Doctor Who Fan art by Amanda McCoy
The Character Development of River Song
Let’s Kill Hitler
(Dedicated to Belen – I love you and I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas!)
It seems to me that a lot of the criticism of River Song’s character and Steven Moffat’s writing of her is based on a lack of attention paid to her timeline. The opinion that River started out as a character with a lot of potential and that Moffat somehow ruined her character throughout his run is often brought forward by people who appear to assume that the way River is portrayed at one point in time can be fully applied to an older River’s behaviour, opinions, or aspiration. Instead, I would argue we are seeing a lot of her character development in a back-to-front manner. Consequently, what often looks like devolution on screen instead represents the evolution of River Song’s character.
For this reason it is useful to look at River’s growth as a character from her own perspective, by putting the glimpses we see of her over the course of her timeline in the context of her own story. Let’s Kill Hitler takes on an especially significant role here, because when one doesn’t follow the chronological episode order from our perspective, Let’s Kill Hitler is where her story truly starts. While Melody Pond might have been born at Demon’s Run, River Song came to existence in Berlin in 1938. This is where she begins to claim the name for herself.
Consequently Let’s Kill Hitler offers a wealth of insights into her character. In addition to showing the beginning of the path which would lead her to become River Song, the flashbacks of the episode also add further to our understanding of River’s backstory and provide context for the events of this episode from Melody’s point of view.
The episode is called “Let’s Kill Hitler”, a title which is much more than a playful use of the three words which got the journey started. It is not only a reference to a plot thread which gets dropped as soon as the man in question gets locked into a cupboard - because Melody Pond is on a mission to kill someone who in her eyes is something a lot worse than Hitler. What started out as an amusing little scenes in the flashback is transformed into insights about Melody Pond’s motivations and mind-set when her true identity is revealed. Mels’ answers in school do not represent a character quirk. She knows that the Doctor is more than just Amy’s imaginary friend. She knows that he is as real as the events she mentions and she sees the Doctor at fault for any and all of them.
The Teselecta crew might believe her to be the war criminal for her supposed murder of the Doctor. However, for Mels in the larger scheme of things the place of “the biggest of them all” is reserved for the Doctor. She recognises that he is a “man of peace”, but in her mind his inaction is the worst offense of them all. The Doctor didn’t stop Hitler’s rise to power, the Doctor didn’t save the people on the Titanic. And with this lack of intervention where he – the time traveller, the supposed hero – failed to do what she believes to be in his power the Doctor is implicated in all major crimes and catastrophes in history. And she has come to do what she was quite literally born to do, raised to achieve from birth on: Kill the Doctor.
This is where the episode starts. It will end on a much different note. Because instead of murdering him as planned Melody Pond does something really quite extraordinary. She changes her mind – an act which requires a rather substantial sacrifice on her part.
Perfect!
The tumblr app sucks.
1. Stick to your ship. Focus on what you like, don’t waste time comparing your ship to other ships.
2. Respect the tags. Your tag is for your ship–you don’t want to see hate, and neither does anyone else. Do NOT tag hate. Tagging hate is a fundamental breach of etiquette. It’s rude. Don’t be rude.
3. Your dash, your responsibility. If another ship makes you uncomfortable or is your notp, it’s your responsibility to avoid it, not their responsibility to tip-toe around you. Unfollow people, blacklist the tags, do what you need to do, but remember that it’s not anyone else’s job to curate your dash for you, so don’t make it their problem.
4. Do not send anon hate. You should never send anon hate. Just don’t, seriously, what is wrong with you.
5. Do not assume that a ship is some kind of hive-mind. Do not blame an entire ship for the actions of one individual, especially someone anonymous who might actually be a random troll.
6. Do not write ship hate. It serves no purpose except trolling. Why waste your time?
7. Don’t hate. Don’t troll, don’t hide behind anon, don’t tag hate.
This.
Here you go! Enjoy :D
“No matter what happens, I will find a way back to you. I love you.”
For two months, he had held on. Eight weeks of torturous training to become the next Ra’s Al Ghul, and through it all, the only thing that had kept Oliver going, was that note.
Because it was hope. It was a promise to the one he loved. A promise he intended to keep.
“You’re ready.”
Oliver threw the strap of his duffel bag over his shoulder and turned to face Nyssa. “I’m more than ready.”
Nyssa nodded, a slight smile gracing her face. “I am in your debt, Oliver Queen. Should you need anything-“
Oliver held up a hand, eager to cut this conversation short. “I don’t want anything from the League, Nyssa. Our connection ends here.”
She inclined her head and stepped out of his way. “Then please, allow me to grant you your freedom.”
He stepped past her, towards the large open doors, his freedom, and everything else he wanted, on the other side.
Felicity.
Memories of their one night together assaulted him. He could still feel her skin against his, her warm breath against his neck. The way she trembled as she held onto him. For the first time in so long, the memories didn’t bring pain or regret for what they’d both lost.
So many times, he had almost given up, remembering the heartbreak in her expression, the pain in those beautiful eyes. It broke his heart each time he thought about how tightly she’d held onto him, refusing to let go.
Slowly, he made his way down the winding path, to the jet that Nyssa had prepared for his departure. Though they’d acted as partners in recent weeks, he didn’t trust her, and the sooner he was out of here, the better.
Together they had defeated Ra’s, killing him before he could kill them. Oliver, becoming Ra’s upon his death, abdicated immediately, and handed control of the League back to Nyssa.
Finally, he was free.
~~~~~~~~~~
It didn’t take long to track her down. Oliver smiled as he silently walked down the concrete steps to their new lair. The secondary one he’d set up so long ago. He knew it looked different, could see it in his peripheral vision, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Felicity long enough to look.
She was sitting at her computer station, silent, eyes staring off into the distance as she twiddled something around in her left hand. He paused when he realised what the battered, torn piece of paper was. His note. She’d held onto it.
He was about to speak when she leaned back in her chair, a tired sigh that hurt his heart, escaping her. He watched as she brought the note up to hold against her chest, and then he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“You don’t need that anymore.”
He heard her gasp, sitting forward, frozen like a statue.
“Please tell me you’re really standing there and not a hallucination?”
“Felicity.” He said her name so softly, it was almost a prayer. The next thing he knew, he was being rocked back on his feet, catching her with ease as she locked her legs around his waist.
She cupped his face in both hands and stared into his eyes, assessing him for any damage, both physical and emotional. “How?”
He brought one hand up to the back of her neck, his fingers disappearing into her soft hair. “That doesn’t matter right now.”
“I never gave up hope, it was hard, but I never gave up.”
He brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away a tear. “No more crying, Felicity. No more waiting, I’m home.”
She let out a half-laugh, half-sob, and lowered her head to capture his lips. Flashes of the night when he’d held her this exact same way went through him, making his heart sing as he deepened the kiss.
“I missed you.” She whispered, peppering little kisses across his face and down his jawline.
Swallowing against the rush of emotion, Oliver lowered them both down onto a nearby sofa, Felicity straddling him. When he looked up, his heart skipped a beat. The light behind gave her an almost angelic glow as her hair fell around her face. He smiled. She was his angel.
“I can’t believe you’re finally home.” She sniffled, her fingers toying with the collar of his shirt.
“Felicity…” He trailed off, waiting for her to look at him. He didn’t know if he was doing the right thing, but he had to try. When she looked at him, her eyes shining, he couldn’t think. Couldn’t speak. So he kissed her instead.
Placing a hand over his heart, Felicity pulled back. “Are you okay?”
“I am now.”
“Are you hungry? Because I could get you something, or we could go to Big Belly Burger.”
He chuckled. “No, I don’t need food.”
“What do you need?” Her voice was tentative, almost shaky, and he understood the hidden meaning in her question.
“Only you. For the rest of my life.” It all clicked into place. There was no Oliver without Felicity. He knew that as surely as he knew his own name. “Marry me, Felicity.”
Her eyes went wide as she froze. “What?”
He licked his lips. “I had a lot of time to think while I was gone. And I don’t ever want to lose you again. I can’t. You’re the other half of me. So I need to know, will you marry me?”
Her breathing grew faster as she stared at him. For minutes, they sat in silence, and after a while, Oliver started to doubt himself. Was it too soon for them?
Then he heard it. It was quiet, but the most wonderful sound he’d ever heard.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
Sniffling, Felicity leaned her forehead against his, staring deep into his eyes. “Yes, I will marry you, Oliver Queen.”
He grasped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her cheeks, as he tilted his head and brought her lips down to his. She was his everything, his heart, his soul. His life.
*happy sigh*
Hi! Thanks so much for the prompt. It kinda got a little more angsty than I’d planned lol. Enjoy :D
She couldn’t do it. After finally giving in and letting her feelings overcome her, Felicity couldn’t let him go. She sat on the edge of the luxurious bed, finger combing her hair, as Oliver got dressed. Last night, she’d let down her walls, allowed him to see how much she loved him. Because she knew, deep down, that this might very well be the last time she ever saw him.
The thought of that alone was enough to send a spike shooting through her chest.
She felt the bed dip behind her, and then her hair was being swept away from her neck, quickly replaced by lips that were soft and warm. With a small groan, she leaned back into his chest as his arms wrapped around her middle.
“Are you okay?”
He sounded calm, happy even. How could that be when she was doing everything she could just to hold it all together? She’d thought she’d known pain. All the times Oliver had pulled away from her, every time he’d pushed her away. But that was nothing compared to this.
“I’m fine.”
She knew he knew she was lying. As she turned her head to look at him, she could see it reflected in his eyes. This was hurting him as much as it was her. And there was nothing either of them could do about it. Saving Thea was the most important thing, something she could never ask him not to do.
It had worked. Thea was alive, albeit, a little different, but alive. But now Oliver was stuck here. Heir to the Demon. A part of the League of Assassins.
“I love you, Felicity.” He whispered, his lips grazing her temple.
She bit her bottom lip and blinked fast to stop the tears forming. “I love you too.”
There was a light tap on the door. Diggle poked his head in, his face sombre. “It’s time.”
Right, Felicity thought. Time to leave. Drawing in a deep breath, she got to her feet. Oliver moved around the bed to stand in front of her. He didn’t speak, but his eyes told her everything he was feeling. With a sad smile, she reached up and cupped his cheek.
He leaned into her touch for a moment, then drew her hand down and squeezed tightly as he led her to the door.
Outside, Diggle was waiting with their bags. Thea was going to remain here until she was strong enough to leave, and Malcolm was nowhere to be seen. Good, she thought. Maybe Ra’s had killed him already.
As she stepped into the cold morning air, Ra’s appeared behind them. His stoic expression angered her, making her want to fly at him. She knew she couldn’t possibly do any damage, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to try.
As if sensing her thoughts, Oliver tugged her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist as the other pressed her head to his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t. Don’t do that. I don’t regret anything.” She glanced up, and her jaw dropped when she saw tears falling freely from his eyes. “Oliver…”
“I never wanted this, Felicity. I never wanted you to be unhappy. But this is the only way.”
Her voice cracked. “I know.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Ra’s take a step towards them. “It’s time, Miss Smoak.”
Breathing became difficult, her chest constricting as she looked at Oliver’s face. How could she leave him?
The panic took over, and she threw her arms around his neck, squeezing so tightly that she was sure she heard something crack. “I can’t.”
“Felicity…” Oliver breathed, squeezing her just as hard.
“No! I can’t do it. I can’t leave you here. It’s not fair, Oliver. It’s not-“
He drew back just enough to stare into her eyes. “Hey, it’s going to be okay, I promise you. I will be okay. But you…you have to go now.”
His words sliced through her, and the strength she’d been using to hide her feelings, snapped. Tears flowed, streaming down her cheeks as she choked on a sob. “I can’t leave you.”
“You have to.” Oliver’s voice was barely above a whisper. His head swooped down, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss that she felt right down to her soul. This was it.
“I love you.” She said, leaning her forehead against his.
“I will always love you, Felicity.”
Diggle took her free hand, tugging hard until she broke contact with Oliver. When she looked up, she saw the reason why. Ten members of the League were standing behind Ra’s, awaiting his instruction to forcibly remove them.
Diggle grabbed their bags and headed towards the path that would lead them down to the private jet. Her eyes never once left Oliver’s.
Once they were on the plane, she felt her heart scream for him. “What are we doing, John? We can’t leave him here.”
“For now, we don’t have a choice, Felicity.”
It was too hard to look at the tears in Diggle’s eyes. So Felicity curled her knees up to her chest and shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. She frowned when she felt something in there.
Pulling it out, she realised it was a note. From Oliver.
“No matter what happens, I will find a way back to you. I love you.”
Felicity swiped angrily at her tears. But for the first time since she’d left him, she felt a tiny glimmer of hope. There was no way he’d tell her that, if he didn’t mean it. She just had to hold on a little longer.
Love it babe! Tear jerker, gah!
http://youtu.be/bQ5dp9aQCsM my newest vid. Hope It’s enjoyed!
March 26,2005 - Mar 26, 2015
Happy 10th Anniversary New Who !
(Source: rebeccafergusons)
Celebrating New Who | Favourite Theme
“Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world, or a relationship, everything has its time. And everything ends.” - Sarah Jane Smith, School Reunion
(Source: chabouillet)
Alex Kingston and John Barrowman at Dallas Comic (Feb 7, 2015)
When the universe finally grants the Doctor’s prayer it turns out to be more then it seems and with consequences none of them could have imagined.
“Right, let’s see where we are.”
Destiny of the Daleks - season 17 - 1979
Alex Kingston Wallpaper - Requested by Anon
(Source: captainraydor)
You can’t see me can you. You look at me and you can’t see me. Do you know what it’s like? I’m right here, standing in front of you.
You’re always here to me. And I always listen. And I can always see you.
(Source: lizziecorday)
So, ilovenewplanets gave me this adorable idea like, a million years ago (and I’m stupid so i drew it only now): “the Doctor and River doing a spider-man kiss with the Doctor hanging, tangled in wires for whatever reason, and River kissing him because he’s an idiot.”
so precious!
