The Pandorica Opens

"Nothing is ever forgotten, not completely."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 19 June 2010

Series: 5.12

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory, River

Synopsis

A Van Gogh painting ferried across thousands of years offering a terrifying prophecy, a message on the oldest cliff-face in the universe and a love that lasts a thousand years: in 102 AD England, Romans receive a surprise visit from Cleopatra. Nearby, Stonehenge hides a legendary prison-box. As it slowly unlocks from the inside, terrible forces gather in the heavens. The fates are closing around the TARDIS. The Pandora, which contains the most dangerous threat in the universe, is opening.

Verdict

The Pandorica Opens was an outstanding episode to kick off the Series 5 finale! It really is a sublime opener and the cliffhanger is honestly staggering. It might be one of the best ever, it's honestly that good. I said to my partner Gemma as we were watching what a thrill this episode was on broadcast as we built to finding out what could be inside the Pandorica. The most feared being or creature the universe had ever known, so why didn't the Doctor know who or what it was? I seem to remember believing it to be the Master at the time whilst not really thinking he would actually return, but watching in hindsight the hints pointing towards it being a prison for the Doctor are just tremendous. It's so obvious when you know! River basically tells us when it comes to the wizards in fairytales being the Doctor. The pre-credits scene that pays homage to the series so far as the exploding TARDIS painting titled 'The Pandora Opens' is passed through time from the likes of Churchill and Bracewell to River and Liz 10. It's really well done. The painting itself looks magnificent and the warning to the Doctor is terrific. I love the way the episode builds to the Pandorica and it's fun for the Doctor to be angry at not knowing. I think the way the Doctor and River work together is great and Amy adores her which is brilliant. The 'Hello Sweetie' line as the oldest message written is hilarious but the best moment for comedy comes when Rory returns. The Doctor even states that he is missing the obvious and it could be staring right in front of him. Which it was! His return is a tremendous moment. The look he has when he realises that Amy really can't remember him is so sad and then as he tries to go and win her back and make her remember, he shoots her dead. It's extraordinary stuff! The entire thing being a trapped conjured from Amy's bedroom with the Pandora story and the Roman historical setting is fantastic. Of course the Doctor couldn't resist with her life not making sense! River reeling off some of the species that were coming for the Pandorica was magnificent with the obvious Daleks and Cybermen being complimented by the likes of the Drahvin and Chelonians. Unfortunately, they weren't visible at the end when the Doctor is placed inside the Pandorica, but niche references like that are most welcomed! The Roman legionaries all turning out to be Autons was superb and just the very idea of the Alliance is excellent. The Doctor could hardly believe that they came together. It was quite a mix! I'm still not sure the Judoon make sense being there and there are a few unique appearances from the likes of the Hoix and even the Blowfish from Torchwood! It's a right old assembly but it's a tremendous image. Having the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans lead the speech as they claim to have come together to stop the Doctor and fix the cracks is just marvellous. It really is staggering! River being in the TARDIS as it explodes and that just being a third of the cliffhanger shows just how good this episode. Everything has been building to this and it really doesn't get better. The threat of a broken and detached Cyberman works so well and shows just how deadly they can be. There's so much going on and it's a sensational setup for the finale to come. Full of emotion, action and just incredible story. This is a stunning episode. 

Rating: 10/10