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The first season finale of the RTD2 era of Doctor Who, “Empire of Death,” arrived with immense expectations. After a season of building mysteries and re-introducing the beloved sci-fi franchise to a new audience, the finale had to deliver on several fronts: resolve lingering questions, raise the stakes, and generate the kind of buzz that cements Doctor Who‘s place in the cultural conversation. While “Empire of Death” was packed with callbacks, revelations, and universe-ending threats, the episode ultimately felt rushed and somewhat underwhelming in its execution. Let’s delve into the details of this Doctor Who finale, exploring what worked, what didn’t, and what it might signify for the series moving forward.
Sutekh’s Dusty Plan and the God of Death’s Demise
“Empire of Death” picks up immediately after the revelation of Sutekh as the ultimate villain orchestrating the season’s strange occurrences. Sutekh, the God of Death, wastes no time in unleashing his deadly plan. Activating the mysterious Susan Twist figures scattered throughout time and space, Sutekh unleashes a wave of death that decimates most of the universe, including UNIT headquarters. This dramatic opening immediately establishes the high stakes of the Doctor Who finale.
The episode sees the Doctor, Ruby, and Mel scrambling to understand Sutekh’s motives and find a way to reverse the devastation. Ruby, who has been central to the season’s mysteries, finds herself back in the Time Window, a recurring motif throughout the series. It’s here that the memory TARDIS materializes, filled with Easter eggs and poignant reminders of the Doctor’s past adventures. This memory TARDIS becomes crucial, not just for nostalgic fan service, but as a functional element in their fight against Sutekh.
Ruby’s Mother and Unresolved Mysteries
A significant portion of the Doctor Who finale is dedicated to resolving the mystery of Ruby Sunday’s birth mother. In a surprisingly grounded reveal, Ruby’s mother is presented as an ordinary young woman who left her baby at the church to protect her from a dangerous situation. This reveal aligns with Russell T Davies’ (RTD) signature style of grounding fantastical elements in relatable human stories, emphasizing the value of ordinary lives, a core tenet of the Doctor’s philosophy.
While narratively satisfying on a personal level for Ruby, the reveal feels somewhat disconnected from the larger, universe-threatening plot. The season-long build-up around Ruby’s parentage, while emotionally resonant, doesn’t entirely justify its significance in the grand scheme of battling a god of death. This narrative arc, although well-acted by Millie Gibson, who is confirmed to return, ultimately feels like a slightly deflated payoff considering the intricate mystery that preceded it.
The Spoon, the Time Window, and Lingering Questions
One of the more perplexing elements of the Doctor Who finale is the “important object” the Doctor needs to retrieve – a seemingly random spoon. This spoon is used to interact with the Time Window tablet, powering the memory TARDIS. The underwhelming nature of the spoon’s reveal raises questions. Is it a deliberate subversion of fan expectations, a playful jab at over-analysis and theory crafting? Or is it simply a plot device that falls flat?
The episode hints that Sutekh’s obsession with Ruby’s parentage might be linked to the TARDIS’s repeated appearances on Ruby Road, suggesting Sutekh himself was manipulating events, perhaps even causing the “magic snow” and “Carol of the Bells” phenomena seen earlier in the season. However, these connections remain somewhat vague, leaving room for interpretation and further fan theories, which seems to be a deliberate strategy of the RTD era.
Resurrection and Resolution: Too Easy?
The climax of “Empire of Death” sees the Doctor confronting Sutekh in the vortex. In a move that feels both decisive and somewhat abrupt, the Doctor defeats Sutekh by seemingly killing Death itself, leading to a universe-wide resurrection. Everyone is brought back to life, UNIT is restored, and the threat is neutralized with surprising ease.
This resolution, while providing a happy ending, feels rushed and undermines the established stakes. After witnessing the near-total annihilation of the universe, the swift reversal feels almost anticlimactic. The episode quickly wraps up with Ruby reuniting with her mother and the Doctor departing, leaving Ruby to her newfound family. While a bittersweet ending for the companion, the overall resolution of the universal threat feels less impactful than it could have been.
Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey Observations
- Donna Noble’s Reaction: The finale leaves us wondering about Donna Noble’s potential reaction to Rose’s demise and resurrection, a thread that could be explored in future episodes.
- UNIT’s Arsenal: The revelation of Morris armed with machine guns on a Segway adds a touch of quirky humor to UNIT, but also raises questions about their operational procedures.
- Easter Egg TARDIS: The memory TARDIS is a treasure trove of Doctor Who Easter eggs, rewarding long-time fans with visual nods to past adventures.
- The 73-Yard Perception Filter: The mention of a 73-yard radius perception filter is a deliberate callback to a previous episode, highlighting the interconnected nature of the season’s narratives.
- Doctor’s Empathy: The Doctor’s sensitivity to Louise’s wishes regarding Ruby’s reunion with her mother reveals his own experiences and empathy, possibly relating to his past with Susan.
- Gallifrey’s Fate: The episode subtly hints at the potential resurrection of Gallifrey alongside the rest of the universe, leaving another tantalizing question for future storylines.
- Ruby’s Father and Red Herrings: The name “Garnet” and the red color motifs surrounding Ruby’s origins might be deliberate red herrings, playing into the season’s theme of misdirection and fan speculation.
Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag Finale
“Empire of Death,” the Doctor Who finale, is a mixed bag. It delivers on emotional moments, particularly Ruby’s reunion with her mother, and provides plenty of fan-pleasing callbacks. However, the rushed pacing, somewhat simplistic resolution to the universe-ending threat, and the slightly underwhelming payoff of season-long mysteries leave the finale feeling less impactful than its potential.
The episode successfully generates buzz and conversation, a key objective for the new era of Doctor Who. Whether the unresolved questions and slightly deflated resolutions are intentional setup for future storylines or simply missed opportunities remains to be seen. Despite its flaws, “Empire of Death” sets the stage for an intriguing future for Doctor Who, leaving audiences eager to see what RTD has in store next.
Header Image Source: BBC
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