When the Cybermen flew into the atmosphere, they all burnt, and thus removed the clouds of "Cyber Pollen." However, we know that Lethbridge Stewart stayed behind for a short time, before flying away.

However, remember how one burning Cyberman started the clouds in the first place? Surely he'd have done the same if he'd burnt himself.

My theory is that he went off into space to explore, just like the Doctor. If you ask me, it's quite a fitting end that the character who spent so long defending the Earth from aliens is now out there exploring other worlds for himself.

That said, I wouldn't ever want to see the Cyber Brigadier again. It wouldn't be right. But I really like that Moffat tried to give the character some closure.

He didn't need closure. We knew what happened to him post-who. Still annoys me that scene. I doubt he's out exploring new worlds. Would take him ages to get anywhere without transport!

I agree. I thought the line in TWoRS was enough.

Moffat gave him closure in the Series 6 finale, in a very simple and poignant scene that was arguably the most down-to-earth and finest moment in an otherwise very weak story. Tragic as it was, it was nice that Series 6 was bookended with commemorations to both Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney.

Moffat then ran over his own fine work with a contrived, weird, unsatisfying concept in the Series 8 finale, which contributed to it all being a depressingly weak concluding half to an otherwise decent story.

I agree with above posters that it wasn't needed. A lot of Classic who fans didn't seem to think much of it, new who fans not overly familiar with the brigadier (such as myself) wouldn't have found any value in it, and for casual fans it would have been a complete scene of 'what going on?, who's that supposed to be?, have I missed something?.

New who has always been good a treading the perfect line between catering to old fans, but in such a way as to keep the show accessible and understandable for newer fans or casual viewers, but it seems that in recent times, as with the scene in question, Moffat has gone a bit too far in indulging his inner classic who fan, at the possible expense of other fans or casual viewers.

That and, as others have said, the phone call at the end of series 6 seemed better. I don't think it would be a nice ending for one of the characters I like now if they were to show them in some horrible, half converted cyberman, half zombified state. Danny seemed in intense discomfort. I can't imagine how anyone could imagine the brigadier would actually be happy in that state.

Stop calling us "old fans", DBB. I'm quite sprightly for my age, I'll have you know!

Seriously, agree with a lot of the above. I thought 'Cyber Brig' was a bit naff and the beautifully played scene in Wedding....when Eleven made the phone call was a lovely moment and enough to salute the marvellous, much missed Mr Courtney.