The Last Day

Spoilers Ahead!

We visit Arcadia, located on Gallifrey through the eyes of a new recruit, in the second of two mini episode previews to the Day of the Doctor

Synopsis-

The Last Day takes place on Arcadia, the so-called "safest place on Gallifrey".  A new recruit to the Arcadia defense force has just had a headcam implanted.  A fellow soldier is helping the new recruit adjust the new headcam's settings.  The fellow soldier also warns the new recruit about possible side effects, particularly hallucinations that some consider to be premonitions.

These hallucinations show Arcadia being attacked and destroyed by the Daleks.  Eventually, the mini episode ends with the Daleks arriving and commencing their attack upon Arcadia.

Review-

I loved the Night of the Doctor, because while it was also rather short it was able to make us care about the pilot Cass and helped us to understand the Doctor's dilemma with the Time War.  For whatever reason, I simply didn't get much from the Last Day and I think it opens up way too many questions.  Who are these soldiers, and why should we care about them?  Why do the soldiers receive headcam implants and why do the implants cause hallucinogenic premonitions?   Most importantly, does this mean that the fall of Arcadia will be a major plot point of the Day of the Doctor?  Will we be seeing these soldiers again later today?  

I think, in the end, as a stand alone mini episode, the Last Day simply doesn't work.  The Night of the Doctor worked as a stand alone story, and the Last Day's reputation will rise or fall depending on how well it fits in with the Day of the Doctor.  In hindsight, I may very well find the Last Day to be a brilliant prequel for the Day of the Doctor.  But for now, I'll admit that I simply didn't get much out of the Last Day.