Doctor Who | Reaction | 4x09 | Forest of the Dead | We Watch Who

[@dwilborn1257]

Donna: I saw the doctor Dr Moon: Yes you did. And then you forgot. Thanks Moffat.

[@curtinparloe]

Deb Wilborn god DAMMIT! Legit never noticed that before.

[@joemackley7894]

RTD: *evil laugh*

[@gwinnellheald8592]

I never caught that before FML

[@Kayta-Linda]

FFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

[@justsomeguy28]

Omg, i just now realized how significant that line turns out to be. There's no way they had that planned out from the outset, right?

[@Helbore]

River's death scene, reaction analysis; Paula - Sad. Katrina - Dying inside, soul crushed and fed to Steven Moffat. Again.

[@danic9304]

The way River poured all that love into the word 'Spoilers' just before she plugged in was so moving. Hell of a performance from both of them in that scene. I remember watching it when it aired and she completely sold a long and deep relationship with the Doctor

[@blueashke]

Paula's eyes get bigger and bigger as River gives her speech while the Doctor is handcuffed and I'm just watching Katrina cry and cry and FLINCH at the explosion and it doesn't matter that I've seen this episode at least 6 times, I've watched something like 10 or 11 reactors watch this episode, I'm right there crying, flinching, and eagerly watching Paula go anime eyes when that happens as well.

[@reverseBLT]

The Doctor: "I'm always alright." Paula: "No, you're never alright." For someone new to Who, she sure as hell *gets* it.

[@PaulaDeming]

[@firefly24601]

Murray Gold's score in this episode is absolutely OUTSTANDING.

[@einosig]

Especially the electric guitar!

[@danic9304]

I so miss his input into the show :(

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

The Greatest Story Never Told and The Doctor's theme (series 4) are incredible.

[@cjbrett89]

Yes. Yes it is.

[@excessmaterial]

"And when will we find out what she said to him?" (stare pierces Katrina's skull)

[@kyleboffa793]

9:29, sort of

[@SpaceCase1701]

Katrina's face at 8:55 when River starts talking about the night on Darillium... I felt that in my soul.

[@ihateunicorns867]

2:04 "I saw the Doctor" "Yes. You did, Donna. And then you forgot." - foreshadowing at its best.

[@malpheus4299]

Oh man, never thought about it in that context, ow.

[@Forbidaxe]

Oh my god 😂, the emotional distress Donna puts into that line "but I've been dieting" is like every person who gets on the scales only to see their weight increase or the same.

[@janAlekantuwa]

Seeing Katrina's reaction to River's death and salvation was just so heartbreaking

[@Longshanks1690]

8:50 Paula: "Wtf is going on? I don't get it..." Katrina: "PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME! I CAN'T DO IT AGAIN!!!"

[@KatAlysha]

I've rewatched this time stamp and you are absolutely right 😂

[@Imabassplayer2]

I love this two parter. What makes it better is realising all the clues that give away the story. The rug in the girls living room is the same as the logo on the computer. So many little clues which makes me kick myself for not noticing earlier. Two line that really gets me is Donna "I saw the Doctor." Doctor Moon "Yes you did Donna and then you forgot" Didn't realise till recently how sad these lines were.

[@NoelNole1221]

My absolute FAVORITE episode of the series. River’s death means so MUCH more later on but an amazing introduction plus one of the BA Doctor moments “.... look me up”

[@PaulKeywood]

Each to there own but how this can be anyone's favourite story is beyond me!

[@NJH01]

Paul Keywood why’d you think that?

[@secpendragon9760]

"When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it will never end. But however hard you try, you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies, and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it." One of my favorite River Song quotes ever

[@Oogle85]

I love how CAL is with the other 2 children and River is their "adopted" Mom. Isn't alone anymore.

[@excessmaterial]

Paula being at max anxiety beforehand was adorbs.

[@StarWarriorCentral]

I love how Paula made the same face as Evangelista when her face was revealed. 😂 In all seriousness, this episode was a good sign that Moffat FEEDS on fans' tears!

[@paulkennedy8701]

Yes. Paula @ 5:14 = "What's left of Miss Evangelista" @ 5:12. (And the rest of the time she's CAL.)

[@gJonii]

This episode was probably the peak Moffat. He ended up doing other great things, but I don't think any of them got to this level.

[@livingandthriving]

No matter how many times I watch this, River's speech to the Doctor at the end always gets me. A+ writing by Moffat and superb acting by Alex Kingston.

[@peternolan5501]

It's lovely when Paula gets so into it that half the screen is basically her face as she leans super forward in anxiety.

[@AliceI7764]

I just wanted to say that you two girls are just delightful to watch. I have been watching Doctor Who since it first came out. I'm old. Seeing a fan of the show and someone who's never seen it before watching it, at the same time was a fantastic idea.

[@danielw9542]

I like how even though cal is watching them through a TV, she still has Murray Gold's music :)

[@robvanriot]

This is my favourite two parter of Tennant's era. It might even be my favourite Tennant story in general. Also after noting a few times how great Katrina's looks to the camera are, I'm now realising it's just as important when she DOESN'T look at the camera in case it gives Paula hints. Genius!

[@Wannabe_Baby]

I get the feeling I'm going to come back to this reaction a lot. You can see the feeling of dread come over Katrina the closer they get to River saying goodbye. :D

[@jingtroc23]

Katrina knows what's up :(. Just to add, the amount of empathy you two have watching Who is beautiful, you're beautiful people

[@yungathart7801]

I think there will come a time when Paula will re-watch this episode and....... Spoilers....... Great reaction from both of you.

[@rhyspage2261]

The location used for the library is my old lecture hall in college, used to have a panic attack every time they’d dim the lights for a presentation. Great reaction as always!

[@Jamienomore]

Here is an interesting fact. There was a writer, in the early Classic Who days, that did not know the Shows Name was a Question. When he wrote his Episode he thought the Doctor's name was Who so he called him that. No one noticed his mistake until after it was Broadcast.

[@Ladco77]

"Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair, and the Doctor comes to call... everybody lives.” I wanted to comment this after The Doctor Dances so bad. :)

[@jamesjohngarner]

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.

[@atharvadeshpande6907]

@@jamesjohngarner spoilers, sweetie

[@firefly24601]

Paula picked up on so many clues I totally missed my first time watching this episode.

[@10thdoctor15]

This is by far River's best story. David Tennant and the music make their future seem a lot bigger and more epic and dazzling and fantastic, than what we see later on. I'd love for 10 and River (maybe Donna) to return for the 60th!

[@pennygillespie883]

That will be the 15th time I've seen this episode and the 14th time I've broken into tears

[@kemmdog4444]

“Just this once.Everybody lives!”

[@Lordoftheapes79]

This episode is so much more powerful the second time around and that's saying alot.

[@djcowell91]

And 3rd, and 4th, and 5th, and nth...

[@TheDrugOfTheNation]

13:40 It was a stammering woman, who didn't otherwise resemble the husband, who recognised Donna in the original script, but the show runner changed it be the same actor so the viewers would not still be thinking that through during the scene with the screwdriver.

[@Lucifurium]

These last two episodes are some of the most painful ones. Not the worst, but... still. In a way, that bit of hope this episode gives makes the impact harder than it might otherwise have been

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

One of the most perfect 45/90 minutes of Doctor Who you're ever likely to experience. Everything and I really do mean EVERYTHING about this two parter works. It's also the kind of story that's improved retroactively because of future events in the show having an impact on it. Which makes this one of the most seminal Doctor Who stories ever. Moffat was clearly setting up for his own era by this point. He had already been announced as RTD's replacement months before this story was broadcast. Tennant is just on fire in this story, one of his top performances. The chemistry between him and Alex Kingston (River Song) is electric! They have to build this deep relationship within the confines of a single story and they do a brilliant job. Kingston also really convinces as this women from the Doctor's future who knows so much about him, she's amazing. The Doctor growing to trust River Song is done really well and his reaction to her death is incredibly emotional (for him and us) and doesn't feel cheap or unearned considering he doesn't even really know her yet and neither do we. The writing and performances deserve so much praise for making all of this crazy shit work. The Vashta Nerada continued to be really unsettling in this episode. It's really unnerving how they use the dead carcasses of their victims to move about. It's such a brutal violation of characters we really grew attached to. I also love how the books are revealed to be the way they got here, which is a clever way to incorporate the setting into the story. You could argue there's a thinly veiled environmental message under there too? I love how they're not interested in taking over the universe or anything. They simply have a totally animalistic instinct to protect what they believe to be territory. The CAL plot is also really nicely wrapped up with all the pieces of the puzzle coming together just right. Her fate is strangely beautiful. Donna really does have a tough time of it this series, that's one of the reasons why she's my favourite companion. She develops so much through her experiences. What more can this show put her through.

[@PaulKeywood]

Think it's safe to say Donna can go through alot more!

[@stuybob1236]

We need more than just Friday for our gali gals pls!!!!!!!!!!

[@benjaminbiddulph3998]

These reactions are as an emotional rollercoaster as the series itself, you guys getting emotional just hurts my hearts and it makes me happy when you smile!!

[@TheDalek]

It is indeed harder to REwatch than watching it the first time.. I can´t wait for the day, where this happens to Paula, because... SPOILERS :) Edit: i felt like this is just the right quote for Paula now: "One day I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine." :)

[@shadaxe]

This episode makes me cry every time. And the BBC missed out on a huge opportunity to spin-off "The Diary of River Song" into a television series instead of just audio books.

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

Probably wasn't feasible because Alex Kingston is in high demand. And I think she lives in the States?

[@pkswilly]

Poor Katrina was dying inside with the River Song Sacrifice scene.

[@Muckylittleme]

Possibly the best 2 episodes of the show for me.

[@MrChromeJob]

After discovering your reactions to Who last week I was so anxious to see this episode, I watched all of the rest of your reactions to keep busy. Lol Can't wait for more! 😊

[@elbruces]

Amazing how this episode is so much harder on a rewatch than seeing it the first time.

[@falcychead8198]

I so love that very last moment when she looks straight at us and says, "Sweet dreams, everyone." God, this show has such good writing.

[@Ladco77]

Something that never occurred to me until just now (I can be a bit thick), but all those people who were saved - they just got sent home like nothing happened, but they've been in suspended animation for 100 years.

[@eolsunder]

crazy to think this was only like 3 years ago

[@maxxandubar503]

My heart went out to you when you had to watch it knowing what happens and why it all means once you know everything. Paula I’m excited for you to learn about her

[@ryanakers1372]

Don't know how I've miss the Gallifrey Gal's reactions for so long, but glad I found it and finally got all caught up!! I love the excitement and energy you both have, and it's really fun how the two of you give off this Doctor/companion vibe as Katrina guides Paula through the Who-verse. Looking forward to the next episode!!

[@PaulaDeming]

Thanks and welcome!

[@gohanmoreno7]

The side story with Donna and her ideal life was so sad and touching TwT

[@platinumsky845]

8:15, I think this is both an incredibly underrated scene as well as a foreshadowing to the doctors next incarnation. The doctor stood there, staring at the incorporeal existence that made all creatures across the entire universe afraid of the dark, he looked into the eyes in that deep never ending darkness and the darkness blinked first. This is the biggest foreshadowing imo of how big the 11th doctor becomes with River herself saying it best, "The man who could turn an army around with the mention of his name, Doctor."

[@roxammon5858]

These two episodes are the work of the great writer Steven Moffat, who also wrote the brilliant episode Blink. I will look out for more of his work.

[@beowulfthedane]

Just putting this out there for any top writers /producers that might be fans. Alex Kingston as a young Jane Marple in a new Agatha Christie inspired film.

[@joshuaoehler5796]

This episode hit me like a truck first time (and 2nd, 3rd . . . 12th time) before any of River Song's other episodes. It's so strong and brutal even out of context.

[@TheCourtsOfLove]

Next episode was the scariest for me as a child.

[@firefly24601]

It's time... time to come to the library.

[@alistairrae9807]

The story of River Song has just began

[@TwoMenandaCanoe]

Excellent. Love your genuine emotions.

[@sefirotsgame]

Best episode in all the show, and the one you have to rewatch once you have discovered everything about River Song. I love her and all her arc!

[@davidbethke5463]

I wonder how long it will take before they do a reaction to "The Husbands of River Song"?

[@chrpike1]

Who are the 2 monsters that disliked this? 🤭😟 Katrina, I feel for you when you are struggling so much to keep it together during these reactions. Strong lady... Also, loving the intense lean-in close up of Paula. 💙💙

[@PaulKeywood]

It's probably people who don't like the story, not necessarily the reaction.

[@defiante1]

Ugh... rewatching this episode and knowing all that comes. So much harder.

[@chaospoet]

Best snap ever! Suck it, Marvel! That snap is my personal favorite moment in all of Who. It's the only thing he can do to confirm any of River's story. That smile after the door opens is him inwardly knowing the best adventures of his life are yet to come! Also it's so ungodly frustrating replying to this particular episode because there is so unfairly much crammed into this episode that you can't say anything about without spoilers! I will say this however to those who have seen the episodes to come (don't say anything if you know or figure it out!!!) In my opinion the future Doctor sending his screwdriver back with River is one, if not THE, most important and honorable thing he does in the whole show.

[@blueashke]

I haven't even gotten past the opening intro and I had to stop and laugh because Paula's freaking out is pretty much all of us after that first episode (even if it was for different reasons because at that point in my watching, I hated all things Donna, but I immediately fell in love with River.)

[@snbi3910]

Loved everything about this episode... both of Dr. who and you two.

[@kanine2733]

8:54, Just found out she's talking about Capaldi.

[@janAlekantuwa]

I want to see Paula react to this again after you've caught up

[@djcowell91]

Seconded. The motion has been moved and seconded. All opposed? The motion passes, this WILL be done. :-)

[@Gruber122]

its become second nature now whenever someone turns off the lights (especially in among us) to utter "hey! who turned out the lights?"

[@Thoroughmas]

I like how you two feel comfortable to just watch the episode and not talk all over it all the time, like some other KZbin reactors do.

[@hichaelmartline]

Moffat just had an interview where he states that the Doctor Moon is actually a future, and possible final, incarnation of the Doctor. It''s more of a personal head canon thing but he wrote it so... Which is so weird & Moffaty as hell. I don't know how I feel about it.

[@derJOgelle]

"Is all right special Time Lord code for really not all right at all?" What a *brutal* episode! I'm sobbing gosh!

[@watermelonkiwiberryshorts13059]

river whispered the doctor's real name which is john smith

[@RPGMendrol]

the look on Katrina's face? priceless.

[@KatAlysha]

You mean me attempting to choke back every emotion possible? 😅😂

[@RPGMendrol]

@@KatAlysha EXACTLY! lol

[@RPGMendrol]

@@KatAlysha I'm really looing forward to Midnight.

[@jeffjenner5030]

You will be back to watch these episodes definitely , I know exactly when , but not telling

[@arcadius3257]

This is one of those episodes that never gets old, especially when watching people react to it.

[@seanred7681]

Full spectrum of emotions from Katrina here - first reveling ever so slightly at Paula's stress, then the sadness of River's death whilst knowing what we all know...except for Paula, because, you know, SPOILERS!

[@sharkdentures3247]

Those dramatic lines/scenes towards the end, always make my eyes tear up like a Palovian dog drooling. Happens. Every. Time.

[@canadian__ninja]

I love how both are crying in this episode but for different reasons.

[@Ladco77]

This reaction is the perfect proof that this episode hurts more on the re-wacth than the first time. I've seen it so many times and still tear up. Donna losing Lee was SO tragic. I didn't fully appreciate that at first because I was still thinking about River. 8:37 Newb excitement... verses the fan who knows what's coming. ... River does call him Doctor most of the time, but the very first greeting in the 1st part was "Hello Sweetie." She also calls him "pretty boy" at one point.

[@Llama_charmer]

The bit with his stutter actually ruined my day when i saw it the first time

[@Dannydarko27]

It's black Friday but I'm thankful for these reactions 🙌

[@theempireband343]

So much fun seeing someone freak out when you've already seen it 😂

[@tinkinc85]

"Its obviously hitting you harder than its hitting me". Yes. Yes it is.

[@bbsj86]

Paula is not ready for the finale of this series, it's mental in the best way And as I've said before I I'm British, for you yanks, series=season and the specials (Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars and End of Time) ARE NOT part of series 4! Even though most places list them as such they are SPECIALS and those aren't part of a particular series. They come on separate DVDs/Blu-rays. On Netflix, iPlayer etc they're part of series 4 for ease of accessibility. Anyway, after my little mini rant great reaction as always, keep it up Gallifrey Gals! Love all your stuff and all the work you put into it!

[@dwilborn1257]

As long as they're watched in the right order doesn't matter what they're called.

[@rhyscarter3939]

'Midnight' is next!!!!

[@someguy9204]

This might be MY favorite episode.

[@shexec32]

Is this your first RE-watch of "Forest of the Dead", Katrina?

[@KatAlysha]

It's been a long while since I've seen it and I just recently watched a certain Christmas special that involved some husbands 😭❤💔

[@kyleboffa793]

when the wind stands fair... there's a song

[@tallicafan85]

the great ending to this episode. i hope u remember the river story. one great adventure that has to be lived, so cant wait for those episodes

[@LabradorIndependent]

*YOU JUST KILLED SOMEONE I LIKED, THAT IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO STAND*

[@baconrasher6650]

This one is called the forest of the dead, oh good, good, good 🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant! You two are amazing together 💕👍🏻

[@omalleycaboose5937]

I like to think the shadows (Can't spell the name as well as I can say it) let the doctor live not out of fear of what he would do them... regardless of his past achievements they had the advantage, but rather because they knew he needed to stop multiple events that would wipe out all existence

[@jackson857]

Having recently watched the Husbands of River Song, 8:46 hits hard.

[@billyshearer117]

Great run of episodes and the next one is outstanding

[@Dannydarko27]

Damn Doctor Who hurting more when you rewatch

[@lanmandragoran8337]

Watching this with a friend who hasn't seen Doctor who before is rough, because the first time watcher is sad, like really sad....and yet, the person on the rewatch is ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED, and the first time watcher is like ??? bruh, you've seen this before, how are you falling apart right now? You knew what was going to happen"

[@FANTHEORYTV]

Kat LOVES Doctor Who, her response is merely a reflection of that love. I too cry to it, honestly. 💙💙

[@karlmortoniv2951]

I not sure I’ve ever seen any appreciation for how smokin’ hot Alex Kingston is opposite Matt Smith. Age shouldn’t matter, but let’s be realistic - she’s got twenty years on him. Whether they knew what they were doing or not, Moff, Matt, and Alex did a great thing for women of a certain age as well as open-minded young dudes. 😜 Also, I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets hit harder every time I re-watch this stuff. I assume Katrina is up to date?

[@brianbortner5962]

You cut my favorite line from this episode! "Handcuffs?! Why do you even have handcuffs?" "Spoilers!"

[@einosig]

Here I am, crying on the train. Thanks gals for a great reaction!

[@christianschoff2490]

Literal tears on my face. ;_; This episode was so wonderful.

[@lawrencegough]

Absolutely the story that you have to rewatch, in a little while. I am so ready for that!

[@Renegade2786]

8:46 - 9:00 *spoilers* foreshadowing the 2015 Christmas special *The Husbands of River Song*