LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Karen Gillan attends the preview screening of the first episode of the new series of Dr Who at BFI Southbank on August 14, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
By, Heather Maloney
On Saturday, Whovians around the world gathered to watch the fourth installment of “Doctor Who” series seven. “The Power of Three” is a mysterious tale where small black cubes appear all over the Earth and The Doctor, Amy, and Rory must figure out if it is an invasion or a clever marketing ploy. While the episode is filled with humorous moments, the overall force is one of nostalgia and sadness at what the future could hold.
Warning: Spoilers ahead
Amy, Rory and their two lives
The Ponds live a life that any Whovian dreams of; they are able to travel through space and time with The Doctor. However, in between adventures they are beginning to build a normal life. Both Amy and Rory have jobs and they are beginning to enjoy the slower path. Although they adore their time in the TARDIS, they are beginning to contemplate leaving it behind and sharing in a new adventure together.
Throughout the episode one senses a feeling of dread. Knowing that there is only one more story with Amy and Rory, sadness is seeping more and more into every episode. The Doctor explains that he is not always running from something, he is running to something before it disappears. He understands that everything has an end and he will continue his travels leaving those that he loves behind.
Ode to The Brigadier
Classic “Doctor Who” fans were saddened last year when two of the most beloved companions were lost. Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart) and Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) both passed away and left fans in denial and despair. While there was a heartwarming reference to The Brigadier in “The Wedding of River Song”, viewers had a chance to meet his daughter in “The Power of Three”. As UNIT’s new leader, Kate Stewart is a scientist who follows in her father’s footsteps. Assisting The Doctor, Kate utilizes the technology found in UNIT’s underground area of the Tower of London to decipher the mystery of the cubes.
The Lonely Doctor
Since The Doctor has now surpassed is thousandth year, he has had to live beyond many of those he cared about. After Brian Williams asks what happens to his companions, The Doctor is forced to revisit the memories of those he has lost and understand how precious every remaining moment is with Amy and Rory. He confides in Amy that he knows that they have been contemplating quitting for a while and that he misses them. “The Power of Three” seems to foreshadow the sadness ahead for both The Doctor and the viewer alike.
While “The Power of Three” has a story that spans a year and involves mysterious cubes appearing throughout the world, the real heart of the episode is nostalgia. Next week’s episode will mark the end of Amy and Rory’s story in “The Angles Take Manhattan”, where it was previously revealed that they come to a heartbreaking end that not everyone will survive.
