Doctor Who: 12 Best Twelfth Doctor Episodes

Face the Raven was shaping up to be a strong episode even before its tragic ending, with the sinister countdown tattoo and imaginative Trap Street concept providing plenty of great material. The nature of the street’s concealment and the scene in which the Doctor, Clara and Rigsy tracked it down gave it a true air of mystery and originality, and stoked expectations for its discovery. Trap Street itself was a spectacular design, combining a magical, Dickensian setting with an array of classic Doctor Who aliens. The episode then seemed to turn into a mystery, with the Doctor and Clara attempting to discover the truth behind Anah’s “murder” before time ran out for Rigsy.

In reality, a far more complex scheme was at work, which ultimately used the Doctor’s compassion to trap him. But the worst was yet to come, as it was revealed that Clara’s attempt to buy time by taking the chronolock had in fact sealed her fate. The farewell between the Doctor and Clara was performed with great sensitivity by Capaldi and Coleman, and Clara’s death was indeed both sad and beautiful, as she stood her ground as no-one had before.

Without being given a proper chance to grieve, the Doctor was then transported to an unknown location, barely containing his rage and vengefulness. However, instead of ending on this ominous note, the episode concluded with Rigsy’s touching tribute to Clara, which served as a powerful reminder of the hero she had been.