35.13? Christmas Special 2015: The Husbands of River Song

[REBerg]

Wow! What does an enemy-eating alien robotic leader need to do to get ahead? I haven't seen a noggin carried around in a bag that much since Re-Animator.

Always fun to watch Alex Kingston and her strange domestic relationship with the Doctor. Humorous, yet touching episode.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

It's a good thing I had captioning on, because I laughed so hard at the TARDIS-entry scene that I couldn't hear a word of it.

 

[Mister_Oy]

Christmas Specials are usually a bit disappointing for me - kinda like a Dr Who Lite. I really enjoyed this one though

 

[Vince W]

Fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Top marks for this special.

 

[Vladd67]

I did enjoy the look on Songs face when she was describing the Doctor and the truth started to dawn, "Hello Sweetie," was a great moment.

 

[Serendipity]

This was definitely a heads up Christmas special... good fun... very enjoyable... I liked it!

 

[Dave]

I thought it was a little odd. It began as a right rollicking comedy and was very funny. I liked it for the change of style and Christmas episodes ought to all be like this. However, it morphed into some gooey romance and wasn't very satisfying. I don't have young children any more. I assume they loved the cyborg with no head/different heads and the humour, but did they not get bored towards the end?

 

[Mister_Oy]

I thought it was a little odd. It began as a right rollicking comedy and was very funny. I liked it for the change of style and Christmas episodes ought to all be like this. However, it morphed into some gooey romance and wasn't very satisfying. I don't have young children any more. I assume they loved the cyborg with no head/different heads and the humour, but did they not get bored towards the end?

I was the opposite - just as I started to tire of the silliness - it developed into something more meaningful

 

[Droflet]

For me, far, far too silly.

 

[Dave]

Something that still confuses me; is it being made for very young children, or for "happily divorced, youthful beyond measure, Australian men?"

 

[Droflet]

Oi. Cultural bias David?

 

[Mr Orange]

saw it last night and have to say i really liked it. i thought it was just what a christmas special should be.another good performance by capaldi and like TDZ i loved the tardis entry scene. thought the pace was great and didn't mind at all the change from slapstick-ish physical comedy to serious meaningful-ness. i would have thought that children would understand that as well. of course, seeing as we're all (presumably) fully grown adult types, i think dr who is aimed at much as us as little kids.

i also thought river pulling the fez out of her bag was a nice touch. did i miss anything else?

one question: does this mean it's the last we'll see of river song? was this a way of clearing out all of the doctor's companions and leaving him truly alone?

 

[Perpetual Man]

A bit late to the thread, but I really enjoyed it too.

To start with I was not too sure, the humour seemed to come out of nowhere and I was not expecting it, especially after the end of the main run of episodes. But I quickly settled into it and enjoyed the romp. It seemed as though everyone taking part was enjoying it as well which really helped get the episode of the ground.

It was wonderful seeing the Doctor's devilish side as he relished in the idea of River not knowing who he was.

As Mr Orange said it was clever how it moved from the comedy to seriousness as it rapidly became apparent that this was just before River's cycle would be complete and we were back at the beginning/end for her character.

I particularly liked the reference to the diary. Nearly full up. and given to her by someone who knew exactly how long her diary needed to be.

So a lot to recommend the episode, just little touches like the Doctor giving her the screwdriver, or River not realising that he had another set of regenerations. It was nice to see not as all knowing as she has been, and the Doctor being the one with the 'spoilers'

 

[REBerg]

Watched this again last night with my grandson. The second viewing really brought out River's emotional description of her unrequited love for the Doctor, made all the more poignant by her sudden realization that the man who would never be there for her was there.

 

[Heather Myst]

I thought the special was pretty good but Capaldi never won me over and I wish River was a bigger part of the show. As of now I am officially in mourning for Clara. She was my all time favorite companion.

 

[Ensign Shah]

Something that still confuses me; is it being made for very young children, or for "happily divorced, youthful beyond measure, Australian men?"

I watch Dr Who with my 6 year old daughter. We have watched from Christopher Eccleston and onwards. I have to admit there are quite a few episodes that don't hold her attention at all and I have wondered if she is too young for it as a result. She enjoyed this episode but did lose interest at the end. Her exact words were "Ooooh nice dress, River," and then she wandered off to find some chocolate.

I have to say that her favourite Dr so far has been Matt Smith. There is something about Matt that really appeals to kids.

 

[Ensign Shah]

There is something about Matt that appeals to me also, but for different reasons.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Smith was a very young chap, and also seemed to be brimming with energy, as if someone had put three spoonfuls of coffee and he'd just seen a squirrel.

Edited extra bit: three spoonfuls *in his coffee. Of course, if I'd had that, I might've written the sentence correctly...

 

[Ensign Shah]

She does love them all and has asked to meet Peter Capaldi. I think with Matt, the stories with a young Amy really helped fire her imagination but yes the bouncing puppy quality of Matt struck a chord.

 

[REBerg]

Matt Smith established his standing with children when the freshly-minted 11th Doctor bonded with the young Amelia Pond. In this scene, she's the mature one.