). It was meant to get rid of any baggage left over from Moffat’s era. To allow for a clean break for the next show runner.
From what I have seen from articles over the past few years. It seems like Chibnall did not want to start on a Christmas special, and Moffat didn't want the show to lose its Christmas slot, so decided to make one more episode. It ended up being pointless anyway, as Chibnall went away with the Christmas spot the next year.
"It's a big universe, but maybe one day we'll find her (Heather)" - 12 inviting Bill into the Tardis. "It's a big universe, but I hope i'll see you again" - Bill leaving the Tardis to travel with Heather. A lot of people have issues with Bill's departure from the show, saying it would have been best if she died as a Cybermen, but she did not deserve that. It was a beautiful departure for her.
@@marinettedorien8236 Do they? Because Jack is literally immortal. And every other companion "died" in a way except Martha, Clara and Bill. They don't have a habit of killing gay characters, they do it for all. You're just looking at it warped.
@@midgetwars1 I’m talking about tv and film, not specifically Dr who. I presume you misread my comment. There is a media trope of killing off gay characters that goes all the way back to when homosexuality was still illegal and you were not allowed positive portrayals in the media, and even though we have legally changed the trope still survives. I was glad that that didn’t happen
These two episodes are my favorites of the entire revived series. It’s insane to think that moffat stuck the landing this hard after such a rocky tenure, he was back to full form here and it’s incredible to witness. 12 is also my doctor, and he’s at his pinnacle in this story.
I remember Nerd cubed response to this story. How this wasn’t what Doctor Who is or how it shouldn’t be dark. Which, imo, shows how little he understands about the show.
Doctor Who has always had dark moments, ever since Hartnell picked up a rock intending to brain a caveman in the very first story. Some of the very best stories have had a very dark feel indeed: Mind of Evil, Genesis of the Daleks, Caves of Androzani, Vengeance on Varos.... and so on, right through to the modern era.
@@highvoltage7797 I wouldn't be surprised. The "cheeky Cockney chappie" persona of the 10th, and the "eccentric geeky boyfriend" that was the 11th may have skewed the perception of the Doctor for those who imprinted on them. However, excellent though 10 and 11 certainly were, they were rather atypical of the Doctor when seen in the context of the show's much longer history. Eccleston and Capaldi were far more attuned to the Doctor as I know and love him.
Usually the character arc would be the idealist becomes more jaded and cynical, so I really appreciated the 12th Doctor’s development from the cruel, cold grump to the warmer, kinder rock star.
The Mondasian Cybermen were always the most frightening version. The fact you can see there's still something left of the human they were and the sing song voice makes them really haunting. The Simm Master turning up took me by surprise and Missy choosing to stand with the Doctor only to be shot in the back by themself shows that The Master was always their own worst enemy. Great two parter.
There is a bit of head-canon off this episode that I remember reading back when this aired and I still like. It was suggested that the Masters might not be regenerating in the same order as the Doctors (see also River). At no point do we see Simm's Master turn into Missy, so there is no requirement for them to be consecutive regenerations. It was suggested instead that Simm's Master turned into Delgardo's Master (suit, goatee, attitude, broken TARDIS piece) instead.
I don't think Simm can have turned into Delgado, Jacobi then Simm are explicitly revived versions of the Master brought back to fight in the Time War who then ran from it. There's a pretty well laid out progression from Delgado who is said to be in the original regeneration cycle, to the husk that ran out of regenerations seen in Deadly Assassin, to him bodyjacking Tremas (Ainley Master) to Bruce from the McGann movie. It's pretty easy to imagine given the state he was in as the Bruce version post execution and how he got trapped in the Eye of Harmony that the Time Lords could've revived him from that state. So Delgado to Simm basically happens in the chronological order that we see them. The only ones that can really be contested are Missy and Spy Master who are both post-Simm.
While I knew John Simm was returning I didn’t know he would be Razor. In fact when he revealed himself to be the Master I thought his disguise was played by a different actor.
"I thought his disguise was played by a different actor" Lol, when first watching World Enough and Time I honestly thought that it was Mark Gatiss under all those prosthetics!
"Very fast Bottom" Fun Fact. The final minute of The Doctor Falls suffered a sound error in Scotland on its Broadcast. So I witnessed David Bradley's Reveal with a funny crackling noise...
His comments near the beginning about Master Who makes me WANT that to happen. Michelle Gomez hamming it up, Matt Lucas being himself, Pearl Mackie being the straight man and Peter Capaldi doing Mystery Science Theatre commentary over the whole thing? Is... Is there a petition I can sign for Big Finish to make a Special out of this idea?
I only just noticed during the close up of Bill's eye at the end of World Enough and Time that her tear that rolls down her cheek trickles down at the same angle as the tear ducts in other Cybermen designs. That is sublime attention to detail.
as a kid when i watched this not rlly interacting with the fandom and had no idea about most news not even peter capaldis eventual regeneration , i was completely surprised by the masters reveal and never saw it coming. then again i was a kid tho.
Had it not been for 'Twice Upon a Time', this would have been the best regeneration story of the modern era since 'Bad Wolf'/'The Parting of the Ways'.
Clara and Bill wouldve loved each other ❤ they literally have the same stories: they get converted but are strong enough to overcome their programing, the doctor inadvertently gets them killed and they're both made immortal and get to travel space. I like how even though they have similar stories the way they come to they're fates is different. Like Clara travels in a tardis and bill travels as light. Or how Clara is basically just one of those paintings the timelords male just walking around, bill is made out of space liquid.
Makes me laugh people get upset and pissed off over the Dark Water cremation part but people in so much chronic pain crying for death is perfectly ok? Oh the irony
I knew Jon Simm’s Master was returning and I was still caught off by the reveal. I assumed he would show up as himself near the end, I didn’t go into it expecting a disguise or anything. I had completely forgotten that the Master wore disguises in his earlier appearances, they sort of stopped doing that after Delgado’s Master. I didn’t know about “Time Flight” disguise at the time I watched the episode.
I was sooo worried that i'd end up hating this story Instead i really love it Hand on heart: I knew that the Master was coming back, yet i was STILL fooled by Razor. I even had to Google in order to make sure that Simm was dressed as Razor the whole time
I knew he was coming back when it was first announced but I think I had forgotten by the time I watched the episode, even with the next time trailer. I was completely fooled by Razor's mask, it didn't even occur to me that Razor could be anyone but who they said they were. Well I say completely fooled but I only really mean up until Missy and Razor meet and he says "you would never be so self destructive" and I had a proper wide eyed "oh shit" moment because that is the exact thing I would say if I had met myself.
When this episode first aired I'd fallen out of love with the show, I still watched it but didn't pay nearly as much attention as I used to. I knew John Simm was coming back but in the weeks since the Pilot, I had forgotten. The Razor disguise absolutely fooled me. This story reignited my love for the show.
The phrase "My Doctor" is fascinating to me because its meaning is different depending on who you ask and, for me at least, "My Doctor" has changed over time and will likely continue to change. Right here and now, I'd personally define "My Doctor" as being the one whom I most aspire towards, whom I'd wish to embody if the situation ever called for it. And for me, here and now? My Doctor is the one in The Doctor Falls: the one who chooses to help as much as he can, even if it won't amount to all that much, because it's all he can do. He's a hero not because he sets out to be, but because he can't bear to see others in pain, and will even pay the ultimate price if it just buys a little more time for others. Because it's right, because it's decent, and above all, it's kind. Just that - just kind. Not only did Moffat and Capaldi give us this ideal in their partnership, but they also made it attainable for anybody. That speech to Davros in The Witch's Familiar? Even the Doctor struggles to be the Doctor but tries anyway because he knows he ought to. And in Heaven Sent, he perseveres across unimaginable centuries of torture and grief, just to save his friend, and to right the injustice done to them both. I may love all the Doctors, and I may have issues with this era of the programme, but this review does remind me of the wonderful gifts Steven Moffat brought to Doctor Who - and why Peter Capaldi is "My Doctor".
I genuinely was surprised by the Simm reveal, even having seen the announcement of his return (but not the Next Time trailer). However, I think I may be unrepresentative - I have never failed to be fooled by a Master disguise in any episode, TV or audio, classic or new. It’s getting embarrassing.
I love The Doctor Falls so much. It's an emotional and musical roller-coaster that I just love every second of. My favourite scene is where The Doctor holds out the apple saying "Humanity's first weapon" then the Master says "Tempting... isn't it" before the shot moves on. That was just amazing. The only thing lacking is the visual effects, but that's something I can easily ignore.
Honestly, this was the last time I truly cared about Doctor Who. Sure, I popped back in for the Christmas special and the Series 11 and 12 debuts, but after jumping onto Doctor Who with Series 5, I think I have moved on for now. I have let go. Maybe I will come back, but what a note to go out on.
This is my 2nd favourite Doctor Who story of all time (Heaven Sent is my no.1) and you articulated my own thoughts perfectly! Great video! The scene where Missy and the Master end up killing each other is also one of my all time favourite moments in the show. It echoes a previous line by Bill - "I don't want to live if I can't be me." And likewise the Master doesn't want to live if he can't be him - urgo killing Missy. I also love how Murray Gold steps back when Capaldi gives his "Where I fall" speech. Gives it a very different feel compared to some of the loud epic matt smith speeches which I love. Once again, great analysis for one of the best Doctor who stories!
32:44 "It's not a bias, it's having the same standards..." Which is admirable, but I don't see the same forensic levels of criticism deployed to the same lacerating effect on stories of the Davies and Chibnall eras. But then, perhaps I'm over-sensitive. Great analysis of this two-parter, by the way.
I didn't see the announcement, and I left the room after the previous episode finished so didn't see the next time trailer, and I can confirm that I didn't know that Razor was the Master until the reveal.
Does any one else think it would of been beautiful for Peters last words to be “pity no stars I hoped there’d be starts” and after saying that he regenerated. I personally think this would of been the perfect way for Peter to go no big speeches needed no Christmas special
Beautiful review, thank you! IIRC, Moffat had more time to work on this series than he'd had previously, due to a reduction in other commitments, and it shows. The crap special notwithstanding, especially if that was due to difficulties behind the scenes.
Ironic that a finale featuring the emotionless Cybermen could leave us feeling so emotional. The entirety of the Doctors’ sacrifice and Bills’ ending hits in a way I can’t even describe. As does the “I am not upset” scene. And the Doctor’s speech. Hell, most of this entire finale does.
I love the concept of what happens to Bill at the start of the episode so much because you're right even if the doctor hadn't trusted Missy to do this adventure i think there was no way that guy wasn't going to shoot her. And like we've never really seen adventure go wrong this quickly in Who. Its interesting moreso than other starts to an episode.
Yeah, it's alright, isn't it? No, but seriously, World Enough and Time/The Doctor Falls is easily my third favorite finale of the revived series. It is the best Cyberman story of the New Series (possibly of the TV series overall), it is the best Master story of the revived series, and it is the best Twelfth Doctor story. I didn't enjoy Peter Capaldi's first two seasons as the Doctor through no fault of his own, and I am pleased that his run ended on such a high note. Same with Steven Moffat, who has written some of my favorite stories as well as some of my least favorite. I am so glad his run on Doctor Who ended with such a high. It really is a shame though that there was no Christmas special that year.
World enough and time/ The Doctor Falls is probably my favorite Cyberman story- It gave a horrifying look at a primitive conversion process, seeing the Mondasian Cybermen return in some form was fantastic, and I do like how the ending is rather bittersweet. Definitely my favorite Capaldi story and finale!
Everyone always goes on about how Ten's last moments made them cry but I'm over here and just the clip of "Doctor, I let you go" in this video has me on the verge of tears. Twelve was something else.
I didn't realise it was The Master until he pulled it off. Mainly because I wasn't looking for it. Although granted it is blatantly obvious in retrospect. At the time I didn't see that coming at all.
It's probably the best Cyberman tv story it really is something special, I only realised quite how good it was until the other week when I rewatched it.
This was an absolutly marvelous breakdown of World Enough in Time and The Doctor Falls. It's easily the best finale of Capaldi's run, and probably my favorite episodes of the Twelfth Doctor's tenure. I'm so glad that after stumbling so much at the finish line during Capaldi's finales, that Moffat turned in such a great note for him to end on. But if i can put my two cents in on Twice Upon a Time, I always saw the end of The Doctor Falls as the Doctor having survivors guilt. When you think about how much the Doctor ha been through during Twelve's run. losing fight after fight and loved one after loved one, more then I think the other modern Doctors did, the Doctor was ready to fight against the Cybermen on the ship, but he was also ready to die there. He kept the fight going for as long as he could. When he's lying there in the dirt it looks like he's not even trying to regenerate. But then he survived. He's about to be reborn. But as far as he knows, all of his friends are gone because he couldn't save them no matter how hard he fought. Maybe he surpresses it because he doesn't feel he deserves to keep going, or just wants to rest after centuries of fighting. I think he even expresses something like that after The First Doctor leaves in Twice Upon a Time. But there he learns that not only is there still everlasting good forces in the universe, but it still needs him. And after so much suffering, and fighting with little chance of winning, those few glimmers of hope and humanity, are why he decides to go one more round. But that's just me. I get your sentiment as well. I just wanted to share mine. Sorry this is really long. There's a good chance you won't even read this seeing that it's 3 to 4 paragraphs long, but I just wanted to get that out there after such a thorough and beautifully put together analysis. Happy New Year!
Thought it was a bit odd that the sound effect they use for the mondasian cybermen head weapon is the buzzing noise of the autons in spearhead from space
There’s a lot of great things to say about this story but watching this also reminds me just how great Pearl Mackie was as Bill. Really wish she could have had more seasons with Capaldi, they were a good duo.
Couldn’t agree more with your review. I think this is personally my absolute favourite story from the revived series, it perfectly encapsulates the essence of the eponymous character. It show’s just how fantastic the other characters of series 10 are, especially Bill. Absolutely fantastic TV
I had no clue about Jon Simm as the Master returning. So when I saw Razor, I just thought he was an endearing character, so I had no idea he was just another disguise. When he built up to the reveal, with the "do you still like disguises" It clicked, and suddenly everything became clear and I was in shock.
To answer your question in think he did it in front of a cyberman costume 24:31 you see it's a mid-shot of peter and then the arm of the cyberman, before it cuts back to Bill.
I didn't know Simm was Rasor and it totally blindsided me. The bit about disguises and the way he took off the mask was a phenomenal reference to the Delgado Master in the 70s who always did stuff like that
Bill Potts is equal to Donna Noble for me for the modern series. I loved her! She really shined in this episode (even if it was all really done in a sing song voice :) )
Man I love these two episodes. I for one was well aware that Simm was returning this season, but somehow it never clocked in my brain that he hadn't shown up yet, so when Raza pulls off the mask, I was honestly shocked and blown away!
Yes when I first saw this story I kinda had a feeling that Razor was the Master in disguise, given the Master would often be in disguise in the classic era. BTW Love your joke about cybermen being like pokemon evolving as they go from original 60s design , to RTD era and then Moffat era ones.
Why is it that the 1966 design is still being used by certain Cybermen by the end of the episode after centuries of developing and yet the only other versions were the New Who designs instead of some of the more advanced Classic Who designs... although my head canon is that as well as a Cyber Planner, these Cybermen were led by the Tomb of the Cybermen style of Cyber Controller and an 80s Cyber Leader saying "Excellent!"
I was thinking the same thing. You start off with the original Mondasian Cybermen with their singsongy voices, then you end up skipping the Tomb of the Cybermen models with the vocoder voices, as well as the "excellent" ones from the 80s. But at the same time throwing in the Cybus ones still makes no sense (as that would be a different lineage/origin). It almost like Moffat wanted to make up for the boasts of the Asylum of the Daleks (where all the models old and new were there), but didn't quite get there.
Great review!!! So, although I knew Simm was returning, I somehow did not realise that Razor was the Master. I’ll always be baffled by this (not that the make up wasn’t amazing!!!) but I’ll always be forever grateful as it made the twist all the more amazing!
I watched this for the first time on a blu ray collection. I didn’t start watching the new series until Whittaker, then went back and started from the beginning with Eccleston. All I had heard about this was it had “mondasian cybermen” in it (which I took to be classic Cybermen, not Cybus ones, probably Eathshock vintage, not Tenth Planet) and that “the Master” was in it. Obviously Missy is the Master so I missed that Razor was too. That reveal DID get me.
My first experience with Doctor Who was "The Runaway Bride" I loved David Tennant's character but never thought much about the show. This special is what made me a fan. While the story as a whole is great "World Enough and Time" was amazing! Seeing the Cyberman for the first time, people mid conversion just hitting a "Pain" button just being put on mute; and then that ending. "I am Bill Potts." and the single tear. I get chills every time I watch it.
Whovian here, I remember watching this episode air and holy crap this was a high point, I didnt have the internet at that point so I was detached from the spoilers so razor was really convincing, the point I worked it out was when he said the former prime minister line and I dont think I was that excited about a reveal since gallifrey came back a season prior
I think you really nailed why the smaller-scale episodes can hit so hard sometimes. I love the first half so much just in terms of the aesthetics, the sickly hospital lighting and bare metal everywhere created such an atmosphere of sterility and isolation that did an excellent job subtly indicating where it was going. And...man, while I know the doctor takes precedent in terms of narrative importance, I will never not be devastated about Bill, her sections in the story were so legitimately soul-crushing all the way through (I have never been happier for a deus ex machina, because her subplot tore me apart so badly) For an extra bit of heartbreak, do what I do when rewatching it, take all of Bill's 'human' scenes and imagine all of the dialogue being spoken in the mechanical Cyberman voice. In her actual dialogue it's so angry and impassioned, and something about imagining it all coming through the stiff, tinny machine voice, so limited and restricted and lifeless, it hurts. Part of me almost wishes there was an alternate cut that's just entirely that
I knew John Simm was in it but I didn’t realise Razor was him until he revealed himself so it still got me, although I was expecting him to only show up at the end so perhaps I didn’t realise because I didn’t expect him in this episode
As an old Classic Who aficianado Who grew up in the Pertwee/Baker era I'm only just now catching up on NewWho via streaming this episode caught me totally by surprise having previously read the Target adaptation of The Tenth Planet it was great to see the return of the Mondasian Cybermen and the Master reveal was a total shock never saw that coming at all New Subscriber to your channel luvving your in depth reviews and interviews
I was surprised by Jon Simm's return. I had no earthy idea he was going to be in this story. I only started watching "Doctor Who" for the first time in December 2019 and I finished the modern series this past April (not including series 12, which didn't come out on bluray in the US until June), and I fell in love with it so much that I just HAD to have more! I've been slowly working my way through the classic series ever since (got a pretty sizable collection going now and it's only been a few months). Watching this in 2020, I am SO glad that I wasn't watching/keeping up with the show when this episode aired because the Master reveal had me FLOORED! I was definitely expecting the heel-turn and betrayal from Razor but to find out that he was the Master all along was just a gut punch on a level that I had not anticipated and was not prepared for. In retrospect it's pretty obvious that Razor is Jon Simm (it even looks like him!), but because I had no idea he was coming back to the show, his disguise fooled me all the way and this story continues to be one of my favorites, if for no other reason than that f-ing awesome double/triple plot-twist... but also it's just a really good story in general.
14:50 I don't pay attention much to the Next Time trailers in terms of focusing on the background and stuff so I don't think I realized that Razor was John Simm at all until the ending reveal. I remember the big thing that got spoiled for me was the David Bradley reveal at the end of the second part because I live in America.
Some how I missed the news about Jon Simms returning. And yeah I didn't see through his disguise and in my opinion his reveal was one of the best twists the show has ever do as I didn't see it coming and I came as a big shock.
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"I'm not A Doctor. I am THE Doctor. The original, you might say"
Firstly, there's a couple of audio issues in the first 10 minutes. Sorry about that. That'll be fixed in the marathon version next year.
But until then, be sure to hit that "like" button and leave any comment down below to appease the almighty algorithm!
14:48-14:54 2017 was a rough year for me so I wasn’t really keeping track on Doctor who around that time but when I saw this episode I was completely taken off guard!! I thought it was an amazing twist at the time and had they done a better job of keeping it quiet it would’ve definitely been up there with the greatest twists in the show👌🏻👍🏻
I don't get how you think the first Mondasians being in a state worse than death and begging Bill to kill them is fine but Dark Water was "too dark". Seems ridiculously hypocritical
And The Master reveal did take me completely by surprise
i genuinly didnt know simm was coming back at the time and it did take me by surprise seeing world enough and time for the first time
I didnt know he was returning and only after Doctor said about him being taken to Gallifrey only then i knew it was him The Master
I didn't know Simm was returning and his reveal caught me completely by suprise. It remains my favorite cliffhanger to this day from that shock alone.
I didn't realize it was him until the reveal either. Jon Simm was my first Master, and no disrespect to Roger Delgado, remains my favorite.
Same with me
I had heard a rumor he was coming back and intentionally avoided confirming it. The reveal still surprised me.
caught me by surprise also.
@@karenhall4645 Missy's actually my favorite.
I honestly always thought Bills last lines about her sexuality was her way of saying she loved him (in a platonic way) since she says: ”You know how I’m usually all about women - and kind of people my own age” - i.e. that’s the people I usually love but I also love you who don’t fit into those categories.
I agree. My reading was that she started preparing to tell him she loved him platonically, but like Nardole with the two of them later on, she couldn't really find the words for their relationship
The most beautiful thing about Capaldi’s Doctor is that not only was he arguably one of the most sincere but you could also edit in Malcolm Tucker clips of him swearing up at storm and it wouldn’t be out of character whatsoever
This is EASILY the best Cybermen story of the revived era, and probably the best since Earthshock. Moffat really outdid himself on this one
No it’s not
@@justsomerandomguyonline1144, I know you despise everything Moffat does, so I wonder what you think his best episode is?
I found it boring, contrived, and silly. Two Masters and the Cybermen working together is just a rehash of series 8's finale. Bill's death was a plot device that was totally avoidable. Some of the dialogue is unnecessary and dated commentary. It's just a mess.
@Nocturne THIS! Such an amazing story!
@@bluehero-96, except the Cybermen were basically slaves to Missy in series 8 and actively fight against both Masters in series 10. Bill doesn’t die and her conversion is a necessary thing to happen if you want to focus on the body horror aspect of the Cybermen. This varies from person to person but I personally love the dialogue, it’s much more poignant than we get nowadays with 13.
Finally, someone who gets Bill's reference to her sexuality in her final scene with the doctor! It's not "wokeness" or some other bullshit, it's bill being genuinely thankful for having a friend she can share anything with and not have to worry about being judge. It's a great note for them to end on in my eyes
I feel the same way because I too am not out of the closet to my parents but with strangers or friends I (can) let them know that i am trans. It's much more easier somehow. But I wonder whether, if I were to travel with the Doctor and meet my parents when they were younger, I would be more open to them because they wouldn't know me yet and vice versa...that would be an interesting story to explore with a character in a time travel TV series.
No. It was a joke, read the script.
Bill says "You know how I'm into women, and kinda people my own age?" which inflates the Doctor's ego, thinking she's gonna say she loves him, only for her to say "Glad you knew that." She knew she was playing with his vanity, just messing around.
@@nightowl8477 I understood the scene to be Bill actually telling the Doctor that she loved him without explicitly saying it. It doesn't make sense for Bill to be poking fun at him in the context of that scene, and the delivery of "glad you knew that" is more bittersweet than playful. The Doctor's belated reaction that he has after she leaves is also presented to be pretty serious.
This is top tier Doctor Who. A legendary story that's one of the best Cybermen narratives, a brilliant dual Master story and finally, *finally* a finale (and series) worthy of Peter Capaldi's magnificent talents. Pretty much everything about this one works, but deep down it is frustrating in aspects that aren't exactly its fault - it's not Capaldi's regeneration, and it took him this long to get a good, memorable finale. Still, ignoring the stuff after it as well as the wider context of the era it's a part of, this is a majestic piece of television - epic, emotional, grandiose, sombre, high concept and brilliant. Easily the best finale of the past ten years (since Big Bang) and without a doubt my favourite Twelfth Doctor story. If only he was written this well throughout his run! He would've easily been my favourite if that was the case.
Count me among the people who didn't see through the Simm Master's disguise. I knew John Simm was returning and I'd seen the promotion for it, but weirdly this worked as an accidental double bluff. Because his return was in no way a secret, I didn't expect that his appearance would be played as a surprise within the episode itself, so I wasn't looking out for it.
I'm glad pretty much everyone agrees how great this story was. Such a high point to end the Capaldi era on! Which does make Twice Upon a Time a shame. Though I can't quite fully commit to the "fever dream" headcanon, because TUaT does tidy up the loose ends of The Doctor not remembering Clara, and that he never found out about Bill's water deity rescue. I wouldn't want those revelations gone.
I didn't see the John Simm twist coming and this is coming from someone who has watched plenty of Master stories where he uses a disguise
Rachael Talalay is such a fantastic director, this two-parter is some of her best work and as such it's got some of the best direction of any Doctor Who story ever, in my opinion. There are so many fantastic moments here. The image of the Mondasian Cyberman holding the Doctor's body, the two Masters facing off, the shot of the Doctor wielding the Screwdriver as he goes into battle - Rachael Talalay just gets it, and out of interest she also directed Dark Water, Death in Heaven, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, all of which also have some truly beautiful imagery.
I used to *love* World Enough and Time while finding The Doctor Falls pretty boring and unengaging. Looking back on it more recently, I honestly think the whole two parter is one of the better finales the show has had. It’s all really impactful.
Did know Simm was in the season, didn't spot he was Razor.
Same.
You’d stare at an eclipse
So, the reveal of the cybermen were spoiled for me in a series 10 trailer I got as ab ad on youtube, so when I saw the cloth faced patients I knew it was the cybermen, but razor came off as some nice, caring person, I honestly expected him to be converted, and for bill to suffer through lossing someone she'd been friends with for 10 years, her grief causing her to get angry at the doctor, for him to having wasted the time as to flip his screwdriver for 3 months when that tiny waste of time killed her best friends. The reveal took me by COMPLETE suprise I loved the set up, I imagined a mad dash to the top floor for the tardis team whilst being chased by cybermen, who're tearing the ship apart racing for the tardis, their last hope of survival. But the reveal of simons and the converstion of bill rocked me. Though I did feel disappointed at the true finale.
I knew about John Simm’s return but I was so invested in the story I completely forgot about him till he revealed his disguise. So yes he did fool me.
Same here. The makeup and Simm's characterisation of Razor completely threw me off the scent.
Same here
I really like the idea of the Mondasian Cybermen eventually into the Cybus-men and eventually into the Nightmare-in-Silver Cybermen over the course of the years. As well as The Doctor's speech about how the Cybermen are inevitable, whether that's on Earth, Mondas, Telos, Marinus or wherever. Humankind will always find ways to survive - Cybermen are but one way of achieving that.
I never thought they would return to the original cloth mask Cybermen designs *and make it work.*
I didn’t get the “leaked memo”, and I honestly didn’t se Razor being the Master til a few seconds before the reveal.
The only thing this story needed to do to be perfect, or at least free of complaint-worthy issues for me, was have the Doctor actually regenerate when he's lying on the floor of the TARDIS and his forehead starts to glow, as was originally planned (they only made Twice Upon A Time because they would've lost the show's Christmas slot without it). That way, Capaldi would have had his final stand, and his last words would've been, "Pity, no stars... I hoped there's be stars" - I was tearing up as you played that clip, no lie.
Even with the ending we got, it's my favourite finale, hands down, and Capaldi's second best episode after Heaven Sent.
And while you do lose the body horror element of the Cybermen in The Doctor Falls, the hopeless situation the Doctor is forced into really makes them a proper threat for me - he has to blow up an entire floor, killing himself in the process, just to slow them down. Also, the speech about kindness is terrific, and the line "Without hope, without witness, without reward" has been stuck in my head since I first heard it - I mean, I can quote most of the episode off the top of my head and recite that speech almost word for word, but that line in paticular has embedded itself in my memory, permanently at this point.
Also, I have confidence that the Razor disguise would've fooled people if John Simm hadn't been announced, because I didn't realise it was him until his conversation with Missy, and that was only because he started dropping lines like "Oh, you really have been here before" and that comment about not being self-destructive.
Ugh, it pisses me off so much that this wasn't Capaldi's last story.
Not only had up until this point Moffat more or less redeemed himself from past finales and story arcs, but it's just a much more interesting end for 12 than the pointless Twice Upon a Time...
I'd even have sacrificed not having a Christmas Special to have Jodie be brought in at the end of this story and wait even longer to get her first story, than to have the forced Twice Upon a Time
I mean Twice Upon a Time is meant to give this doctor a more happy end (as well as the knowledge that his companions did survive and live long happy lives). It was meant to get rid of any baggage left over from Moffat’s era. To allow for a clean break for the next show runner.
In an ideal world the doctor falls would have been the end but in fairness Moffat did it for the right reasons
From what I have seen from articles over the past few years. It seems like Chibnall did not want to start on a Christmas special, and Moffat didn't want the show to lose its Christmas slot, so decided to make one more episode.
It ended up being pointless anyway, as Chibnall went away with the Christmas spot the next year.
Is because Chibnall hates Christmas.
@@mayotango1317 Yes,it is ironic as they haven't had the christmas slot since then as he choose new years day instead
"It's a big universe, but maybe one day we'll find her (Heather)" - 12 inviting Bill into the Tardis.
"It's a big universe, but I hope i'll see you again" - Bill leaving the Tardis to travel with Heather.
A lot of people have issues with Bill's departure from the show, saying it would have been best if she died as a Cybermen, but she did not deserve that. It was a beautiful departure for her.
Define deserve. Because no companion really got the ending they got apart from Martha, Clara and Bill.
@@midgetwars1 Donna still got it worse than any other companion. As she got it all taken away from her.
I was really happy that heather came for Bill, tv and film have a habit of killing of gay characters.
@@marinettedorien8236 Do they? Because Jack is literally immortal. And every other companion "died" in a way except Martha, Clara and Bill.
They don't have a habit of killing gay characters, they do it for all. You're just looking at it warped.
@@midgetwars1 I’m talking about tv and film, not specifically Dr who. I presume you misread my comment. There is a media trope of killing off gay characters that goes all the way back to when homosexuality was still illegal and you were not allowed positive portrayals in the media, and even though we have legally changed the trope still survives. I was glad that that didn’t happen
These two episodes are my favorites of the entire revived series. It’s insane to think that moffat stuck the landing this hard after such a rocky tenure, he was back to full form here and it’s incredible to witness. 12 is also my doctor, and he’s at his pinnacle in this story.
I remember Nerd cubed response to this story. How this wasn’t what Doctor Who is or how it shouldn’t be dark. Which, imo, shows how little he understands about the show.
Doctor Who has always had dark moments, ever since Hartnell picked up a rock intending to brain a caveman in the very first story. Some of the very best stories have had a very dark feel indeed: Mind of Evil, Genesis of the Daleks, Caves of Androzani, Vengeance on Varos.... and so on, right through to the modern era.
@@ftumschk I don’t think he’s ever seen the Classic show. I think Nerd Cubed comes from 10th/11th era of the show.
@@highvoltage7797 I wouldn't be surprised. The "cheeky Cockney chappie" persona of the 10th, and the "eccentric geeky boyfriend" that was the 11th may have skewed the perception of the Doctor for those who imprinted on them. However, excellent though 10 and 11 certainly were, they were rather atypical of the Doctor when seen in the context of the show's much longer history. Eccleston and Capaldi were far more attuned to the Doctor as I know and love him.
Usually the character arc would be the idealist becomes more jaded and cynical, so I really appreciated the 12th Doctor’s development from the cruel, cold grump to the warmer, kinder rock star.
The Mondasian Cybermen were always the most frightening version. The fact you can see there's still something left of the human they were and the sing song voice makes them really haunting. The Simm Master turning up took me by surprise and Missy choosing to stand with the Doctor only to be shot in the back by themself shows that The Master was always their own worst enemy. Great two parter.
There is a bit of head-canon off this episode that I remember reading back when this aired and I still like. It was suggested that the Masters might not be regenerating in the same order as the Doctors (see also River). At no point do we see Simm's Master turn into Missy, so there is no requirement for them to be consecutive regenerations. It was suggested instead that Simm's Master turned into Delgardo's Master (suit, goatee, attitude, broken TARDIS piece) instead.
When "Spyfall" aired, there was a common headcanon that O was between Saxon and Missy.
@@NitroIndigo tbh that’s still my headcanon
I don’t care about the Lumiat
I don't think Simm can have turned into Delgado, Jacobi then Simm are explicitly revived versions of the Master brought back to fight in the Time War who then ran from it. There's a pretty well laid out progression from Delgado who is said to be in the original regeneration cycle, to the husk that ran out of regenerations seen in Deadly Assassin, to him bodyjacking Tremas (Ainley Master) to Bruce from the McGann movie. It's pretty easy to imagine given the state he was in as the Bruce version post execution and how he got trapped in the Eye of Harmony that the Time Lords could've revived him from that state.
So Delgado to Simm basically happens in the chronological order that we see them. The only ones that can really be contested are Missy and Spy Master who are both post-Simm.
The Malcolm Tucker soundbites caught me off guard several times. Brilliant stuff. Merry Christmas Mr TARDIS.
That Life on Mars joke absolutely creased me. Kudos to you, sir! 😂
I'm so glad someone picked up on it!
@@MrTARDIS That might be my new favourite Malcolm Who meme
It did get a chuckle out of me two, when I quickly made the connection
While I knew John Simm was returning I didn’t know he would be Razor. In fact when he revealed himself to be the Master I thought his disguise was played by a different actor.
Same here. It wasn’t until the “I love disguises” line that I finally put 2 and 2 together
Me neither, it took untill he unmasked himself.
"I thought his disguise was played by a different actor"
Lol, when first watching World Enough and Time I honestly thought that it was Mark Gatiss under all those prosthetics!
Capaldi's eyeline suggests he *is* looking at Pearl Mackie. And compare to the eyeline of other actors looking at Cyber Bill.
"Very fast Bottom"
Fun Fact. The final minute of The Doctor Falls suffered a sound error in Scotland on its Broadcast. So I witnessed David Bradley's Reveal with a funny crackling noise...
His comments near the beginning about Master Who makes me WANT that to happen.
Michelle Gomez hamming it up, Matt Lucas being himself, Pearl Mackie being the straight man and Peter Capaldi doing Mystery Science Theatre commentary over the whole thing?
Is... Is there a petition I can sign for Big Finish to make a Special out of this idea?
I only just noticed during the close up of Bill's eye at the end of World Enough and Time that her tear that rolls down her cheek trickles down at the same angle as the tear ducts in other Cybermen designs. That is sublime attention to detail.
as a kid when i watched this not rlly interacting with the fandom and had no idea about most news not even peter capaldis eventual regeneration , i was completely surprised by the masters reveal and never saw it coming. then again i was a kid tho.
For me, this is the greatest Cybermen story of the New Series, maybe even of all Doctor Who.
Had it not been for 'Twice Upon a Time', this would have been the best regeneration story of the modern era since 'Bad Wolf'/'The Parting of the Ways'.
Clara and Bill wouldve loved each other ❤ they literally have the same stories: they get converted but are strong enough to overcome their programing, the doctor inadvertently gets them killed and they're both made immortal and get to travel space. I like how even though they have similar stories the way they come to they're fates is different. Like Clara travels in a tardis and bill travels as light. Or how Clara is basically just one of those paintings the timelords male just walking around, bill is made out of space liquid.
Finally. The video I’ve been waiting for from you. A series 10 related video. It was my first series of who so I have lots of nostalgia for it
A story so good, it almost allows you to pretend Twice Upon a Time doesn't exist. Almost.
I just stop watching when the camera zooms in on the doctors face after bill leaves and imagine that thats when the regeneration occurs.
Well I guess you’ll love George Sheard’s upcoming ‘Genesis of the Cybermen’ edit then
I loved twice upon a time
Makes me laugh people get upset and pissed off over the Dark Water cremation part but people in so much chronic pain crying for death is perfectly ok? Oh the irony
I knew Jon Simm’s Master was returning and I was still caught off by the reveal. I assumed he would show up as himself near the end, I didn’t go into it expecting a disguise or anything. I had completely forgotten that the Master wore disguises in his earlier appearances, they sort of stopped doing that after Delgado’s Master. I didn’t know about “Time Flight” disguise at the time I watched the episode.
I was sooo worried that i'd end up hating this story
Instead i really love it
Hand on heart: I knew that the Master was coming back, yet i was STILL fooled by Razor. I even had to Google in order to make sure that Simm was dressed as Razor the whole time
I knew he was coming back when it was first announced but I think I had forgotten by the time I watched the episode, even with the next time trailer. I was completely fooled by Razor's mask, it didn't even occur to me that Razor could be anyone but who they said they were. Well I say completely fooled but I only really mean up until Missy and Razor meet and he says "you would never be so self destructive" and I had a proper wide eyed "oh shit" moment because that is the exact thing I would say if I had met myself.
Okay I love this. At 24:33 I believe you can actually see that yes, Capaldi *was* talking to a Cyber suit in his shots.
The first new Who Cybercember to cross 10K views. Congratulations
When this episode first aired I'd fallen out of love with the show, I still watched it but didn't pay nearly as much attention as I used to. I knew John Simm was coming back but in the weeks since the Pilot, I had forgotten. The Razor disguise absolutely fooled me. This story reignited my love for the show.
I did not know Simms was returning, and the reveal blew my mind!!
The phrase "My Doctor" is fascinating to me because its meaning is different depending on who you ask and, for me at least, "My Doctor" has changed over time and will likely continue to change. Right here and now, I'd personally define "My Doctor" as being the one whom I most aspire towards, whom I'd wish to embody if the situation ever called for it.
And for me, here and now? My Doctor is the one in The Doctor Falls: the one who chooses to help as much as he can, even if it won't amount to all that much, because it's all he can do. He's a hero not because he sets out to be, but because he can't bear to see others in pain, and will even pay the ultimate price if it just buys a little more time for others. Because it's right, because it's decent, and above all, it's kind. Just that - just kind.
Not only did Moffat and Capaldi give us this ideal in their partnership, but they also made it attainable for anybody. That speech to Davros in The Witch's Familiar? Even the Doctor struggles to be the Doctor but tries anyway because he knows he ought to. And in Heaven Sent, he perseveres across unimaginable centuries of torture and grief, just to save his friend, and to right the injustice done to them both. I may love all the Doctors, and I may have issues with this era of the programme, but this review does remind me of the wonderful gifts Steven Moffat brought to Doctor Who - and why Peter Capaldi is "My Doctor".
I genuinely was surprised by the Simm reveal, even having seen the announcement of his return (but not the Next Time trailer). However, I think I may be unrepresentative - I have never failed to be fooled by a Master disguise in any episode, TV or audio, classic or new. It’s getting embarrassing.
6:18 Malcolm Tucker lmao
I love The Doctor Falls so much. It's an emotional and musical roller-coaster that I just love every second of.
My favourite scene is where The Doctor holds out the apple saying "Humanity's first weapon" then the Master says "Tempting... isn't it" before the shot moves on. That was just amazing.
The only thing lacking is the visual effects, but that's something I can easily ignore.
Honestly, this was the last time I truly cared about Doctor Who. Sure, I popped back in for the Christmas special and the Series 11 and 12 debuts, but after jumping onto Doctor Who with Series 5, I think I have moved on for now. I have let go. Maybe I will come back, but what a note to go out on.
Probably my favourite ever Doctor Who story, everything is just perfect
This is my 2nd favourite Doctor Who story of all time (Heaven Sent is my no.1) and you articulated my own thoughts perfectly! Great video!
The scene where Missy and the Master end up killing each other is also one of my all time favourite moments in the show. It echoes a previous line by Bill - "I don't want to live if I can't be me." And likewise the Master doesn't want to live if he can't be him - urgo killing Missy.
I also love how Murray Gold steps back when Capaldi gives his "Where I fall" speech. Gives it a very different feel compared to some of the loud epic matt smith speeches which I love.
Once again, great analysis for one of the best Doctor who stories!
32:44 "It's not a bias, it's having the same standards..." Which is admirable, but I don't see the same forensic levels of criticism deployed to the same lacerating effect on stories of the Davies and Chibnall eras. But then, perhaps I'm over-sensitive.
Great analysis of this two-parter, by the way.
I actually cried during this review. this story and heaven-sent are moffats masterworks. fantastic!
Turns out this wasn't the redemption of Missy the person, but Moffat the writer
I didn't see the announcement, and I left the room after the previous episode finished so didn't see the next time trailer, and I can confirm that I didn't know that Razor was the Master until the reveal.
I new that the master was gonna be in it but It took me a while to figure out that he was Razour/razor oak how you spell it
I did not know that John was coming back as The Master. I was completely caught off guard with the reveal.
I didn’t know about Simm and I was floored
Does any one else think it would of been beautiful for Peters last words to be “pity no stars I hoped there’d be starts” and after saying that he regenerated. I personally think this would of been the perfect way for Peter to go no big speeches needed no Christmas special
Beautiful review, thank you! IIRC, Moffat had more time to work on this series than he'd had previously, due to a reduction in other commitments, and it shows. The crap special notwithstanding, especially if that was due to difficulties behind the scenes.
21:24 Synching up the Malcolm tucker audio about a police man in the 1970’s with John Simm was absolutely perfect. Great Life on Mars reference 😂
Ironic that a finale featuring the emotionless Cybermen could leave us feeling so emotional. The entirety of the Doctors’ sacrifice and Bills’ ending hits in a way I can’t even describe. As does the “I am not upset” scene. And the Doctor’s speech. Hell, most of this entire finale does.
I love the concept of what happens to Bill at the start of the episode so much because you're right even if the doctor hadn't trusted Missy to do this adventure i think there was no way that guy wasn't going to shoot her. And like we've never really seen adventure go wrong this quickly in Who. Its interesting moreso than other starts to an episode.
Yeah, it's alright, isn't it?
No, but seriously, World Enough and Time/The Doctor Falls is easily my third favorite finale of the revived series. It is the best Cyberman story of the New Series (possibly of the TV series overall), it is the best Master story of the revived series, and it is the best Twelfth Doctor story. I didn't enjoy Peter Capaldi's first two seasons as the Doctor through no fault of his own, and I am pleased that his run ended on such a high note. Same with Steven Moffat, who has written some of my favorite stories as well as some of my least favorite. I am so glad his run on Doctor Who ended with such a high.
It really is a shame though that there was no Christmas special that year.
World enough and time/ The Doctor Falls is probably my favorite Cyberman story- It gave a horrifying look at a primitive conversion process, seeing the Mondasian Cybermen return in some form was fantastic, and I do like how the ending is rather bittersweet. Definitely my favorite Capaldi story and finale!
Everyone always goes on about how Ten's last moments made them cry but I'm over here and just the clip of "Doctor, I let you go" in this video has me on the verge of tears. Twelve was something else.
I didn't realise it was The Master until he pulled it off. Mainly because I wasn't looking for it. Although granted it is blatantly obvious in retrospect. At the time I didn't see that coming at all.
It's probably the best Cyberman tv story it really is something special, I only realised quite how good it was until the other week when I rewatched it.
This was an absolutly marvelous breakdown of World Enough in Time and The Doctor Falls. It's easily the best finale of Capaldi's run, and probably my favorite episodes of the Twelfth Doctor's tenure. I'm so glad that after stumbling so much at the finish line during Capaldi's finales, that Moffat turned in such a great note for him to end on.
But if i can put my two cents in on Twice Upon a Time, I always saw the end of The Doctor Falls as the Doctor having survivors guilt. When you think about how much the Doctor ha been through during Twelve's run. losing fight after fight and loved one after loved one, more then I think the other modern Doctors did, the Doctor was ready to fight against the Cybermen on the ship, but he was also ready to die there. He kept the fight going for as long as he could. When he's lying there in the dirt it looks like he's not even trying to regenerate.
But then he survived. He's about to be reborn. But as far as he knows, all of his friends are gone because he couldn't save them no matter how hard he fought. Maybe he surpresses it because he doesn't feel he deserves to keep going, or just wants to rest after centuries of fighting. I think he even expresses something like that after The First Doctor leaves in Twice Upon a Time. But there he learns that not only is there still everlasting good forces in the universe, but it still needs him. And after so much suffering, and fighting with little chance of winning, those few glimmers of hope and humanity, are why he decides to go one more round.
But that's just me. I get your sentiment as well. I just wanted to share mine. Sorry this is really long. There's a good chance you won't even read this seeing that it's 3 to 4 paragraphs long, but I just wanted to get that out there after such a thorough and beautifully put together analysis. Happy New Year!
Thought it was a bit odd that the sound effect they use for the mondasian cybermen head weapon is the buzzing noise of the autons in spearhead from space
There’s a lot of great things to say about this story but watching this also reminds me just how great Pearl Mackie was as Bill. Really wish she could have had more seasons with Capaldi, they were a good duo.
Your Doctor speech/Tucker rant edit was incredible.
I knew the master was in the story due to the news
However my friend who wasn’t in the know of Who news was surprised by it
Couldn’t agree more with your review. I think this is personally my absolute favourite story from the revived series, it perfectly encapsulates the essence of the eponymous character. It show’s just how fantastic the other characters of series 10 are, especially Bill.
Absolutely fantastic TV
I had no clue about Jon Simm as the Master returning. So when I saw Razor, I just thought he was an endearing character, so I had no idea he was just another disguise. When he built up to the reveal, with the "do you still like disguises" It clicked, and suddenly everything became clear and I was in shock.
To answer your question in think he did it in front of a cyberman costume 24:31 you see it's a mid-shot of peter and then the arm of the cyberman, before it cuts back to Bill.
I didn't know Simm was Rasor and it totally blindsided me. The bit about disguises and the way he took off the mask was a phenomenal reference to the Delgado Master in the 70s who always did stuff like that
Did anyone else notice that Missy dabs in this story?? It was a different time 🤣😂
What’s next? In the centenary special is Sacha’s Master going to floss?
Bill Potts is equal to Donna Noble for me for the modern series. I loved her! She really shined in this episode (even if it was all really done in a sing song voice :) )
MrTardis: Saying what an amazing finale this was for the Twelfth Doctor
Twice Upon A Time: Hello There!
The Woman Who Fell to Earth: GENERAL KENOBI
Man I love these two episodes. I for one was well aware that Simm was returning this season, but somehow it never clocked in my brain that he hadn't shown up yet, so when Raza pulls off the mask, I was honestly shocked and blown away!
I knew John Simm was returning but I had no clue that Razor was the Master so it still works.
Yes when I first saw this story I kinda had a feeling that Razor was the Master in disguise, given the Master would often be in disguise in the classic era.
BTW Love your joke about cybermen being like pokemon evolving as they go from original 60s design , to RTD era and then Moffat era ones.
Why is it that the 1966 design is still being used by certain Cybermen by the end of the episode after centuries of developing and yet the only other versions were the New Who designs instead of some of the more advanced Classic Who designs... although my head canon is that as well as a Cyber Planner, these Cybermen were led by the Tomb of the Cybermen style of Cyber Controller and an 80s Cyber Leader saying "Excellent!"
It's actually 1968.
I was thinking the same thing. You start off with the original Mondasian Cybermen with their singsongy voices, then you end up skipping the Tomb of the Cybermen models with the vocoder voices, as well as the "excellent" ones from the 80s.
But at the same time throwing in the Cybus ones still makes no sense (as that would be a different lineage/origin).
It almost like Moffat wanted to make up for the boasts of the Asylum of the Daleks (where all the models old and new were there), but didn't quite get there.
To be fair, the time difference midway through the ship is different than at the very top.
Great review!!! So, although I knew Simm was returning, I somehow did not realise that Razor was the Master. I’ll always be baffled by this (not that the make up wasn’t amazing!!!) but I’ll always be forever grateful as it made the twist all the more amazing!
I watched this for the first time on a blu ray collection. I didn’t start watching the new series until Whittaker, then went back and started from the beginning with Eccleston. All I had heard about this was it had “mondasian cybermen” in it (which I took to be classic Cybermen, not Cybus ones, probably Eathshock vintage, not Tenth Planet) and that “the Master” was in it. Obviously Missy is the Master so I missed that Razor was too. That reveal DID get me.
My first experience with Doctor Who was "The Runaway Bride" I loved David Tennant's character but never thought much about the show. This special is what made me a fan. While the story as a whole is great "World Enough and Time" was amazing! Seeing the Cyberman for the first time, people mid conversion just hitting a "Pain" button just being put on mute; and then that ending. "I am Bill Potts." and the single tear. I get chills every time I watch it.
Whovian here, I remember watching this episode air and holy crap this was a high point, I didnt have the internet at that point so I was detached from the spoilers so razor was really convincing, the point I worked it out was when he said the former prime minister line and I dont think I was that excited about a reveal since gallifrey came back a season prior
I think you really nailed why the smaller-scale episodes can hit so hard sometimes. I love the first half so much just in terms of the aesthetics, the sickly hospital lighting and bare metal everywhere created such an atmosphere of sterility and isolation that did an excellent job subtly indicating where it was going. And...man, while I know the doctor takes precedent in terms of narrative importance, I will never not be devastated about Bill, her sections in the story were so legitimately soul-crushing all the way through (I have never been happier for a deus ex machina, because her subplot tore me apart so badly)
For an extra bit of heartbreak, do what I do when rewatching it, take all of Bill's 'human' scenes and imagine all of the dialogue being spoken in the mechanical Cyberman voice. In her actual dialogue it's so angry and impassioned, and something about imagining it all coming through the stiff, tinny machine voice, so limited and restricted and lifeless, it hurts. Part of me almost wishes there was an alternate cut that's just entirely that
I knew John Simm was in it but I didn’t realise Razor was him until he revealed himself so it still got me, although I was expecting him to only show up at the end so perhaps I didn’t realise because I didn’t expect him in this episode
Same here.
As an old Classic Who aficianado Who grew up in the Pertwee/Baker era I'm only just now catching up on NewWho via streaming this episode caught me totally by surprise having previously read the Target adaptation of The Tenth Planet it was great to see the return of the Mondasian Cybermen and the Master reveal was a total shock never saw that coming at all
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I was surprised by Jon Simm's return. I had no earthy idea he was going to be in this story.
I only started watching "Doctor Who" for the first time in December 2019 and I finished the modern series this past April (not including series 12, which didn't come out on bluray in the US until June), and I fell in love with it so much that I just HAD to have more! I've been slowly working my way through the classic series ever since (got a pretty sizable collection going now and it's only been a few months).
Watching this in 2020, I am SO glad that I wasn't watching/keeping up with the show when this episode aired because the Master reveal had me FLOORED! I was definitely expecting the heel-turn and betrayal from Razor but to find out that he was the Master all along was just a gut punch on a level that I had not anticipated and was not prepared for. In retrospect it's pretty obvious that Razor is Jon Simm (it even looks like him!), but because I had no idea he was coming back to the show, his disguise fooled me all the way and this story continues to be one of my favorites, if for no other reason than that f-ing awesome double/triple plot-twist... but also it's just a really good story in general.
14:50 I don't pay attention much to the Next Time trailers in terms of focusing on the background and stuff so I don't think I realized that Razor was John Simm at all until the ending reveal. I remember the big thing that got spoiled for me was the David Bradley reveal at the end of the second part because I live in America.
They should do an origin story of the cyber controller that was seen in Tomb of the Cybermen
I’ve kept quiet long enough but the Malcolm tucker quotes are soooo well put in the capaldi era reviews
I wish they kept the parallel universe's cybermen out of it. That design was from cybus industries.
That sound effect for cyber bill when she blows up part of the barn is really familiar
I knew that he was returning but got so engrossed I'd completely forgotten and was really surprised by the reveal.
Some how I missed the news about Jon Simms returning. And yeah I didn't see through his disguise and in my opinion his reveal was one of the best twists the show has ever do as I didn't see it coming and I came as a big shock.