The dramatic season 14 finale of Doctor Who has left fans questioning the fate of Sutekh, the formidable villain who first appeared in the 1975 episode Pyramids of Mars. Despite his apparent vanquishing at the hands of the Fifteenth Doctor, we are left to wonder: Is Sutekh truly dead?
In Pyramids of Mars, the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) managed to banish Sutekh by trapping him in a time tunnel. Fast forward to the latest season, and it’s revealed that Sutekh has been clinging to the TARDIS ever since, making a shocking return in The Legend Of Ruby Sunday / Empire Of Death.
Uncovering Sutekh’s Infiltration
Sutekh is based on the Egyptian god of death, and his ability to bring instant death makes him one of the most powerful gods in the Doctor Who universe. His return was both unexpected and terrifying. He spent an extensive period hiding inside the TARDIS’s systems, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash chaos.
Sutekh’s invasion went unnoticed for years because he evolved slowly over time. The Doctor had observed occasional glitches with the TARDIS, like minor landing errors. These issues were often brushed off as quirks rather than malicious tampering.
Sutekh’s Grand Reentrance
The finale Empire of Death showcased how Sutekh infiltrated and controlled the TARDIS. He accessed its database to learn about every companion, ultimately cloning an evil version of Susan. The scale of his power to influence even the TARDIS’s inner workings adds gravity to his menace.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor faced immense challenges dealing with Sutekh’s return. During this epic confrontation, Gatwa delivered a performance that highlighted his vast potential as the new Doctor. His portrayal exuded confidence and fear as he grappled with such a powerful adversary.
One pivotal moment came when Sutekh unleashed his dust of death upon the universe, decimating entire civilizations within minutes. This blow was not just physical but psychological as well – striking fear into our hearts as we watched familiar worlds crumble.
Throughout these dark times, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) continued to shine brightly as a strong companion. Her journey from seeking her biological mother to braving world-shattering events showcased her courageous spirit and tight bond with the Doctor.
The revelation that Sutekh had been latched onto the TARDIS since his initial appearance added layers of mystery and intrigue. This long-term infiltration explained many quirks seen throughout recent episodes.
The Fate of Sutekh
The climax saw Sutekh seemingly defeated after being ejected into the Time Vortex by Gatwa’s Doctor, mimicking how Tom Baker’s Doctor dealt with him decades ago. Yet, fans remain suspicious. Could this truly be the end?
Ncuti Gatwa once said during an interview: The match is the warm-up bout to the main event between light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and top-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka.
, hinting at longer future arcs and possible reappearances for infamous villains like Sutekh.
Taking lessons from history, we know that in Doctor Who, no enemy is truly gone when dealing with such complex characters across varied timelines and realities. The TARDIS may have many more secrets yet unrevealed.
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