We couldn't count the times over the course of the past five-plus years on GPR that we have come to the defense of Steven Moffat. His writing, his style of production, his casting choices, his vision for the series, his whimsical-bordering-upon-maddening way of talking about the program through vague words and red herrings. Through it all, we recognized that he is a consummate fan, like us in many ways, and he revels in putting forth stories and ideas that delight and astonish him -- in hopes that we will share in that delight and astonishment.

With this most recent episode, he must be grinning like the cat who ate the canary at what he has accomplished...and he's not quite finished with us yet.

This week, we release the grip on our seats long enough to reflect on the penultimate episode of Series 10, and the first of an unofficial trilogy leading up to the end of Moffat's tenure as showrunner, and Peter Capaldi's time as the Doctor. Given the perfect storm of a solid TARDIS team, the fascinating return of Mondasian Cybermen, and the baffling duo of Missy and the Harold Saxon Master, we had high expectations. We were not wrong. In fact, we were unprepared for how intense it would be. We discuss the emotions (many), the tone of Rachel Talalay's direction (chilling), the complexity yet plausibility of the script (wonderful), and the questions left to be answered...or so we hope...with the series finale episode to come, and yet a regeneration that is reported to occur months later, but yet...BUT YET.

Oh, Steven; you brilliant, maddening, magnificent bastard, you.

BONUS: We announce the winner of our latest listener contribution contest, where we discussed the DW contributions of Mark Gatiss!