I think "Kill the Moon" is the best episode of season 8 so far and this is why:
(Beware spoilers.)
1. Twelve did what the Doctor does best: help people be better versions of themselves.
Courtney now has a reason to believe she is special, and it's not just because the Doctor says so. Clara saves the planet and that's to her credit, because the Doctor wasn't around to lead or influence her.
2. Clara is better when she actually has stuff to do.
I like Jenna Coleman (where did the Louise go?), but until the last few episodes, she was kind of stuck in a rut. Clara gets repetitive making and cancelling plans with Danny. She follows the Doctor and acts as his moral compass, again and again. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with any of that, but for a while Clara felt stagnant. But tonight? We got to see her comfort Courtney. She had to explain human things to the Doctor, like why a young girl would feel scared when there are monsters on the moon. Clara was scared. Clara was angry. And it was great to watch.
3. Twelve keeps saying he is an alien.
I love that he made humans decide what to do about the moon. He isn't human, so it wasn't his place to decide. Clara depends on the Doctor too much, and he made it clear that sometimes he shouldn't get involved. He distances himself and it feels very Doctory. None of this trying to blend in with humans and needing them to accept him.
4. The yo-yo.
Such a simple way to test the gravity on the moon, and it's so much better than some bogus gadget that might have been in a different space show. The Doctor makes use of what he has and makes it work. I like that Twelve doesn't over-complicate things.
What did you think of the episode? Let me know.
(Beware spoilers.)
1. Twelve did what the Doctor does best: help people be better versions of themselves.
Courtney now has a reason to believe she is special, and it's not just because the Doctor says so. Clara saves the planet and that's to her credit, because the Doctor wasn't around to lead or influence her.
2. Clara is better when she actually has stuff to do.
I like Jenna Coleman (where did the Louise go?), but until the last few episodes, she was kind of stuck in a rut. Clara gets repetitive making and cancelling plans with Danny. She follows the Doctor and acts as his moral compass, again and again. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with any of that, but for a while Clara felt stagnant. But tonight? We got to see her comfort Courtney. She had to explain human things to the Doctor, like why a young girl would feel scared when there are monsters on the moon. Clara was scared. Clara was angry. And it was great to watch.
3. Twelve keeps saying he is an alien.
I love that he made humans decide what to do about the moon. He isn't human, so it wasn't his place to decide. Clara depends on the Doctor too much, and he made it clear that sometimes he shouldn't get involved. He distances himself and it feels very Doctory. None of this trying to blend in with humans and needing them to accept him.
4. The yo-yo.
Such a simple way to test the gravity on the moon, and it's so much better than some bogus gadget that might have been in a different space show. The Doctor makes use of what he has and makes it work. I like that Twelve doesn't over-complicate things.
What did you think of the episode? Let me know.
