I am very curious to read what other people think about the parental relationship of Amy and Rory to River. I admit that this is a point that really bugs me. This is a multi faceted issue. I think first thing I don't understand or have a hard time understanding was Amy's reaction post A Good Man Goes to War. It almost seems like she doesn't react that her baby has been stolen and it's just life back on the Tardis. The only glimpse of motherly outrage is in the The Wedding of River Song.
Perhaps this is due to learning Mel is River and feeling connected that way? Perhaps it's not feeling pregnant until she gives birth and thus feels less connected to her child? Maybe it's because she knows that River grows up and is all right as she's met her as an adult? All of these are valid points but I still feel like something is missing. I can't put my finger on it exactly but I think that the mother/daughter connection was not adequately explored and thus I feel like it's missing something. Do you think that SM did that on purpose? I don't know but I think I was looking for more anger from Amy.
Of course, there is the instance where they drink wine together in the back yard which was a scene that did convey that they were close in a way. Still, I don't see that as a mother/daughter moment but more as friendship and sharing the madcap life with the Doctor that brings companions together. It was sort of like Sarah Jane and Rose in School Reunion.
As for Rory, I think there was also a disconnect for him as well but not in the same way. Rory remained pretty consistent with an underlying resentment for the Doctor. Where Amy adheres to her blind faith in the Doctor even at the cost of her own daughter, Rory seems to stay the skeptic and maybe trusts the Doctor less. He seems to be puzzled by how to relate to River as an adult. I think it bothers him a little.
River seems to accept them as her parents but without huge emotional attachment. I wonder if she knows something that will happen to them and purposefully holds a part of herself back?
One other point regarding parental relationship that I wonder about is that Amy knows her daughter is in prison in Stormcage. This doesn't appear to disturb her and she just accepts it. I would think it would be upsetting to realize your child's ultimate fate would be to be imprisoned. Do you think it's her faith in the Doctor to make everything all right that allows her to sort of shrug this off?
The whole thing is very timey wimey and complex isn't it?
I think first thing I don't understand or have a hard time understanding was Amy's reaction post A Good Man Goes to War. It almost seems like she doesn't react that her baby has been stolen and it's just life back on the Tardis. The only glimpse of motherly outrage is in the The Wedding of River Song.
I completely agree with this. It's one of those things that really frustrated me about S6. Amy barely even reacts when her baby is stolen. No matter the extenuating circumstances I just CAN NOT believe that a mother would have so little concern about her child being stolen. Even if she knows her baby grows up etc, there's no mother who would just shrug it off.
(Sorry, that is one of the things I absolutely detest about S6).
Of course, there is the instance where they drink wine together in the back yard which was a scene that did convey that they were close in a way. Still, I don't see that as a mother/daughter moment but more as friendship and sharing the madcap life with the Doctor that brings companions together.
This is pretty much how I read the scene too. It does feel like a familial relationship/interaction at all. Just friends getting together and catching up.
Perhaps this is due to learning Mel is River and feeling connected that way? Perhaps it's not feeling pregnant until she gives birth and thus feels less connected to her child? Maybe it's because she knows that River grows up and is all right as she's met her as an adult? All of these are valid points but I still feel like something is missing. I can't put my finger on it exactly but I think that the mother/daughter connection was not adequately explored and thus I feel like it's missing something. Do you think that SM did that on purpose? I don't know but I think I was looking for more anger from Amy.
Of course, there is the instance where they drink wine together in the back yard which was a scene that did convey that they were close in a way. Still, I don't see that as a mother/daughter moment but more as friendship and sharing the madcap life with the Doctor that brings companions together. It was sort of like Sarah Jane and Rose in School Reunion.
As for Rory, I think there was also a disconnect for him as well but not in the same way. Rory remained pretty consistent with an underlying resentment for the Doctor. Where Amy adheres to her blind faith in the Doctor even at the cost of her own daughter, Rory seems to stay the skeptic and maybe trusts the Doctor less. He seems to be puzzled by how to relate to River as an adult. I think it bothers him a little.
River seems to accept them as her parents but without huge emotional attachment. I wonder if she knows something that will happen to them and purposefully holds a part of herself back?
One other point regarding parental relationship that I wonder about is that Amy knows her daughter is in prison in Stormcage. This doesn't appear to disturb her and she just accepts it. I would think it would be upsetting to realize your child's ultimate fate would be to be imprisoned. Do you think it's her faith in the Doctor to make everything all right that allows her to sort of shrug this off?
The whole thing is very timey wimey and complex isn't it?
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I completely agree with this. It's one of those things that really frustrated me about S6. Amy barely even reacts when her baby is stolen. No matter the extenuating circumstances I just CAN NOT believe that a mother would have so little concern about her child being stolen. Even if she knows her baby grows up etc, there's no mother who would just shrug it off.
(Sorry, that is one of the things I absolutely detest about S6).
Of course, there is the instance where they drink wine together in the back yard which was a scene that did convey that they were close in a way. Still, I don't see that as a mother/daughter moment but more as friendship and sharing the madcap life with the Doctor that brings companions together.
This is pretty much how I read the scene too. It does feel like a familial relationship/interaction at all. Just friends getting together and catching up.
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