10 Genius Decisions By Doctor Who Companions

After Rory the Roman lost control of his body and fatally wounded his bride-to-be Amy Pond, she was locked inside the Pandorica in order to save her life.

Amy had to stay inside the box for 2,000 years, at which point a younger version of herself would touch its exterior and open it. Rory and the Doctor, however, didn't have to wait out those 2,000 years: they could skip ahead by way of a vortex manipulator, jumping to the future to greet the revived adult Amy.

But Rory - presumably feeling a little guilty because he's the one who killed her, and also because he's just a top lad - decides to stay with the Pandorica, vowing to protect the box (and his girlfriend) from any threats that it might face. This Auton version of Rory cannot age, but still, he'll be conscious for the full 2,000 years.

Aside from the fact that this choice was about as selfless and brave as it gets, Rory's decision to protect the Pandorica ensured that it wasn't lost to history, and also allowed him to keep it safe from anybody who might've wanted to open or steal it.

Plus, by not going with the Doctor, he was able to get the drop on that Dalek that started attacking the Doctor as soon as he materialised. Gun-hands ftw.