Doctor Who 8.9 "Flatline"

The ninth episode of the eighth (or 34th) season begins by exploring a somewhat novel concept. What would an invasion of our reality from another, two dimensional one look like? It could be an interesting philosophical exploration, but that is not the story that is really being told here so that aspect quickly falls apart.

What this episode is really about, as most of this season has been, is exploring the Doctor/Clara relationship. In this story, the Doctor is effectively taken out of commission and Clara has to play his part. She sees things from his perspective and pragmatically comes to accept what she has thus far seen as his underhanded ways. In the end she happily declares, “I was the Doctor and I was good!”

The Doctor’s response gives one pause. “You were an exceptional Doctor, Clara, goodness had nothing to do with it.”

It will be interesting to see where this goes in the next few episodes. We already know that the looming antagonist, “Missy,” was instrumental in Clara meeting the Doctor, and that the Tardis did not initially like her. Whatever the twist is, you can be sure we won’t see it coming.