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The series finale, while ultimately a pretty good episode, left me feeling a little underwhelmed by the great escape from the previous episode's predicament. On the whole though, a solid, upbeat finish to the season.

The escape from the Pandorica was almost trivial. It relied on some time-travel and paradoxes (perhaps justifiable in a collapsing universe) and the Doctor was able to save himself. But I expected something more after the brilliant setup.

The final episode turned on memory and it being a powerful thing. The Nestine consciousness (not seen since Rose) scanned Amy's memory and/or psychic residue and absorbed too much. Amy's memory of Rory was powerful enough to sustain him within an Auton. And the Doctor was able to store himself in Amy's memory, almost unknown to her, so that she can remember him.

Amy's life that didn't make sense is resolved. The crack in her wall removed parts of her life (eg. her parents) and changed her. In the temporary universe, her life returns to normal. Her parents are back and she marries Rory. But she can still sense something missing.

As the Doctor's timestream unwinds he falls back to previous stories. One of them is Flesh and Stone where he interacted with Amy. I just knew it back then that there was something odd about that episode. He falls back to when he met Amelia and leaves behind a coded memory. At Rory and Amy's wedding she finally remembers and brings back the TARDIS with the Doctor inside.

We find out a bit more about River. She refers to the Doctor as "my love" suggesting a strong bond. We find that she has little mercy when it comes to the daleks and it's implied she has a reputation in that area. And finally, she hints that the next time the Doctor and River meet everything will change. Is this when she kills a good man (an earlier admission)?

Much was still left unanswered though. As the Doctor asks, what was the point of the TARDIS causing the explosion? Why did it do it? To prevent something worse? After all, it kept the Earth warm for 2000 years to give the Doctor time to save the universe, so there must be a reason. And who was behind the voice? Silence will fall. To what end? I expect the next season to delve into that.

Speaking of seasons, this was a pretty good one. I don't think it hit the heights of some of Tennant's, but Smith makes an excellent Doctor. If the scripts can improve, especially in consistency, then the 11th Doctor could be awesome.

Loved the fez, by the way.