@thane16, @mudlark, Was thinking about the point you both discuss–ie, could Ruby give birth to herself.

If Ruby, at some point does give birth to a girl, could we imagine a scenario where Ruby herself, with the aid of the TARDIS or another time machine, takes the new-born back in time and leaves the child in front of the church. In other words,…[Read more]

@devilishrobby Best wishes for a speedy recovery and I hope that you get lots of time to watch Who.

@craig. Thank you for sharing that. Your wife was indeed inspiring.

@mudlark. I loved your description of the ring. An example of how “provenance” gives meaning to an object. The S/O and I didn’t bother with rings, not having bothered with the…[Read more]

@mudlark

I like your explanation of the Ruby’s timelines very much. And, as you say, it wasn’t explained how this could be done. Perhaps we will never find out, but that only leads to more theorizing so it’s a win either way.

I’m going to stop thinking about this in any more detail though, as there is surely a paradox in there, and tbh – like @ju…[Read more]

@mudlark Dark is definitely worth a watch: the key to it all is a fabulous character based study where crossing timelines (not necessarily the most important part of the drama) creates a stunning backdrop for the story.

I’m pretty sure -& no spoilers here- one of the female characters is her own mother…. There’re a few instances of  timey whimey…[Read more]

@craig

Thank you for posting the links – how inspiring, and what a terrific attitude from Rachel in the face of adversity.  Amazing indeed. And, as @juniperfish says, a lovely picture.

@devilishrobby

And to just add to the chorus of well wishers, and my hopes for your complete and speedy recovery.

Wonderful also to see others such as @mudlark…[Read more]

@devilishrobby That must have been very scary, but I’m very glad to hear you’re being looked after in hospital – sorry about the crap wifi though!

@mudlark I love your several generations of women ring.

Your suggestion that Old Witchy Ruby is “our” timeline Ruby from the future is a good one.

But my head still hurts, because young Ruby at the…[Read more]

@mudlark You make excellent points about the importance of abandonment in relation to Ruby. I am starting to wonder if the Doctor doesn’t just appear in the dance hall and strike up a conversation with Ruby in The Church on Ruby Road but rather seeks her out precisely because he knows all about her and the centrality of abandonment to her. Indeed,…[Read more]

@mudlark @juniperfish

apparently the name of the pub translates as ‘the dead wood.’ The actual pub also featured in Torchwood!

The full Big Bang 73 numerological analysis was outstanding, juniperfish.

I shall now rewatch to check out the name of the village

@bunface and @brewski and @mudlark

@bunface – hmmm your avatar has recalled Stooky Sue from The Giggle for me, in relation to all three of your speculations about the return of the Doctor’s granddaughter.

Stooky Sue = Susan foreshadowing?

Stooky Sue had three Stooky babbies – so it seems the Doctor’s progeny is definitely a thread to pull on.

@mudlark @brewski

Yes, I guess CAF would be the obv choice for an older Susan, although at time of casting/planning it may not have been so clearcut or possible? It’s sometimes hard to keep a glove on the real life shenanigans and timeframes, always remembering it’s a fabrication we’re dealing with! Ahem.

I don’t think Susan Twist is Susan…[Read more]

@bunface @mudlark

I’m also going to suggest that Mrs. Flood is Susan

I have a (pointlessly) wordy post on Mrs. Flood in the Church on Ruby Road pages.  I don’t think she’s Susan primarily because she didn’t recognize (or even suspect) the police box was the TARDIS.  She only recognized it as *A* tardis (not THE tardis) after it dema…[Read more]

@mudlark

You’re quite right. My apologies @juniperfish. Surprisingly fast moving thread this one…. and thanks for the Sargent info. It’s almost certain that the 2000ad artists of that period would know the works you refer to and would be more than eager to reference them in their work, I reckon….

@mudlark I think you’re right on the meaning but I’m a little bothered about it because she has a legal next of kin – her mother adopted her. What she has is no genetic relatives. Legal next of kin is generally decided by closest generic relative – or spouse/civil partner – but in cases of adoption, it’s adoptive family. I might be being a bit…[Read more]

@juniperfish. I think there was a hint during the Capdoc era that the master had once had a child, and it seemed then to imply that might have also been the Doctor’s so you might be “one the money” with that theory.

@mudlark. Weather conditions are one of the hardest things I find to research though old papers are full of references to the…[Read more]

@mudlark

When I nit-pick about such matters, as I tend to do here, it is usually in a spirit of mischief

As it should be @mudlark, as it should be.

I’m old enough to remember the winter of 1946/47

Blimey!

@mudlark

The inability of the ambulance AI to identify Ruby’s next of kin was clearly supposed to be significant

100% agree.

no documentary evidence and no DNA match

Does this imply Ruby has human DNA, because the researchers would have identified any anomaly? If so, it would kibosh some theories. Or does it mean that her DNA had no match b…[Read more]

@Craig a bottle episode, indeed, and this is something I have noticed in the new RTD Who. Bigger budgets, but yet, I don’t think it’s affected the contents. And this is a big example of it, it could easily have just been filmed in the BBC sci-fi quarry without making any real difference. And this I think is a good thing – the effects budget is…[Read more]

@Juniperfish – Thanks for all the links, and insights (as always). The Owl and The Pussycat – a fave of mine too – and no, I didn’t realise its subtext either.  Re The Skye Boat Song – that’s also a call back to the Troughton era (the Yeti in London (recently rediscovered and revitalised)) – Troughton plays it on his flute. So there’s also a wee r…[Read more]

@mudlark yes, one thing about RTD is that ….lack of delicacy …but in rewatching the Tennant years, and of course the Ecceleston years also, RTD has ….I was about to say “matured” as a writer which is a tad arch of me. Still, great to see a completely different episode in this season: more dialogue and less shouty shouty..And I love a callback.…[Read more]

Cor, it’s lovely to read everyone’s wonderful ideas and memories of past episodes: the doctor’s ditty “the moon and the President’s wife.” I KNEW I recognised it from time past….

thank you to @juniperfish and to @scaryB @blenkinsopthebrave @mudlark and @craig

So much to read and ponder on and respond to! whee-hay!!
Puro.