Was the horrific slow death of Doctor Who assistant Clara 'too traumatic' for family viewing? Fan fury at character's exit

• SPOILER ALERT
• Saturday night's Doctor Who episode was broadcast before the watershed
• It saw the tragic demise of one of the main characters on the show
• Show writer says children do not learn about loss from Doctor Who
  Saturday night's episode of Doctor Who has been criticised as being too emotional for children, after it showed the death of one of the main characters before the watershed.
  Concerns had been raised that the 8.10pm broadcast time wasn't suitable for the show's dark content.
  However, one of the show's main writers has defended the episode, saying that many children experience loss in their lives and do not learn about the realities of death from Doctor Who.
  
  
  

  Facing the raven: Jenna Coleman has played the Doctor's companion, Clara Oswald, since 2012, but finally fell victim to the dangers that come with the job on Saturday

  Fans took to Twitter to express their highly emotional reactions to the death of the Doctor's companion Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman. 

  Twitter user Aidan_ww wrote: 'Still left staring blank at my tv after doctor who; too emotionally damaged.'

  Another, tweeting using the handle @TheJelliefish, added: '#DoctorWho just tore my heart into millions of tiny pieces then stomped on them. somehow not feeling much love for Steven Moffat!!'

  Tweeter Andrea Benoit wrote: 'So this is how Clara ends - not with a bang but a whimper. Thankfully the long drawn out goodbye is now over.'

  A young woman using the handle @__urxvat added 'I hate doctor who how tf could they kill Clara off I was not ready for that I'm never watching it again.'

  

  

  

  Reactions: Doctor Who fans took to Twitter to express their feelings after Saturday night's episode

  

  Farewell: The Doctor was powerless to protect Clara from her deadly foe in the episode's closing scene

  Apparently still reeling Sunday morning, ‏ThisIsShaneOC asked: '#DoctorWho why did you feel the need to absolutely destroy my emotions last night?'

  However, in defense of the episode, screenwriter Steven Moffat, 54, said children loved to be scared providing it was done in a non-harrowing way. 

  'You have to be responsible about it – that doesn't mean it isn't shocking or troubling,' he told The Sunday People.

  'But it is not like children learn about the realities of people dying from Doctor Who.'

  He added that many of the show's viewers would have experienced loss in their lives and if they had coped with that,  they could cope with the death of a character in the show.  

  

  Brave face: Clara ordered her friend not to let what was to happen turn him into a monster

  

  One last hug: All the Doctor could say was 'Clara...' before she clung on to him in one last hug

  Viewers watched as Clara's life was ended by a deadly raven known as a 'Quantum Spirit', which the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) grimly explained to Clara is 'a spirit bound to a victim, you could flee across all of time and all of the universe and it would still find you.'

  Her fate was effectively sealed when she selflessly offered to take on the death sentence placed upon her friend Rigsy in a previous storyline.

  Despite the dangers involved, she believed that the combined powers of Ashildr (Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams) and the Doctor would be enough to protect her from the deadly spirit.

  However, the raven did finally catch up with her, and the Doctor could only watch as his charge stood alone, arms outstretched, as the raven hurtled into her. 

  

  Emotional: Fans expressed their sadness and sorrow on Twitter after the episode

  

  Farewell: Jenna Coleman's character is show lying on the ground after facing the raven

  A VERY CONTROVERSIAL DOCTOR: OTHER EPISODES THAT UPSET FANS

  Deep Breath (2014) - A controversial kiss

  The romantic encounter between lizard woman Madame Vastra and her human wife Jenny Flint raised some eyebrows in Britain and was even cut before it was screened in Asia.

  The Time of Angels (2010) - A controversial cartoon

  More than 5,000 fans complained after this episode which saw Matt Smith's Doctor Who face an army of Weeping Angels when suddenly a cartoon version of talkshow host Graham Norton was imposed onto the screen to advertise talent show Over The Rainbow. The BBC apologised.

  Dark Water (2014) - A controversial death

  This episode saw dead bodies transformed into an army of Cybermen. At one point it is suggested the bodies of the dead could feel the pain of being cremated. The BBC received 118 complaints

  Despite her dying wish for him not to seek revenge for her death, the show ended with the Doctor issuing a warning to Ashildr, telling her 'I strongly advise you to keep out of my way. 

  'You'll find it's a very small universe when I'm angry with you.' 

  Meanwhile, the actress herself, has said that she could not stop crying when she found out Clara was departing the show.

  Miss Coleman, 29, who has played the Doctor's companion since 2012, told the Sunday People: 'It was a surprise when I read the script. 

  'It did not go in the direction I thought it was going to. But it's really cool and different, and good, I think. And sad.' 

  She added: 'I couldn't stop crying after I filmed my final scenes – it was ridiculous to get emotional. I'd planned all these things I wanted to say but only got two words out.'  

  Clara first appeared in the seventh series of the show as companion to Capaldi's predecessor Matt Smith, following on from Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.  

  
  

  Credit : Daily Mail