"Is that all you can do? Hover? I had a metal dog could do that."

With a title like "The Power of Three", it sounded like an episode of Charmed. ;-) But it was much better than that. I can actually say I liked this episode (for the most part).

But this was the episode Moffat was talking about when he said Chris Chibnall wrote an emotional episode with Rory's dad. I can now see why Chris Chibnall wrote Pond Life.


And this episode sort of provided a rare glimpse. Amy and Rory are the only Companions I can think of that the Doctor has returned to on a regular basis and on purpose, too. So that puts them in an unique position. They obviously want to travel with him, but they want to live their lives, too. Which do you choose? Can you have both? What about the people you leave behind?

I expected the Doctor to hang around more for "the year of the slow invasion". In the end, all we get is a few days here and a bit more time there. It's was fun to see him going absolutely stir crazy. Because the Doctor does have a point. The universe is always changing, every second. He has to stay on the move just to see it all, which sort of leads to the main problem Amy and Rory have to deal with. It's so easy to get caught up with the Doctor. You barely pause to catch your breath. So they really don't have time to think about what they're doing. It's only when they're back on Earth do they give any thought about what they need to do. And once they do stop, they get back in the rhythm of their normal lives. It's sort of a vicious cycle.

In the end, Amy and Rory obviously choose the Doctor. If may not be the smart thing to do, but it's the right thing to do, which is so what the Doctor is about. I liked that it was Brian who got it for them. He can see the disruptions the Doctor causes, but he can also see how happy his son and daughter-in-law are when this crazy man is around. And this is all in time for the Ponds' last episode. Of course. But more on last episodes in a second...

A neat little surprise they worked in. Kate Stewart. Totally wasn't paying attention when she introduced herself. Didn't catch on she was the Brig's daughter until the Doctor mentioned it, but it was an awesome inclusion. A nice way to keep the Brig's memory alive and it totally doesn't matter that the Brig never mentioned a daughter before. And she's taking UNIT in a new direction, too, which is great. Less military and more scientific. They can still fight aliens, but they won't lose sight of their goal to protect the people.

The rest of the plot with the cubes and the weird dude on the ship felt like filler, at least to me. I was more interested in the Doctor/Amy/Rory interaction. I got the feeling that "A Town Called Mercy" could have fitted in during the seven weeks of the Ponds' anniversary trip. So it's kind of weird to think that we were watching things out of order. And with a title like "The Power of Three", it expected more trio awesomeness. Instead, Amy and Rory just flanked the Doctor while he talked with the weird tally guy. Give the Companions something to do! But anyway...

I'm surprised the trailer for next week didn't hype up the Ponds' leaving. There is a quick shot of Amy and Rory falling from a building, but not much else forecasting their doom. But something has to happen that makes them leave the Doctor behind completely. Amy and Rory just chose the Doctor; why would they leave again? And while I can see the Doctor dropping them off and never coming back, I don't think Amy would go for that. So what options are left? Death is the big one that comes to mind. The Doctor does bring up in the episode that a few of his Companions have died. That would put an end to Amy and Rory's travelling. But I don't like the idea of the show killing off such well loved characters.

If Moffat does resort to killing, there has to be a compromise. Like with River. She's dead, but her brain wave pattern lives on in the Library's computer. If Amy and/or Rory has to die, I want a similar fate for them. Heck, the same fate. Then River can spend the rest of her digital life in the company of her parents. Or, since the Weeping Angels are involved, maybe Amy and Rory get sent back in time and by the time the Doctor catches up with them, they're old and grey and ready to die. Whatever happens, I just don't want Amy or Rory ending up alone and sad.

Random: So Amy's a journalist now. She writes travel articles. Hmm, I wonder if she's ever run into Sarah Jane... And I can see how Rory can still have a job and disappear a lot, too. He was only working part time. And do Amy and Rory not live in Leadworth anymore? Amy and the Doctor make it to the Tower of London without the TARDIS in under an hour. But then, Brian's on their doorstep a half past six or whenever, just right after the cubes' arrival. That has to mean he lives close by. I'm so confused. And does Brian not work? He must have an awesome job if he can just sit and watch a cube all day. ;-) And I love that he took the Doctor's command so seriously. He didn't leave the TARDIS for four days. The Doctor on the Wii. :-) He's so buying one for the TARDIS now. And he wore the burgundy suspenders with the navy bow tie. Wha? He decided to mix it up a bit?


I'm going to miss next week's episode, which makes me both sad and angry. When I planned my vacation, I didn't think Doctor Who would be on now. If I do end up posting, it's probably because I've paid a ridiculous amount of money for the wi-fi aboard the cruise ship.

I also need another icon of the Doctor, Amy, and Rory...