Comments | rj_anderson: Why River REALLY knows the Doctor's name

rj_anderson

Why River REALLY knows the Doctor's name

May 04, 2010 19:46

I just thought of this right now and... I think... I think I might really be onto something here.

( Spoilers for 'The Time of Angels', 'Flesh and Stone', etc. )

doctor who, tv, theories

Comments 39

anonymous May 4 2010, 23:56:18 UTC

I like this theory much, MUCH better.

yahtzee63 May 5 2010, 00:02:10 UTC

This is very like my own thoughts. This season is really enormously entertaining, isn't it?

rj_anderson May 5 2010, 15:38:41 UTC

It really is! I feel that I have discovered my joy in this show again.

di_br May 5 2010, 00:45:07 UTC

OOOOOOH nice! Very nice! Oh, I like that. I really like that. It might be my favorite River theory.
I've always been on the team that doesn't think she's his wife. It's too obvious. But then again, maybe she is his wife, but even then that's not all there is to it, it's something much more complicated.
At least that's how I feel about it.

rj_anderson May 5 2010, 15:39:46 UTC

I think it is safe to say that whatever the answer is, it will be complicated, yes! And I would be disappointed in the writers if I could guess it all beforehand, so I am happy to have the details at least somewhat vague.

River ext_279466 October 9 2010, 07:59:47 UTC

At the end of season 5 River is quoted "You're going to find out very soon now, and I'm sorry, but that's when everything changes"... So we can surmise that one of these big events will happen in season 6 or quite possible "if I am very Clever" The Christmas special will have one bang up conclusion in preparation for series 6 to keep us wanting.

troubleinchina May 5 2010, 02:05:15 UTC

Hmm. I like that theory. It makes sense.

rj_anderson May 5 2010, 15:40:19 UTC

I am glad you think so!

bnharrison May 5 2010, 03:30:36 UTC

Hmm. This is very interesting, and I definitely think that the Doctor is the good man River killed. I am not positive about her killing him during his last regeneration, though I suppose it could happen. But the thing I'm not convinced by is the idea that the only time the Doctor could tell someone his name is as he was dying for the last time. Because he doesn't say "only one way I WOULD"--and would and could are very different. The only way I could see it happening is if the Dotor establishes a telepathic link with her as he's dying to transfer his memories--but why? It seems a bit extreme.

I rather wondered if she didn't find out the Doctor's name because she's an archaeologist and she uncovered relics of his deeds on Gallifrey, and just let him think he told here...

I have other theories about the season so far. We must discuss them on AIM soon.

rj_anderson May 5 2010, 15:41:50 UTC

Yes, that "only one way I COULD" is odd, indeed. It really does sound as though it's not a voluntary thing, or at least that there's only one very unusual set of circumstances under which it could become voluntary...