‘Doctor Who’ Recap: ‘Empire of Death’

6/22/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson as The Doctor and Ruby Sunday in Episode 1408 of ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘Empire of Death’. (Photo Courtesy of Disney/BBC/Bad Wolf.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season 14 Finale of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It is definitely safe to say that season fourteen of the iconic Disney+ series, Doctor Who, has been quite revolutionary in nature. After all, this year’s stories have been steeped in bold moments and they’ve also featured a great deal of depth and a great deal of meaning. Wherein we’ve learned a great deal about the human condition and been left with some deep thoughts and observations regarding our modern world and many of the problems it currently faces. But while it has been amazing to enjoy a season of storytelling that is thoughtful and often fun, since this year’s adventures have been epic in nature… and see the show move into a bold new direction free from the trappings of its past… there are some things this series cannot and will not ever step away from.

Such as say, incredible season finales that test the Doctor and his companion or companions in ways that they never expected. Because the Doctor is and will forever be an epic hero, one that faces the odds and beats them with his wits and the love he carries for all in his two hearts and well, that particular aspect of the show is top of mind today, because that is precisely what we enjoyed during this week’s season finale. For ‘Empire of Death’ did not have a ton of messaging or deeper meaning and that’s okay. Because Sutekh was reborn and he wasted little time in this tale, laying the world to waste. For that was all he ever dreamed of, killing everyone and everything and presiding over the emptiness of the universe and his wish was indeed granted here. Thanks to his minions and his twisted end around of the Doctor.

Who thankfully, did find a way to escape with Mel into the other TARDIS present in the temporal chamber. For the wonder of the TARDIS and the power of memory allowed for a second TARDIS to come into existence and while it was weak, it had enough juice to get everyone to safety and to a faraway world. Wherein the Doctor was able to ponder upon his deep failure and bear witness to the anthesis of everything he stands for. For death was indeed everywhere across the galaxy, and once he licked his wounds and pondered upon how best to respond, did a plan begin to form in his mind. Because they too should have been destroyed by their foe’s blight against life, but they stood, and they breathed and that was due to the fact that they had information regarding something Sutekh badly wanted.

Anita Dobson and Angela Wynter as Mrs. Flood and Cherry in Episode 1408 of ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘Empire of Death’. (Photo Courtesy of Disney/BBC/Bad Wolf.)

Specifically, the identity of Ruby Sunday’s mother. Because that was a soul that this monster realized he could not touch, and he needed all to die to enjoy the emptiness. Which put both parties into a hunt to uncover the name and identity of Ruby’s mother. A decision that brought together every story told this year, including ‘73 Yards’. Which in turn, brought Team TARDIS to 2046 to use a mandatory DNA database from that era to uncover the truth, to protect it and keep life in the universe, and well, that brought forth one epic showdown between good and evil. Simply because Sutekh reached out across time and space to corrupt Mel, so that she would bring the Doctor and Ruby back to the void of present day, wherein at last, the final souls this old God wanted could be claimed and wiped away, giving rise to the empire of death he so desperately sought and craved.

But alas, the Doctor was one step ahead and knew full well what his foe had planned, and since Sutekh explained in detail how he climbed aboard the TARDIS, the Doctor was able to use that knowledge to reclaim his old, time traveling friend, and drag the God of Death into the vortex to bring life back to everything and anything. All before the Doctor was forced to break his own vows and end Sutekh for all time, to save all of time. Which finally brought forth, the victory we knew would come and it allowed for Ruby to bid farewell to the Doctor for the time being, courtesy of the right reasons. Because she finally met her mom and even found out about her father’s whereabouts and well, the time she needs to embrace for the moment is with the family she never knew and just like that, season fourteen came to a happy but quizzical close.

After all, there are some questions left pending after this tale. Because while it is lovely that Ruby’s mom was the reason to drive forth good, her being an everyday person doesn’t quite explain Ruby’s incredible powers and of course… we must know more about Ruby’s neighbor and how she seems to be so wise regarding this universe and the Doctor’s fate. But while we wait to see if those questions are answered in season fifteen, we can applaud one great finale and one great season in the meantime. Because this really was a different and refreshing year for Doctor Who, one that really explored the franchise’s potential when the mythos and brooding is left behind and replaced with good old-fashioned adventure, fun and downright thoughtfulness. And it will indeed be interesting to see what Russell T. Davies and his team accomplish next season, now that they know how best to use those elements to tell incredible tales.

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