Doctor Who "The Husbands of River Song" Reaction

[@JustSoShayla]

To those who might be interested, I am going to be doing a 4x08/4x09 re-reaction probably in my Doctor Who month upcoming a little later this year. (For any who don't know, after I am all caught up with the current series, I will be taking a break and then later this year I will be reacting to any Doctor Who content I have not seen/avoided, like fan videos, behind the scenes, minisodes, bloopers, and past episodes). Alrighty, let's get back on the ride. Enjoy the reaction, everyone!

[@XCVIII]

Ok I love that idea

[@suncore598]

Is your Doctor Who month inspired by Sesskasays?

[@meghanto]

It's a bit sad that you're not reacting to return of doctor mysterio but I'd love your thoughts on that in the comment section/ in 10x1

[@Mr337M]

This episode is a much needed pallet cleanser that resets you before another great season with the best conclusion for The Doctor.

[@Mr337M]

Oh yeah. Season 11 isn't terrible. It is mediocre... painfully normal and uninspired. There never was a moment she felt like The Doctor. It's not a gender thing. Michelle Gomez could of nailed it, if she already wasn't Missy. It had some good episodes. I appreciated the more historical episodes. I liked what they tried to do and it was ok, but Doctor Who deserves so much more then mediocre. They obviously lost the best writers and were left with the calibre of writers for a show like Class--good enough for a second tier show set in the same universe. That is just my opinion. My girls lost interest and never finished, and I regret buying it on Amazon.

[@umarsaddique710]

River carries a trowel... just like her grandfather😭😭😭

[@meghanto]

Whoa I didn't notice that

[@theodombrowski3868]

Thanks for breaking my heart

[@jonjohns8145]

Glad someone else noticed that .. started feeling like I was the only one.

[@freyjarichardson1519]

Oh thanks for ripping out my heart👍👍

[@azizuladnan2957]

Oh wow, I didn't realise that...

[@micahadamson4309]

"The last time I saw you - the real you, the future you, I mean - you turned up on my doorstep with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Darillium to see the Singing Towers. What a night that was. The towers sang and you cried. You wouldn't tell me why, but I suppose you knew it was time. My time. Time to come to the Library. You even gave me your screwdriver. That should have been a clue." - River Song, Season 4

[@MattA-nz9ze]

Micah Adamson literally just watched that episode, after watching all of River’s other episodes, particularly this one, it possibly even elevates the meaning behind the Silence in the Library 2 parter!

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

Watch how he scans her with the screwdriver when he gives it to her. That will be important later. Earlier.

[@waidi3242]

@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg OH MY GOD I NEVER REALISED THAT DETAIL THAT'S GENIUS

[@AzguardMike]

and yet he pretty much confirms "we got 24 years, then you die"

[@Ladco77]

That moment when the Doctor says, "I haven't laughed in a long time," and you realize it's been 4.5 billion years since he laughed.

[@jeckjeck3119]

River thinking that Doctor doesn't love her broke my heart.

[@AmyWarriorPrincess]

@jeck jeck Me too! I cried so much through that entire scene. When he said hello sweetie, I cried even more! I don't even think I had any tears left by the end of it.

[@frozenpiper2]

I don't necessarily believe that she was telling the truth in that whole speech. This is set after Angels Take Manhattan where she got on to the Doctor for being sentimental after he healed her wrist. In this one she said he wasn't sentimental enough to care what happens.

[@veloraloves]

@@AmyWarriorPrincess Alex and Peter put so much heart into the characters, honoring the journey and the fans. I have cried what seems like a lifetime of tears throughout the series with as many episodes that there are (haven't we all)! But that scene...? I'm STILL crying over the emotional impact of it. Bittersweet tears.

[@veloraloves]

@@frozenpiper2She may not have been completely honest about certain things, true. But from her perspective, those are minute details that come and go in the blink of an eye for a being like The Doctor. Those are timelines that can be changed or even erased from existence altogether. She knows this, and a part of her (if not all of her) felt small enough to believe that. How many times did he NOT show up when she could've used him because he was keeping the universe together? She even said it herself: "When you love the Doctor, it's like loving the stars themselves" The entire first half of the episode we saw the Doctor feel unimportant and insignificant in her eyes. The speech and reveal had more of an impact because of their shared insecurities, IMO

[@Jim_The_Fish]

jeck jeck “Not one person on this ship, not one living thing is worth you!” kinda redeemed that as well as the rest of the episode.

[@moonchild712]

The BEST "Hello, Sweetie" in the universe! The way the Doctor looks at River was just perfection. Alex and Peter did a phenomenon job.

[@veloraloves]

Their chemistry was like a star going supernova. Cosmic.

[@kalakritistudios]

Velora Velvet Sometimes I forget that Alex can be a girl's name too.😅

[@Ladco77]

Two of the finest actors Doctor Who has ever had. When you rewatch Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead you can feel the depth of their relationship and how much she's loved him for so long - and when that was filmed is was just a one-off guest spot. She played that depth the first time she ever played the character. What a phenomenal actress.

[@cargo71]

Like all this episode was a "Finally, my go..." moment for the Doctor...

[@The_Evil_Monkey_93]

Obligatory "When you realize The Doctor was scanning her with the new screwdriver" comment

[@CrankyGrandma]

JMSR_Enforcer_98_1993 dang, I never noticed that!

[@themightythor1160]

Never noticed that. Good catch!

[@Bryan-gy2zu]

12 is indeed *very good*

[@adzinco6916]

The only thing that doesn't make sense is that the river that gets uploaded knows about the other people who she was with at the library and she didn't when she got scanned in this episode

[@marauderdz]

It's possible he just needed to start the syncing process after she was awake. Or, he wasn't doing anything special here at all. In any case, the point of the screwdriver was that it needed to be something she'd value so much that she'd keep it on her at all times, so it would keep a current copy of all her memories.

[@hmsljj]

River: "I hate you". The Doctor: "No you don't".

[@theadamabrams]

In 4x09 River sarcastically says "I hate you" to Ten and he responds "I know." If you watch all of River's episodes from her perspective, that's a sad moment because the Doctor doesn't know this call-and-response that they've had in several 'previous' episodes.

[@kemmdog4444]

My favorite exchange in this episode is DOCTOR: You look, er, amazing. RIVER: Doctor, you have no idea whether I look amazing or not. DOCTOR: Well, you've moved your hair about, haven't you? RIVER: Well done. It's very sweet of you to try.

[@KeterLordFR]

"How long is a night on Darillium? -24 years" That moment put the biggest smile on my face. It's so sweet to see how the Doctor found a loophole to stay with River for a long time. I love it.

[@glazierblue573]

To quote fav RiverSong line: "Your future is my past. Your first is my last."

[@TheMoonRover]

That only applied up to the middle of series 6. It got a bit more complicated after that.

[@glazierblue573]

@@TheMoonRover doesn't it always?

[@theadamabrams]

*past, not passed. And as TheMoonRover said, that was true for part of their timelines but not all of it: 4x8/9 → 5x4/5 → 5x12/13 → 6x1/2 → 6x12/13 are in reverse order for adult River (Mels and Melody complicate that a bit), but 7x5, 7x13, and Husbands are inserted in between those episodes.

[@glazierblue573]

@@theadamabrams split hairs. But thank you for the correction. ;) And was just saying she had a good run. Chill pill hun.

[@hilzabub]

Those two have such chemistry! Actually, Capaldi is so good with everyone. I'm excited for you to watch season 10. I was wary of a season without Clara, but it's pretty consistent and has my favourite Who two-part finale.

[@boom0906]

hilzabub same

[@adzinco6916]

Capaldi was the best thing about series 8-10

[@danielalvarez3499]

"What sort of man doesn't carry a trowel? Put it on your Christmas list."

[@AmyWarriorPrincess]

Now you know how River made it to The Library. I laughed so hard in the 1st half of the special my stomach hurt. I cried so hard in the last half my head hurt. My poor body didn't know what to think.

[@VenoRPG]

It's so funny watching the doc and river yell at each other for having so many prior marriages. Both of them married cleopatra xD

[@DCMarolas]

The 24 years drop was such a plot twist lol, loved these two together.

[@Fez8745]

When he scanned her with the new sonic in the 10:55 scene. That was him linking her to the psychic link so she could then be saved in the library. the circle is complete.

[@Bexxy08]

When the doctor and river are talking on darillium about it being the last night, 11’s theme starts playing and it hurts my heart

[@inssit5]

If u want more of Capaldi, watch "the return of Doctor Mysterio" it's not essential to watch it, but the episode is soooo "Capaldi" 😁😁😁

[@Jim_The_Fish]

It kind of is though, because it explains why Nardole is back.

[@johna5635]

On reflection this was the set-up for what was probably my favourite ever series of Dr Who - I think I'm going to enjoy the next bunch of reactions a lot!

[@Ted_Curtis]

Series 10 is a personal favourite of mine as well. Up there along with Series 4 and 5 in my opinion.

[@johna5635]

@@Ted_Curtis Series 5 definitely WAS my favourite before Series 10... let's hope i don't have to wait until 15 for my next favourite!

[@Ladco77]

This was such a beautiful moment for them. It was the only time they met where they both knew their combined histories (other than River's trip to the library). It's the closest they ever had to being in sync and they got to enjoy it for 24 years.

[@Imabassplayer2]

I love this end to Rivers story. It ties everything up like when she got the sonic. The perfect way to end her story, first meeting she knows him and he doesn't know her. The "last" time they meet he knows her and she doesn't know him. It gives Silence in the library and forest of the dead more weight and relevance now. Also this does have a bootstrap paradox because 10 saves her and finds out what his future self did to save her. Then all he had to do was remember what he did. So 12 could then put his saving her plan into action. But when did the Doctor think of the idea to save her? The answer is no one knows. He only knows what to do after his past self sees the result. It's Beethoven all over again. Can't wait till Thursday.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

That side-eye when you heard Manhattan mentioned. :D Yeah, we all did that. This is one of the episodes I always look forward to reactors watching. The final scene with the Doctor and River is so touching. I don't want to give my opinion on it yet but I'm disappointed that people have already told you that season 11 isn't worth watching. I like reactors to go into it blind. Who knows, you may love it. There are people who are fans of the Russell T Davies era (Eccleston and Tennant) who said the same thing about the Moffat era. Sesskasays mentioned it in one of her videos and she ended up loving the Moffat era of the show. So yeah, I think people should keep those opinions to themselves because what's the point in watching reaction videos if you just want to influence the reactor? By the way, it's fine if you didn't react to it but did you know there was another Christmas special after this one? We had a year without Doctor Who, so we got two consecutive Christmas specials. It's easy to miss, so I was worried you may not know it exists.

[@eirei0789]

"what's the point in watching reaction videos if you just want to influence the reactor" Because people want the reactors to have the same opinions and emotional reaction as they had. They don't want a surprise or a fresh look, just confirmation. For the most part it's fine (the happy bits and the sad bits), but then the reactors have a differing opinion from the audience, and they immediately get stormed by comments saying that they're wrong. I still remember Sesska having to address multiple times why she didn't love "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances" and "The Girl in the Fireplace". Not saying everyone does this, but it's a noticeable pattern.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

@@eirei0789 You're right, unfortunately. :(

[@Dannydarko27]

I can never got over their relationship, it's so majestic. The way they intertwine over time is insanely beautiful. Then knowing this was their last night so tragically haunting

[@weirdwind1]

And they both lived happily ever after And they both lived happily Happily

[@julieeverett7442]

unfortunately, no they didnt, at the end of 24 years the library happened!

[@seapea7402]

An aptly fun and emotional story to complete Rivers diary. Wonderful chemistry between Alex Kingston and Peter Capaldi and a shame we didn't get to see more of their last (24 year) night together. Really looking forward to your season 10 reactions!

[@charleslee8313]

You skipped the "There's a Song" line. That line broke me, when I first saw this episode.

[@chronics23]

HELLO RIVER! Edit: Love this episode! The tardis scene is so great and it's even better when you know that peter capaldi is a huge fan of doctor who, so to me that is peter doing the bigger on the inside and not the doctor! 2nd Edit: When 12 shows the sonic to river that's him scanning river so he can save river as ten! 3rd Edit: when river is talking about the doctor not loving her it kind of just breaks your hearts but then 12 gives the best hello sweetie and it heals them back! For series 11 I found it ok didn't real dislike it but it has some decent episodes so we'll see!

[@antoniophx99]

I liked when River opened the gift it played the music from "Silence In The Library" pretty nice nod to her 1st appearance.

[@mikemorgan2211]

All those years of pain and death. And then 24 years with River to make him happy again.

[@umarsaddique710]

The End of River Songs story(or is it ?)! One of my all time favourite characters of Doctor who! It's been amazing watching u react to her and fall in love with her just as I did. "All anyone will ever tell you is that when the wind stands fair and the night is perfect, when you least expect it but always when you need it the most there is a song." I remember when u first met river and ur reaction to a good man goes to war and seeing you so shocked and excited at her reveal to be Melody Pond. It's been one hell of a ride. I didn't want this day to come but "Not everything can be avoided" Goodbye River Song, Goodbye Melody Pond😢

[@marcosgurrola1421]

I'll have to check with the stars themselves.🤣🤣

[@ABrecher]

One great thing about this episode -- Alex Kingston finally gets a co-starring credit. About time!

[@Greatscottwii2]

If you follow this episode with Silence in the Library, it is earth shatteringly sad and happy at the same time

[@ColorOfSakura]

The way they look at one another at the very end is such good acting from both Alex and Peter. They just absolutely look like two people who really are in love with one another, and finally realizing it.

[@YN97WA]

That was the best "hello sweetie" moment in River's timeline. I loved this special although it was bittersweet. Really enjoyed your reaction too. So glad you lied😉

[@pettytyrant2720]

The Library two-parter is where River dies, but its not technically her last appearance in her personal timeline- that came in Name of the Doctor with 11, as the River there that helps 11 and Clara against the GI is the data ghost version from the library. So you may want to watch the River scenes from that too after library and you will have the full picture of her ending going in order from this episode till she fades forever.

[@lcg4936]

The husbands of River Song... Here we are at last... And finally a happy Shayla. Thanks Lords!

[@MalcolmWolf]

It was a month wait in your time, you just stepped into your Tardis and went back a bit.

[@crystald.6902]

Malcolm Wolf or maybe she was aiming for a month and she just missed a bit, like our favorite time traveling Gallifreyan

[@Jim_The_Fish]

A wonderful way to watch Doctor Who is through River’s perspective. I suggest googling the River order and watching it that way. It’s so good and gives her story arc so much more sense since it’s all over the place normally in the show.

[@benvsgaming5011]

I love how they did the whole he turned up with a new haircut and his best suit thing

[@dearls921]

I cried so hard at the end of this. River was one of my favorite on/off again companions. Also, thanks for noticing the fez. I’ve seen this episode countless times, it’s a comfort episode for me like heaven sent, and I never noticed the fez

[@darcywiley5096]

I was on the fence regarding Twelve until this episode and the soft "Hello sweetie". I was amazed how much more I liked his episodes upon re-watching them.

[@jeckjeck3119]

Best 'hello sweetie' of them all.

[@dezzcon70]

I feel like River's chemistry with 12 is better than with any other Doctor, and I think that is definitely thanks to Peter's performance. This is definitely my favorite of her appearances.

[@freakzeke6404]

This is how you cure a sad case of the Clara blues. River's story has come full circle and now you truly know.

[@dresdenfan88]

One of my favorite Christmas specials! Episodes with River are always the best

[@johna5635]

"You're entitled to like what you like!" - so true! ...and so I liked this video!

[@Windupchronic]

I really liked Capaldi and Kingston together. I wish he'd gotten the chance to play out more of the Doctor / River story.

[@Maiko134]

I love River Song, she is my favorite character.

[@lazy1119]

The best Christmas special by far

[@livingandthriving]

I love Peter and Alex's dynamic in this. They're delightful. :)

[@jasoncarto]

"How long is the night?" River asks, thinking to herself less han 24 hours. 24 years, the doctor responds.

[@Diek454]

This is one of my favorite episodes and this reaction, like your others, is just amazing. Brings me back to the first time I saw it. I love your videos and am looking forward to watching more. :)

[@seadogrevely]

This was my fav for River. Great reaction.

[@anonymes2884]

Hah, 12 doing the TARDIS entrance "properly" is such a fun scene, great reaction to his... reaction ;). And i'd say it's not worth bothering about what "everyone" or "the majority" thinks of series/episodes/etc. because the truth is, none of us really know that anyway - forums and comments sections aren't necessarily a representative sample of the fandom, neither are polls and even viewing figures are a bad indicator IMO (plenty of my favourite shows have been cancelled or lived on the bubble for years due to low ratings - looking at you 'Agents of Shield'). And even if we could get accurate numbers, lots of people thinking something doesn't make it true. So to me you're better just making up your own mind and trying not to let other people's opinions create preconceptions that affect your enjoyment of the show.

[@najays4617]

Such a beautiful episode. I miss River. Great reaction too.

[@stevesm4]

I re-watched River: "Please tell me you know who I am" Doctor 10: "Who are you?" and then the look on her face, on a video compilation of Dr Who "moments". Lost it. Utterly.

[@doctorwhumour1105]

Don’t forget to watch the doctor mysterio episode

[@martinw1327]

Personally I think that episode shouldn't of been written let alone filmed

[@QuayNemSorr]

No please just forget that even exists.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

@@QuayNemSorr Why? It's a good episode.

[@resiseven7407]

Wannabe_Baby well... it's not _awful_

[@tomstaley2341]

I thought it was good

[@KittyKat94]

Just want to say this the first time watching your reactions and I love it.

[@osumarko]

I assume you know that there are two Christmas specials between series 9 and 10. This was a great episode. It started fun and ended emotional.

[@fleason771]

I'm having this horrible feeling Shayla isn't aware of it..Its a lot of fun gets serious at the end "Be Happy" but just a fun ep & Peter is in top form & seems to really enjoy the comedy of it imo

[@luciasantiagotaylor8817]

Lovely to see you smiling so much through a whole episide! And not everyone hated S.11 x

[@saara4520]

This is amazing! Your reactions were priceless😂💙

[@coladict]

For the Doctor it's been at least 800 years between Manhattan and this adventure. Most of it was spent defending Trenzalore.

[@nobodyshome4633]

OMG - PLEASE tell me you watched 10x0 - The Return Of Doctor Mysterio. It was the only Doctor Who Episode Of 2016 and it was a Christmas Special. It came before 10x1

[@DaveF.]

Fantastic - don't forget Doctor Mysterio - the other Christmas special that came between seasons 9 and 10.

[@EJRI1]

When I first watched this episode I spent most of it crying...it's one of the episodes that made me cry the most 😂😭

[@zaincassis2612]

I saw this in my recommended, and instantly, out loud, said "OH NO!" This is before I see the reaction. Good luck

[@holdenb.huffman4042]

My all-time favorite Christmas Special

[@Mineycart]

Honestly forgot about this. But I'm honestly glad i did. Here we go!

[@taimurmuggo1634]

I really enjoy this Christmas special. It’s nice to have a more “fun” one after the emotional rollercoaster of the three part finale . The highlight by far is the chemistry between River and 12, Alex Kingston’s chemistry with Peter is as good as hers with Matt!!. Also ..keep an eye out for Nardole in the future ..;)

[@marcfleck2233]

This is the episode I've been waiting to see you react to

[@DXDragon38]

Every night is the last night for something, Every Christmas is Last Christmas -Doctor can't remember Clara. Double ouch

[@djcowell91]

One of the best "Hello Sweetie"s ever. And I still cry at the end. If you watch 4-8/9 now you'll notice details that will trigger more tears right away. Same if you come back to this again after that pair. So good. Thanks for the video and feels!!

[@TheFallofTheEleventh]

Happily Ever After doesn’t mean forever. *It just means time*

[@Spaceboy304]

Shayla, as always, it's a pleasure to see your reactions about doctor who. I wish you the best 😉😘 greetings from Perú 🇵🇪

[@kalakritistudios]

Maybe he looks familiar because he has birds in the North which whisper him the most unbelievable tales. #GOT

[@AubreySciFi]

As to your comments about the hate on Season 11, I think Jodi did a great job as the new Doctor, it's just the scripts that let her down IMO. There were just a higher number of meh stories than usual. So I'd characterize it as a more miss than hit season, but it still had some fun stories. In the end of the day, everyone has their own opinion on it, so we'll see when you get there.

[@xxdavecz3811]

i think the stories was very good, there wasn't one meh story, it was only different and people have always problem when something is different

[@AubreySciFi]

@@xxdavecz3811 OK so my opinion falls between yours and Gabriel's then. I thought she did a good job with what she was given and he thinks it was just bad all around, and you think it was all great. That's fine, to each their own.

[@hothotheat3000]

It’s mediocre now. No chemistry with the companions, the music is uninspiring, the stories are dull. It’s a shame.

[@wildfilms365]

"Just a thought... Probably shouldn't do that in a restaurant..."

[@HenryDorset]

I like season 11 - it's just different and everytime something different happens in the show, a lot of people say they don't like it. These people haven't understood …

[@charlesfranze3571]

You all right 100%

[@adzinco6916]

They reference a mini sode where there's two doctors which was pretty nice since not everyone would've watched it

[@robertleeluben]

River gets more time also after their 'night' together, when walks into the library she has a whole life and talks about 'the last time I saw you' like it was a while ago. Alex Kingston is so much fun to watch, I loved her on ER.

[@mrdrayson9733]

Wow.....this goes up just as I'm sitting down for my morning coffee! AWESOME! :)

[@MarinerSpuds]

Yesssss, lets goooo Edit: great reaction to a great episode, thought I’d watch some of your earlier reactions today and seeing how far you come sure makes me smile. I’m sure you’ve had a couple requests already but if this could be a choice for a full reaction on Patreon at some point then I’ll really appreciate that😁👍👍 Also about s11, whilst the loudest constantly say it’s bad, I personally feel that it was almost good, I’ll save the details of how it could be improved for when you catch up to avoid spoilers, peace out ✌️

[@darkhoursofday6250]

River Song is one of my all time fav Doctor story lines. She didn't start that way... but she won me over. This was a perfect end. I loved every second of her arch.

[@adelucas4824]

The general flow of the doctor and rivers timeline is opposite to each other, but it's not set in stone. Events happen out of order so sometimes they are at similar ends of their respective timelines such as now. There are audio plays where she interacts with earlier doctors as well. They are surprisingly good.

[@tomfrost2085]

This is such an amazing Christmas special. So funny 😂

[@emaloney2211]

I always found that 12 and River had more chemistry , probably because Peter and Alex are closer in age. With 11 it was more of a blossoming romance whereas with 12 it was more mature and settled. Whatever happened in 24 years before the library 12 was the man River was in love with and when she meets 10 that relationship hasn’t even started then in his timeline and it breaks her heart. Matt Lucas and Greg Davies are two British comedians and actors and Greg in particular has two successful sitcoms and is host of a brilliant comedy tv show called Taskmaster. He’s also 6’ 8’’ so he had no problems playing a huge character!!

[@LC__15]

LOVE *Nardole* , my all-time _Fave Doctor Who Companion_ :)

[@michonneokoye4990]

"Penny in the air"... "And the penny drops" :D

[@SGlitz]

Next: another xmas special before season 10

[@insolencestar]

"but Happily Ever After doesn't mean forever.. It just means time.."

[@TheJamieRamone]

"Funny thing is, this means you've always known how I was going to die. All the time we've been together, you knew I was coming here. The last time I saw you, the real you, the future you, I mean, you turned up on my doorstep, with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Darillium to see the Singing Towers. What a night that was. The Towers sang, and you cried. " R. Song

[@michaelacker1090]

Best "Hello, Sweetie" ever!!

[@chaospoet]

"...and you've just been to Manhattan." I just realized after having seen your reaction before this episode that we got Amy and Rory references in two episodes. I wonder now if the first one was just foreshadowing that we'd be seeing the last of the Ponds in the next episode.

[@mattashman4040]

River - the best - a beautiful episode

[@nodroGnotlrahC]

Season 11 isn't terrible. It's just more change than some people can handle. I enjoyed it a lot.

[@Aaron_WB]

I was looking forward to the reaction to this episode haha!!

[@ghostkage]

It was so cool , how he saved her with the sonic he gave her 😭 He slyly did it just b4 he gave it to her.

[@abstractnonsense3253]

Your season 10 choices are spot on