River Song is one of the many Doctor Who characters that go through a significant transformative arc. Even if we do see it out of order. Her immaturity and pigheaded refusal to let the Doctor die even if it means destroying the universe is in stark contrast to the episodes set further along her timeline where she is a much wiser and level-headed person, becoming a professor of archaeology and often being the voice of reason to the Doctor. She is even able to be more competent than the Doctor, depending on the circumstances. Shes also an incredibly capable person; constantly breaking out of prison, infiltrating a battalion of Autons disguised as Romans, and managing to gun down a Silent without even looking at it. And thats not even considering what she manages as a child; surviving on the streets of New York alone for six months with the body of a child, and presumably going to great lengths to get to Leadworth so she could grow up with her parents. But the strongest aspect of her character of course relates back to the Doctor. After he fakes his death, she takes the fall for his murder and is imprisoned for years. Sacrificing her liberty so that the Doctor can fade back into the shadows. Admittedly, the Stormcage Facility may as well be built out of liquorice considering how often she escapes but its a still a gesture that shows a huge amount of devotion and self-sacrifice. Her life may be intrinsically tied to the Doctor but that doesnt weaken her one bit.
JG Moore is a writer and filmmaker from the south of England. He also works as an editor and VFX artist, and has a BA in Media Production from the University Of Winchester.
