6. Hiding In Plain Sight
Forgotten while you're here Remembered for a while A much updated ruin From a much outdated style. lyrics from Fruit Tree, by Nick Drake What happens when we look away? When a thing is no longer observed? Does it disappear? Does a thing exist if it cannot be perceived? The Doctor is a master magician, so adept at sleight of hand and misdirection. Hes constantly shifting focus away from himself. It makes one wonder, what exactly is the Doctor hiding from those around him? Clara is startled when Emma Grayling asks her about her relationship with the Doctor and counsels her, Dont trust him. He has a sliver of ice in his heart. Theres an interesting parallel in Angels Take Manhattan where River is described as having ice in her heart. We hide the most traumatic things, often the most important things from ourselves and others. The Doctor is hiding his true nature as is Clara. The creature in the pocket universe, the Crooked Man, is hiding from the Doctor and Hila, the time traveler. The Crooked Mans love hides in the house. Professor Palmer hides his feelings from Emma Grayling. Clara hides her fear from the Doctor. Palmer recognizes the ache of the survivor, the guilt of the war veteran and the sheen of deception about the Doctor and states, Experience makes liars of us all. If truth will only cause pain and destruction are we not justified in hiding certain things? But at what cost to the secret keeper?