The Husbands of River Song

This Christmas, Doctor Who gives us something we all need; a good, hearty laugh, and this terrific story, from Steven Moffat, about a diamond, and is a diamond.

Every appearance of River, embodied by the terrific Alex Kingston always leads to a fu adventure, and this time, the Doctor and River certainly do not disappoint.

This Christmas gift, is the first one the 12th Doctor's been without a companion, but, this time, River - who is the Doctor's wife, comes to a bittersweet ending, which beautifully closes the story of River, and I wish all viewers will find this gift a special one, indeed, this year. Merry Christmas.

Other than the doctor, River is my favourite Dr Who character. Of course, Alex Kingston has a lot to with that. She always elevates the episode. Perfect casting. This one was funny, often hilarious, but what makes it special is the most romantic ending I have yet seen. Somehow, I believe only Peter Capaldi (and possibly Chris Eccleston) could have pulled it off. And you don't even need to be a Whovian to enjoy it.

At first i was wondering where Moffat was going with this episode because next to Amy/ Rory, River Song is my favorite character. I understand she does not know his new body and is trying to find him in his old body, but as his wife, she should know him no matter what body he is in. I am surprised it was not written that way being everything they went through. As a half human, half time lady, anything is possible and should wonder if he changed since he cannot be found. I did get misty when they finally met again because Alex Kingston does a remarkable job making the scenes tender and memorable for fans. It clicks in her head that he is there because he always comes when she is in trouble. She is a beautiful woman in everything she wears and I was very happy the episode was made. It does not work when Capaldi says hello sweetie. It is all in the delivery and it doesn't work for him. Anyone cannot say it, just like Tennant's allons y.

Call me blasphemous but I was never a huge fan of River Song. She didn't get all that much screen time so we never saw her relationship with the Doctor build. I didn't find their romance believable, so it felt more like a plot device than anything else. A cool plot device (figures, it's Doctor Who) but a plot device nonetheless. This episode changed everything. We get to see their dynamic and their romance in action, and how good of a team they make. We get to know River a bit better. Not to mention the fact that the screenwriting is excellent--this is an wonderfully funny episode.

Lately Capaldi has been growing on me, climbing the ranks and getting closer and closer to David Tennant's long held top spot of being my favorite Doctor, and, I have to say, this episode finally pushed him to the top. Capaldi's an incredibly nuanced actor who plays the role in a way that's tragic and heartbreaking, yet somehow still charming and hilarious. He makes the Doctor feel more alien and more human at the same time, if that's even possible. As other people have mentioned, this episode is really funny but really sad, with a perfect conclusion that connects back to the day the Doctor first met River. A round of applause to the writers, Alex Kingston, and Peter Capaldi. Well done.

OK so after last year's Christmas offering I will admit my expectations for this year's were rather high, coupled with the return of Professor River Song I had high hopes. The serious tone of Series 9 was scrapped in favour of a more upbeat, comical outing for Capaldi. Whilst the story itself isn't one that will make you want to put it on frequently, it did have the festive spirit. Commedians Matt Lucas and Greg Davies delivered their lines with good humour, but it was the scenes between Capaldi and Kingston that shone, the last 5-10 minutes or so I thought were fantastically well done, truly moving and beautifully acted, the pair combined beautifully together. The biggest disappointment for me was that there was no mention of the next series, that omission left me a little flat. Overall a great way to enjoy the mice pies and a glass of brandy. 7/10