I actually liked it. The monster wasn't really the focus of this episode. It was more the characters' relationships with each other, and I appreciated that.
Clara also seems less and less like a plot device, and more and more like a real person. And what I especially appreciated with this latest episode was how Danny is kind of integrating into her life and she's having to face conflicts between continuing to have grand adventures with her Space-Dad-who-used-to-be-her-Space-Boyfriend and actually having a real life with Danny. I also like that Danny's starting to assert himself more, rather than just being an awkward goof with a secret past.
See, here's the thing. I think what we're seeing is the beginning of the end for Clara as a companion. I think she's going to actually CHOOSE to walk away from the TARDIS, in a way that, say, Amy and Rory didn't. With them, it was almost like the Doctor sort of chose for them. In this case, though, I think Clara will ultimately find the conflict between Danny and the Doctor to be irreconcilable, and she'll have to make a decision: stay with the Doctor, or build a life with Danny. And ultimately, she'll choose Danny. What we saw in this episode is some of the foundation for why she'll choose Danny, ultimately. First, he's demonstrated that he's a man of action who will put Clara first...which sounds familiar... Second, he's demonstrated that he's not a pushover with respect to the Doctor or her, unlike, say, Mickey and Rory.
Sidebar: one of my big complaints about the male companions in recent years has been that they're basically all buffoons who once in a while get moments of actually showing why these dynamic women might choose to be with them, but then go right back to being a doofus. With Danny, I think we're (hopefully) seeing a character who while certainly not on the level of a Time Lord, is capable of holding his own and giving as good as he gets (at least in terms of attitude).
Anyway, so, we've already seen that the Doctor and Danny don't agree, and each has preconceived notions of the other, based on past experiences. The Doctor doesn't like soldiers, finding them to be more likely to blow something up than to solve the problem. This is generally accurate with his backstory on the show, by the way, since there have been very few soldiers with whom he's gotten along (mostly The Brig, and a couple of his subordinates). Other soldiers always cock it up or are completely outclassed and shoot when they should've run. With Danny, though, he's seen the Doctor's type before -- a man used to being in command, who can drive soldiers to do incredible things, but often at the cost of their lives or at least their psyches.
My guess is that Clara and the Doctor may go on one too many harrowing adventures, or her travels will begin to take a toll on her in a way that Danny -- PTSD sufferer -- will recognize, and she'll make the choice to leave and build a healthy, happy, CALM life with him, rather than jaunt about with the Doctor.
And what'll be even more interesting about that is how the Doctor will respond afterwards. I look forward to seeing it all.
