I have one question, I have to brush up on my Doctor Who knowledge, but the line that River had when she was about to sacrifice herself about The Doctor knowing how she is about to die it was off for me. And as I am writing this I realise how this works. He is a past version so when the story arc of them really blossoms he would always know how it would end... I made myself cry again ❤
@@chrise.6667 The moment 11 saw her for the first time he remembered her, he always remembers those he met. He remembered the Library and remembered she would die there.
I think the River Song story arc was the finest set of series in all the history of Doctor Who. Alex Kingston was absolutely perfectly divine in the role. Every time I hear " Hello Sweetie" it makes me crack a huge wide smile.
I 110% agree with you and watching this video especially in her order really makes me appreciate just how brilliant Steven Moffat is. I really wish that Russell T Davies would pick up the threads of this and somehow make River Susan's mother and give us at least one more appearance of Carol Ann Ford before she gets too old and passes away on us. I'd love to see her regenerate on screen and perhaps have Susan travel with the Doctor again. I know she's supposed to be gone because of the time War however considering big finish is considered Canon there must be a way around this or to weave it in because there's nothing really black and white about it. I would love to see the 15th doctor run into Susan again
The way she says ‘Hush now, spoilers’ right before her death, having just watched her life from her perspective, gave me chills. It’s such a bittersweet story, and Alex was perfect for the role
You never really feel the full weight of River's death UNTIL you've gone through all of 11's run (and 12's Delrilium trip) & watch Silence in the Library again. I remember the first time I watched Silence in the Library just thinking "oh, well that's sad" went through 11's run & 12's The Husbands of River Song & watched Silence again & balled like a baby.
@@keithhughes9719 she became one of my absolute favorite characters. The fact she wasn't even technically a companion too. Alex Kingston & the writers did an incredible job with River.
The best doctor who story ever. Just been sat here crying, poor River. seeing it in that order and all close together like that really puts the perspective on it all.
@@Phoenix-bi9bn yeah thank you for taking the time to do this. I have a feeli g i will watch it lover and over. It made me cry too. Alot, she is my favorite besides the Doctor. 😢😭
I'm 100% crying. The scene with Tennant overlayed with the speech about looking into the doctor's eyes and having no recognition was heartbreakingly beautiful. I also love how Moffat kept sticking in events that River foreshadowed in this episode. When I first saw this episode I asked my older sister if we would ever see an episode where The Doctor took River to the singing towers. She said "probably not" but seven years later and she was proven wrong.
Well we almost never did get it. Since originally Chibnall was supposed to take over for series 10, his first episode being that Christmas special. Thoigh ended up not happening due to Chibnall having to wrap up filming Broadchurch. Was lucky really all series 10 ended up being one of the best series in all of nuwho to me.
Yeah, I was really glad they made it to the singing towers and then she knew she only had one night with him, but then he drops the bombshell that one night was like 24 earth years and that proper twanged a string in heart... I believe it was the best way to send her off that they could've done, full stop (or 'period' to our friends across the pond!).
River's speech before she finally recognizes the 12th doctor as the doctor kills me every time. Everybody who has loved somebody without getting love back feels it, but normally we get over it, but river had this pain her whole life. Alex Kingston played this so well from the beginning in the library without even knowing what her story will be, such a great actress.
Nah, I forget that she ever was there all the time. Shes melodramatic, corny and only there to be the character that takes up the mantle of “The Doctors Bitch”
@@harveym.glatman5955 She was brilliant and that is why the Doctor loved her and married her. She was able to fly the TARDis and knew the Doctor's real name. Go on with your corny. I won't even address the disrespect. Step off.
I personally find that the saddest thing about River, was that every interaction she had with the man she loved, only fit into one small notebook - and the man she loved knew exactly how many pages it would take to reach the end of her life.
Facts that kill me: - She never knew which doctor she was meeting and what he knew about her - if he trusted he or not - She knew a day would come where he would know her - He always knew how she would die - She never knew he loved her for 11's entire run - HE ALWAYS LOVED HER - She did not spend that many adventures with 11. She spent most her years with 12. That was the point they knew the most about each other. - His last night with her was on Darillium and he could not tell her that she would only see him one more time - She's gone...
the most badass thing river ever did though was manage to learn the doctor's name. she was raised from birth to kill him so that he'll never say his name, but she not only learned it but used it to open his grave at trenzalore. absolutely iconic.
Badass? Um... you missed the entire point. 🤔 She learned it FROM the Doctor. Remember what #10 said? "There's only one reason I'd tell someone my name; only one time I ever could!" In other words, when they are ... intimate. She was the Doctor's wife, so of course they would be intimate. Which explains how she would learn the real name of the Doctor - from the Doctor. 🤨 So... if you consider a married couple being intimate as "badass," then ... sure. It's badass. 😄
The oldest question ever. That mustn't be answered by any means. If it is answered then the entire universe (the universe that we are in) will end... "DOCTOR WHO???"
So, I’m a linguist (and a huge nerd), so the linguistic-iness of, “The only water in the forest is the river,” as the reason for the name change because they don’t have an equivalent word for “pond” is always a special pleasure for me.
Really? I always thought it was one of the weakest aspects. I mean, I surely have seen some lakes or ponds in forests. Maybe they only referred to those specific forests.....
@@KellyVergara Yeah, that's what I figured. Still feels like a bit of a cop out because as a viewer it was impossible to figure this stuff out. Wish we could see that story still. I like when stuff was setup that gets revealed much later, persumably even with a later Doctor. But I've heard there was some spin off comic stuff with the gamma forests in the past, wasn't there?... 🤔
@@chanceneck8072 "because as a viewer it was impossible to figure out" bro, you didn't have to read the comic. They said it in the episode. The girl who knit it is from the gamma forest, and "the only water in the forest is the river" was said in that episode and the episode title "the doctor's wife" where the TARDIS is put in a human body. It was very clear. That's one of the major reveals of the episode. You just missed it, my dude.
I love how 11’s era is the same whole big story jumbled up. From Prisoner Zero saying “silence will fall” all the way to when the question is asked on Trenzalore.
That kind of long term story planning is why I love DW so much and Rivers character is the absolute coolest character in the show. Alex Houston is so natural, such a great actress ❤️❤️
I love how river and the doctor keep meeting at various times and places but not in chronological order. It's time travel so this acually makes more sense to me from a story prospective.
Fun fact: The reason that River didn’t realise she’d gone back further than her first meeting with the Doctor was because the writers weren’t counting on David Tennant quitting the role before that arc was over.
“My bespoke psychopath”. Such a beautiful story. Moffatt knew how to write a woman- particularly a woman FOR the Doctor. She couldn’t be like the companions. She HAD to be as unpredictable a force of nature as the Doctor.
37:07 my favorite part and they didn’t include it. “When you watch a sunset you don’t expect it to admire you back”. I cry every time. That and when he says a night on Derillium lasts 24 years. Ahhh Moffit Did a great job!
I like how she acts like she knows the 10th doctor even though it’s the first time she’s seen him outside of a photo - everyone else struggles to treat him like he’s the same person but she just assumes he’s still him and gets excited to see him
@@ashtonbarron7866 I like that idea, and it mostly works, but that would mess up 2 things in river's story, 1) she didn't know who Capaldi was, so she most likely wouldn't have seen Jodie's or Tennant's doctor 2) her diary is full, so her checking it during 11's run to compare wouldn't make sense because her current story ends with her meeting 11 meaning that if she did have an adventure with 14 it'd be after she was "Saved" and after the diary.
@@Alphanaxx as the doctors said somewhere in the seried to doctor song is that it doesn't matter how big it is, death is a cycle. Btw, she may come back, never underestimate the writters
@@DouvleBle Yeah she CAN come back, but I feel like it would kinda ruin her character quite a bit, for the reasons I said, and because her character had a fulfilled story start to finish, so if she came back it would make her true death worth less.
When I first got into River Song stuff I was confused, and when I got to the end of her experiences with the Doctor I had forgotten a LOT of past stuff, and this video really summed it up, it was short enough so I could remember past stuff but still apply it to the end. Thank you so much for this video, and great job!
I still say there is a missing chapter. Before the ship exploded before they made it to the planet with the towers River told the doctor that he reminded her up her second wife before she knew he was a doctor. That means it is possible that River and the Doctor Jody Whitaker run into each other and get married
@@riverratjack701 I don't think so, because then she would've known that 13 existed and had a picture of 13's face in her wallet too - implying she would've known the Doctor had more regenerations. I'm guessing it's moreso that River just lived her own life outside of the Doctor, like he did, had other relationships we won't know about. After all, she was at least 224 by the time she died, and she wasn't with the Doctor for many of those years.
Watching this now, i realised that Moffat's writing is truly next level, writing River's data ghost meeting 11 for the last time before writing 12 letting go of River. Moffat is a really good writer and has a super good grasp on time travel.
@@aknightwing9077 The last time River meets the Doctor (at about 50:00 in this compilation) it's her being digitally beamed into a conference call and meeting the 11th. She herself is at that point only the copy of her soul/memory that the 10th Doctor saved in the Library. It's not her body anymore just her spirit that was saved as data. "In return, he saved me to a database in the biggest library in the universe. Left me like a book on a shelf" as she herself says.
@@loganbreau882 No, 'her' Doctor is 11 -Matt Smith, the one she spent the most time with (and the one who opened the TARDIS with a click of his fingers) - she didn't even recognise 12, he wasn't on her list of faces
Big finish has a fair number of River Song audio plays for exactly this. I'm yet to listen to them myself though. Iirc the series is called "The diary of River Song"
Do any of the River song audio stories take place in the Tardis? During the Husbands of River Song she tells Capaldi’s doctor (who she doesn’t recognize yet) she say she steals the Tardis all the time and since it’s a time machine she pops it back a second later and the doctor never knows.
I love how “silence will fall” and The Silence connects river songs origin story with Silence in the Library where’s she “dies” and is first introduced 😙 such a good creative story arch spanning multiple series
Great job! River Song was my favorite. I did miss the one line where David Tennent says “Bet I like you” and she replies, “oh you do”. That’s when I knew he fell in love with her.
Just beautiful. Seeing River's story set out in her timeline is beautiful and heartbreaking. I'm crying and I don't do that easily. River is my favourite of all the Doctor Who characters, and her love story with the Doctor is the most powerful love story in all of space and time. Incredible acting and fantastic writing. Thank you for this.
The realisation the man she met all that time ago, and had been on adventures with, and had a crush on... is now her son-in-law... great moment. The fact her kid is older than her as well. Great story line concept.
@@chrismccaffrey8256 okay so river is Amy and Rory’s daughter she was conceived in the Tardis on their wedding night, why Amy was pregnant she was taken by the silence, she was replaced with a copy the doctor found out what happened didn’t tell Amy or Rory that’s she was pregnant until just before demons run where they saved Amy and her baby but madam kovarian kept an eye on river though out her live and she wanted river to kill the doctor but she didn’t kill him she married him and that’s how Amy and Rory became in laws to the doctor, I hope that explains everything
At around 12:40 when Rory goes to storm cage to see river, you can tell she's taken aback. It's because this River is from a time when Amy and Rory have already been taken by the angels. There's no reason for her to be THAT surprised. If she just hasn't seen Rory in a while she would have been like "oh it's been a while". But she was quiet, reserved. She was happy but holding back her feelings. She doesn't have a diary for her parents to coordinate their time lines. But she knew
I love how complete this is. Many JUST have river and melody, but the cracks and the formation of the Church of the Silence also complete her story. Incredibly done! I’m rewatching with my mom who has never seen the show and we just began season 4! Always so exciting for brand new Who fans because of EVERYTHING to come!
I really want this new Doctor (David Tennant) to see River once again because in this first episode we saw Professor Song she talked to him like she met him with this face, soooo, its really possible that he pretended to be young in this new season (14th doctor)
Imagine seeing them reunited with the knowledge, experience and love that this Doctor has for River, compared to their first meeting from his point of view when he knew nothing about her. David Tennant has the acting chops to pull off something amazing if there was such a reunion. Heck, perhaps this is the reason his was the first "old favourite" the Doctor revisited.
This is the most epic story in all of Doctor Who history, the way they introduced her during 10s run, the last time she met him and the first time he met her. Then they had her there during most of 11s run. I absolutely loved the Christmas special where she met 12, and the moments before that where her dead/memory self spoke to Clara. I don't have enough words to say how spolerific it all was.
This kind of story telling is what drew me into doctor who. The way Steven Moffet was able to create amazing stories is mindblowing. After serise 10 when Steven Moffet left there hasn't been a good doctor who grandiose story like Rivers or Clara.
I never expected to be given a non-fan introduction here. I'm unsure watching only her episodes is wise. She's basically in every episode of series 5 and 6 so I'd just watch them all. And Silence in the Library (series 4) is important
River Song is a genuine badass, in every sense of the word. Intelligent, quick on her feet, a dead shot with any weapon. Too many more ways to describe her, so I'll stop there. She's a hero, period.
People who hate on Moffat's run really forget how incredible this storyline was. So perfectly interwoven and consistent despite it going all over the place timeline wise. Every single piece ended up fitting together so it all makes sense and you can follow it like this to see River's side of everything. I honestly think Moffat was the best writer of modern Doctor Who. He was so god at creating long term storylines and characters that spanned multiple series.
@@Phoenix-bi9bn It's a fan theory I've heard and makes sense. 10 didn't have time to do anything, and River went directly from that night with Capaldi to the Library, so that's all I can really see, he started the scan, setting it to interface with her suit, then when she "died" 10 could upload her consciousness.
I'd expect it to be set up to save her final state at the library, using the same mechanism as the spacesuits of the other expeditions. Which is why it suddenly has the same display hidden under the decorations.
This was incredible to see in Rivers pov in her timeline. It’s still confusing but didn’t they do a great job with continuity over soo many years. They did write themselves into a few corners but my disbelief was definitely suspended. Bravo Mr Moffat
I've always said 10 was my favorite doctor, but on my 2nd viewing of the whole modern Who, I consider the 6th season the best *season*...and that's largely because of River's arch. One of the best characters in Who and sophisticated timey-wimey mechanics beyond most sci-fi film/TV. A perfect combination of great writing, acting, and charisma.
I will forever hold out hope that River returns. Having an adventure where neither party knows the end. The fact that he saved her consciousness in the Library always leaves that possibility open, and the mention in the latest special proves that at least part of her survives, so there’s always hope
Moffat is truly a fan of DW, the way he created it and wrote this story line was just astonishing ! Kingston did an amazing job from "Silence at the library" to "The Husbands of River Song", and of course every actor in The Doctor's shoes was amazing too from Tennant to Capaldi, but with Smith all the story was developed to the roots. Thanks for assembling River's love and life story in Doctor Who's recent story time.
“Help me!” “Get down!” “What are you doing!?” “Saving your life!” “Nooo!!!” Gosh, chills every time. Such a well executed scene. The slow motion, the lighting, the acting, the camera angles. Ugh, so good.
The best storyline out of doctor who ever. Was heartbreking for the doctor knowing her more every time and ultimately knowing what her story ending would be. Alex Kingston was amazing
I wish the background music wasn't so loud in some parts. Could not hear what was being said during that. Otherwise, great video, very in depth and detailed. Best one!
This video is very well put together. It must have taken a while, so thank you. It is difficult to encompass the extent of River's impact on the Moffat era. While her main storyline encompasses only one season (6), she plays big parts in seasons 4, 5, 7, and 9 that just add to her legacy. The only misstep in her storyline, in my opinion, was her involvement in The Name of the Doctor. We didn't know Clara too well, yet...and bringing River back cut into The Impossible Girl storyline...as I was so broken over their farewell that getting back to Clara was a bit jarring. Thanks to Moffat and Kingston for bringing Melody Pond to us. (Think about that. Her name was River Song in season FOUR. So in season FIVE, we meet Amy POND to set up the fact that the only water in the forest is the River...Melody becomes Song...Pond becomes River...Moffat is a mad genius of long game storytelling...) Here is hoping that those 24 years on Dirillium are enough to get you into an adventure with yet another Doctor.
~ 41:30 ~ It's a measure of Alex Kingston's epic talent that she could convey such emotion when she probably only had a slim idea of her character's story arc.
I agree, it's the best Doctor Who story ever! The writers knew exactly what they were doing when they wrote this. Thank you for putting it all together like this.
God I’m glad I stayed till the end. I almost missed her very last moment with the doctor.. not much can make me cry. But by god this made me cry more than I have in a long time.
What’s interesting is how River says “your eyes, you’re so young! You’re younger than I’ve ever seen you!” Knowing what we know now, 14 or (POTD regen at the end) could see River again. The wording RTD used was awesome and maybe he planned this all along.
This dynamic, the way it was shown, the patience to set it up as far back as tenant, the way it was presented from start to finish. The perfect tragedy. This has to be one of if not my favorite romance in all of ficti9n.
Thanks for the upload. River's timeline was one of the most complicated things for me to follow, given that I lost access to cable halfway through Capaldi's run and the DVDs weren't available in my area until very recently so rewatches often weren't possible.
that ending hits right in the feels. from the doctor, an ageless being moping around wounded. to their final farewell. sad you left out the part of "only i can see you means that must have looked really weird". that portion of the episode as i was watching on the DVD matt smith collection wasnt until i got to the capaldi collection that it made more sense. him catching her hand as she thought she was about to deliver an unfelt smack to the face. and him revealing he knew she was there the whole time but because the memory that it meant she was dead was to much for the doctor to bare. was nice to sit back and watch essentially a river song movie showing events from her view seeing as honestly from the doctors view its all over the place. wish doctor who would get back to stories like this again, stuff that entertains and tugs at the heart, instead of trying to preach politics and activism at me.
I would love an entire spin off series from rivers perspective, basically this video but a full show. It just sounds cool. I would even settle for just rivers diary as an actual novel. I think somthing like that would just pop off in popularity, and rightfully so to.
So glad you kept in the part where The Doctor goes back to his TARDIS and tries opening the doors with a snap of his fingers. There's something bittersweet about someone claiming they've known you so long, that they know your deepest darkest secret and sacrificing themselves for you when they know you will no longer be a part of their life. It's his way of honoring her life by trusting her word that it could be done and that she truly did know him. Very emotional storyline, this video had me in tears, makes me want to watch all of Eleven again. Can't imagine the pain River must have experienced knowing that there will be a time when your love won't know who you are, and then finally getting to that destination. Thanks for making this video.
the best part of the Matt Smith era was river song and her mom. and it was sooo good. I really wish they brought her back with the 13th Doctor. maybe they will with the 14th? considering how many other characters from that era are expected to return for the special.
This is such a phenomenal video. I've seen the show countless times but I don't think I've ever truly appreciated how well written River was until now, seeing her story in order. Just magnificent
A year ago, I told you that you had me crying... Here I am again, crying my heart out!😢 Thank you, again, Phoenix-bi9bn! What a beautiful, wonderful story! ❤
I've never seen a whole episode of Docter Who, but I really wanted to know more about River. Now I've watched this entire video and I think the last time I've cried so hard was years ago. This is such a heartbreaking story. She is such a great and well-written character. I've watched many River Song scenes before this and knew how it would end, but...I didn't think this would hit as hard as it did. Thank you for this edit.
Thank you so much. I've tried to look up everything in order before but I could always tell it was wrong and it was quickly put together. However after I saw this it really put things into perspective especially because I haven't seen some of them many times. This means a lot to me thank you. One of my favorite characters
Its very well blended story. I wish when Peter scanned Song was included. It how he saved song when David Tennet's doctor uploaded her into the data base.
3:13 This damn Madame Kovarian gave me so much childhood trauma. I used to be scared to go to sleep because I was afraid the eyepatch lady would appear on my bathroom door.
So according to my previous comment I watched this two months ago. Feels much longer but I’m so glad I watched it again. I needed to get into my feels again. Thank you for all your hard work on this
I will comment once more, this editing was just as great as Gallifrey Stands! Between Steven Moffat/Russell T. Davies screenwriting, Murray Gold's composition and Ben Foster conducting....All of it makes so much sense! I am truly grateful that RTD will be returning to Doctor Who. Chbnall did not do Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who justice. She is a fabulous actress and Chibby wrote terrible stories. Am looking forward to see what's in store for #14 WHOever that may be.
Most painful part for river: knowing one day he'll look at her and not know her. Most painful for the doctor: knowing the end of her story
When she kissed 11 and then said, "You act like we've never done that before." Broke my one heart❤
She said it'd kill her, and it did
Spoilers
I have one question, I have to brush up on my Doctor Who knowledge, but the line that River had when she was about to sacrifice herself about The Doctor knowing how she is about to die it was off for me. And as I am writing this I realise how this works. He is a past version so when the story arc of them really blossoms he would always know how it would end... I made myself cry again ❤
@@chrise.6667 The moment 11 saw her for the first time he remembered her, he always remembers those he met. He remembered the Library and remembered she would die there.
I think the River Song story arc was the finest set of series in all the history of Doctor Who.
Alex Kingston was absolutely perfectly divine in the role. Every time I hear " Hello Sweetie" it makes me crack a huge wide smile.
That or spoilers fr
And hot as hell
I 110% agree with you and watching this video especially in her order really makes me appreciate just how brilliant Steven Moffat is. I really wish that Russell T Davies would pick up the threads of this and somehow make River Susan's mother and give us at least one more appearance of Carol Ann Ford before she gets too old and passes away on us. I'd love to see her regenerate on screen and perhaps have Susan travel with the Doctor again. I know she's supposed to be gone because of the time War however considering big finish is considered Canon there must be a way around this or to weave it in because there's nothing really black and white about it. I would love to see the 15th doctor run into Susan again
The way she says ‘Hush now, spoilers’ right before her death, having just watched her life from her perspective, gave me chills. It’s such a bittersweet story, and Alex was perfect for the role
You never really feel the full weight of River's death UNTIL you've gone through all of 11's run (and 12's Delrilium trip) & watch Silence in the Library again. I remember the first time I watched Silence in the Library just thinking "oh, well that's sad" went through 11's run & 12's The Husbands of River Song & watched Silence again & balled like a baby.
Yep remember thinking River Song was one of the worst characters after those episodes. To now thinking she’s probably the best character.
@@keithhughes9719 she became one of my absolute favorite characters. The fact she wasn't even technically a companion too. Alex Kingston & the writers did an incredible job with River.
The best doctor who story ever. Just been sat here crying, poor River. seeing it in that order and all close together like that really puts the perspective on it all.
Glad you enjoyed it
@@Phoenix-bi9bn I second that... really hit me in the feels... nice work.
@@Phoenix-bi9bn yeah thank you for taking the time to do this. I have a feeli g i will watch it lover and over. It made me cry too. Alot, she is my favorite besides the Doctor. 😢😭
@@Ashlieimaginepeace, and The Ranter, I concur.
Thank you Phoenix 24 , the respect, and love, you have for the characters is obvious. Very well done.
Yes I had a good cry watching too!
I'm 100% crying. The scene with Tennant overlayed with the speech about looking into the doctor's eyes and having no recognition was heartbreakingly beautiful.
I also love how Moffat kept sticking in events that River foreshadowed in this episode. When I first saw this episode I asked my older sister if we would ever see an episode where The Doctor took River to the singing towers. She said "probably not" but seven years later and she was proven wrong.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it
Well we almost never did get it. Since originally Chibnall was supposed to take over for series 10, his first episode being that Christmas special. Thoigh ended up not happening due to Chibnall having to wrap up filming Broadchurch. Was lucky really all series 10 ended up being one of the best series in all of nuwho to me.
Yeah, I was really glad they made it to the singing towers and then she knew she only had one night with him, but then he drops the bombshell that one night was like 24 earth years and that proper twanged a string in heart...
I believe it was the best way to send her off that they could've done, full stop (or 'period' to our friends across the pond!).
River shaken a bit is 10/10 acting like you can see the shock, sadness and knowing the end is inevitably coming for her.
River's speech before she finally recognizes the 12th doctor as the doctor kills me every time. Everybody who has loved somebody without getting love back feels it, but normally we get over it, but river had this pain her whole life. Alex Kingston played this so well from the beginning in the library without even knowing what her story will be, such a great actress.
One of the most memorable characters on Dr Who. She maintained such wonderful chemistry with all versions of the Doctor. This was a lovely video.
Thanks very much
I was hoping they made her the first female doctor
Nah, I forget that she ever was there all the time. Shes melodramatic, corny and only there to be the character that takes up the mantle of “The Doctors Bitch”
@@ritahaywood7281 Id honestly rather kill myself before seeing that.
@@harveym.glatman5955 She was brilliant and that is why the Doctor loved her and married her. She was able to fly the TARDis and knew the Doctor's real name. Go on with your corny. I won't even address the disrespect. Step off.
I personally find that the saddest thing about River, was that every interaction she had with the man she loved, only fit into one small notebook - and the man she loved knew exactly how many pages it would take to reach the end of her life.
Facts that kill me:
- She never knew which doctor she was meeting and what he knew about her - if he trusted he or not
- She knew a day would come where he would know her
- He always knew how she would die
- She never knew he loved her for 11's entire run
- HE ALWAYS LOVED HER
- She did not spend that many adventures with 11. She spent most her years with 12. That was the point they knew the most about each other.
- His last night with her was on Darillium and he could not tell her that she would only see him one more time
- She's gone...
Darillium... Loop Hole. 24 year long night of which she can just pop into the T.A.R.T.I.S. and go for a "joy ride".
Shoutout to Alex Kingstons fantastic genetics which meant she hardly aged between silence in the library right through to her episode with Capaldi
I know! She was the perfect person to play her.
Such a beautiful woman
the most badass thing river ever did though was manage to learn the doctor's name. she was raised from birth to kill him so that he'll never say his name, but she not only learned it but used it to open his grave at trenzalore. absolutely iconic.
And used it to win his trust before he knew her.
Badass? Um... you missed the entire point. 🤔
She learned it FROM the Doctor. Remember what #10 said? "There's only one reason I'd tell someone my name; only one time I ever could!" In other words, when they are ... intimate. She was the Doctor's wife, so of course they would be intimate. Which explains how she would learn the real name of the Doctor - from the Doctor. 🤨
So... if you consider a married couple being intimate as "badass," then ... sure. It's badass. 😄
@@MaryAnnNytowl no they meant its badass in regards to breaking out of her brainwashing and becoming the wife of the person she was raised to kill
@@MaryAnnNytowl when 11 and river married thats when he told her his name.
The oldest question ever. That mustn't be answered by any means. If it is answered then the entire universe (the universe that we are in) will end...
"DOCTOR WHO???"
River Song, a woman so badass that even a dalek was begging for mercy, I love it
"You. Me. Handcuffs. Must it always end this way?".
River Song always got the best lines, Alex Kingston must have loved this role.
She did, and in the Penguin video she made, where she watches herself in the role, she said that Stephen always gave her the best lines :D
You'd better find something to hang on to." ❤
I'd love to see the bloopers reel on that episode.
It started with handcuffs, and it ended with handcuffs...heccin oof
So, I’m a linguist (and a huge nerd), so the linguistic-iness of, “The only water in the forest is the river,” as the reason for the name change because they don’t have an equivalent word for “pond” is always a special pleasure for me.
I think anyone who's experienced this learning a language relate to you
Really? I always thought it was one of the weakest aspects. I mean, I surely have seen some lakes or ponds in forests. Maybe they only referred to those specific forests.....
@@chanceneck8072 they're talking about the gamma forests specifically. Where there's only a river
@@KellyVergara Yeah, that's what I figured. Still feels like a bit of a cop out because as a viewer it was impossible to figure this stuff out. Wish we could see that story still. I like when stuff was setup that gets revealed much later, persumably even with a later Doctor. But I've heard there was some spin off comic stuff with the gamma forests in the past, wasn't there?... 🤔
@@chanceneck8072 "because as a viewer it was impossible to figure out" bro, you didn't have to read the comic. They said it in the episode. The girl who knit it is from the gamma forest, and "the only water in the forest is the river" was said in that episode and the episode title "the doctor's wife" where the TARDIS is put in a human body. It was very clear. That's one of the major reveals of the episode. You just missed it, my dude.
I love how 11’s era is the same whole big story jumbled up. From Prisoner Zero saying “silence will fall” all the way to when the question is asked on Trenzalore.
Prisoner Zero scared the bejeesus out of me!
Right but the story started with 10 and River ‘s first appearance.
That kind of long term story planning is why I love DW so much and Rivers character is the absolute coolest character in the show. Alex Houston is so natural, such a great actress ❤️❤️
RIP River Song.
Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.
I love how river and the doctor keep meeting at various times and places but not in chronological order. It's time travel so this acually makes more sense to me from a story prospective.
Fun fact: The reason that River didn’t realise she’d gone back further than her first meeting with the Doctor was because the writers weren’t counting on David Tennant quitting the role before that arc was over.
I believe Alex was only asked to do series 4. She didn't know that Moffat wanted her back in the future
@Pogi Gwapo I believe there are a few big finish audio dramas with River and Ten though
In the audio adventures she has met ten a few times before silence of the library.
Oh I wish he’d stuck around longer just so we got more 10 and River. :)
@@ArianaCapraro I think she and Ten should meet in the 60th anniversary, so that it makes sense onscreen that she didn't realise he hadn't met her.
“My bespoke psychopath”. Such a beautiful story. Moffatt knew how to write a woman- particularly a woman FOR the Doctor. She couldn’t be like the companions. She HAD to be as unpredictable a force of nature as the Doctor.
Never feel sad for River, she loved the stars themselves and discovered the sunset did indeed admire her back. We should all be so lucky.
37:07 my favorite part and they didn’t include it. “When you watch a sunset you don’t expect it to admire you back”. I cry every time. That and when he says a night on Derillium lasts 24 years. Ahhh Moffit Did a great job!
I know. Great lines but I couldn't keep everything sadly
I like how she acts like she knows the 10th doctor even though it’s the first time she’s seen him outside of a photo - everyone else struggles to treat him like he’s the same person but she just assumes he’s still him and gets excited to see him
After the latest episode im hoping she will come back now that Tennant is the doctor again. Could explain why she assumed he knew her.
@@ashtonbarron7866 I like that idea, and it mostly works, but that would mess up 2 things in river's story,
1) she didn't know who Capaldi was, so she most likely wouldn't have seen Jodie's or Tennant's doctor
2) her diary is full, so her checking it during 11's run to compare wouldn't make sense because her current story ends with her meeting 11 meaning that if she did have an adventure with 14 it'd be after she was "Saved" and after the diary.
@@Alphanaxx as the doctors said somewhere in the seried to doctor song is that it doesn't matter how big it is, death is a cycle.
Btw, she may come back, never underestimate the writters
@@DouvleBle Yeah she CAN come back, but I feel like it would kinda ruin her character quite a bit, for the reasons I said, and because her character had a fulfilled story start to finish, so if she came back it would make her true death worth less.
She has met 10 a few times in the big finish audio dramas
When I first got into River Song stuff I was confused, and when I got to the end of her experiences with the Doctor I had forgotten a LOT of past stuff, and this video really summed it up, it was short enough so I could remember past stuff but still apply it to the end. Thank you so much for this video, and great job!
My pleasure. So glad you enjoyed it
I still say there is a missing chapter. Before the ship exploded before they made it to the planet with the towers River told the doctor that he reminded her up her second wife before she knew he was a doctor. That means it is possible that River and the Doctor Jody Whitaker run into each other and get married
@@riverratjack701 I don't think so, because then she would've known that 13 existed and had a picture of 13's face in her wallet too - implying she would've known the Doctor had more regenerations.
I'm guessing it's moreso that River just lived her own life outside of the Doctor, like he did, had other relationships we won't know about. After all, she was at least 224 by the time she died, and she wasn't with the Doctor for many of those years.
Just wanted to echo the "Thank you so much for this video, and great job!"
@@kyler133 Thank you
Watching this now, i realised that Moffat's writing is truly next level, writing River's data ghost meeting 11 for the last time before writing 12 letting go of River. Moffat is a really good writer and has a super good grasp on time travel.
Wdym 11 meeting data ghost?
@@aknightwing9077 The last time River meets the Doctor (at about 50:00 in this compilation) it's her being digitally beamed into a conference call and meeting the 11th. She herself is at that point only the copy of her soul/memory that the 10th Doctor saved in the Library. It's not her body anymore just her spirit that was saved as data.
"In return, he saved me to a database in the biggest library in the universe. Left me like a book on a shelf" as she herself says.
She got to say goodbye to Her Doctor :(
@@takealilpill347 she actually views 12 as her Doctor not 11. This compilation shows how the events with “her Doctor” matches that night with 12.”
@@loganbreau882 No, 'her' Doctor is 11 -Matt Smith, the one she spent the most time with (and the one who opened the TARDIS with a click of his fingers) - she didn't even recognise 12, he wasn't on her list of faces
I wish they would make a river song spin off. So that we can see what she was up to in those years between seeing the doctor
It would be fun, but the writer said he'd rather it be imagined than see, so chances are it will not be depicted in any form
Big finish has a fair number of River Song audio plays for exactly this. I'm yet to listen to them myself though. Iirc the series is called "The diary of River Song"
Do any of the River song audio stories take place in the Tardis? During the Husbands of River Song she tells Capaldi’s doctor (who she doesn’t recognize yet) she say she steals the Tardis all the time and since it’s a time machine she pops it back a second later and the doctor never knows.
I love how “silence will fall” and The Silence connects river songs origin story with Silence in the Library where’s she “dies” and is first introduced 😙 such a good creative story arch spanning multiple series
Great job! River Song was my favorite. I did miss the one line where David Tennent says “Bet I like you” and she replies, “oh you do”. That’s when I knew he fell in love with her.
That’s when I fell in love with her lol
Just beautiful. Seeing River's story set out in her timeline is beautiful and heartbreaking. I'm crying and I don't do that easily. River is my favourite of all the Doctor Who characters, and her love story with the Doctor is the most powerful love story in all of space and time. Incredible acting and fantastic writing. Thank you for this.
agreed
Absolutely love how Amy says she’s the doctors mother in law
The realisation the man she met all that time ago, and had been on adventures with, and had a crush on... is now her son-in-law... great moment. The fact her kid is older than her as well. Great story line concept.
This is too confusing for me 😅
@@chrismccaffrey8256 okay so river is Amy and Rory’s daughter she was conceived in the Tardis on their wedding night, why Amy was pregnant she was taken by the silence, she was replaced with a copy the doctor found out what happened didn’t tell Amy or Rory that’s she was pregnant until just before demons run where they saved Amy and her baby but madam kovarian kept an eye on river though out her live and she wanted river to kill the doctor but she didn’t kill him she married him and that’s how Amy and Rory became in laws to the doctor, I hope that explains everything
At around 12:40 when Rory goes to storm cage to see river, you can tell she's taken aback. It's because this River is from a time when Amy and Rory have already been taken by the angels. There's no reason for her to be THAT surprised. If she just hasn't seen Rory in a while she would have been like "oh it's been a while". But she was quiet, reserved. She was happy but holding back her feelings. She doesn't have a diary for her parents to coordinate their time lines. But she knew
She was pardoned by the time of Angels Take Manhattan though, she wouldn't have been in stormcage
She was pardoned post Byzantium which was before Manhatten in her timeline. It's even shown in the correct order in this video. . .
river song in my book is one of the best female characters ever written. she stands with Xena and Delyn .
Who’s delyn?
@@catofthecastle1681 watch Babylon 5
@@patriotsrebelsrogues7332 you mean Delenn.
@@antediluvianatheist5262 yeah thank you I could not remember how to spell it
Forever, River Song,👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️✅✅✅
I love how complete this is.
Many JUST have river and melody, but the cracks and the formation of the Church of the Silence also complete her story.
Incredibly done! I’m rewatching with my mom who has never seen the show and we just began season 4!
Always so exciting for brand new Who fans because of EVERYTHING to come!
Ouch. Even after following Rory back in time by the Angels, Amy still outlives him by 5 years.
Yeah that tends to happen.
On average, women tend to live about that much longer than men
I really want this new Doctor (David Tennant) to see River once again because in this first episode we saw Professor Song she talked to him like she met him with this face, soooo, its really possible that he pretended to be young in this new season (14th doctor)
Imagine seeing them reunited with the knowledge, experience and love that this Doctor has for River, compared to their first meeting from his point of view when he knew nothing about her. David Tennant has the acting chops to pull off something amazing if there was such a reunion. Heck, perhaps this is the reason his was the first "old favourite" the Doctor revisited.
It's a real shame River didn't get to meet 13, I can hear it now, "Hello sweetie. What the HELL have you done to yourself this time?"
This is the most epic story in all of Doctor Who history, the way they introduced her during 10s run, the last time she met him and the first time he met her. Then they had her there during most of 11s run. I absolutely loved the Christmas special where she met 12, and the moments before that where her dead/memory self spoke to Clara. I don't have enough words to say how spolerific it all was.
This kind of story telling is what drew me into doctor who. The way Steven Moffet was able to create amazing stories is mindblowing. After serise 10 when Steven Moffet left there hasn't been a good doctor who grandiose story like Rivers or Clara.
That is very much a Moffat invention. There was no story like this before either
And that's not to say they're bad stories, just nothing on that scale, totally agree
@@Phoenix-bi9bn "The Other" was set up as a grandiose story beneath the surface
I don't watch Doctor Who...yet randomly fell down a rabbit hole...& now I'm obsessed with River Song. I think I'm gonna buy every episode she's in.
I never expected to be given a non-fan introduction here. I'm unsure watching only her episodes is wise. She's basically in every episode of series 5 and 6 so I'd just watch them all. And Silence in the Library (series 4) is important
River Song is a genuine badass, in every sense of the word. Intelligent, quick on her feet, a dead shot with any weapon. Too many more ways to describe her, so I'll stop there. She's a hero, period.
She made a Dalek shit itself. The only other person to do that is the Doctor
People who hate on Moffat's run really forget how incredible this storyline was. So perfectly interwoven and consistent despite it going all over the place timeline wise. Every single piece ended up fitting together so it all makes sense and you can follow it like this to see River's side of everything. I honestly think Moffat was the best writer of modern Doctor Who. He was so god at creating long term storylines and characters that spanned multiple series.
In the episode where they go to the Singing Towers and he's playing with the new sonic, he's actually scanning her so 10 can upload her.
Do you reckon? I never noticed that
@@Phoenix-bi9bn It's a fan theory I've heard and makes sense. 10 didn't have time to do anything, and River went directly from that night with Capaldi to the Library, so that's all I can really see, he started the scan, setting it to interface with her suit, then when she "died" 10 could upload her consciousness.
@@SheepdogSmokey It certainly was done before Tennant. I assumed it happened that night. But it's a decent guess. I like it
@@Phoenix-bi9bn When Capaldi pulled the screwdriver out of the box at the restaurant and pointed it at her and turned it on is when he scanned her.
I'd expect it to be set up to save her final state at the library, using the same mechanism as the spacesuits of the other expeditions. Which is why it suddenly has the same display hidden under the decorations.
This was incredible to see in Rivers pov in her timeline. It’s still confusing but didn’t they do a great job with continuity over soo many years. They did write themselves into a few corners but my disbelief was definitely suspended. Bravo Mr Moffat
I've always said 10 was my favorite doctor, but on my 2nd viewing of the whole modern Who, I consider the 6th season the best *season*...and that's largely because of River's arch. One of the best characters in Who and sophisticated timey-wimey mechanics beyond most sci-fi film/TV. A perfect combination of great writing, acting, and charisma.
What's beautiful about their story is that when it ends, it begins again. Yes it's sad, but it's always
I will forever hold out hope that River returns. Having an adventure where neither party knows the end. The fact that he saved her consciousness in the Library always leaves that possibility open, and the mention in the latest special proves that at least part of her survives, so there’s always hope
The last words she spoke to doctor from her perspective were "Goodbye sweetie" so heartbreaking 😭
Incredible. Can't believe the producers and showrunners never made something like this. THANK YOU
My pleasure
Moffat is truly a fan of DW, the way he created it and wrote this story line was just astonishing ! Kingston did an amazing job from "Silence at the library" to "The Husbands of River Song", and of course every actor in The Doctor's shoes was amazing too from Tennant to Capaldi, but with Smith all the story was developed to the roots. Thanks for assembling River's love and life story in Doctor Who's recent story time.
And now im crying thanks
My pleasure
Watching this from the library to their last 20 something year night together is honestly heartbreaking
I read the comments and told myself 'nah I'm not gonna cry, can't be that sad' hard cut to an hour later weeping in my bed
My apologies for making you cry. Glad to have made it so well
@@Phoenix-bi9bn it was a journey I was happy to go on, thank you!
I've spent many nights trying to put this together in my head 🤯 Thanks!
As the Doctor says "Most people need a flowchart"
Tenant is the only Doctor that makes me cry. River always makes me cry.
Exactly. Such a pity most of River Song is with 11th.
Tears that have been dropped while watching this show cannot be counted ever.
“Help me!”
“Get down!”
“What are you doing!?”
“Saving your life!”
“Nooo!!!”
Gosh, chills every time. Such a well executed scene. The slow motion, the lighting, the acting, the camera angles. Ugh, so good.
It's cooler when you know what is going on from all 3 sides of the scene
I wish they made a joke later about the fact Amy shot at her own daughter lol
I don't even like Dr Who. But this is hands down both the best love story and time travel arcs in scifi.
This is actually what brought me to doctor who
River Song’s timeline still confuses me but what an amazing character! Definitely one of my favourite!
The best storyline out of doctor who ever. Was heartbreking for the doctor knowing her more every time and ultimately knowing what her story ending would be.
Alex Kingston was amazing
I wish the background music wasn't so loud in some parts. Could not hear what was being said during that. Otherwise, great video, very in depth and detailed. Best one!
Spoilers! :)
Seriously way too loud. I was looking forward to actually hearing the dialogue, not listen to the soundtrack from an 80s prom night.
Welp. Just sat here watched this whole thing and cried a few times. Man these actors did such a good job with those characters.
This video is very well put together. It must have taken a while, so thank you. It is difficult to encompass the extent of River's impact on the Moffat era. While her main storyline encompasses only one season (6), she plays big parts in seasons 4, 5, 7, and 9 that just add to her legacy.
The only misstep in her storyline, in my opinion, was her involvement in The Name of the Doctor. We didn't know Clara too well, yet...and bringing River back cut into The Impossible Girl storyline...as I was so broken over their farewell that getting back to Clara was a bit jarring.
Thanks to Moffat and Kingston for bringing Melody Pond to us. (Think about that. Her name was River Song in season FOUR. So in season FIVE, we meet Amy POND to set up the fact that the only water in the forest is the River...Melody becomes Song...Pond becomes River...Moffat is a mad genius of long game storytelling...)
Here is hoping that those 24 years on Dirillium are enough to get you into an adventure with yet another Doctor.
~ 41:30 ~ It's a measure of Alex Kingston's epic talent that she could convey such emotion when she probably only had a slim idea of her character's story arc.
Her loop was insanity. Absolutely the best storyline of the entire series.
Wow, just wow. Cried at the end. Having River's story set out like this is spectacular.
Good job on the edit, I appreciate the work you put in
Thanks so much
Best continuous story ever in the history of The Doctor. Thank you for the tears 😢 Phoenix 24 ❤
pleasure
Background music is supposed to be in the BACKGROUND, not so loud you can barely hear the dialogue.
Alex Kingston was utterly perfect in this role. I loved her arc so much!
I agree, it's the best Doctor Who story ever! The writers knew exactly what they were doing when they wrote this. Thank you for putting it all together like this.
That was BRILLIANT!!! I’ve always wondered how the heck the story happened from River’s point of view.
God I’m glad I stayed till the end. I almost missed her very last moment with the doctor.. not much can make me cry. But by god this made me cry more than I have in a long time.
That was too painful 😥😭😭😭 I loved River and the Doctor and it was so sad knowing that their time line was in reverse to each others 😭
What’s interesting is how River says “your eyes, you’re so young! You’re younger than I’ve ever seen you!”
Knowing what we know now, 14 or (POTD regen at the end) could see River again. The wording RTD used was awesome and maybe he planned this all along.
My daughter is named after her River and got to meet her at a con and David and Catherine they where amazing with her xx was a very special day
Whenever someone says Moffitt was a bad writer, I always come back to this character. What a Masterpiece.
This dynamic, the way it was shown, the patience to set it up as far back as tenant, the way it was presented from start to finish. The perfect tragedy. This has to be one of if not my favorite romance in all of ficti9n.
Thanks for the upload. River's timeline was one of the most complicated things for me to follow, given that I lost access to cable halfway through Capaldi's run and the DVDs weren't available in my area until very recently so rewatches often weren't possible.
that ending hits right in the feels. from the doctor, an ageless being moping around wounded. to their final farewell. sad you left out the part of "only i can see you means that must have looked really weird".
that portion of the episode as i was watching on the DVD matt smith collection wasnt until i got to the capaldi collection that it made more sense. him catching her hand as she thought she was about to deliver an unfelt smack to the face. and him revealing he knew she was there the whole time but because the memory that it meant she was dead was to much for the doctor to bare.
was nice to sit back and watch essentially a river song movie showing events from her view seeing as honestly from the doctors view its all over the place. wish doctor who would get back to stories like this again, stuff that entertains and tugs at the heart, instead of trying to preach politics and activism at me.
I too am hoping the writing, characters and stories can be even half as good as Moffat's run. Maybe I'll start watching it again.
The Doctor + River is the most tragic romance story ever televised. Cried like a bitch watching this :-(
I would love an entire spin off series from rivers perspective, basically this video but a full show. It just sounds cool. I would even settle for just rivers diary as an actual novel. I think somthing like that would just pop off in popularity, and rightfully so to.
Yes, her diary as a published book would be popular
Pretty sure she shows up in a several of the Dr. Who comic story lines.
So glad you kept in the part where The Doctor goes back to his TARDIS and tries opening the doors with a snap of his fingers. There's something bittersweet about someone claiming they've known you so long, that they know your deepest darkest secret and sacrificing themselves for you when they know you will no longer be a part of their life.
It's his way of honoring her life by trusting her word that it could be done and that she truly did know him.
Very emotional storyline, this video had me in tears, makes me want to watch all of Eleven again. Can't imagine the pain River must have experienced knowing that there will be a time when your love won't know who you are, and then finally getting to that destination. Thanks for making this video.
Glad you enjoyed it so much
The writing during this period was absolute genius. One of the best story lines ever in television history
the best part of the Matt Smith era was river song and her mom. and it was sooo good. I really wish they brought her back with the 13th Doctor. maybe they will with the 14th? considering how many other characters from that era are expected to return for the special.
This is such a phenomenal video. I've seen the show countless times but I don't think I've ever truly appreciated how well written River was until now, seeing her story in order. Just magnificent
A year ago, I told you that you had me crying...
Here I am again, crying my heart out!😢
Thank you, again, Phoenix-bi9bn! What a beautiful, wonderful story! ❤
Thank you for returning
Man re-watching this I sure miss River, 11, and even 12.
I've never seen a whole episode of Docter Who, but I really wanted to know more about River. Now I've watched this entire video and I think the last time I've cried so hard was years ago. This is such a heartbreaking story. She is such a great and well-written character. I've watched many River Song scenes before this and knew how it would end, but...I didn't think this would hit as hard as it did. Thank you for this edit.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed
Thank you so much. I've tried to look up everything in order before but I could always tell it was wrong and it was quickly put together. However after I saw this it really put things into perspective especially because I haven't seen some of them many times. This means a lot to me thank you. One of my favorite characters
I did my research too but some lines didn't fit so I made my own order. Glad you agree with my choice and really happy to hear you liked it
Its very well blended story. I wish when Peter scanned Song was included. It how he saved song when David Tennet's doctor uploaded her into the data base.
The Doctor regenerated trying to read that sentence. But I understood what you meant, he probably did do that.
Absolutely THE BEST and most complete compilation about River’s Timeline I have ever seen. CUDOS and thank you!
Thank you so much. Glad you think so
So cool to see it in chronological order like this.
That's was so beautiful. Thank you for the music selection and scene edits. Amd yes I'm crying my eyes out.
3:13 This damn Madame Kovarian gave me so much childhood trauma. I used to be scared to go to sleep because I was afraid the eyepatch lady would appear on my bathroom door.
So according to my previous comment I watched this two months ago. Feels much longer but I’m so glad I watched it again. I needed to get into my feels again. Thank you for all your hard work on this
Now this, THIS is truly a masterpiece. Romeo and Juliet in our modern times. A perfect and beautiful tragedy
I just realized, at 7:25 Mels says "that's just brilliant!", which became the Thirteenth Doctor's signature saying years later.
"Spoilers" absolutely iconic.
I love that this was compiled and put together but the music is too loud to hear the dialogue clearly, for me at least.
I will comment once more, this editing was just as great as Gallifrey Stands! Between Steven Moffat/Russell T. Davies screenwriting, Murray Gold's composition and Ben Foster conducting....All of it makes so much sense! I am truly grateful that RTD will be returning to Doctor Who. Chbnall did not do Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who justice. She is a fabulous actress and Chibby wrote terrible stories. Am looking forward to see what's in store for #14 WHOever that may be.
I personally disagree. I think Jodie's stories were easily a match for previous ones, but thanks for watching the video