The subject of many jokes and memes since their earliest appearance, the Silence didn't take long to be a hit with the fanbase. They even have their own day. 23rd April has seen numerous Whovians draw tally marks over themselves in reference to these creatures. They're another creepy concept from the mind of Moffat - a being that can only be remembered as long as you're looking at it. As soon as you turn away, you forget the Silence are there at all. In that case, it's quite ironic that they have such a memorable appearance - a humanoid being based on Edward Munch's painting The Scream. Part of what makes them such key aliens for the new series is the impact they've had within the storyline. As part of the religious order of the Silence, they helped push forward the story arc for the Eleventh Doctor's era by trying and failing to kill him. Of course, as all good villains do, they believed that they were working towards the greater good. By preventing the Doctor reaching Trenzalore, they felt they could stop him releasing Gallifrey and causing the Time War to reignite. They're also the first new series monster to be the primary antagonists for a series finale. The others were taken up by Daleks, Time Lords or Cybermen. That's a significant milestone for the revival, and one that helps the Silence stand out even more.
