Top 12 Moments of Series 8 (Part 1)
Guest contributor Garrett Castello begins his countdown.
I personally have high hopes for Series 9 following the spectacular Series 8, which was filled to the brim with excellent emotional, powerful, and exciting moments. So this is the list for my personal top twelve of those…
12. Clara’s Double Life
The opening sequence of The Caretaker was a brisk, entertaining montage which showed us Clara’s struggles to maintain the balance between her life with Danny and her life with the Doctor. I enjoyed getting a further look into Clara’s dating life with Danny while also getting brief glimpses at the various crazy adventures Clara and the Doctor had together. Clara’s stress with keeping these two lives separate was executed perfectly, which makes it all the more hilarious to see these two lives unexpectedly collide immediately before the opening titles even roll.
11. This is My World Too
In the Forest of the Night
In the Forest of the Night may be one of my least favorite episodes of the season but I absolutely adored the scene where Clara had the Doctor leave Earth. The Doctor’s argument to stay with the Earth was a wonderful reflection of the words that had been shared between him and Clara back in Kill the Moon. It was a scene that I feel perfectly captured the respect the Doctor and Clara feel for one another and how much they have learned from spending time together.
10. Stories Can Make Us Fly
Robot of Sherwood
The Doctor spent a large chunk of Robot of Sherwood attempting to debunk the existence of Robin Hood only to learn that he has more in common with the “impossible” hero than he originally thought. This scene was great at showing the similarities between the Doctor’s and Robin’s motives and origins while also presenting the roles they carry in inspiring heroism in others, such as how the Doctor inspires Clara (and, arguably, how Clara inspires the Doctor).
9. Enter the Teller
Time Heist
I argue that the Teller’s introduction in Time Heist is one of the best monster introductions in the history of the show. The eerie soundtrack, the booming footsteps, the characters’ reactions, and the slow reveal of the Teller’s face. Every aspect culminated in a perfectly intimidating introduction for a truly terrifying and unique monster.
8. Meet Danny Pink
Into the Dalek
I liked Danny Pink and his introduction in Into the Dalek was a great start for the character. With only a few pieces of dialogue and Danny’s tearful reaction to his student’s question, we get a feel of the turmoil and remorse Danny feels for his time as a soldier. I also liked how we are first introduced to Clara in this episode through Danny’s perspective before focusing on the Doctor and Clara for the rest of the episode. I found this to be an interesting start for Danny’s character and his struggles, which had a satisfying conclusion in the finale.
7. We Surrender
Mummy on the Orient Express
Mummy on the Orient Express had a fantastic monster in the Mummy and it was great to finally see the Doctor face it head on. I loved seeing the Doctor, who had been pretty cold and distant throughout the episode, step in and take Maisie’s pain for himself so that he could face the Mummy instead of her. It was a really suspenseful scene with the Doctor quickly deducing what the Mummy really was and finding the right response just before his time ran out.
6. The Brigadier
Death in Heaven
Death in Heaven is filled with many emotional and powerful moments, but the one that stands out to me the most is the Brigadier making a brief appearance as a Cyberman. Personally, I felt the scene did the character justice and was a beautiful moment overall. It was fitting that the Brigadier wouldn’t fall under the control of the Master and the Cybermen and would instead use his new body to aid his daughter and the Doctor in their darkest hour. Seeing the Doctor realize who the Cyberman standing before him really is brings a tear to my eye each time I rewatch this moment.
Continues tomorrow with the top five. Can you guess the number one?