| Show | Doctor Who / Series V / Episode 5 |
| First Broadcast | 2010/05/16 - 19:30 (Link: ABC Details) |
| Related Links | Doctor Who WikiWikipedia |
| Previous Episode | The Time of Angels |
| Next Episode | The Vampires of Venice |
A clever, pacy episode that answers some questions and sets up a whole lot more. The Doctor eventually overcomes the angels (in a manner reminiscent of Doomsday). Along the way we find out more about the angels, River Song and the cracks.
The cracks in time play a significant role in this episode. Interestingly, the Doctor becomes aware of them early in the series, unusual for the motif. We discover that time can be unwritten by the cracks. This may explain why the soldiers can't remember the others and Amy can't remember the daleks. It's not that something is messing with their memories, but rather that these people and events have been unwritten in time, ie. they never existed and therefore cannot be remembered.
The angels are aware of the cracks before the Doctor and fear them. In the end the Doctor uses the cracks and the draining of the ship's power to defeat the angels. They simply fall into the crack when the artificial gravity fails and close the crack. The Doctor determines the cracks are caused by an explosion that is still ongoing. The explosion occurred in Amy's time - indeed on her wedding day. Much like Donna Noble, Amy Pond is a very significant figure in the history of the universe.
River Song, it turns out, is a criminal. She's on special release from her gaol (a storm cage) to help destroy the angel. Could she also have been on release in the library? She was imprisoned for killing a man, a good man, the best man she ever knew. Could this be the Doctor? She and the Doctor will meet again when the Pandorica - a fairy tale claims the Doctor - opens.
We find out a bit more about the angels. They have a mean streak, evidenced by their messages to the Doctor, via Bob. We see them move, when they realise Amy can't see them because she is keeping her eyes shut.
In one strange interaction, the Doctor leaves Amy and goes off with Octavian and Song. And then he's back, but his manner is different. He left in a upbeat mood with glib parting words. He's back in a serious mood. Upon a second viewing, his outfit has changed. His sleeves are rolled up. A production error? Or did the Doctor return from his relative future?
At the end, Amy asks to go home. She has decided to tell the Doctor she's about to get married. She shows him her dress and ring. And then she tries to seduce the Doctor! This is a funny scene, but more than a little strange. Most recent companions, female and male, seem to fall for the Doctor. But none behave like this. The Doctor rebuffs her and then comes to the realisation that her wedding day and Amy herself could somehow be very significant.
As usual, lots more to be revealed.
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