Hello Sweetie: A Doctor/River Essay.

[elisi]

Hello there fellow Elevenites. *waves* S5 was so full of meta that I'm still trying to process it all, but for now I've got a Doctor/River essay to share with you.

SPOILERS: All of S5 + Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead.

(Oh, and if you like, you’re very welcome to see this as a ‘ship manifesto. *g*)

Comments

[elisi]

alright, you have a lot to answer for! i barely paid any attention at all to the students i was supposed to be teaching today, and all because of your essay bouncing around in my head! :) not that i'm complaining.
:)

and i feel like the doctor had a similar reaction, because in TTOA, she was smug, and he was on alert, trying to put distance between them. he and i shared the same feelings: this woman is trouble, and i REALLY don't want to get into whatever epic, emotional adventure we're about to begin. i don't even KNOW her! and she acts as if she already knows so much, and treats him like a child that needs placating. but he was intrigued by her, and so was i, even though i resented her.
I think the show has been very clever in making us follow the Doctor's POV in all this. lizzledpink makes a lot of excellent points in this comment, pointing out all the ways in which the Doctor begins to re-evaluate River during the Angel eps.

in the season 5 finale, we saw river strong, capable, and a little bit terrifying. i admit to being impressed, but still i was resentful. especially because eleven has started gently FLIRTING with her, which he never does!
Well he does and he doesn't - that is, he rarely means it, and that's the difference. (Personally that was when I nearly feel off the sofa in delight. *g*)

and by the time i saw their exchange in front of the tardis at the end, i was no longer resentful, only...intrigued. because she has proven to be much more than she orignally seemed, and there is surely much more backstory to come.
*nods* Moffat has promised that she'll be one of the central things of S6 and I can't wait!

and who else *could* be his wife, except river?
This. (Really, everything in that paragraph. 'Twas beautifully put.)

i admit that i do ship doctor/master, but for the sake of canon, that ship has sailed (at least for the moment)
Oh I ship Doctor/Master liek whoa, but it's one of those ships that works because it doesn't. (I'm sure you know what I mean. *g*)

and the doctor deserves a real, honest, STABLE, fulfilling relationship after so long alone. i have come to accept that river is the doctor's salvation. no one else would ever deserve him the way she does.
Awwww, I love how you put that. *melts*

thanks for helping me realize that. :)
Thank *you* for sharing your thoughts with me, it's been a pleasure! :)