Doctor Who Review: Face The Raven – 8 Ways To Compound The Crime
5. The Executioner
Ashildr is a former devotee of Odin and that makes the use of the Raven as a death symbol that much more potent. Odin had two ravens whose names are roughly translated as Thought and Memory. They may also represent life and death. When alive we live in our own minds as thought and in death only in the minds of others as memory. This does make me wonder will the Doctor encounter a memory or echo of Clara in the finale? There are indications this may not be Jenna Colemans last appearance though I think if she returns it is likely to be a hallucination or one of the alternates that lay scattered throughout the Doctors timeline. The Raven is of course not a bird at all but an alien known as a quantum shade. The shade is apparently a sentient being able to make contracts so a mercenary or assassin for hire. It feels like theres more to this story than weve been told. Is Ashildr being threatened or coerced in some way? Is her betrayal of the Doctor less cut and dried than it appears? Ashildr is a fascinating character because of her ambiguity. Like most people she is not clearly defined but a confusing mix of selfishness and altruism and a story line well worth revisiting from time to time.
Mary Ogle is the author and illustrator of “Orangeroof Zoo” a whimsical tale of magical realism told through the pages of a coloring book for adults. Working as a professional artist in the digital medium, Mary’s commissions have included everything from fine art to fan art, book cover design, illustration and book layout. Find more of Mary’s work at www.maryogle.com. Mary currently finds inspiration in the Ojai Valley, residing in a snug little cottage with a recalcitrant cat.
