"Now, the question for the hour is, "Who's got the Pandorica?" Answer: I do. Next question: "Who's coming to take it from me?" Come on, look at me! No plan, no backup, no weapons worth a damn, oh, and something else I don't have: anything to lose! So, if you're sitting up there in your silly little space ships with all your silly little guns, and you've got any plans on taking the Pandorica tonight, just remember who's standing in your way! Remember every black day I ever stopped you, and then, *and then*, do the smart thing! Let somebody else try first."
This has pretty much become the iconic speech of Matt Smith's time as the Doctor. It's a glorious piece, a perfect counterpart to his later iconic monologue. This is the speech of a young man. A man who can boast like no other. He can challenge a sky full of terrifying aliens who would easily fry him in an instant. He faces them fearlessly, with bravado and delight. He can demand they fear him, and get what he asks for (exactly what River meant by his becoming "too big"). It's actually a huge character flaw, but it's hard to care. Because it's irresistible. If you watch this speech and still don't like Smith as the Doctor, you never will. He is wonderful here. The defining speech of the first half of his run, and a fantastic moment.
Rebecca Kulik lives in Iowa, reads an obsence amount, watches way too much television, and occasionally studies for her BA in History. Come by her personal pop culture blog at tyrannyofthepetticoat.wordpress.com and her reading blog at journalofimaginarypeople.wordpress.com.
