For many, the Moffat era of Doctor Who represented a fall from grace. Indeed, when placed against Russell T Davies’ work with Eccleston and Tennant, episodes such as “Kill The Moon” and “Dinosaurs On A Spaceship” feel absolutely awful.
However, the Scotsman’s final two regular episodes as showrunner, “World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls”, represent the show at its very best.
Capaldi’s run as everyone’s favourite Gallifreyan sees The Doctor questioning whether he is a ‘good man’. “The Zygon Inversion”, for example, sees the 11th Doctor racked with survivors guilt and PTSD from the time war, whereas the impact of Clara’s death in “Face The Raven” lingers throughout season 10.
This leaves Capaldi’s incarnation questioning what it means to be ‘The Doctor’, with this self-doubt even causing people to die. “World Enough and Time/The Doctor Falls” acts as redemption. 11 dies to buy a village he’s just met a slither of time.
11 finds ‘The Doctor’ again, and even finds good in his arch-enemy, Missy (aka The Master). The episode is a triumphant rediscovery of the time lord’s values, love, and kindness.
