Why River’s Christmas Return Will Be Great
K-Ci Williams explains why Alex Kingston’s return is something to look forward to.
If you have any history with this site then you will remember that the first article I ever wrote (and many subsequent articles following) was about the enigmatic seductress, River Song. It has been forever since I sat down and seriously thought about writing an article. I was waiting for inspiration. Here it is after almost two years since her farewell in The Name of the Doctor, although arguably a character like her never truly receives a farewell.
Can you imagine the happiness, the joy and delight I felt when I scrolled through my news feed this week (I’ve become socially adept in my absence) and found that my favourite character in the show would return. Honestly, I almost told my family not to worry about the presents. Just leave me alone for Christmas and I’ll be good. Obviously, with the scene in Name being so fantastically written, performed and directed, there will be controversy surrounding her return. But to settle my excited little pudding brain, this article focuses on why I am so thrilled that River Song is making a return.
Peter Capaldi and Alex Kingston are extremely accomplished actors; especially in the realm of Doctor Who. River Song has captivated audiences since she appeared in Series Four and appeared each successive series until her final appearance in Series Seven. At this point she has a similar amount of episode appearances to the current Doctor. Peter Capaldi himself has had the last year under his belt as the Doctor, taking our fandom for a wild ride as he travels through space and time. Two very brilliant, very skilled, very fine actors in their own right. But the two of them together? There is so much to be explored between the two actors. Different chemistry, different acting impulses. It’s just the same as when Matt Smith first worked with Kingston following her stint with David Tennant. It all felt very fresh, very different, very new. Capaldi and Kingston act with such gravitas that they suspend disbelief and become their characters. It is an impeccably exciting prospect that these two actors are working together. They will bring a different dynamic to the characters I think.
In her four series of appearances, River Song filled up quite the journey log. The wonderful thing about the character is that her complexities, both time related and otherwise, allow her to return over and over again. Of course, this is where the brain starts to remember the times when her constant use – some would say overuse – became a little too much. I must admit, it did feel like Moffat was trying to shove her down our throats. However, as always, time has healed the wounds of her past exposure. After what will be two series with the incumbent Doctor, it feels like a timely decision to bring her back. If not now then when? I for one had no intention of ever having to write this article, if only for the thought that I was done with the character. I had shed my tears, said my farewells and got on with it. This whole announcement opens up new avenues for stories. We have never seen River Song with the Doctor for a full story at Christmas. Moffat always claimed that if River Song did return it would be to serve a purpose in the story he was writing. Count me impressed that he was able to hold out for two series before bringing his ‘baby’ back into the fold.
As a character, River Song always comes back to controversy for the fans. The general trend is that her characterisation and storyline was beautiful in Silence of the Library/Forest of the Dead, but descended into chaos around the time of Series Six. Her storyline and development was laid on too thick I felt which caused a lot of unnerved viewers in the fandom. I love everything about the character so I could let this slide. With this in mind, how could her return be beneficial with this past of apparent disappointments? If we examine her characterisation in both The Angels Take Manhattan and The Name of the Doctor, it becomes clear that she is on top of her game in this particular part of her life. I felt these two stories redeemed her, possibly because Moffat finally knew who and what he wanted the character to be. So if the past is anything to go by, her return gives another opportunity for him to redeem the character in the eyes of some fans. Redemption is always difficult, but like I’ve said above – with the acting dynamics and the time gap since her last appearance, the future looks promising.
Furthermore, if there is anything I am looking forward to it is the opportunity to see the two characters of the Doctor and River Song working together again. Obviously the acting will be different, but there are things I am looking forward to seeing in their characters. I expect to see that some things will be fundamentally the same in their characterisation such as their flirtatious banter and deep down, the adoration for each other as people. I will also expect many things to be different. English literature is my forte so analysing the juxtaposition of the two characters at different parts of their lives will be a goldmine. Contrasting the relationship with Twelve as compared to Eleven will be a joy to analyse. The anticipation is killing me. Christmas couldn’t come sooner because I really would like to see how these two characters will interact. Endless story potential. So make it work, Moffat.
In conclusion, I guess it’s obvious why I had to write this article. River Song to me represents the joy of life, the strength to overcome fear and even the need to give a bit of cheek to those you love. As a character, she has been a symbol of hope when I needed it most. I cannot wait for her return. I know it sounds a bit weird, but I would happily skip the upcoming series just to see the Christmas Special. 2014 was Last Christmas, but 2015 will be the Best Christmas.
