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Series 7b seems quite interested in exploring symbiotic relationships. Last episode we examined the connection between the Doctor and the TARDIS. In this story we investigate parasite and host, parent and child, mentor and apprentice. Mrs. Gillyflower is supplying the parasite with nourishment while she in turn receives a kind of drug. Ada and her mother dance around each other in a twisted perversion of the give and take that defines the caregiver role. The Doctor and Clara slide between teacher and student though interestingly its not always clear who is what. The Doctor may be the one with the grand plan but Clara is the voice of practicality. Both are needed to ensure the proper outcome.