The ninth series of the British science fiction extends to an adventure of Vikings, Ghosts and the Daleks. Meanwhile the Doctor is faced with Missy who is ready to plague him again.
The Doctor stands alone once again, once more wearing his traditional outfit and wielding an awesome new screwdriver... It's a hopeful place to leave things, and a fitting cap to the best season of the show in years.
There is a sense that the finale is as concerned with giving the characters what they need as it is with handing them what they want, but through it all, there is a surprisingly affecting through line about the process of loss and mourning and recovery.
'Hell Bent' is at points thrilling and affecting - and as ever is blessed by two sensational lead performances from Capaldi and Coleman, who not only anchor but pretty much carry the entire hour.
It would be easier if we could erase our memory of the fact that this is how the Doctor's time with Clara comes to an end -- but maybe that's why we shouldn't.
As a Clara devotee, the narrative did absolutely right by her in the end, leaving her with the precise sort of strength, gumption, and know-how that's been developed over the course of the past three seasons.
It's as if Steven Moffat has taken notes from not only his years as showrunner, but from the Russell T. Davies' years as well, in terms of how to properly say goodbye to a companion.