Doctor Who: Overall series finale review

Series Finale Overall review

Mainly Ascension of the Cybermen/The Timeless Children with the Lone Cyberman's appearances in The Haunting of Villa Diodati. The Lone Cybermen, was a very effective character as someone who tried to volunteer for conversion but was rejected part way. Self loathing. (That is a link thematically, to the Master being upset at the lies in Gallifrey's history. More on that below.) His goal to use the Cybermen to get rid of all organic life was developed as a lead from this. And this causes the clash with the Master's plans.

But the main plot in these episodes is the Timeless Child and the implications for the Doctor of what the Master had discovered. The Brendan subplot links in rather well as a type, a cover, for the TimelessDoctor's missions for the Division. From the child found on the road, until the memory wipe. The parallel between Tecteum's discovery of the Timeless Child and the father discovering Brendan is obvious. The Garda makes a good stand in for the Division. Of course, there was more to what was happening on Gallifrey than that.

The Doctor is on a mission to atone for her decision to give the Cyberium to the Lone Cyberman. That is what drives her as she fights the Lone Cyberman, and the Master. And it also links to Ko Sharmus setting off the death particle instead of her. He feels that he's more responsible for what's occuring with the Master and the CyberLords than the Doctor. His anguish as he ruefully considers that the Cyberium hadn't been sent back far enough was well done. It's he who sets off the particle and allows the Doctor to escape.

It is obvious that he stays at the Boundary because he feels that he doesn't deserve to interact with others, damaged by the war... On to the 'fam'. Each one of them gets something to do, even if it is hinted that Graham and Ryan may want to stop travelling, it's Yas who is the saddest upon disembarking from the House TARDIS. She wanted to continue travelling with the Doctor, and thinks she is dead. (So, will we see Yas moving into the House TARDIS, being rueful, wondering if the Doctor survived after all?)

Graham and Yas both encouraged the survivors through the ordeal on the escape ship, on the Cybercarrier and at the Boundary (and also were able to find the Panopticon in the ruins of the Citadel). As stated before, Yas leading the group through to Gallifrey is consistent with the way haer character had been going. She barely hesitates before stepping into the boundary. She then later argues with the Doctor about what to do. The Doctor tells her that she has to go. The survivors aren't developed much, but their joy at being on Earth was well done.

(Maybe there's future storytelling potential there?) There is not much more to say about the Judoon ending, but overall these two or three episodes was a very good way to end this series. More in the overall Series review. 8.25/10.