Death in Heaven TV Trailer Breakdown
Connor Johnston takes an in-depth look at the latest trailer for the Series 8 finale.
As we approach the final few days of a series that has not only constantly exceeded expectation but also continues to shock and surprise in every aspect of plot and character development, a mutual feeling that “We ain’t seen nothin’ yet” lingers in many of our anxious minds. Following on from last week’s “Dark Water” trailer breakdown, join us today on Doctor Who TV Missy Who TV as we take an in-depth look at the new TV trailer of “Death in Heaven” to pick up both clues and hints to what Saturday’s revelations may hold.
Note: The following will be based on casting, filming, rumours and plain old speculation. In other words if you’ve been reading our “What We Know” post all year, you can safety read on. Please be advised that, as per DWTV tradition, this breakdown will only focus on new pieces of footage.
The trailer opens with footage already familiar to most due to featuring in last week’s “Next Time” trailer. Fan favourite Jemma Redgrave reprises her role as UNIT’s head of scientific research Kate Lethbridge-Stewart alongside various UNIT soldiers and officials in what seems to be a portable UNIT base onboard an plane. Turning to the Doctor peering out the aircraft windows and strangely holding a bouquet of flowers (Maybe he’s about to become Mr. Missy!) she asks: “Doctor, what are you looking at?”
“The clouds… still there” states the Doctor. Cheers Captain Obvious! The question is posed: What is the importance of clouds, and more importantly why would he be expecting (or hoping) that they would disappear? Could it be that footage later in the trailer suggests that the Earth’s atmosphere is being used against the human race, corrupted, as a vessel to spread Missy and the Cybermen’s deadly plans worldwide? But more on that later….
The Cybermen seem to be showing off the capabilities of their new upgrade by attempting to illegally board the aircraft without paying for airfares or clearing customs. There seems to have been a slight difficulty when asked to pass through the metal detectors.
♪ ♫ Do you want to build a Cyberman? ♪ ♫
Obviously not a ‘Frozen’ fan: Kate, like many viewers (I dropped my tea) jumps in shock at the Cyberman’s sudden appearance. Mirroring her father’s posh British exclamation of distress: “Oh Dear Lord!”
“There are Cybermen out there on the fuselage!” – Captain Obvious strikes again! Looking at the official synopsis for guidance, the cryptic wording states that the Doctor must “take to the air in a startling new role”. Could this perhaps explain the Doctor’s presence on the aircraft and not on the TARDIS? Maybe UNIT have made an unrefusable request of their Scientific Advisor? Filming pictures from earlier in the year seem to indicate that his services are acquired unwillingly. Given Clara’s position at the conclusion of Dark Water it’s no surprise his own priorities lie elsewhere.
The Cybermen continue their invasion of London, coming to an intimidating confrontation with Kate Stewart and the UNIT posse. Something about the Cybermen coming face to face with UNIT (let alone a Lethbridge-Stewart!) at St Paul’s is just so incredibly invigorating there’s no secret as to why it’s a storyline repeating itself nearly 46 years since the iconic Patrick Troughton story.
Speaking of all things iconically Cyberman, the following shot sees the cue of the “delete” gesture – though here’s hoping the corny catchphrase doesn’t follow. This can only mean one thing: that assimilation is to follow. Regardless of their extremely limited airtime in “Dark Water” and the divided initial reaction to their new design in last year’s “Nightmare in Silver”, it’s extremely evident that the utilizing of the design, voice, physicality in the writing of these “Upgraded” villains puts “Death in Heaven” in the running to being one of the strongest Cybermen episodes in decades by finally achieving the intimidating presence they deserve.
Next in the sequence is a shot of actor James Pearse who portrays the character of Graham. Little (Rather nothing) is known about Graham’s role or place in the episode. However given his scrub-like attire and the environment we find him in, my own personal guess would be some kind of paramedic, Doctor or morgue supervisor dealing with the phenomenon of the dearly deceased returning as Cybermen.
Casting mental parallels to their last major appearance in Series 7’s “Nightmare in Silver”, a piece of material falls off a body to reveal a ready and waiting Cybermen. If connected to the previous image it’s this shot that strengthens my theory of Graham’s character working in some type of morgue/autopsy setting.
Summoning some Malcolm Tucker terminology, the Mistress finds herself cornered by a troop of UNIT soldiers on the streets of London. “In 24 hours the human race as you know it will cease to exist” she taunts. Chills. All over.
