When I re-watched this, it'a fun tense, dramatic part one to a story. The hints leading up toward Sutekh's reveal are generally unnerving, and it packs a hell of a punch. The sense of impending doom is spread through the story, but it never loses focus of the important part: Ruby's story. Also Sutekh week was a lot of fun, so plenty of positive memories.

After first watching this episode when it came out, I made a bunch of notes and said I'd write a final review after the second part, instead of letting my initial trepidation drag down my opinion. Once Empire of Death came out, I just... didn't. My opinion of Legend was dragged down even more by the letdown of the final episode. Now, after a rewatch, I feel it's finally time to write this review.

Starting with: why'd it take so long for them to think of going to UNIT with this, with how friendly the Doctor seems to be with them now? Arriving at UNIT drives us right into the action, and I personally find it a bit of a jarring start to the episode.

On top of that, I don't like this new UNIT. Rose is 15 years old, she should not be working, let alone for a military organization. I can't believe Kate would hire her. I can't believe Donna would let her. It's made all the worse by the fact she doesn't actually have a reason to be there; she spends the entire episode standing around, being part of the background and being told she's pretty. If she was at least vital to the episode I might have been able to ignore it, but as is it's a terrible choice.

Then there's Moris, a 13 year old (though the actor looks even younger to me), yet another child who should definitely not be exposed to this. I don't care how intelligent he is, he should not be at work, let alone somewhere that could get him killed. UNIT is going through scientific advisors faster than the Doctor goes through faces. It doesn't help that Moris also uses a mobility aid (though why a segway is beyond me) with weapons in it.

Speaking of characters that have no reason to be in this episode: Carla. She, like Rose, follows Ruby around for a bit, makes a few comments, and has absolutely no impact on the plot of the story whatsoever. It didn't escape my notice that they're both Black women.

Okay, enough about characters, what about the story? Well...I didn't like it. It would have benefited greatly from picking just one mystery to focus on, rather than trying to tackle both Ruby's mother and Susan Triad at the same time. It jumped between both so it didn't really feel like we were getting anywhere. The two parts feel completely detached from one another.

This isn't to say there's nothing to enjoy about this episode. I do think the Time Window is an interesting idea (though the effects are pretty obviously green-screened - one of the unfortunate side effects of how high quality video is nowadays), and the atmosphere in that scene is good, even if the crying was definitely getting on my nerves at that point.

I also enjoyed the quiet moment in the beginning with Kate and the Doctor reminiscing about the Brigadier. I liked everyone being like "Duh" about the anagram (though in retrospect it feels a little mean-spirited, especially with the anagram twist. Sorry, I just can't seem to be fully positive about this episode). I like the design of Sutekh and his harbingers.

Unfortunately, I don't like Sutekh. I didn't care for him in Pyramids of Mars, and I downright hate him in this. I thought Empire of Death might do something interesting and make bringing back this old villain worthwhile, but it didn't. There is absolutely no reason for the god of death to be Sutekh (and don't even get me started on the other members of this pantheon). It seems to have worked well for first-time viewers, who weren't familiar with the character, but it's just not in keeping with his original depiction. I saw some people predict his return, but it's one of the names that always get thrown around, along with the Rani, the Master, River Song, and plenty of others.

The ending dragged on too long for what tension it had. We weren't given the opportunity to guess Harriet was a harbinger on our own (I initially thought I missed them saying her last name over the excitement of going "Like Harriet Jones???", but no, they just didn't say it), and the Doctor getting that despite never hearing of the harbinger from The Devil's Chord was a bit of a miss. I liked Harriet crying as she was possessed, and some of the lines she said were pretty cool, but man does it drag.

All in all, no matter how much I try, I just have too many issues with this episode to properly enjoy it.

definitely a finale feel of an episode I was on the edge of my seat defo can’t wait to see it in the Cinema next week

The big end of series finale begins with this, as the two main themes of the overall arc come together.

The Doctor and Ruby return to the present day, to UNIT. They've been seeing the same woman throughout thier travels, each time as someone different and its time time to find out who she is. Also on the agenda is the mystery of Ruby's mum and why it snows when she thinks of her.

We're into more (new series) traditional Doctor Who here. Along with Kate Stewart, is Mel and Donna's daughter Rose, its like the gangs back together and we're on secure ground. The 'woman' is known to UNIT, as Susan Triad and the idea is floated that it could be the Doctors granddaughter. The suspense is there, after all this time are we going to get a reunion?

Suddenly switching between finding out about Susan Triad and investigating Ruby's mum and back seems a little odd, wouldn't you just deal with one issue at a time? But again this plot thread began with the Christmas episode, Ruby abandoned as a baby, the snow and why there's no trace of a relative. We're invested in what the outcome is, and on the edge of our seats in wanting the answers.

With Ruby's mum, grandmother and Mrs Flood all making appearences it quite packed. Kate mentioning her father telling stories of the Doctor - it has some nice moments.Though parts of this story feels a bit been there done that, Army of Ghosts springs to mind. The Doctor and Rose coming back from their travels to catch up on what they've missed, Torchwood with all the latest tech etc.

An emotional outburst by the Doctor, seems a bit out of place and as with the crying, out of character.

The reveal at the end wasn't expected by me and was a great surprise, but the cliffhanger was slightly drawn out.

On the whole pretty good.

Oh hey Sutekh, coo-

Why is UNIT employing children.