River and the DoctorsilverducksMay 22 2013, 21:05:52 UTC
Ok, so I apologise now for this thread, but man, I ship it so hard! I just really need to discuss it! LOL!
Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t usually like any love story at all for the Doctor. I just don’t think it works with his story arc or character. And why does he even need a love story? In fact, I kinda find the Doctor/Companion ships a bit creepy and icky, not to mention very unequal and unhealthy. I mean, he’s so much older and wiser and has seen so much of the universe! He can almost live forever! How could a companion ever feel equal to that?
So, with that opinion, I definitely had mixed thoughts when it came to the River/Doctor stuff we had. On the one hand, it was cute and funny at times, when they were flirting and joking with each other. And it was great seeing River fluster the Doctor and take him down a peg or two. And their backwards story was interesting. But I was always worried one day they’d take it further than just hinting and we’d actually see a proper love story between them. Which, for the reasons above, I didn’t really want. I didn’t hate the idea or anything, and I did think it would be healthier than the usual Doctor/Companion ships, but I just kinda hoped they wouldn’t go there.
And then at the start of series 6 it became clear they were going there and for a bit it got on my nerves. And River too; she was just a bit too cocky and “know it all” then.
But then we had the episode AGMGTW and LKH and my opinion changed quite drastically. Finding out that River was not only a Pond (and therefore automatically extra awesome), but also part Time Lord made such a big difference to me. I not only like River a lot more, but started to come around to the idea of a romance between her and the Doctor. It makes her and the Doctor much more equal and I can see now how well matched they are. Strong apart, even better teamed up. And most of the reasons why I didn’t like Doctor/romance were nullified.
But I didn’t really ship it hardcore until after the series 7 finale. Before then, after the big Time Lord reveal, I just couldn’t be sure of the Doctor. It seemed like he just went along with things, especially his wedding. And I wasn’t too keen on that. If they were going to be together, I wanted them to both love each other. And we didn’t really see much of them together after their wedding, so I didn’t really know how things were getting on.
But after the series 7 finale, that was it. They became a definite OTP for me (behind Amy/Rory of course). Because in that episode my understanding of their relationship changed a lot. In that episode, I really think we see how much the Doctor does love River. And of course then I didn’t need to worry about the Doctor only going along with things, or poor River being with a man who doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. Because he does, and it makes them equal in that one final aspect now.
And I understand now why the Doctor treated her as he did - always keeping his distance. Because as he says in the finale, he thought it would hurt too much.
And that just completely changed my perspective of them. I mean, I keep on forgetting that the Doctor has seen River die. He knows her fate and that he will one day have to say goodbye. And he knew that would hurt, so he’s been trying to avoid her and falling for her.
In fact, when I think about that first meeting in the library, their relationship really does become so tragic. I mean, this River knowing the Doctor’s name thing definitely seems to be about love/romance. So I reckon Ten knew he would one day marry River. And knowing that, and watching her die… Well, that would make anyone want to run for cover! So now all their little interactions throughout the series make a lot more sense. Where before I found them a tad annoying - and questioned the Doctor’s regard - they just make me ship it so much more!
So yeah, basically all the reasons I couldn’t get behind Doctor/River at first are now overturned, and I find myself shipping their tragic love story a lot! It’s a shame I started shipping at the end of their story!
Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t usually like any love story at all for the Doctor. I just don’t think it works with his story arc or character. And why does he even need a love story? In fact, I kinda find the Doctor/Companion ships a bit creepy and icky, not to mention very unequal and unhealthy. I mean, he’s so much older and wiser and has seen so much of the universe! He can almost live forever! How could a companion ever feel equal to that?
So, with that opinion, I definitely had mixed thoughts when it came to the River/Doctor stuff we had. On the one hand, it was cute and funny at times, when they were flirting and joking with each other. And it was great seeing River fluster the Doctor and take him down a peg or two. And their backwards story was interesting. But I was always worried one day they’d take it further than just hinting and we’d actually see a proper love story between them. Which, for the reasons above, I didn’t really want. I didn’t hate the idea or anything, and I did think it would be healthier than the usual Doctor/Companion ships, but I just kinda hoped they wouldn’t go there.
And then at the start of series 6 it became clear they were going there and for a bit it got on my nerves. And River too; she was just a bit too cocky and “know it all” then.
But then we had the episode AGMGTW and LKH and my opinion changed quite drastically. Finding out that River was not only a Pond (and therefore automatically extra awesome), but also part Time Lord made such a big difference to me. I not only like River a lot more, but started to come around to the idea of a romance between her and the Doctor. It makes her and the Doctor much more equal and I can see now how well matched they are. Strong apart, even better teamed up. And most of the reasons why I didn’t like Doctor/romance were nullified.
But I didn’t really ship it hardcore until after the series 7 finale. Before then, after the big Time Lord reveal, I just couldn’t be sure of the Doctor. It seemed like he just went along with things, especially his wedding. And I wasn’t too keen on that. If they were going to be together, I wanted them to both love each other. And we didn’t really see much of them together after their wedding, so I didn’t really know how things were getting on.
But after the series 7 finale, that was it. They became a definite OTP for me (behind Amy/Rory of course). Because in that episode my understanding of their relationship changed a lot. In that episode, I really think we see how much the Doctor does love River. And of course then I didn’t need to worry about the Doctor only going along with things, or poor River being with a man who doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. Because he does, and it makes them equal in that one final aspect now.
And I understand now why the Doctor treated her as he did - always keeping his distance. Because as he says in the finale, he thought it would hurt too much.
And that just completely changed my perspective of them. I mean, I keep on forgetting that the Doctor has seen River die. He knows her fate and that he will one day have to say goodbye. And he knew that would hurt, so he’s been trying to avoid her and falling for her.
In fact, when I think about that first meeting in the library, their relationship really does become so tragic. I mean, this River knowing the Doctor’s name thing definitely seems to be about love/romance. So I reckon Ten knew he would one day marry River. And knowing that, and watching her die… Well, that would make anyone want to run for cover! So now all their little interactions throughout the series make a lot more sense. Where before I found them a tad annoying - and questioned the Doctor’s regard - they just make me ship it so much more!
So yeah, basically all the reasons I couldn’t get behind Doctor/River at first are now overturned, and I find myself shipping their tragic love story a lot! It’s a shame I started shipping at the end of their story!
I’m really hoping it’s not the end for them now!
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