Doctor Who S1 FINALE Episode Review

In the previous episode titled The Legend of Ruby Sunday, The Doctor and Ruby Sunday seek help from UNIT to uncover the mysterious woman popping up on their adventures as well as Ruby's true mother. Although they failed to find Ruby's real mother, the unmasking of Susan Triad led them to the resurrection of Sutekh, the god of death.

With Sutekh reborn, armageddon was unleashed in Empire of Death, the Season 1 finale of Doctor Who: The 15th Doctor saga.

Doctor Who S1 FINALE

HOLD IT! Ensure you have already watched the episode before my quick review. Come back here when you have already watched it.

The season finale begins with The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford) escaping from Sutekh's sandstorm that causes the extinction of all humanity. With everyone except The Doctor, Mel, and Ruby extinct, the two arrived at UNIT's Time Window to catch up with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) until the trio came face-to-face with the revived Sutekh (voiced by Gabriel Woolf).

Sutekh revealed the reason for his revival because of The Doctor. Although he was defeated a long time ago in the Pyramids of Mars, Sutekh became one with the TARDIS, waiting for the right time for his awakening. As Sutekh prepares his attack, The Doctor and friends are onboard The Remembered TARDIS to escape.

With the extinction of the universe witnessed, The Doctor starts to bear responsibility for his actions that caused all this, and appears that all hope is lost, almost, because there's only one key to stop Sutekh; the identity of Ruby's true mother.

Arriving at a deserted planet, The Doctor encountered a sole survivor and had a frank conversation between them. In the end, the sole survivor gave The Doctor a spoon before she perished into dust. Using the spoon obtained from the sole survivor, The Doctor and Ruby are finding answers from the monitor they've obtained from the Time Window. The answer lurks in the year 2046, the year Roger ap Gwilliam's election victory got short-lived by the future Ruby Sunday back in 73 Yards, and that's where they'll be heading. Unknown to them, the Mel Bush traveling with them is not Mel Bush; it's one of Sutekh's harbingers taking control of Mel's body.

Entering the UK Department of Health office, The Doctor and Ruby Sunday uncover the biggest answer of all until one of Sutekh's harbingers takes them to Sutekh. As The Doctor prepares to submit himself to Sutekh, Ruby steps in to give her answer...until she breaks the monitor, giving The Doctor the chance to leash Sutekh with the rope and use the whistle to regain control of the TARDIS.

With Sutekh getting dragged by The Doctor's TARDIS around the Time Vortex, all life in the universe has returned. After all living things have returned, The Doctor has one loose end to mend; erase Sutekh for good.

After The Doctor's true victory against Sutekh, UNIT finally uncovered the name of Ruby Sunday's real mother; Louise Miller. They also figured out why Louise left Ruby at the church on Ruby Road on Christmas Eve 2004 and it's because to protect her. Where Louise pointed at, she wasn't pointing at the TARDIS. It's the sign that says RUBY ROAD.

Arriving at Louise's last known whereabouts, the mother-and-daughter reunion occurred, and Ruby thanked her real mom for protecting her. After Ruby's family reunion, she and The Doctor began to part ways but vowed they'll see each other again when needed, concluding the first season of The 15th Doctor's saga with Mrs. Flood warning viewers of an "absolute terror" The Doctor's heading.

The season finale of Doctor Who: The 15th Doctor saga was a wild ride. I'm still thinking about the showdown against the reborn Sutekh and the reveal of Ruby Sunday's true mother, Louise Miller! The episode was full of action, suspense, and emotion. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. 

I thought Ncuti Gatwa, Bonnie Langford, and Millie Gibson all gave great performances. They really brought their characters to life. I also loved the way the episode was shot and edited. The visuals were stunning, and the pacing was perfect.

Overall, I thought Empire of Death was a great episode. It was a fitting conclusion to the first season of The 15th Doctor's saga. I can't wait to see what's in store for next season.

Let's enjoy the last bonus contents before preparing for The 15th Doctor's next adventure.

- ODWP

- BTS

The 15th Doctor will return...

The entire first season of The 15th Doctor Saga of Doctor Who is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and in Disney+ worldwide. Catch up anytime before The 15th Doctor returns next season!