10 Traumatic Doctor Who Facts You'll Wish You Hadn't Heard

Heaven Sent is widely considered one of the high points of modern Doctor Who, and arguably one of the best episodes in the series’ entire run.

Part of the reason this episode is held in such high regard is that, due to its endlessly looping narrative, there are so many little details and intricacies that only become apparent on the second, third, or even fourth rewatch. So it’s no wonder that we’re still realising little details that passed us by all these years later.

One of the most heartbreaking elements of the time loop – yes, even sadder than the moat of Twelfth Doctor skulls – is the portrait of Clara. Why is it there, and how did it get there?

Well, that first part is easy enough to answer. The Confession Dial is designed to beat the Doctor into submission, so taunting him with the ghostly image of his dead friend is a pretty cruel way to wear him down. But wasn't isn't so apparent is that, according to writer Steven Moffat, this painting of Clara was actually created by the Doctor himself.

This means that in one of the earlier loops, the grieving Doctor took the time to somehow find paint, brushes, and a canvas, and painstakingly draw a portrait of his lost friend – all the while dodging the mysterious wraith that perpetually stalks the castle.

As if Series 9’s finale wasn’t sad enough already...