Actually I think the death of the Brigadier scene had a second "out of series" reason. In interviews Moffat said that in the last episode a character would die completely and irrevocably, the hint being this would be the doctor (but we know it would not be) but in fact it was the Brigadier who (rightfully) got a nodded "farewell" (which brought a lump to my throat).
Doctor who always had from the earliest series the notion that the doctor could be "late" for things and getting back in the TARDIS and backing up was not an option. I think it's one of the things you have to accept is dramatically necessary for the series to continue. Otherwise, pretty much any problem is soluble by getting back in the TARDIS and going back in time until the problem is easily soluble.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-10-03 11:19 pm (UTC)Doctor who always had from the earliest series the notion that the doctor could be "late" for things and getting back in the TARDIS and backing up was not an option. I think it's one of the things you have to accept is dramatically necessary for the series to continue. Otherwise, pretty much any problem is soluble by getting back in the TARDIS and going back in time until the problem is easily soluble.