River Song (Doctor Who): Difference between revisions
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She possesses a [[sonic screwdriver]], which she claims a future Doctor gave her. This is cited as evidence of his trust in her, and the Doctor considers it highly surprising she should have it – claiming he would never give anyone else his sonic screwdriver. River Song dies while using her brain as a memory buffer for The Library's data core, thus saving the Doctor, [[Donna Noble]], and the 4,023 people trapped in the data core in "[[Forest of the Dead]]", although in the last minutes of the show, the Doctor searches the sonic screwdriver he left her and finds a communications device similar to the ones used in the Lux Industries' suits, and is able to store a digital impression of her personality (thus "saving" her) onto the "hard drive" in the planet's core. |
She possesses a [[sonic screwdriver]], which she claims a future Doctor gave her. This is cited as evidence of his trust in her, and the Doctor considers it highly surprising she should have it – claiming he would never give anyone else his sonic screwdriver. River Song dies while using her brain as a memory buffer for The Library's data core, thus saving the Doctor, [[Donna Noble]], and the 4,023 people trapped in the data core in "[[Forest of the Dead]]", although in the last minutes of the show, the Doctor searches the sonic screwdriver he left her and finds a communications device similar to the ones used in the Lux Industries' suits, and is able to store a digital impression of her personality (thus "saving" her) onto the "hard drive" in the planet's core. |
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In a clip from "[[The Time of Angels]]" shown on BBC America during the show "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide", River Song is shown piloting the TARDIS in company of the Doctor and Amy Pond. She knows how to land it without the |
In a clip from "[[The Time of Angels]]" shown on BBC America during the show "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide", River Song is shown piloting the TARDIS in company of the Doctor and Amy Pond. She knows how to land it without the usual engine noise. |
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== Production and casting == |
== Production and casting == |
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Revision as of 07:19, 19 April 2010
River Song is a fictional character played by Alex Kingston in the long-running British science-fiction series Doctor Who. Executive producer Russell T Davies describes her as "one of the most important characters we've seen in the series." [1]
Character history
River Song is an archaeologist who states that she has travelled with the Doctor in his relative future (her relative past).[2][3] She is referred to in Doctor Who Confidential as a "companion-to-come",[4] and although the Doctor first meets her on The Library planet in "Silence in the Library", she states that she has met him on several prior occasions in her relative timeline, but in a time yet to come for the Doctor, referring to specific events and places including the "crash of the Byzantium," "picnic at Asgard" and "the Singing Towers."[5][6][7][8]
It is suggested that at some point they share an intimate relationship of some sort, and River Song reveals that she knows the Doctor's real name, which she whispers in his ear, thus gaining his trust.[9][10] River appears to be familiar with the TARDIS,[11] and apparently has first-hand knowledge of the Doctor's future encounters with alien races.[12][13]
She possesses a sonic screwdriver, which she claims a future Doctor gave her. This is cited as evidence of his trust in her, and the Doctor considers it highly surprising she should have it – claiming he would never give anyone else his sonic screwdriver. River Song dies while using her brain as a memory buffer for The Library's data core, thus saving the Doctor, Donna Noble, and the 4,023 people trapped in the data core in "Forest of the Dead", although in the last minutes of the show, the Doctor searches the sonic screwdriver he left her and finds a communications device similar to the ones used in the Lux Industries' suits, and is able to store a digital impression of her personality (thus "saving" her) onto the "hard drive" in the planet's core.
In a clip from "The Time of Angels" shown on BBC America during the show "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide", River Song is shown piloting the TARDIS in company of the Doctor and Amy Pond. She knows how to land it without the usual engine noise.
Production and casting
For the role of River Song, whom executive producer Russell T Davies described as "sort of the Doctor's wife", the production sought to cast Kate Winslet. One of Winslet's first acting roles was in the BBC1 teen drama Dark Season, written by Davies. The role of River Song eventually went to Alex Kingston, about whom Davies said, "I bloody love her!"[14]
About her role on the series, Kingston said "We just clicked. I've done guest roles on other shows, but rarely have I felt such a warm bond.".[15] About the Doctor Who dialogue, she says "I'd work with a medical consultant on ER, who'd explain what we were saying, so I'd say it with a purpose and a truth. On Doctor Who, I've no idea what some of my lines mean!"[16]
About working with Kingston, Catherine Tate said, "I'm a huge ER fan. When you hold people in awe, it's almost a disappointment when they come in and they're utterly normal. But Alex isn't disappointing at all. She's such a lovely person." David Tennant was quoted as saying "Alex is terrific. When she's telling you stories about hanging out with George Clooney, you know she's pretty cool."[16]
Return in 2010 series
Alex Kingston will reprise her role as River Song for two episodes, "The Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone" alongside Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, in 2010.[17][18]. Photos[19][20] show Kingston on set alongside Smith, Karen Gillan, the TARDIS, and a crashed spacecraft labelled "Byzantium",[21] previously mentioned by River Song in "Silence in the Library". The photos have sparked a buzz among the media about her return.[22][23][24][25]
Merchandise
Official toys based on River Song include an action figure,[26] and a model of her "future sonic screwdriver".[27] Alex Kingston said about the action figure, "I don't quite believe it. You don't get that on ER."[15]
List of appearances
References
- ^ "River Song is one of the most important characters we've seen in the series... someone who is vital to his life" - Russell T Davies, Doctor Who Confidential, Series 4, Episode 9
- ^ "Here's a woman who travels with the Doctor, therefore she knows him" - director Euros Lyn to Alex Kingston, Doctor Who Confidential, Series 4, Episode 9)
- ^ "You took me to Derillium, to see the Singing Towers. Oh, what a night that was." - River Song, "Forest of the Dead"
- ^ "The future is already written for both the Doctor and his adventurous companion-to-come" - Narration: Doctor Who Confidential, Series 4, Episode 9
- ^ "Crash of the Byzantium, have we done that yet? .... Picnic at Asgard. Have we done Asgard yet?" - River Song, "Silence in the Library"
- ^ "It's ok, it's not over for you. You'll see me again. You've got all of that to come. You and me, time and space, you watch us run." - River Song, "Forest of the Dead"
- ^ "Dr Who Forest of the Dead Review". Slice of SciFi. 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ Fickett, Travis. "IGN: Forest of the Dead Review". Tv.ign.com. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "One day I'm going to be someone you'll trust.. completely. " - River Song, "Forest of the Dead"
- ^ "River, you know my name. You whispered my name in my ear. There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There's only one time I could." - the Doctor, to River Song, "Forest of the Dead"
- ^ "The squareness gun ended up in the Tardis" ... "it's the same squareness gun, it's Captain Jack's older one, pilfered from the Tardis locker by River Song" - Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Confidential, Series 4, Episode 9)
- ^ "I've seen whole armies turn and run away and he'd just swagger off back to his TARDIS and open the doors with a snap of his fingers" - River Song, "Silence in the Library"
- ^ "It's a tempting thing isn't it? I mean, there it is, there's you future, there's what's going to happen to you... There's a handy guide to how to win against the... the other monsters, you know? Of course you'd want to have a little look" - Steven Moffat, referring to River Song's diary, Doctor Who Confidential, Series 4, Episode 9
- ^ Davies, Russell T; Benjamin Cook (2008-09-17). "The Next Doctor". The Times. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
- ^ a b "Alex Kingston on Doctor Who - Radio Times, 31 May 2008". Radio Times. 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ a b "Alex Kingston guest-stars - Radio Times, 31 May 2008". Radio Times. 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ Doctor Who Magazine issue 418, 3 March 2010
- ^ http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/02/episode-titles-revealed.html
- ^ "Blogtor Who". Blogtorwho.blogspot.com. 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "Cult - News - Alex Kingston returns to 'Doctor Who'". Digital Spy. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/combomweek4/byzantium/a2j_img406.jpg
- ^ "Blog Archive » Could River Song Be Returning To Doctor Who?". SciFiPulse.Net. 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0890579/
- ^ "Alex Kingston returning to Doctor Who | News | Doctor Who 2009 | UK Drama | What's On TV.co.uk". Whatsontv.co.uk. 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "Return of River Song: Alex Kingston to star in new Doctor Who - Coventry Telegraph - The Geek Files". Blogs.coventrytelegraph.net. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "Doctor Who Collect And Build 5 Inch Action Figures Series 4 Vespiform - River Song". Character-online.com. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "Doctor Who Future Sonic Screwdriver". Character-online.com. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
