Intense!
This episode marks the return to breathless, run a mile a minute episodes of Doctor Who, something that we haven’t seen in a few weeks with the ‘quiet’ episodes (but no less enjoyable) that we’ve had. We get the sense that the clock is ticking, something is going on, but we don’t really know why.
The season has been building up to this episode, with the mysterious cracks in the universe, with the mystery around Amy, with the encounters of various aliens and the catchphrase ‘silence will fall.’ We’ve been waiting for the Pandorica, wondering what it is. It doesn’t disappoint.
I won’t spoil with information as to what’s actually inside the Pandorica when it’s opened – but it’s not what you think and it certainly is completely unexpected. Which is a testament to the originality of the episode. When you see it, you’ll understand. There is no monster of the week in the Pandorica that threatens to destroy all humanity. No, it’s much bigger than that.
The episode starts out with River Song trying to contact the Doctor all over space and time. He’s not picking up his phone. We encounter a few familiar faces, including Churchill, Liz 10 and even Vincent Van Gogh left a message for the Doctor. It all leads to River leaving a message to the Doctor on the oldest planet in the universe, which he quickly finds.
It’s not really exactly clear as to when in River Song’s timeline that this takes place and one utterance of the word ‘spoilers’ ends the questions that Amy asks in that regard. I suspect this takes place before their encounter with the Weeping Angels. But that doesn’t really matter.
They end up at Stonehenge, which is actually the gateway to a massive underground chamber broadcasting a message to the universe that contains The Pandorica. The Doctor has never seen it before, doesn’t know what it is or what’s inside. It’s a lovely conundrum to have in a Doctor Who episode – the Doctor not knowing what’s really going on. The use of Stonehenge was rather interesting and it was nicely filmed. It brought back fond memories of driving through Wiltshire last November on our last trip to Britain.
Mysteriously, every enemy of the Doctor, past, present and future is gathering around Earth (and noticeably not firing at each other), waiting for the Pandorica to open. They give the Doctor his space to figure out what’s going on, humoring him it seems.
I was totally not expecting what happens at the end and it’s quite the cliffhanger.
I cannot wait until next week!
What did you think of The Pandorica Opens? Let us know in the comments – and please keep is Spoiler light!
About Jonathan
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
It was neat that they scheduled the Stonehenge episode broadcast for just before the Solstice. I wonder if it was deliberate?
That was the most exciting episode I think I’ve ever seen! Loved it.
I think that it was also my favourite!
Amazing great episode I thought they might screw it up like Journeys End but no they executed it perfectly
Using the average internet Jargon.
When you see it, youll shit bricks!
I agree = intense is the word. And you’re right = this takes place before TIME AND THE ANGELS in River’s timeline. It was wonderful to see Rory again and the comedic scene with the Doctor was a good breather for an emotional hour. Lastly – I like how the Doctor’s friends worked across time to send him a message. Applause to Moffatt for imprinting his own version and vision for the last Time Lord and telling good stories.
Three things:
1) Absolutely awesome episode.
2) “Look at me! I’m a target!” is now going to be my catch phrase.
3) Anyone else look back and think there may be just a little wicked foreshadowing when River says “I should never let him out.” when she’s at Amy’s house? It could have been a passing exasperation…but maybe not.
i was sat behind the sofathe whole way through that episode
whats going to happen next week?
ive been thinking of posabillitys that could happen next week theres only a couple!!!!!
i agree new catch phrase either look at me im a target or silence will fall…….
i cant stop looking at the different spoilers on the tinterweb ahhhhhhh
hurry up episode 13
quick note bowties are cool!!!!!!!!!!
i loved the ending to vincent vangoth episode!!!
Absolutely awesome!! Best cliffhanger ever! I CANNOT believe how brilliant the special effects were! They put most Amercian sci-fi shows to shame. Brilliant Dr (I think the best ever), excellent stories (Moffat really is the dogs..), great supporting cast (Amy is so beautiful). This series has had a TOTALLY different feel to it and I think Sh*ts on most of the previos series. Well done BBC for one of the best shows on telly. Here’s hoping that Moffat and Matt Smith are here to stay!
I get the impression that River Song’s timeline works directly backwards against the Doctor’s. The first time he met her was when she “died.” Will it be the same the first time she meets him?