So... The Time Lords seemingly existed for billions of years, and regenerations are seemingly not a technological development but bestowed by the Time Vortex. That second bit seems ridiculously contrived.
Actually, I think it rather a bit makes more sense than the idea that it's technological.
Some questions I believe we're left with:
Is Melody the little girl from TIA/DOTM?
I believe that was the implication -- hence the Doctor flashing back to her in "The Impossible Astronaut"/"Day of the Moon," and hence the Doctor explaining why it was too late to stop the bad guys from taking her. He'd already been a part of Melody/River's causal nexus, and therefore couldn't change it without altering Melody/River's past (and thereby causing giant bats to appear and eat everyone a la "Father's Day").
Also, has River/Melody got a full regeneration life cycle, and is it possible that she regenerates after the events of Forest Of The Dead?
I doubt it. Her body was clearly dead, and her consciousness was transferred into the Library's computer mainframe.
Why was the cot in the TARDIS? Sounds like he was planning ahead when he stole her.
Well, the Doctor claimed it was his crib, but personally I think (given his hesitation) that it was for his children, before he ran off with the TARDIS. But either way, it was never Melody/River's -- River didn't tell him to look at the writing on the side of the crib when he asked who she really was, she was telling him to look at the clothe. When the TARDIS translated the clothe, he realized that Melody was River.
doctor who's finest hour: saying run away and then they run away
Certainly far more impressive than assembling the Key To Time or preventing the destruction of the Multiverse or anything like that...
Everything is more impressive than assembling a piece of plastic with a pompous name. Literally everything in modern Who is more impressive than TOS Who.
In mentioning the ‘Papal mainframe herself’ tied the Omega/church/military to the Catholics – I would have liked the church to remain as an example to what can happen to any church if that power is misused or twisted.
Earlier in the episode, the Fat One and the Thin One referred to themselves as Anglicans. So I think that by mentioning that and the Pope, the intent was to subtly establish that this Church isn't exactly either of the churches we're familiar with in real life.
So how come River died without regenerating in the Silence in the Library 2-parter?
Because you can't regenerate if you die before the regeneration finishes. Same reason the Alternate Future Doctor died in "The Impossible Astronaut."
Really enjoyed the episode, gave it a Victory! It was interesting to see Amy question the Doctor about him having children when his family was likely lost in the Time War with the exception of his granddaughter Susan who was supposed to be on Earth in the future.
What makes you think Susan
stayed on 22nd Century Earth? (Or, for that matter, that that timeline exists after the Time War and
Genesis of the Daleks?) Personally, I think Susan returned to Gallifrey after her Human husband died, and that she was the Woman who appeared to Wilfred in "The End of Time." And that, thus, she died in the Time War, too.
I was really hoping Jenny was going to show up in this episode. At the rate they are going there will be a new race of Time Lords soon.
God I hope not.
Why did The Doctor leave Rory and Amy behind?
He was doing a thing. I'm sure we'll find out in "Let's Kill Hitler."
How does Melody eventually become River?
Well, the Doctor said that it was now too late to rescue Melody from the baddies even though he
could do so, in theory. Given that he flashes back to the little girl in "The Impossible Astronaut"/"Day of the Moon," it seems pretty obvious to me, as I said above, that he now knows that Melody is part of a causal nexus in which he has become entwined, and that he can't stop her abduction without screwing around with the fabric of time too badly for things to work out. So apparently Melody grows up thinking of her name as being River. From there, I'm fairly certain we're going to see her future/River's history as the season progresses.
Who was Lorna Bucket and what is her connection to the "bigger picture?"
I should think that was pretty obvious: She was someone the Doctor had saved in the past (or would save in his future) who joined the Church in the hopes of seeing him again, and then she died. There doesn't necessarily have to be any further connection to the larger story arc.
What is Madame Kovarian's ultimate goal? Is she involved with anyone else, like say, the Silents?
I believe that that is the implication, given the Doctor's flashback to the little girl from "The Impossible Astronaut."
* * *
The only things I'd add:
I'm sad Dorium and Lorna died. I was kinda hoping Lorna would become a new companion, and Dorium is just way, way too fun.
).
