Ep 7. Kill the Moon

In "Kill the Moon," the seventh episode of Doctor Who's eighth season, the Doctor takes companion Clara Oswald and student Courtney Woods on a trip to the moon in the year 2049. The trio lands in a crumbling shuttle and soon discovers that the moon's gravity has been significantly increased. They are soon met by a stranded astronaut, Captain Lundvik, who informs them that the moon is about to break apart and that they must help her detonate a nuclear bomb to destroy it and prevent a catastrophic impact on Earth. The Doctor, however, insists that humanity must make the decision whether to kill a creature on the moon which has caused the increase in gravity or save it, thereby risking the destruction of Earth.

The episode follows the Doctor and his companions as they navigate the political and moral complexities of the situation, debating the ethics of taking the life of the creature on the moon in order to save their own. As the three weigh their options, they encounter more and more evidence that the creature may not be the threat they originally believed it to be, and that they may be committing a terrible injustice if they decide to destroy it. Meanwhile, tensions mount between Lundvik and the others, with the captain becoming increasingly agitated and demanding as she seeks to stick to her mission and protect Earth at all costs.

As the episode progresses, the characters are forced to confront their own biases and assumptions, with each one grappling with the implications of their choices. Courtney, a young woman traveling with the Doctor for the first time, struggles to understand why she's been brought on such a deadly mission, while Clara is forced to confront the doctor's cavalier attitude toward life. The Doctor himself is haunted by his past decisions and his role in shaping the history of the universe, and by an increasingly strong sense that he can't continue to hide from his own conscience.

Throughout the episode, writer Peter Harness weaves together themes of morality, responsibility, and political power, asking pointed questions about the role of individual agency in shaping the flow of history. The script is tight and tense, with a clear sense of pacing and dramatic tension, and the performances by series regulars Peter Capaldi (the Doctor), Jenna Coleman (Clara), and Ellis George (Courtney) are all excellent. There are also some standout moments from guest actor Hermione Norris as Captain Lundvik, who does an excellent job of conveying the character's shifting emotions and motivations as the situation becomes more and more dangerous.

"Kill the Moon" is a fantastic episode of Doctor Who, one that manages to blend together science fiction, horror, and political drama in a way that feels both fresh and substantive. It's a great example of the show's ability to tackle complex issues in a way that is accessible and engaging to a wide audience, and it's a testament to the strength of the writing and the acting that the episode is able to pull off so much in a single hour-long installment. With its deft mix of big ideas, emotional weight, and thrilling action, "Kill the Moon" is a must-watch episode for fans of the show and newcomers alike.