The Girl Who Waited

Finally some off earth sci-fi!

Lots of ideas to cram into such a small time slot. Nice to see the micro-cast, and immediacy of story.

I found I didn't really enjoy this episode in the moment. I know though that it will be memorable. It lingers like good sci-fi should. There's a lot of concepts to explore here - perhaps too many.

I remarked recently that I've never been that big a fan of the companions (thinking there's plenty of room for improvement, even hoping for a female Doctor, and a great wise male companion, or an alien!). I also stated that I liked Pond and Oswald.

Re-watching the 6th series of nuWho, and especially this episode I discovered that I didn't actually have that much love for Amy. I may even prefer Rory, even over Amy's pout.

It reminded me of a Star Trek TNG story: 'Second Chances'. In which Riker ends up with a body double after a transporter anomaly. The second Riker is stranded, and when he is reacquainted with the crew, he's still holding a torch for Troi, but the original Riker has moved on. Which is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster for all involved. Riker is jealous of his dopple-ganger that re-kindles his love with Troi.

It does make you wonder how much you'd change under different circumstances, and perhaps if we try an project our futures we might position ourselves better.

Many time-streams/parallel universes make for endless possibilities, and I'm surprised we haven't seen a little more in the same ilk with Who.

This episode is probably more clever than I give it credit, in that I personally was a little repulsed by the older Amy, who happened to eek out her existence in her lonely surrounds, through no particular fault of her own. Bar her pressing a big red button (red buttons are a no no!).

Will you still love me when you're old? Yes, but I'd rather we grow old together. At its heart this is a love story (even if Rory and Amy are a little unconvincing). The Doctor undeniably made the right call here.

Samurai Amy and her sonic screwdriver were unnecessary additions. More like this please.

Amelia Pond chooses red over green. The effect is quite impacting, the affect leaves her unseen. In a world all on her own, like a self-imposed boycott. Except for the attentions of the unkind, kind Handbots.

Many years in just a day leaves her lost and a recluse. Thirty Six to be precise, the Doctor's fault, there's no excuse. But to relapse older Amy into what she used to be, raises issues for the lady and the world that she now sees.

Soon enough we have the parable of AP old and AP young. A paradox the TARDIS isn't keen the Doctor sprung. Suffice to say there's lots of chat with Rory and his wives. But only one can end the play, and go on to survive.

"Gillan also wore a padding which affected her movement and she spent hours in makeup" yet no-one considered she might have different hair? Hacked off for practicality which would have been in keeping with the character? Gone grey? No exactly the same hair, it's silly distraction in what was otherwise a pretty decent episode.

Series six of Doctor Who is perhaps one of my favourites and after the whole River Song business halfway through and the disappointment of 'Night Terrors', this simple stand alone episode of Doctor Who is definitely worth watching. It really shows how much Amy and Rory care about each other and the lengths that they are prepared to go to in order to save each other. The Doctor although absent from most of the physical stuff is certainly well used and it's also good to see how he watches on and is emotional to see how he has to lie and make bad choices that will allow good things to happen. For me, this is the most emotional episode of Series six and will always be one of the best episode in its history.

Though I am still wondering how Amy mastered Gallifreyan technology and made her own sonic probe.

The Doctor takes Amy and Rory Appalapachia for a well earned rest. A short holiday becomes an eternity for Amy, who has to wait, and wait.

As of 2020, this is still one of the best.

Best bit has to be the scenes with the two Amy's, and I disagree with the comments about Karen not giving enough emotion in her performance, rubbish, she's really good, and as those that have read my reviews will realise i'm not Amy's greatest fan. The look on older Amy's face when Rory rescues her younger self is devastating.

Without a doubt this is one of my all time favourite new who episodes, it is truly original. I really liked the creation of the handbots, they're very different. The gardens of Appalapachia are so beautiful, they truly look incredible, almost fairy tale esque. The prosthetics used on Amy are brilliant, she really does look older, a bit of grey hair would have been good. The best performance from Karen Gillan for a good while, again I find it mainly because she's better written for. The story is a hugely interesting one, how would she feel about being left behind, how Rory would feel about meeting an older Amy, and the decision the Doctor had to make when two Amy's existed. This is brilliant.