Doctor Who – Amy and Rory leave the Labyrinth

When I went into this episode, I really just thought I’d once again be reviewing a creepy horror episode of Doctor Who. Since I share review responsibilities with fellow Clacker Brittany, I was a little disappointed I was reviewing a less important story after last week’s amazing, heartbreaking episode. I didn’t realize this would be the last episode with the Ponds.

To start, the actual meat of the episode was well done (oh man, that was an awful pun, sorry). While the setting was very The Shining, the effects of the hotel on the “guests” was reminiscent of the joyous submission in 1984. That sort of happy calm is absolutely chilling, especially when you see these characters as themselves first. The endless hotel with rooms full of insanity is an elegant interpretation of the traditional labyrinth, Minotaur and all. My boyfriend had hopes for Rita (Amara Karan) to be saved and come along with the Doctor, but I knew better. It seems like most times the Doctor offers a new character a chance to see the universe, they don’t survive (Titanic episode, anyone?) The other scary thing is that for most of the episode, we are told that everyone would have a room in this hotel that would drive them to insanity. Even the Doctor has a room — and the door’s number is 11 (well played, Toby Whithouse. Well played.).

But the lesson of this episode is one of so many episodes from this show: the Doctor leads people to their death, even as he’s trying to help them. Whether telling strangers to hold onto their faith when their faith actually leads the monster to them or offering a girl the chance to travel through time and space when he knows the horrors she will face along with the glory, the Doctor does more harm than good … if only in his own eyes. While it wasn’t confirmed, we all know that some form of that fact was what the Doctor saw in that room.

This was made all the more clear when we realize Amy’s weakness against the Minotaur was her strongest faith — her faith in the Doctor. Only by helping her lose her faith was he able to save her. It’s fitting after last week’s episode when another Amy Pond lost her faith in the Doctor, began to trust again only to have the Doctor sacrifice her for the other Pond. The one constant of the show, beyond actors and showrunners and styles and budgets, is that the Doctor will always lose the ones he loves the most. Whether he forces himself to let them go while they’re still breathing or selfishly holds on tight until they’re killed by a foe or even sacrifices them for the greater good, he always ends up alone.

And so we say goodbye to the Ponds. But it’s not like it’s goodbye forever … they are his (alleged) in-laws. It makes the most sense for them to leave now. I heard rumors that this would be Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill‘s last season as regulars, and if the writers included their story wrapping up in the finale along with River and the Doctor and the Doctor’s could-be death and River maybe killing the Doctor … that would be a whole lot of plot for one finale. No, it’s better this way.

With his dying breath, the Minotaur said that to an ancient creature traveling through an endless maze with innocent blood on his hands, death would be a gift. Before he even finished, I knew he was talking about the Doctor. As much as this season has been about “How will Rory/Amy/River/the Doctor save the Doctor from the Impossible Astronaut?”, there’s another question we should be asking … is it so wrong for the Doctor to embrace death?

All the best quotes:

“Oh, you’re good. Oh, she’s good. Amy, with  regret, you’re fired.” — the Doctor
“What?” — Amy
“I’m kidding. [whispering] We’ll talk.” — the Doctor

“I take it from the pathological compulsion to surrender, you’re from Tivalli.” — the Doctor
“Yes, the most invaded planet in the galaxy. Our anthem is called ‘Glory to … insert name here.’ ” — Gibbis

“They’re not doors, they’re walls. Walls that look like doors. Door walls, if you like. Or dwalls. Waars, even, though you probably got it when you said they’re not doors. I mean, the windows are … right, big day for fans of walls.” — the Doctor

“We’re going to die here.” — Joe
“Well, they certainly didn’t mention that in the brochure.” — the Doctor

“I worked out where we are.” — Howie
“Hm?” — Rory
“Norway.” — Howie
“Norway.” — Rory
“See, the US government has entire cities hidden in the Norwegian mountains. The earth is in a collision course with this other planet, and this is where they are going to send all the rich people when it kicks off. — Howie
“Amazing.” — Rory
“It’s all there on the internet.” — Howie
“No, it’s amazing you’ve come up with a theory even more insane than what’s actually happening.” — Rory

“You are a medical doctor, aren’t you? You haven’t just got a degree in cheese making or something?” — Rita
“No! Well, yes, both actually.” — Doctor

“All I want to do is go home and be conquered and oppressed, is that too much to ask!?” — Gibbis

“Somebody … hit me. Was it Amy?” — Rory

“I brought them here. They’d say it was their choice, but offer a child a suitcase full of sweets and they’ll take it. Offer someone all of time and space and they’ll take it too. Which is why you shouldn’t. Which is why grownups were invented.” — the Doctor

“I’m not a hero. I really am just a mad man in a box. And it’s time we saw each other as we really are. Amy Williams, it’s time to stop waiting.” — the Doctor

Clacked by Katie Schenkel
on Sep 18, 2011 @ 11:11 EST5EDT