'Doctor Who' Finale Ending Explained: Do the Doctor and Ruby defeat Sutekh?
Contains spoilers for 'Doctor Who'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Doctor Who' Season 1 has concluded with 'Empire of Death' delivering on its promise of a high death toll, courtesy of Sutekh.
The finale addressed some long-standing fan questions and left us with new mysteries to ponder. Overall, there's much to analyze as Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor hurriedly tries to rescue all of time and space.
The ending of 'Doctor Who' Season 1 depicts an epic showdown between the Fifteenth Doctor and Sutekh, leaving much to discuss as the aftermath unfolds.
A surprising twist reveals that Sutekh had been hiding inside the Doctor's TARDIS since the 1975 Tom Baker episode 'Pyramids of Mars'.
Season 14's finale begins with Sutekh executing his plan to wipe out all life in the universe. Despite Sutekh's initial triumph, the Doctor and Ruby Sunday devise a plan to undo the devastation caused by his Thanos-like campaign across time and space.
How did Sutekh survive?
In the 1975 serial 'Pyramids of Mars', the Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith encountered Sutekh, an Osiran with immense power worshipped by ancient cultures, including Egyptians on Earth.
They destroyed the Eye of Horus on Mars, freeing Sutekh, but the Doctor trapped him in a time tunnel that aged him to his death.
Years later, in 'Empire of Death', the Fifteenth Doctor learns that Sutekh survived by clinging to the TARDIS, evolving into a god-like being over time.
Sutekh's hidden presence reveals a long-standing malevolent companionship with the Doctor, unseen but influential throughout their travels.
How was Sutekh defeated?
In 'Empire of Death', an evolved Sutekh deploys a deadly 'dust of death' through Susan Triad, wiping out life on Earth and beyond. Kate Stewart, UNIT personnel, Ruby Sunday's family, and countless others fall victim to this apocalyptic substance.
Sutekh establishes dominion over a universe threatened by his unstoppable annihilation.
Driven by curiosity about Ruby's mother, Sutekh keeps the Doctor and Ruby alive in his quest for answers. Using clever tactics and artifacts from a TARDIS of memories, they manage to overpower Sutekh.
The Doctor harnesses the TARDIS's power to trap Sutekh in the vortex, where he meets his end, burned up and seemingly defeated, concluding his reign of terror.
Who is Ruby's mother?
It wasn't River Song or any other speculated character from online fan theories. Ruby's mother is Louise Miller, a regular human who gave up Ruby after becoming pregnant as a teenager.
According to the Doctor, including the audience, this revelation might be a nod from showrunner Russell T Davies that we tend to assign greater significance to people throughout history.
Louise Miller has no special abilities or godlike powers—she's just an ordinary person. Despite this, her identity has garnered considerable attention and speculation, echoing how society often elevates certain individuals to mythic status.
How does everyone come back to life?
After defeating Sutekh, the Doctor faced the aftermath of the devastation he had caused across the universe.
Fortunately, by pulling Sutekh into the vortex—a pathway to all of time and space—the Doctor managed to 'end death' and thereby 'restore life'.
Essentially, Sutekh's destruction was undone, bringing back everyone who had died, including Kate Stewart, Carla, Cherry, Mrs Flood, Melanie Bush, Morris Gibbons, and Rose Noble.
What to expect next from 'Doctor Who'?
As the credits message confirms, 'Doctor Who' will return, dispelling any uncertainty. The second season, starring Ncuti Gatwa, has already completed filming.
Before that, a Christmas special, written by Steven Moffat and featuring Nicola Coughlan from 'Bridgerton', will air during the holiday season.
Looking ahead, the Doctor will continue his adventures alone for a while. Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday will return as a companion in 'Doctor Who' Season 2, joined by Varada Sethu, known for her role as Mundy Flynn in this year's episode 'Boom'.
'Doctor Who' trailer
'Doctor Who' Season 1 is available to stream on Disney+.