It must be so challenging to write these metas, because elements of the stories so often harken back to prior episodes and seasons.

You could have written an entire essay just about the Brigadier! : )

Season 8 was so unbelievably rich. I suspect that as future stories build from this season, it will become even more resonant. Definitely my favorite since season 5. It helps so much to have 13 uninterrupted episodes, too.