I remember the last X-mas’s Special was the one with the
Dream Crabs, and before that, oh before that was… was Eleven’s departure. :( But my last review,
well that was the debut episode of Twelve, the one with the Clockwork drones
and the delusional quest for the sacred land.
Well, two series on with Twelve, to be honest I don’t think
I have made up on mind about him yet. Although, I must say, Series 9 was produced a lot better than the prior series. Just the darker tones and serious
atmosphere fits this Doctor more. The airy-ness of the 8th Series
just always felt off beat. My recollection of the dry humour, heroics and
hint of cynicism didn’t mix and bond. Of course, I say I enjoyed the 9th
Series, but, why no reviews? The commotions of life got away with me? Well, in part
maybe. The other reason, I may have finally fallen out of my obsession with
this drama series. :O Yes! I didn’t think this would happen. But, nothing is
impossible.
Ok, enough of my excuses. I am about to watch the new X-mas
Special. So here go and I will be back in a few hours.
____________
The Husbands of River Song
Hell with the seriousness, it is after all Christmas. I
remember when I first saw the trailer for this Special I was like, seriously? So
I was expecting another campy, incoherent sing-a-long. I will, however, always
look forward to any guest appearance from River in the Doctor’s timeline. But,
in truth, despite all the silliness I did enjoy this episode. Maybe it’s because
the continuous string of serious episodes, starting from about ‘Sleep No more’
to ‘Heaven Sent’ and the final farewell to Clara, the Doctor was well overdue
for some real laughter. I wonder how long it has been for him? Not that he has
any memory of Clara anymore. I won’t discuss my views on Clara’s run in the
TARDIS here, as the point of this review is the Special, even though this maybe a
good time to go off a tangent.
The episode was a way to tie up the loose end of River’s
last meeting with the Doctor that she has known and loved. One of the most
important meetings of their story, and the one date the Doctor has frequently cancelled,
holding onto the last thread, unable to let her go and let their story run to a
close. Some may have long waited to see this final meeting, but, I think that
whether or not we got to see it didn’t matter anymore. For all that has
happened and the millennia’s past in the Doctor’s life, the Doctor does finally
feel as monolithic and impossible as he has always been renowned. This event,
however significant and shining a moment it is in their relationship is only a
fleeting spec in his tremendous life. The fact that we did get to see it, is
nothing more than a bauble, a treat.
"...The last time I saw you, the real you, the future you, I mean, you turned up on my doorstep, with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Darillium to see the Singing Towers. What a night that was. The Towers sang, and you cried." ~ River Song in the ‘Forest of the Dead’
Did River really believe her own words, that the Doctor
never loved her? Possibly, as from her perspective the Doctor had just lost Amy
and Rory and was spiralling into a deep depression and isolation from the world
including her. Little does she know that the aged Doctor beside her (looking a
little awkward having to witness this speech) had long ago professed his
perpetual love for her, albeit to her database copy, at Trenzalore. This speech
would have been the highlight of the episode, had Kingston not overacted it a
tad.
With the episodes ending, it was suggested that the two would
have their happy ending and a fitting resolve. Will we see River again? I did initially
hope so, but given the continuity barriers set up in this episode, it will be
hard.
There were problems with this episode, but seeing that it is
a X-mas Special and supposed to be a silly romp about, I will spare the
commentary. Better than some X-mas Specials in the past years, but, ‘A
Christmas Carol’ is still the best.
