‘Doctor Who The Girl Who Waited’ Shows The Twisted Struggle Between Time and Love [Review]

“The Girl Who Waited” is my favorite episode of the new season with its warmth, conflict and struggle to come to terms with love lost through time.

Official Synopsis:

Amy Pond is trapped in a quarantine facility for victims of an alien plague – a plague that will kill the Doctor in a day – as the time-travelling drama continues.

The Doctor can use the TARDIS to smash through time and break in, but then Rory Williams is on his own. He must find Amy and bring her back to the TARDIS before the alien doctors can administer their medicine.

Rory is about to encounter a very different side to his wife. Can he rescue Amy before she is killed by kindness?

So-called FutureAmy is a fascinating character. The effect of solitary confinement for 36 years is really well done. The FutureAmy seemed withdrawn, nervous and socially awkward. Although the shtick about her dressing in left over HandBots parts is a little weird.

The reversal of having the Doctor stuck in the TARDIS while Amy and Rory go on an adventure was really refreshing. There’s even a part where their cut off completely from the Doctor and have to fend for themselves.

All the character’s face a moral and ethical dilemma. Should FutureAmy help NowAmy escape and destroy herself? Should Rory choose to save FutureAmy or NowAmy? They’re both his wife, so which is more deserving? Can the Doctor overcome his guilt at dooming yet another companion to misery?

The HandBots were scary, but not as scary as they could have been. I never really got to see what would have happened if they’d “disinfected” a human. Other than the threat of a needle and the promise of bad things there really was no danger. It still worked surprisingly well.

There were some funny moments like when the Doctor complained about Amy updating Twitter while in space. The “Rory bot” that Amy disarmed to keep her company with his funny hair. The heart warming stories of Rory’s goofy attempts to look like he was in a rock band.

The most touching scene was the one where FutureAmy and NowAmy talked with one another about why they loved Rory. That, and the Macarena. The running joke about the Doctor saying some piece of clothing is “cool” is wearing thin though.

“The Girl Who Waited” is a thoughtful, heart warming episode that finally showcases the Pond’s while proving that Amy is one of the best companions ever.

What did you think of “The Girl Who Waited?” Could you imagine living 36 years in solitary? What would happen if the love of your life returned decades older?