Alex Kingston reacts to River Song's most iconic Doctor Who moments

Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston reacts to her beloved character River Song's most memorable moments on the show - from her own sonic screwdriver, to flying the TARDIS, and marrying the Doctor. Order your copy of The Ruby's Curse here: amzn.to/3fBh2RI
1939, New York. Private Eye, Melody Malone, is hired to find a stolen ruby, the Eye of Horus. The ruby might hold the secret to the location of Cleopatra's tomb - but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. Can Melody escape the ruby's curse?
1939, New York. River Song, author of the Melody Malone Mysteries, is forced to find a reality-altering weapon, the Eye of Horus - but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. River doesn't believe in curses - but is she wrong?
From the top-security confines of Stormcage to the barbarism of first-century Egypt, River battles to find the Eye of Horus before its powers are used to transform the universe. To succeed, she must team up with a most unlikely ally - her own fictional alter ego, Melody. And together they must solve another mystery: Is fiction changing into fact - or is fact changing into fiction?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to the Penguin channel:
po.st/Subscribe...

Follow us here:
Twitter | / penguinukbooks
Website | www.penguin.co.uk
Instagram | / penguinukbooks
Facebook | / penguinbooks

[@cleoarbel]

She really wrote fanfiction for herself and published it for the fans

[@emalemagain2132]

WAIT WHAT?! WHAT'S IT CALLEDDDD

[@JanPopieluch]

@@emalemagain2132 have you watched the video?

[@emalemagain2132]

@@JanPopieluch kept glitching (bad WiFi) so not all of it, videos have trouble playing in my area

[@JanPopieluch]

@@emalemagain2132 so read the description:D This video is literally promoting her new book.

[@emalemagain2132]

@@JanPopieluch oops sorry I'm a very dumb person

[@2nooby2idol90]

THE FACT THAT HER DIARY ACTUALLY HAD THE EVENTS WRITTEN IN IT

[@RealCoolstriker64]

I KNOW RIGHT????

[@catherineemerson846]

@Anna's randomness WhoCares z

[@sgtbattleaxe]

I know, right?? How awesome is that??

[@KurtCobainsMicrophone]

David: *Reaches for Alex's prop in cast room* Alex: "Nope, Spoilers."

[@harley7836]

They actually sold copies of River’s diary with all the original stories, her personal thoughts and adventures with and without the Doctor. All the storylines that played on the show are in there, some of them seasons beforehand and a lot of the mini online episodes that was filmed. Anyone who brought it when it was first released got some idea of what storyline she might likely show up next in.

[@TheNauglafel]

Steven Moffat wrote River Song briliantly but for me it was Alex Kingston who made her unforgettable. River is still my favourite tv character of all time :-D

[@fkez0510]

A perfect combination

[@gengarvenom1180]

Moffat wrote nearly everything briliantly for Doctor Who. I wish I could say the same about Sherlock, but they can't all be winners.

[@maryfrump7937]

My favorite Capaldi episode is with her.

[@melissaeriksen6772]

Absolutely! She is my favorite ❤

[@palapadadouwa807]

Indeed ❤📘💫🦋✨🙏💝

[@akshay0bhandari]

The oldest question in the universe hidden in plain sight: Doctor Who? River Song: SHANIQUA 🔈

[@SGlitz]

Angus

[@UncleLance67]

Of course we all know what The Doctor's name is. It's Hugh. Doctor Hugh. Oh please stop facepalming.

[@vcom741]

It's obviously Doctor Disco. What? He says that in Zygon Invasion

[@marek_kanarek]

@@vcom741 He also says he's name is Basil

[@cynicalart7686]

@@marek_kanarek Dr Basil Disco

[@Sailor_Enchantix]

One of my favorite River lines: “I’m an archaeologist from the future. I dug you up.”

[@melissapena4087]

OMG that's my favorite too! I was about to type it! ♥️

[@christinamacfarlane6871]

"See you in 400 years!"

[@tatianapreobrazhenskaya9777]

And the corresponding Doctor's quote "I point and laugh at archaeologists" followed by him pointing at newborn Melody and laughing.

[@harrietjonesformerprimemin2545]

“I’m actually not that bad, who knew?” WE ALL DID, ALEX.

[@stephymarie4403]

Yeah so many moments but my top two stand out moments were telling 11 he was loved and later on saying goodbye to him. 😭💔

[@rasheedaesmail6631]

You're definitely right ❤

[@d.n.c.6647]

Mine has to be when she fades away after saying goodbye to the doctor

[@YourWealthCome]

She is an amazing actress!

[@ginnydoll0703]

That was my reply too. "WE DID".

[@ThePassion81]

I love Rory. Amy’s just “We got married and had a kid and that’s her” & he calmly says “Ok.”😂 They were made for each other.

[@KittyKatalina]

Rory is the epitome of "What's going on? - Sure, that might as well happen."

[@g8ymw]

@@KittyKatalina He was early on (a bit like Mickey Smith "I'm the tin dog") But later on, all I will say is "Where's my wife?, Oh come on, don't give me those blank looks"

[@peterlewerin4213]

"Arthur Darvill" is actually an old native name meaning "the one that takes things in stride".

[@MWSin1]

"Okay. I'm trapped inside a giant robot replica of my wife. I'm really trying not to see this as a metaphor."

[@smilingbandit6900]

Ood on the loo^^

[@kaykv1231]

I never knew her diary actually had stories for her from the beginning that they ended up filming, that’s actually really fucking cool that they knew exactly what they wanted to do with her from the beginning

[@fulya6679]

She had the Peter's episode because she is actually telling it to David in the library. Not the others.

[@PianoKwanMan]

@@fulya6679 There are others where she is speaking to David, "Have we done..." "...obviously not"

[@Buggaton]

@@fulya6679 yes the others. "Have we done the crash of the Byzantium yet?" Etc

[@lilpils2081]

@@fulya6679 she spoke about a few times she met the doctor some got turned into tv episodes like crash of the byzantium but some like picnic at Asgard were made into short stories in the book the legends of river song

[@granadosvm]

My favorite River-Doctor moment starts like this: The Doctor: "Are you married?" River: "Are you asking?"

[@erichahnel4271]

Y true, for me the Most iconic River solo Scene being Like: DALEK: Records indicate you will show mercy. You are an associate of the Doctor's. RIVER: I'm River Song. Check your records again. DALEK: Mercy.

[@heatherglover7789]

@@erichahnel4271 lol

[@kitwhite2640]

@@erichahnel4271 this is one of my fav scenes

[@lynchmob72]

"Records indicate you will show mercy...You are an associate of the Doctors'?" "I'm River Song, (points gun at the dalek) Check your records again..."

[@NankitaBR]

@@erichahnel4271 River: "One more time" Dalek: "Mercyyyy" River: * pulls the trigger *

[@tomashcraft]

The whole River Song's arc left a great feeling of "I want more of this".

[@bb22602]

Alex should have been the first female Doctor.

[@Romcomm_]

@@bb22602 nah, would have been weird because the doctor dated river in the past. it would look like alex dating alex lol

[@bb22602]

@@Romcomm_ Too bad somebody else didn't play River Song. Not that Ms. Kingston wasn't GREAT, but she would have been a better Doctor than the current one. That's my regret...

[@Romcomm_]

@@bb22602 Yeah I agree, but I do feel like Jodie could have been much better with good direction and writing, also without Alex in scared we wouldn't have gotten such an iconic river. But I agree, Alex would have been better as Doctor then as River

[@colleennikstenas4921]

I started off hating her but ended up loving her.

[@phtevenj]

My favorite callback in the whole series is when River is talking to Rory and she says "One day he wont have any idea who i am, and i think its gonna kill me"..... breaks my heart every time

[@iloveyourunclebob]

And it's extra brutal to realize that day was the day we met her.

[@KendrixTermina]

I remember thinking it was a bit weird that she's spilling her sorrows to Rory of all people, but it makes all the sense when you realize how they're connected.

[@CF-or3ci]

@KendrixTermina It was basically a dad talk

[@stitchthelilo]

oh my god looking back now it LITERALLY killed her

[@lanmandragoran8337]

@@stitchthelilo That was "literally" the point. Because she knew that if he didn't know her, she had to be dead, as she's known him her -entire- life and they're working in opposite directions in a way.

[@YeoYeo32]

From now on, The Doctor’s real name will always be SHANIQUA in everyone’s head canon

[@macherie1234]

I do believe she said, "je ne sais pas quoi." Which is "I don't know" in French.

[@rosemorris7912]

@@macherie1234 Maybe, but Shaniqua is much funnier.

[@elina1421]

@@macherie1234 it reeeaaally didn't sound like je ne sais quoi

[@simpleplanfan011]

@@macherie1234 I have the subtitles on and it says Shaniqua

[@bellhopwalrus2517]

@@simpleplanfan011 Shaniqua _Who?_

[@nkotey8943]

I practically squealed with joy when I saw this come up! Never been a more warm charismatic actor as Alex

[@KittyKat94]

Yes. I have never fangirled over a video so much in a long time.

[@destinitra]

She’s lovely. It wasn’t till I saw this comment that I realized that I’ve met her. Idk why. It just seems abstract in my mind sometimes. But yeah she’s really nice. She always tries to be promiscuous. It’s fun. But she always asks if it’s okay first which is better.

[@sharolynwells]

She's my favorite companion.

[@heathermoriah4791]

Sameeee

[@KittyKat94]

@@sharolynwells Same. Favourite companion and favourite character.

[@EVizify]

There are things that Moffat messed up, but in my opinion the whole character of River Song is one of his crown jewels. She's incredibly well brought to the story and Alex Kingston is just stellar in that character. There's a reason why we always want more of River, it takes talent to make a character work so well we can imagine her interact with all the Doctor's faces we know of.

[@Xavier-hc6qs]

What do you believe Moffat messed up?

[@EVizify]

@@Xavier-hc6qs In my personal opinion, many things were wrong with Time of the doctor as a whole, and several episodes taken as individual events were somewhat sub-par. The first Capaldi season also felt very uneasy, you can feel he wanted to break away from the 11th Doctor character and was not sure how. Everything worked out brilliantly in the end nonetheless when you look at the big picture. Again, just my opinion.

[@EVizify]

@@prakharsrivastava4951 While the idea is nice I really did not enjoy the way it was written. The Doctor having an existential crisis makes a lot.of sense, but I didn't enjoy the way that story was told.

[@thedusty194]

I don't actually like the character (god acting though) and how she married the Doctor. It may seem harsh but... I hate that plotline.

[@heatherglover7789]

Crown Jewel, yes. He didn't do worse than Chibnal though... so that's something. Chibnal masacred the whole Dr Who origin story thing.

[@Emerald.She-Ra]

When I watched The Husbands of Riversong, and they got to the towers of Darilium scene, I was affected so deeply for several days. I'd lost my husband to cancer, in 2012, and when Peter said a night on there lasts 24 years, and Alex let out that gasp of relief, it absolutely broke me. Just when I thought Dr Who couldn't inflict any more emotional damage, they came out swinging at this part.😭😭😭😭

[@NeilCWCampbell]

Remember nothing sad until it over, then everything is :(

[@melodyszadkowski5256]

Oh you got me here. I also lost my husband to cancer in 1996, and this scene gave me this sense of longing I couldn't handle. What we would both give for another 24 years? I'd give everything for just one more day. 😢

[@Emerald.She-Ra]

@melodyszadkowski5256 Oh, Melody, I'm so very sorry for your loss, XhugsX XhugsX XhugsX. Even if we "move on" and find ourselves fortunate to be in love again, the grief stays with us forever. It doesn't get smaller - just easier to manage, but it's always there. XhugsX XhugsX XhugsX

[@spinal_capped]

❤️

[@WardNightstone]

ALex: and we are going to watch some of River songs most iconic moments Me: i'm confused are there NON iconic river song moments?

[@heatherglover7789]

exactly!!!

[@kiddingkhatt1804]

I will just read out the list of NON iconic moments of river song: Ummm....hold on.... It’s empty.😅

[@redfielduniverse]

@Kimberly Tini Noble They are all iconic.

[@exoduskamman1413]

There are not. And there’s a video of all of River Song’s moments in HER OWN TIMELINES ORDER and I enthusiastically recommend you give it a search

[@Triss_Joy]

You, my friend, win the Internet for the week.

[@Nargon46]

Alex is such an incredible actress for being able to convincingly play a character arc backwards. Steven Moffat may not be the world's best showrunner, but there is no doubt he is a genius writer. What forethought.

[@HetAapKanaal]

Imo he is actually the best show runner

[@ThatFoxxoLeo]

​@@HetAapKanaal Even though he reduced Clara down to a plot point instead of a fully-fledged character with a life outside of her adventures with the Doctor, and only built that up post-Day of the Doctor?

[@katielatter6340]

I love how much she loves her character. And she is. Moffat may have created her, but River is her character.

[@user-mn9zg5gb1o]

such an amazing Actress

[@Penscreen]

@@LukasOfTheLight He's a brilliantly emotional writer.

[@alicelima2320]

OH THE *AUDACITY* OF PUTTING A SCENE FROM FOREST OF THE DEAD AFTER THE LAST SCENE FROM THE HUSBANDS OF RIVER SONG? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED? ME CRYING? Congrats, you achieved your goal then. My god...

[@Lordoftheapes79]

It is as it should be 😆. I'll always go back to the library after watching the Husbands of River Song.

[@alicelima2320]

@Heather Stephens Oh... wow! No, no one ever told me that. I'm honestly very flattered with your comment. I'm a huge fan of Katy's, and honestly think she's very pretty. So, thank you! Truly, you made my day and boosted my self-steam in a way that I'm not even to describe. Wow! Thank you! 💕

[@alicelima2320]

@@Lordoftheapes79 oh I know. As someone who have watched all of episodes in order of River's timeline, trust me, I know. And you know what makes me cry even more? Watching The Name of The Doctor after Forest of The Dead. Oh the pain

[@alicelima2320]

@Heather Stephens still, the biggest compliment I have ever received. Thank you so much 💕

[@stephymarie4403]

Yeah I tortured myself watching Forest of the Dead after watching The Husbands of River Song for the first time. 😭💔😭💔😭💔

[@pooolB]

The thing that always messes me up is The Doctor is pretty much mourning River from the day they first meet. So the more he gets to know her and the more he loves her, the worse that grief becomes. Like imagine growing closer to someone and having to constantly remember you've seen them die (or "die"). Must feel like reopening a wound over and over on the same spot, the poor Doctor. Such a beautifully tragic love story. I love River Song so much, she's with out a doubt one of my favorite characters of all time💕

[@thomasbicket5183]

You've also gotta love the concept of two time-travelers falling in love, whilst their lives continue in the opposite direction. It brings scenarios and a character dynamic that we really haven't seen anywhere else. so in the words of Alex Kingston "Thank you Steven Moffat"

[@fish-fingers_and_custard7685]

So true :)

[@dimo4499]

I had watched the series through during the original broadcasts and was always fascinated by the Dr. and Rivers love arc. My wife had never seen them before, so I watched them again with her. When we got to The Library episode and I realized which one it was, I started tearing up and my wife looked at me and asked what was wrong with me... all I could say was "spoilers", in a cracking voice. Almost nothing makes me cry except for the story of River and the Doctor, Time crossed lovers.

[@thomasbicket5183]

@@dimo4499 TRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUE, one of my really good friends who is a normal person hadn't even known the series existed and got super confused when i teared up in that ep.

[@littlewoot]

@@softshoulder That was heartbreaking. Everytime I rewatch it I hope Donna sees him. But alas :,(

[@splatinumm]

*moffat

[@jos8192]

Favourite River quote: ”Don't worry. I'm quite the screamer!" Thank you Alex. Thank Steven.

[@edpan5900]

now theres a spoiler for you ;)

[@lisah6928]

This IS absolute BEST River line!! LOVE it!

[@rgoodwin1810]

Doctor Who is so often described as "a family show". Yep. Alex deserves her OWN show in the Doctor's universe.

[@danivarius]

R Goodwin she actually has her own series on big finish called the Diaries of River Song

[@annfran3543]

...Spoilers lol

[@amandakolb4388]

The fact that she knew for MONTHS about being Melody and kept it from everyone, but they all knew she had a secret. She is literally River Song, tbh.

[@DefgirRZawa]

I have that image in my head, where she always answer to everyone: "Spoilers~" xD

[@JMcCarthyworld]

my immediate thought when she said it LOL

[@neillomas2717]

I wonder how many times when asked about the secret she simply replied Spoilers 😂

[@jeffreymontgomery7516]

...Spoilers...

[@RutabegaNG]

I still wish we had more with 12. The chemistry was 🤌🏽

[@FS2K4Pilot]

Watching her rant about The Doctor not loving her back, and watching the pain on Mr. Capaldi’s face, and then the look on her face when she noticed her and he reveals himself to her by saying “Hello, sweetie”, there’s very little to equal that scene.

[@cargo71]

@@FS2K4Pilot I remember, in that 4th episode in series 5, when Amy ask River if her and the Doctor are married, she answers something like "Do you think he´s so simple?". River Idolizes the Doctor so much...

[@happyfellowship4291]

AMEN.

[@piercingsbyjj]

I adore the fact that she is so connected/attached to her character that when she speaks about herself she actually has to specify whether she means Alex or River...

[@zo7034]

Bit late, but its so cool to see how much she cares about the character, to such an extend that she's writing a book about her own character.

[@joy7367]

i think it's also an thing that's kind of drilled into you when you train as an actor, teachers ask you to refer to the character you play saying "I" rather than "she"/"they"/" he"

[@Techrat3D]

My favorite scene will always be from the episode "The Husbands of River Song", where she holds her monologue about how the Doctor will not save her. Only then to hear Peter saying the most memorable "Hello Sweetie."

[@Alexagrigorieff]

I think it was the first time the Doctor said that, instead of River. Which made it so powerful.

[@LivermoreFalls]

Yes. That sequence is one of my two most favorite scenes in Doctor Who.

[@jessicaweikel2510]

I can't believe this wasn't on the list!

[@laken8926]

I couldn’t hold back my tears watching that for the first time

[@the_cleanhippie1309]

That entire Christmas special will forever hold a beautiful spot in my heart. That scene, and the ending, in particular. I get so emotional.

[@agoodday9247]

Alex: Don't look so cross Me: You're so his wife

[@ellenn7]

TELLING OFF HER HUSBAND TO THIS VERY DAY

[@sgtbattleaxe]

I thought she was saying that to Rory… regarding his reaction to Amy telling him that they had gotten married and had a kid, etc.

[@Kawaiipoptart03]

What I love the most is at the singing towers the doctor and river are finally on the same timeline together for one long night. They finally got to live together in love while both knowing the same events of their lives together. Finally together in all of time and space

[@77madman]

I do love Alex, she feels so genuine. I know its a thing where actors often get tired of or burnt out from a part or being identified as a role, but she seems so in love with River Song and the universe she's in. I always feels good seeing someone enjoy it so much.

[@spc1612]

I so agree on all points!!!

[@romito1597]

And you can tell she SO wants to come back

[@mikereger1186]

Her enthusiasm and ownership of River Song is very similar to Tom Baker’s of the Doctor. Only with much more fun with the wardrobe! Has she done Big Finish yet?

[@aresef]

It seemed like she had great fun playing River. To be an actress in her mid-40s who gets to go off and do sci-fi action, that doesn’t happen every day.

[@Acorn_Anomaly]

I think it helps that she didn't actually spend all that much time as River Song. The other companions, and the Doctors themselves, played those roles for a year or more. River Song had a few scattered episodes, and a brilliant storyline across them.

[@aimeejenesse116]

14:28 "It's so much time. I could literally go and have an adventure" THATS WHAT WE WANT ALEX! WE WANT RIVER TO STEAL THE TARDIS AND APPEAR IN FUTURE EPISODES AND KNOW SHE CAME STRAIGHT FROM ONE OF THOSE 24 YEARS ON DARILLIUM!

[@hothemeep1219]

No. River is great but her story is over. Let's move on

[@aimeejenesse116]

@@hothemeep1219 let me wishfully miss her, man

[@hothemeep1219]

@@aimeejenesse116 if you want. But it's been almost 6 years now, move on lol

[@gomamon8439]

@@hothemeep1219 It's Doctor Who. Anything can happen.

[@hothemeep1219]

@@gomamon8439 this is what people said for mcgann's spin off. Almost 8 years later and still nothing 😂

[@Magic1Angie]

I am totally in awe of Stephen Moffat's writing, that he created that diary full of stories, which then played out over SIX series and 3 different Doctors (and he probably didn't know Peter Capaldi would be playing the last scene at the time). I still hope River will pop up again at random points, cos we know they never met in the right order, but not necessarily exactly opposite direction ..... so I'm thinking there's a chance that "remember that time when there were 2 of you", "Jim the fish", "Easter Island" and all those birthday trips may yet materialise

[@samueldixon9028]

So “remember the time when there were two of you” has actually already happened. There was a mini-episode called something like “first night/last night” - I think it was on the Season 6 DVD? The Doctor takes River on her first trip in the TARDIS, and runs into a future version of River, who’s there with a future Doctor.

[@MeghanTheShade]

As much as I'd love to see River back on the TARDIS, we can't ignore the significance of Capaldi's wedding band falling to the floor of the console room after the regeneration into Jodie's Doctor.

[@headstonelover]

PLEASE

[@gm2407]

Also the Fish has happend. The Doctor thinks it is a Queen then realises he has the wrong fish. XI is the Doctor. You will find it under a video Amy's question. This takes place over the begining of several episodes.

[@fishdiedforourfins6219]

I’m hoping that the “I remember when there was two of you” refers to the Bi-generation

[@davidanato5701]

I always believed that if River Song came back for the 60th Anniversary it would be with the Twelfth Doctor during their retirement in Darillium and they briefly left to get involved.

[@matthewchurchyard8552]

Love that idea - they were such a great pairing

[@freddiefan93]

Good shout! That would be a great way of involving both characters.

[@canUsaythis]

The very second I finshed watching Peter's 1st Episode I was sad as I thought *we may never get 12th and River in the same Episode they would be so perfect* but then we got one of 2 near perfect Christmas episodes *the other was 12th last Episode* I love them 2 episodes so much

[@universetraveler2159]

Great idea! I would love to see both of them again

[@brainlock72]

Well, she does admit to having a Double(+?) Doctor adventure to 12 (HoRS)....which I believe was on her birthday? (WAGMGTW?)

[@alittleantidote5852]

THEY WROTE HER STORIES IN HER DIARY I-

[@roxxychik06]

Finding out melody was river was one of my favorite scenes in dr who

[@sgtbattleaxe]

Mine, too!

[@AllisonLansberry]

I guessed it in the episode "The Time of Angels" there were so many hints & that episode clinched it for me.

[@shreyagokhale7005]

Spoilers!!

[@Alexagrigorieff]

When they said Amy's daughter was named Melody, I suspected that.

[@sarasunland775]

That was so dramatic and unforgettable, that as I have been listening allot to the Dr Who sound tracks from Murray Gold, that background music from that scene just conjures up the whole video part in my head!! Very memorable!!

[@francesmmarsh]

honestly no matter your opinion on Moffat as show runner, he wrote some of the best Doctor Who episodes of all time. Pulling off a character arc like this with so few plot holes really is impressive

[@HeyyItsDaleVODS]

Writing the entirety of s5-6 and how insane time gets between the duration just to wrap it up with a bow is beautiful. Ive got my issues with moffats writing, like pacing, characters feeling bland, grandiose titles, but ill be damned if his ideas and thoughts are not exceptional and pulled off like a mad man leaving me wanting more.

[@barrycampbell6117]

Moffat was an absolute Genius with regards to writing Doctor Who. I'm usually one to catch the foreshadowing, but I'll be damned if I never saw it coming! The plot twists with River were superb!

[@Pond721]

I would take Moffat writing Doctor Who until the end of time over Chibnall. My god Moffat is a total genius god compared to what we have now.

[@aarontokay1463]

@@Pond721 Moffat made such beloved choices and character developments in the show. Chibnall has disregarded the history of doctor who to make it what HE wants, not what’s best for the show. there are interviews of him (before he was showrunner) talking about how he disliked the writing of doctor who. seems like he just wanted to make something of his own instead of supporting the doctor who tradition

[@Pond721]

@@aarontokay1463 Yeah, it's a pretty damn selfish thing to do. Maybe someone can come back and do the whole "Crack in space and time" thing and swallow all of the shit that Chibnall has created. Like this was all a terrible acid trip

[@xgropo]

Alex: "Who knew?" Whovians: We knew, Alex. We knew.

[@stanbarnes7284]

She played River Song wonderfully. I always enjoyed her appearances immensely. Her lines were brilliant and she did them so well.

[@madr309]

Ms. Kingston, if you ever read this - you are an *amazing* actress. The "hello, sweetie" scene in "The Husbands of River Song", where River realizes the man next to her is the Doctor - you and Peter Capaldi put on a short master class in acting without words. Steven Moffatt may have given you great words, but your skill made them sing.

[@happyeagle92]

Yeah she truly is amazing. Just rewatched ER and she's phenomenal in that too

[@hawktalon7890]

I really enjoyed Alex Kingston and Peter Capaldi's chemistry. Shame they didn't get all that much screen time together compared to Alex and Matt.

[@cathleencumpton779]

I loved her in ER as well.❤️🌹

[@bradcsuka5054]

Easily one of my favorite scenes. The quality of acting is unreal.

[@mdell7248]

I was going to say that too!

[@masterskrain2630]

Peter's Line on Darillium..."Whenever you need it... there's a Song..." has so many levels.

[@BladeX11883]

omg thanks for saying this I didn't put it together because his whole speach was so beautiful

[@cargo71]

"...when you less expect it, but always when you need it the most... there is a Song". Best line in the show. And wonderfully delivered by Peter Capaldi...

[@shadowcastyt]

7:14 “The crew didn’t know about this scene” Dang I wish I was filming that plot twist that would’ve been insane being a cameraman for that scene and not knowing what was actually going on until it’s being filmed before your very eyes

[@NathanielKempson]

Alex Kingston. I dont know if you are aware of the impact of River on the Doctor Who community. My favourite charcter, such a mystery with a tragic yet exciting backstory and life. I just cannot thankyou enough for portraying her SO DAMN WELL. The best charcter in TV history, dont even @ me.

[@mousehouse3591]

Absolutely River Song my favourite Timelord/companion/wife/everything.

[@claudiaceleste777]

And perhaps she had a hand in opening up the concept further to those who couldn’t conceive the idea of a lady doctor

[@dudepool7530]

I dunno. Big Bird is super well written. Such depth and growth! (Edit: sarcastic joke is sarcasm.)

[@dudepool7530]

@@claudiaceleste777 I was genuinely excited for a female Doctor. Sadly, I don't think the writing is up to snuff though. It's too overtly preachy in my opinion. It started going downhill for me during the end of Smiths run. Once it was revealed that the Doctor was revisiting faces, I was hoping we'd get Jenny back, when a lady was announced. Honestly, I've never met a fan mad at what is between the Doctors legs. It seems to always be like me, an issue with the writing and show runners.

[@hughjass1976]

@@dudepool7530 exactly the same for me. I like Whittaker, it's Chibnall that makes it terrible

[@kohakkanuva3224]

the reason she's such a good actor is because she completely becomes her character and accepts all the emotions of her character and it makes her performances extremely compeling

[@ruthrios8249]

HER DIARY HAD THE EPISODE CONCEPTS IN THEM AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT SHE'D READ HER OWN LAST SCENE 😭

[@cheetahiq]

After Ten and Rose, I adore River’s relationship with the Doctor. She was such a perfect fit with their personalities. I do wish she was in more episodes!

[@ginnydoll0703]

What I feel about River being a better "partner"or love interest of the Doctor's is she was a woman. Not a girl. Rose was girl. She had the experience, multiple lives, to be his EQUAL. Not just enamored with him out of awe, like Rose was. For Rose, the Doctor was bigger than life. Unimaginable. For River, by the time we get to witness her story she's already passed the young, impressionable age and become her own person. She had a life & interests of her own. Doesn't waste it following him around like a puppy dog. This development never occurred with Rose. They never were at the same level in any manner. Not intelligently. Not with experience. Not emotionally. She never became an adult in her story. We never witnessed her emotional growth, her maturing like we did with Martha, Donna, Amy & Rory, even Clara & Bill Potts. To me, a love affair between them always felt wrong. Like Rose was a child-bride to an old man. Don't get me wrong, I like Rose. Love 10. I believe Micky received a more substantial character arc than Rose. We saw him grow past his puppy love, & adoration of Rose. Past this teenage self centeredness, into an adult willing to sacrifice himself for others for the benefit of those besides himself. Rose never reached this level. She remained a self-centered child who did it for the thrill, & the chance to be with the being she thought she was in love with. To me, I simply can not fathom the Doctor being in a true relationship with someone as young emotionally, & immature as Rose. That's not to say Rose want loved by him. She had a significant role in his life. She was the first person/being The Doctor allowed himself to care for, to love even, after believing he'd committed double genocide.

[@jena7747]

@@ginnydoll0703 you know what, I have always been dead set in my opinion that the doctor loved rose more than river, but I think you just completely changed my mind. you are so right, rose was what, only 19? 20? she was YOUNG. it's like, after the events of the time war he just wanted someone to be able to keep safe and take care of. with river she was literally a child of the time vortex and had gone through incredibly traumatic experiences to which I believe she could relate to the doctor more than any of his other companions (she was also incredibly smart and challenged him intellectually which again never happened with any of his other companions.) In the rings of akahatan he mentioned to Clara that he took his granddaughter there once, and it makes me wonder if he sees his human companions sort of the same way a father would see a child

[@AllisonLansberry]

Rose was a school girl crush. River was a real women & truly the Doctor's only true love. Wish they had a child..

[@CometStar100]

She has great audios to keep the character going. My favorite one is where she meets the 4th doctor. That was a fun story. I don't know if she met any of the other doctors besides the first 13 cause the last doctor she sees is the 12th doctor/13th incarnation but I don't know if she saw anymore future doctors before that time. Maybe she did and we could see her again in a future season but I always thought she never met anyone beyond Peters. Plus she has no idea the doctor becomes a woman. It's possible we see her some more in the future of the Doctor Who series but I doubt it. I think she will continue in the audios and books.

[@tehnemox]

@@AllisonLansberry Jenny is out there, somewhere ;)

[@taylorbrown3987]

“24 years” never fails to make me audibly sob. One of favorite Doctor Who moments of all time…which is saying something because there are so many wonderful moments!

[@ambervenn5519]

i love how she’s like such a fan girl of the show and how much she loves the stories like us rather than another actress who jus does the lines

[@christophfischer2773]

River Song is symbolic for the absolute best of Doctor Who to me. She was a part of the show when despite all the randomness and weirdness inherent to Doctor Who, it just felt so cohesive and heartfelt.

[@xxnymphobratxx984]

I'm kinda sad they didnt have her react to her talking to the dalek. When the dalek was asking her for mercy. I thought that was a brilliant scene

[@HareHerder]

Agreed.

[@sgtbattleaxe]

Yes! Me, too!

[@crystalrose955]

That is in my top 3 of all favorite Doctor Who scenes

[@mdell7248]

There are so many scenes I wish they'd included.

[@oliviaann9946]

I think it’s impossible to watch River’s story without tearing up 😭 Alex Kingston being River’s biggest fan is so incredibly heartwarming ❤️

[@Lordoftheapes79]

Without a doubt, the moment River tells the Doctor his name cemented River as a pivotal character in the show. Not only did the Doctor trust her, but we did. It's equivalent to lifting Thor's hammer. Absolute truth.

[@piniatafullofblood]

That’s a really good comparison actually.

[@e3180]

Except that he didn't, he told her to look into his eye

[@piniatafullofblood]

@@e3180 nope. Doctor who confirmed that he told her both things before they got married.

[@e3180]

@@piniatafullofblood oh weird, guess they just didn't show it then

[@piniatafullofblood]

@@e3180 she didn’t mention it to the ponds, leading them on to think that that was the only thing he told her cuz like- why would she? Knowing Amy, she’d really wanna know once she’s intrigued, and, like, a secret that big and that important- it’d suck if it got spilled by anyone other than the doctor themselves.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Alex Kingston has not changed one bit. Beautiful inside and out. My fave River Song quote, when questioned about the Dalek in the museum "It died" For some reason it just creases me up.

[@datgaydangernoodle1315]

*Mercy* Say it again? *Mercyy* One. More. Time. *Mercyyyyyy*

[@stevenredpath9332]

Only one psychopath allowed in the tardis.

[@RavenBird0]

Honestly, I believe Alex was the best person they could ever have play river like she just has away to make river real almost like Alex delivers all the scripts so perfectly I genuinely believe that Alex played her perfectly.

[@kyleighh1979]

My fav is River in The Name of The Doctor. “I can always see you” 😭😭😭

[@charlleedodson]

Then when the doctor realizes no one else can see her and so he looks really weird

[@nahbreewilliams9378]

This made me cry too.

[@ldavis7809]

Ah! They didn't do the time when Eleven and River said Good-bye. I cried so hard. I love River Song.

[@herpizzazziness906]

That probably would have really made her cry.

[@EmiZViolet]

That specific kiss broke me. At the time of airing, their first kiss when they were most in sync in the timeline.

[@ldavis7809]

@@EmiZViolet IKR!! To me that was more powerful than 10 almost saying he loved Rose. That whole scene melted my heart. And the fact that it took him so long to grieve for Amy and Rory. another heartbreaker. Love love love Eleven.

[@sgtbattleaxe]

Ohh… that would have been a good one to do, too. She probably would have really cried with that one! Lol They should make a part 2!

[@maichka15]

It's the fact that she clicked with her own character after YEARS of just being nice to all the fans that really put a smile on my face. Imagine coming up to an actress who has no idea why you like her so much as opposed to one who totally gets it. It's magic.

[@anamorphosys85]

It's so refreshing to see someone embody a character with so much passion as Alex Kingston does with River Song. She brings so much joy and sass with her. And one can truly feel her enthusiasm whenever she talks about River Song and the time on Doctor Who. She's fully aware of what legacy she leaves in the Whoniverse and she cherishes it to the fullest!

[@amoryll36]

I agree 👍🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@schiz5674]

"I'm sorry. I really am truly sorry... [River whispers into the Doctor's ear. The Doctor stares back stunned by what he has heard and thus realised] Are we good? Doctor, are we good??" [Despite being unknown to him The Doctor, still in shock, nods straight away] Ever since that moment, we all knew River would without doubt be someone of unprecedented importance in the Doctor's Lives & Doctor Who history itself (canon).

[@sgtbattleaxe]

I absolutely loved his reaction to that! Amazing scene!

[@darkhoursofday6250]

Universally River was one of the best DW characters ever. Alex was amazing and completely embodies what we love about this show.

[@MikaelaBlake]

River was my absolute favorite character. The thing that cemented it for me was when she whispered The Doctor’s name in his ear. He stood there floored. He couldn’t even speak. She’s the only one who could ever make The Doctor speechless - in his past and future forms. I’ve never seen the Doctor at a loss for words. And they really do love each other. 🥰

[@solei5678]

River Song’s arc was my favorite! It was beautiful in every way, because it’s conclusion was not they lived happily ever after, but they lived. Not every day was happy, but it didn’t have to be. Every moment was special, and not one line of their history was allowed to be lost, even if she knew it was ending. The very definition of be happy it happened, even when you are sad it’s over. Things aren’t wonderful because of they are permanent.

[@valeriek8537]

I miss River so much. I recently listened to the three audio dramas she did with David Tennant and it was so lovely to get more of Ten and River together - you feel as though he’s starting to fall for her even as young as he’s meant to be in her timeline.

[@skycaesar2016]

That sounds really nice! Do you mind telling me where you listened to them/what they’re called? x

[@valeriek8537]

@@skycaesar2016 the big finish audiobooks. They are not free; you have to buy them. River has done five solo series with various doctors but there are also some spin-offs.

[@LucilleM523]

I agree 💯! Ten and River are brilliant together. I wish there was more David Tennant and Alex as Ten and River - on screen and audio dramas 💓

[@crusmonster1397]

River Song has been my favorite Doctor Who character since I started watching almost 10 years ago. She has been written so well, in both the show & in writing (comics/books), her charisma & enigmatic history along with Alex’s outstanding acting have kept fans in love ever since River was first introduced in 2008. Thank you Alex (and Steven Moffat) for molding River into the icon that she is, & thank you to Penguin for this amazing video 💙💙✨

[@sunnylaurie91]

I use the username River Song in social media a lot. I love the character and I am in awe of Alex Kingston.

[@jenthart93]

I adore the character RiverSong, she was absolutely amazing. And the chemistry between her and all 3 generation of the Doctor are just remarkable!!

[@lidge1994]

Well, that explains why River's story is so well written, Moffat made sure he was there for all of it, writing every piece of it!

[@shiroi201]

"...and i realized i'm actually not that bad!" No shit alex why do you think we love you so much 😂?? Also i literally squaled when she said the the first "hello sweetie out loud"!

[@ark01000]

Alex has such an iconic voice for me. She uses it seductively but subtly with river and I’m here for it. Even as an actor, she just has such an infectious personality, bubbly with smiles! No wonder she got the best lines !!!

[@LuluHyuga]

My favourite River moment is either when shes shooting the silence and flirting with the doctor or when she makes the dalek beg for mercy

[@megan3206]

I love that Alex cries at the exact moments we all cry with her - such an incredible actress- I miss River so much - wish we had more adventures with her and 12

[@susanlaine9054]

River really is my all-time favorite character in the Doctor Who universe

[@eloisegibb8933]

Such an incredible actress, its impossible to not be touched by the warmth, the humanity she puts into her roles. River song is a character that suits her so well, i don't think there are many people that could play this part so beautifully.

[@thepandoricaoffandomsbacku7349]

I love how she’s fangirling over her character ❤️🤣

[@hissoka]

alex kingston is such an amazing talent. I was a bit put off by how some of the fandom treated her as a series regular due to her age compared to that of the new-who female companions, but she quickly proved them wrong. I'm so happy that she played river. River had such spunk and grace and fire and ice all at the same time, making this literally already dead character feel so timeless. she was born for this role

[@nightowl8477]

Has Alex read The Day of the Doctor novelisation? She has quite the appearance! Ten, a bathtub, and champagne!

[@ilovevegimite]

I liked the 'Let's Kill Hitler' scenes when she first becomes River Song

[@sofiacarbajo4436]

Me too! I'm kinda sad they didn't put some scenes from these episodes 'cus it also has one of the most iconic River lines...

[@elizabethgrosvenor153]

Yes, I was sad about this too!! Would have been great!

[@zebjavid2900]

I have lost count of how many times I have watched Doctor who over the years, and watching this video made me just as emotional as when I've watched the series. To be honest, I truly believe that every actor was picked perfectly for their roles. It's amazing to see Alex's reaction to parts of her story and the little things that occurred while filming. It's so beautiful when an actor can look back at a character they have played and feel raw emotions like the fans, also take pride in what was accomplished.

[@MrAlice]

I didnt expect this so many years later. I love that she is still so emotional about her own character. She took it to heart.

[@gaypanda]

They missed one of River-Song’s best one-liners: “Well. I was on my way to this gay gypsy bar mitzvah for the disabled, when I suddenly thought, “Gosh. The Third Reich’s a bit rubbish. I think I’ll kill the Führer.” Who’s with me?” This line is simply fabulous.

[@authorofone]

It was probably the easiest to write, considering that entire line is full of things that Nazi’s would absolutely hate

[@billystokes3917]

My favourite River Song one-liner/quote.

[@genevievegnamassou2178]

The way I said it with the same intonation as her...

[@SectorZeroGP]

My favourite is when the dalek begs for mercy :3 DALEK: "you will show mercy, you're a doctor's ally... you will be EXTERMINATED :v" R.S.: "I'm River Song, check your records again >:( " (...) DALEK:"mercy... :d" R.S.: "Say it again ;)" DALEK:"Mercy.... T_T" Not even the doctor got that kind of reaction from a dalek :D

[@aleksandarmarkovic221]

@@authorofone she missed out Slavs

[@StLProgressive]

I absolutely adore River Song. I was thrilled when they brought her back for the Christmas episode with Peter Capaldi. They had so much chemistry. I always go back and watch Silence in the Library/Forests of the Dead after watching that episode. Such a great character arc, and so unique. Alex Kingston was fantastic. 💙

[@elphabarichardson607]

My husband and I wrote our wedding ceremony and our vows. In the beginning of the ceremony, we had bits of various shows, movies, and books kind of woven together, with the ending voiceover from "Saftey Not Guaranteed" as the main framing for it. After we said our vows, we said, "You, me, time, and space. You watch us run!" It concluded with the officiant saying, "May they live long and prosper."

[@ooooneeee]

That's beautiful 😊.

[@anastaziamalo8329]

This is proper nerdy I love it 🤩

[@artiepavlov6593]

And now i want to do my annual rewatch of Donna's and River's stories... and cry

[@shilohmjh7628]

I loved River Song so much, I named my beloved cat after her. My sister and I still greet each other by saying, “Hello Sweetie!.” 💕❤️💕❤️

[@reginacattus8711]

Amazing, delightful. My favourite River line is, "Oh turn it off. I'm breaking in, not out." - impeccable line delivery! So many iconic moments though!

[@nightowl8477]

I think, other than Peter himself, I've never known a Doctor Who actor to be so fond and knowledgable about their character, and even just the show generally. Obviously, as much as I'm sure Matt treasures his time on the show, it is just a show, another job. It's like that for most Who actors, and that's absolutely fair. But I think it has a special meaning for Alex, as it does for me. She's one of us. I'll get ordering haha.

[@thehammerbro5292]

David has wanted to be the doctor since he was a kid.

[@anniabalcazar1885]

David was much the same as Peter in the sense that he wanted to be a Doctor since he was a kid! He even went and married the Doctor’s daughter, played by the daughter of a Doctor! He was a huge nerd, which I think is one reason why he is much beloved and many people’s favorite - he brought so much personal passion to the role. Peter as well, though he had a much bigger spotlight and mildly disgruntled audience to contend with. If only we knew how gruntled we really were in comparison to what came after..

[@gondolin12]

@@anniabalcazar1885 yes. what came after was such political correctness bs that I puked. it was blah. all supporting characters were poorly written ( actors were great no offense they did great with a really bad bad I mean the lowest of low bad writing) the last bit I don’t miss at all

[@cnkclark]

I have to get the audiobook on Audible... it is narrated by Alex Kingston. Not only is it a River Song story written BY River Song, I can have River Song TELLING me the story. *SOLD*.

[@cutnpolish]

You need to see the black and white episodes then follow the Doctors' interviews afterwards. Esp Tom Baker.

[@GabiRamon]

it’s so cool to see actors who genuinely understand and fully connect with characters they play

[@alicelima2320]

Alex being so interested on Cleopatra and her son, intrigued by the mysteries and the history behind it all... I don't know about the rest of you, but that sounds very archaeologist of her. Some River Song peaking through, perhaps. Love it 😍💖 Edit: 9:00 so it was the Teselecta, BUT the Doctor was inside of it, and was also in control of it. So technically, in a way, River did married the Doctor. I don't know why Moffat said that tbh. Don't try to ruin my fav old married couple, Moffat! Ffs

[@nkotey8943]

Yessss! It's canon an I'll happily fight anyone on that🤣

[@stephymarie4403]

I'm with you 1000%!!!! Do you think River felt a bit of a shock kissing the Telselecta? 🤣

[@nkotey8943]

@@stephymarie4403 Nah, she's dated androids, it's probably the most ordinary thing in the world for her😅

[@alicelima2320]

@@stephymarie4403 Well, she dated androids and a auton before, so I don't think the metal lips were a problem to her 🤣

[@MizuRyuu]

Considering she found out the Doctor's name in the future ( she didn't with the Teselecta since he whispered to look in his eyes during that wedding), it is implied that they did go through another wedding ceremony some time off screen

[@Beckithy]

Alex is such a delight. I got to see her at a panel several years back and she is an absolute treasure.

[@ace5762]

I love how passionate Alex is about her time on the show and her character's journey, since you don't see that from every actor. Her part in the show was absolutely amazing.

[@teresahunt9535]

River is my favorite character!!!! Plus, Alex Kingston is such a wonderful person. I met her at a Scfi conference. I will always treasure that moment!

[@Zeuseus6609]

My god, Alex is just such a beautiful soul. So precious. You may have gotten emotional on set, but you brought us all with you through the highs and lows of River Song. Thank You Alex Kingston.

[@hiriaith]

The episode with the scene at 11:44 was the first Doctor Who episode a friend of mine watched, over a Christmas that she spent at mine. She was really angry I was making her watch a "silly sci-fi show" but she completely cried her eyes out in the episode!! "You didn't tell me it was a love story!!" she said. Alex completely sold the episode to a total Doctor Who novice!

[@bsidethebox]

River Song brought my husband and I to Doctor Who as well. I had friends who loved it, and I knew what it was, but the only bit I had ever seen was on late night public broadcast TV and it must have been a rerun from very early on because I remember thinking of it as "someone playing plastic dinosaurs in front of Mommy's VHS camera" so I'd never really bothered to look into it. I think it was well into Matt Smith's series when KZbin randomly autoplayed me a speculative timeline of River Song and I was wholly enthralled by the concept of two people meeting in reverse of each other, so we dumped everything into the Netflix queue and binged up a new obsession over the course of a couple of weeks. 😁

[@locke11216]

alex is right. it is soo easy to lose yourself emotionally in the series.

[@ben-tendo]

One of the greatest creations Doctor Who has ever had. I always thought it was mad that a show nearly 50 years old had never used a character where it was the wrong order for The Doctor… and then Moffat just hit a home run and did it beautifully with Alex. 💙💙

[@samnjoeysgrama1]

I was overjoyed to see this. What a fabulous few minutes! But I think the best River moment was when she didn't know Capaldi's face and HE said "Hello Sweetie" when he came to save her. Since Capaldi used the face of the father in Pompeii, I've always thought Alex should have been the first female Doctor... or Missy. She was another jewel.

[@cdphotography2]

I miss River. She was one of the best things about the Matt Smith area. I know her last time appearance was "The Last Night on Darillium" but I really would like for her to return. She was "FANTASTIC"

[@dubbingsync]

“Histories Big Mysteries with Alex Kingston” is a show that needs funding right now.

[@jessicabray2250]

River Song was always such an icon for me. Such great story.

[@normietwiceremoved]

"I'm actually not that bad" You're wrong Alex, you're brilliant!

[@BEARDEDAXEMODELS]

I love how ... INTO it she is. Not just acting a part and walking away, Shes a HUGE fan and shows it.

[@joannelively9934]

A little fact I found out the other day. All the events in her diary were written in there but Alex Kingston had no idea about her story arc... I absolutely love Professer River Song Also I read The Ruby's Curse & it's a great read I thoroughly recommend it

[@ohwow1626]

This just became my favorite piece of doctor Who media

[@sgtbattleaxe]

Same!