Doctor Who: The Possible End of River’s Diary

During the Doctor Who Christmas Special ‘The Husbands of River Song,’ we saw River fretting over how her diary was almost filled. What if that is not actually the case?

River referred to the Doctor as someone who would give someone a diary and know exactly how long of a Journal they would need. It is likely a true statement, even if a bit morbid. After all, if the Doctor was so inclined, he could literally watch every day of a person’s life, and therefore calculate how long of a diary one would need.

Likewise, as River keeps her diary for the journals and exploits her and the Doctor have shared, it would make sense that he would know when those would end as well. As such, now that she is approaching the end of her Book of Spoilers, she would be understandably upset that she may not have much longer with the Doctor. Fortunately, they have a night that lasts 24 years to spend together if this is indeed their final date.

Yet, that may not be the case. The journal itself has a cover that resembles the exterior of the TARDIS. Since the Doctor gave her this gift, it would make sense that he chose the cover for a specific reason, and perhaps for more than a reminder of his craft.

More from Doctor Who

• Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who Christmas special is a “complete reinvention”
• Ncuti Gatwa is “so nervous” to take on Doctor Who role
• The Doctor and Donna are better than ever in “Wild Blue Yonder”
• Take the Black: House of the Dragon season 2 trailer hints, the Fallout show, and more
• Jodie Whittaker didn’t pick up on any of the hate for her version of the Doctor

What if, just like how the TARDIS is bigger on the inside, the diary is as well? What if, when River thinks she has written on the last page, she finds herself with quite a few more blank pages waiting for her to take up her pen and chronicle her time with the Doctor? Those adventures certainly may not have finished.

It would also serve two different purposes. First, having an expanding diary that the Doctor did not tell River about would certainly be in keeping with the character. Even if he cares about someone, he does seem to enjoy keeping little surprises from them until the moment of relevancy. A sudden collection of additional pages would be fitting.

This could also serve as a way to keep River as a recurring character on Doctor Who. Alex Kingston already thought that she would not return once before, but adding pages to the diary could keep her around indefinitely. Even if it seems to be a matter of hammering in a fix after the fact, it is not as though the program pays much attention to how plausible a solution can be at times.

Next: Doctor Who and Reflections of a Couple

Perhaps, when River writes what she feels will be her last page, she will discover quite a few blank pages left. The implausible is always possible on Doctor Who.