TW: Thanks. Yeah.
Gallifrey 22.3: No, not how it works. The Siren doesn't use someone's guilt against them.
After eating lunch, the viewers returned to the viewing room. They all retook their seats, watching wary as the next recording started, wondering what this one would bring.
Snow is seen from space, the snowflakes having mouths and snarling.
"What the bloody Hell?" Mickey asked as the past viewers looked at the screen startled.
"You all saw that, right?" Jack asked for clarification.
"You mean bloody snowflakes snarling? Yeah, we saw it," Donna said in disbelief.
"Still not sure what it was though," Martha muttered and Jane smiled tightly.
"Spoilers," she said with a sigh.
In England 1842, children are playing in the snow. A boy is making a snowman as a woman walks up behind him, trying to convince him to play with the other children. The boy, Walter, says he doesn't need anyone. A man joins the woman as she worries about Walter always being alone. As the man and woman head inside, Walter says he doesn't want to talk to the other children, calling them silly. "They're silly," the snowman says.
"What the bloody Hell?" Mickey repeated, staring at the screen in disbelief. "Now it talks?"
"Snow that can talk. That's a new one," Jack muttered in surprise.
"Oi. What the bloody Hell is going on?" Donna whispered as the past viewers looked at the screen in confusion.
"Nothing good," Martha said with certainty, able to figure out that much.
Walter looks around bewildered and the snowman tells him not to talk to the other children. Walter begins to run away when the snowman says he doesn't need anyone else. Walter pauses, making his way back over to the snowman as it promises it can help him and Walter asks how.
"Well this can't be good," Mickey noted.
"A child being influenced by whatever this is cannot end well," Wilf agreed uneasily as they all watched the screen silently.
"The last time I encountered children who were talking to things no else could see, it didn't end well," Jack said uneasily as he remembered the fairies, hoping it wouldn't end as badly.
Fifty years later, Walter is watching as men scrap snow off snowmen and place it in jars before the jars are put into horse carriages. That night in a mansion, Walter walks up to a sphere with snow inside it, informing the snow about the jars. A voice from inside the jar declares that humanity will end as it celebrates Christmas. The voice asks if the final piece is ready and Walter assures it that it is.
"Well that's bloody ominous," Donna muttered.
"Why are they putting snow in jars?" Wilf wondered.
"I'm not sure, but it obviously factors into how this voice plans to end humans," Jack said, unease filling the room.
"Doctor, do something," Martha pleaded, not seeing the look that crossed Jane's face.
The voice asks Walter about the men who helped him but Walter promises they won't be a problem, as he promised to feed them. Walter then walks out to the balcony, where the men who scraped the snow into the jars are looking up at him from outside. One of them says there's no food but Walter disagrees. Large snowmen then rise out of the ground, snarling at the men with sharp teeth. The men cry out as the snowmen devour them, Walter coldly saying he never said who he'd feed them to before walking away.
"Blimey," Mickey breathed as the past viewers stared at the screen in horror.
"Good Lord," Wilf whispered.
"He's a monster," Martha said horrified.
"With a bunch of other, man eating monsters at his disposal," Jack said grimly.
At an Inn, a barmaid is collecting drinks.
"Is that…Oswin?" Wilf asked as the past viewers looked at the screen in bewilderment.
"Yes…and no. It's complicated," Jane said with a shrug. "You'll understand later."
"I think I already do," Jack said, things clicking into place. "She's the Siren, isn't she?"
"What makes you say that?" Jane asked calmly as the others looked at Jack in bewilderment.
"You said the Siren started manipulating The Doctor from this point on, and then a dead woman shows up? It's too much of a coincidence," Jack pointed out.
"You are good," Jane noted after a moment.
"So she is the Siren?" Martha asked in surprise.
"She's the human the Siren was possessing…sort of. Like I said, it's complicated and won't make much sense until we reach the end of this set. For now, just watch," Jane told them.
Bewildered by Jane's vague answers, the past viewers turned back to the screen, curious about how this woman could 'sort of' be possessed by the Siren.
Oswin heads outside when she hears a noise. She places the tray down and sees a snowman. A man walks passed and Oswin asks if he made it. The man says no and she wonders who did, as the snowman just appeared out of nowhere. The man turns around, revealing himself as The Doctor. He walks over, putting Amy's reading glasses on. The Doctor proposes that its snow that remembers how to make snowmen. Oswin is incredulous about this, calling it silly. They bicker briefly and Oswin introduces herself as Clara. The Doctor compliments her name before walking off. She follows after him, saying they were just getting acquainted. "Those were the days," The Doctor says sadly before walking off. Clara watches after him for a moment before heading in the opposite direction.
"Spaceman," Donna said softly as the past viewers looked at the screen sadly.
"He's seems so…lost," Martha whispered, worried for The Doctor.
"He is. He lost Amy and Rory, felt like he had lost River and then he lost himself," Jane said softly as the past viewers stared at the screen, realizing how the Siren had been able to affect their friend now.
Clara then seems to change her mind and chases after The Doctor. Seeing a carriage a few feet away, Clara chases after it. Inside the carriage, The Doctor is asked about Clara but he is dismissive about her. Through a phone, Vastra argues with The Doctor when Clara opens the roof and pokes her head in. "Doctor Who?"
"Oi! Did she just…" Donna trailed off.
"Chase after him after meeting him once? Yeah. Now that I know she's possessed, that makes a bit more sense," Jane shrugged.
"Still, pretty stalkerish," Jack noted as they continued watching curiously.
At a mansion, a man is standing outside, staring at a frozen pond as Walter walks out. A maid introduces Walter as Walter notes the pond hasn't frozen over since the night the man's governess drowned a year ago. The man and Walter recount how she drowned in the pond which then froze and she wasn't found until a month later when the ice melted. The man demands to know what Walter wants and Walter holds up a business card. "The pond is yours Captain Latimer," Walter says as Latimer takes the card. "But what is growing inside it, when it is ready, is ours." Walter wishes Latimer good evening before walking off as the ice around the pond grew thicker.
"Why is Walter so interested in that?" Jack wondered, narrowing his eyes in thought.
"Maybe he's just a bloody sadist. He is planning on wiping out humanity," Donna pointed out.
"But men like him never do anything without a reason. He's up to something with that pond," Martha said, eying the screen uneasily. "And whatever it is, it can't be good."
As Walter walks through town, Jenny appears in his path, noting he's out late. A veiled Vastra then appears behind Walter, noting his activities with suspicion. Walter sarcastically says he's honored to meet 'the great detective and fatuous accomplice' and that Dr. Doyle is basing his books on their exploits. He pulls back Vastra's hood, noting the readers would never accept Sherlock Holmes as a woman.
"Yes, I'm sure that's what they'd have a problem with. Not that she's actually a lizard woman," Mickey said dryly.
"So he's a sexist as well as a murderer. Why am I not surprised?" Martha rolled her eyes.
"He seems to be all the worst things about the Victorian era rolled up into a single person," Jack noted.
"As good as it is to see Vastra and Jenny again, I don't think they'll be able to handle this on their own," Donna noted uneasily. "Spaceman, they need your help."
Walter makes note of Vastra and Jenny's intimate relationship and Vastra declares they are married. Jenny mocks Walter's marital status before Vastra picks up some nearby snow, making a note of the telepathic field around it. She calls it memory snow and makes a veiled accusation about the snow being a weapon in the wrong hands. Walter declares this will be the last winter of human kind, saying there's nothing Vastra can do to stop it before he walks off. Vastra declares she knows a man who can and Walter says he looks forward to meeting him before walking away.
"Which would normally be a comfort, but in the state The Doctor is in now…" Jack trailed off uncertainly.
"He can't help himself, much less anyone else," Martha said as they all watched the screen worriedly.
Jenny tells Vastra The Doctor never helps anymore and Vastra says they will need a miracle. Elsewhere, Strax is watching a carriage, informing The Doctor they've taken samples of snow all over London. Behind him, The Doctor is inspecting the snow, noting it could possibly be alien. The Doctor asks what you look for when you find something you've never seen before and Strax guesses a grenade.
"I love this guy," Mickey said with a laugh, the tension in the room breaking momentarily.
"He is quite a character," Wilf said with a slight chuckle.
"He's an acquired taste, but you'll never find a more loyal soldier at your side," Jane said with a slight smile.
The Doctor says a profit, calling it Victorian values. Strax suggests a full frontal assault but The Doctor dismisses it. Strax asks if they can't investigate but The Doctor says it's none of their business. Strax asks if he can oppose The Doctor's apathy and The Doctor grants it. "Sir, I am opposed to your current apathy." The Doctor insults Strax but Strax insists they should destroy the snow if it is alien. The Doctor says it's not their problem. "Over a thousand years of saving the universe Strax and you know what I learned? The universe doesn't care," The Doctor says.
"Spaceman," Donna whispered as the past viewers stared at the screen, horrified and heartbroken to see The Doctor reduced to this.
"Now you see why I want to prevent this? Even without the Siren in the mix, Dad is no good to anyone like this," Jane said softly.
"I think that's a bloody understatement," Martha muttered, not sure she would ever be able to get the image of The Doctor so utterly hopeless and defeated out of her head.
The Doctor then looks towards a carriage, which shakes as Clara shouts from inside. The Doctor walks over and opens the door, promising Clara no one will hurt her as he gets inside. She becomes frightened upon seeing Strax, who calls her boy. The Doctor promises her Strax is easily confused and Strax corrects himself. The Doctor explains about the Sontarans, offending Strax as The Doctor says Strax is a middle child of six million. Clara asks who he is but The Doctor says she's about to forget they ever met, requesting Strax get the worm.
"Huh?" Mickey asked as the past viewers looked at the screen in bewilderment.
"It'll make sense in a minute," Jane said with a slight smile.
Clara is alarmed as The Doctor explains it's harmless but contact with her skin will wipe out the last hour of her memory. Strax then returns empty handed, not remembering The Doctor sending for the worm. The Doctor realizes Strax didn't use the gauntlets, confusing Strax.
"Let me guess, a Memory Worm?" Jack asked, almost feeling stupid for not having gotten it earlier.
"A what?" Martha asked as the other past viewers looked at Jack in bewilderment.
"A Memory Worm. It's an alien worm that can induce memory loss," Jane explained.
"And The Doctor hasn't used these things before?" Donna asked in disbelief.
"He doesn't like taking such big risks. Skin to skin contact wipes out half an hour, but if it bites you, it could wipe out your entire life," Jane explained.
"Oi! But he's willing to risk it now?" Donna exclaimed, the past viewers horrified at The Doctor's callousness.
"Blimey Boss," Mickey muttered.
"Even the best of us can lose our way," Jack said lowly as they continued to watch silently.
Strax is then forced to get the worm out from under the carriage as The Doctor and Clara watch. The Doctor tells Clara not to run away but she says what happens next is funny, calling Strax ugly. The Doctor defensively says Strax once gave his life for a friend of his and Clara asks how he's alive. The Doctor says another friend brought him back. "I'm not sure all his brain's made the return trip!" The Doctor shouts pointedly. Strax sees the worm but grabs it and loses the last hour again, annoying The Doctor and amusing Clara. Clara then holds out the gauntlets as Strax panics that he's been run over by a cab.
While the past viewers would have gotten a laugh out of this a few minutes ago, they were too disturbed by The Doctor's callousness to find any amusement in it at the moment. So they merely continued to watch.
The Doctor puts on the gauntlets and pulls out the worm, explaining how it works to Clara as he puts it in a jar. The Doctor notes Clara hasn't run and she says she will once he's explained about the snowman. They bicker before a snowman rises out of the ground.
"Shit!" Mickey exclaimed as they all tensed.
"Memory Snow. Clara is thinking about the snowmen and it made one," Donna realized.
"So the Siren hasn't even gotten to him yet and it's already putting him in danger," Jack said darkly as they all watched uneasily.
The Doctor, not noticing the snowman, begins to explain as Clara stares at it in shock. She points it out to him and The Doctor asks if she was thinking about it. Clara says she was before another one rises up. They try to run but find a third blocking their path. The Doctor tells Clara to stop thinking about the snowmen as one opens its mouth, shooting flurries out at them. They duck and The Doctor explains the snow is mirroring Clara's thoughts, ordering she picture them melted. The pair are then hit by waves of water.
"Oh thank God," Martha said as the past viewers all breathe a sigh of relief.
"I never realized how much comfort I took from knowing these recordings had already happened until we started seeing the future," Jack noted.
"Dangerous situations are a lot more stressful now," Donna said absently as they continued to watch.
Clara asks if that's going to happen again and The Doctor says she knows what to do if it does. Clara notes she'll forget and The Doctor pauses. He puts Clara in the carriage and tells her not to come looking for him. Clara argues that they should warn people about the snow but he says it's not his problem before closing the door, ordering Strax to take Clara back where they found her. As The Doctor walks off, Clara sneaks out of the carriage and follows him.
"What is she, obsessed with him?" Mickey asked in exasperation.
"She's not, but the Space Siren is," Jane reminded him. "Clara is merely a puppet. Many of her actions in this recording and several others are not her own."
The Doctor jumps over a fence, looking around to be sure that he wasn't followed as he whistles 'Silent Night' before pulling down a ladder. Clara watches from behind a tree as The Doctor climbs up and the ladder vanishes into thin air. Clara walks out from behind the tree, looking up and only seeing a cloud. She jumps up, attempting to pull the ladder back down but only grabs air and falls on her back. Clara tries again and this time grabs the ladder. She pulls it down before climbing up. Finding herself on a spiral staircase, Clara realizes she's invisible to the people below before climbing up the stairs as the ladder retracts itself. Clara follows the stairwell up to a cloud. Looking around, Clara sees the TARDIS behind her.
"Well that's…convenient," Jack noted, a little bewildered by easily Clara had found the TARDIS considering the lengths The Doctor had gone to in order to hide it.
"It does seem strange that she just happens to stumble across The Doctor and he doesn't notice her watching him," Martha mused. "Seems like something he'd notice."
"Even that brief encounter was enough for the Siren to get her hooks into him. He was already being affected," Jane said, horrifying the past viewers.
"She's really that powerful?" Donna asked horrified and Jane smiled tightly.
"You have no idea."
Finding she's able to walk on the cloud, Clara makes her way over to the TARDIS and knocks on the door. She hides on the side of the TARDIS as The Doctor walks out. Clara continues hiding as The Doctor walks around, looking for her. Clara runs back down the stairwell as The Doctor finds a piece of her dress on the cloud. At Walter's mansion, the voice in the snow globe tells Walter the snow tomorrow will wipe out mankind. "She is coming," the voice says as a female figure is seen taking shape in the ice.
"I'm not sure what's creepier, the Siren or that," Mickey muttered as they all watched the screen uneasily.
"It obviously has something to do with the last Governess. What, I'm not sure," Jack said as he narrowed his eyes.
The next day, Clara wakes up to the ringing of the clock tower. She gets dressed and walks out of the Inn, surprised to see the snow has melted. The owner of the Inn begs for her help but Clara assures him Elsie will be back in the afternoon. She says she has to get back to her own job and the owner wonder why she never tells them what she does. Clara says he'd never believe her before walking off. In a carriage, Clara changes clothes. The carriage pulls up outside a mansion and Clara gets out, now dressed in high society clothes. The maid, Alice walks out and Clara greets her. Alice stiffly says a governess should enter through the back unless accompanied by the children.
"Clara's the new governess?" Wilf said in surprise.
"Have to admit, didn't see that coming," Jack noted.
"Why would a Siren be a governess though?" Martha wondered.
"Clara herself probably wasn't aware a whole lot of what was going on. She went about her ordinary life while the Space Siren watched from within her until it spotted its prey," Jane explained.
"The Spaceman," Donna muttered and Jane nodded.
"How exactly did it know it was him though? He'd Regenerated at least three times since his last encounter with it," Jack wondered and Jane smiled tightly.
"We'll get there Jack. For now, just enjoy the ride," Jane said simply.
Although confused, the past viewers continued watching; hoping the mystery of the Space Siren would be solved soon.
They talk about the children before Alice says Latimer wants to see Clara. Clara heads inside and knocks on the door to Latimer's office. He pockets the ticket Walter gave him before Clara enters. They greet each other and Clara apologizes for her absence. Latimer says his daughter Francesca has been having nightmares every day this week but won't tell him about it. Clara suggests he ask her in 'the right way' but Latimer says children are not his area of expertise.
"They're your children," Donna said annoyed.
"Don't be too hard on him. He's merely a product of his time, it was considered weak for men back then to try and comfort their children. That was what mothers were for," Jack mused, the only one to have lived through this era of history.
Donna grumbled and Martha looked annoyed but neither said anything. As Jack said, it was a different time, no use getting angry about something that had happened over a century ago.
Clara reminds them they're his children and Latimer points out Clara has a lot of experience in this matter, calling her pretty before correcting himself and calling her young. Clara promises she'll see to the children before heading out.
"Looks like Latimer fancies her," Mickey noted.
"Shame she's possessed by a Siren," Martha said dryly.
In the backyard, a boy and girl are running around as Clara walks out. They run over, happily greeting her. Clara gently corrects them before asking what they've been up to while she's been away. The boy, Digby, tells her before asking she do her 'secret voice'. Looking around to make sure no one is watching, Clara drops her accent and makes the children laugh. Later, Francesca tells Clara about her dreams, Digby adding they're about their old governess, teasing his sister about how she's haunting her. Clara asks if Francesca has talked to her father about this but Francesca says she can't talk to him about this kind of thing.
"That poor girl," Martha said as they all felt sympathetic to Francesca.
"It was a very different time. People aren't so closed off about their emotions these days," Jack noted.
Digby offers to show Clara where their old governess died before they head out to the frozen pond. Digby explains what happened, adding he hated her because she was cross all the time. As Digby talks, he doesn't notice the figure in the pond.
"What is that?" Mickey asked, a feeling of unease coming over the past viewers.
"Nothing good," Jane said simply but did not elaborate.
Clara is suspicious that the pond is still frozen and remembers The Doctor's warning. She asks Francesca what she dreams about and Francesca says their old governess promises to come out of the pond to punish her for being bad. Clara asks when and Francesca says she'd come back for Christmas. Clara looks back at the pond as Digby says Francesca needs a doctor.
"And of course that'll give the Siren the perfect excuse to seek out The Doctor," Jack said grimly as they all watched uneasily.
Clara runs back to where she'd seen The Doctor disappear, calling out for The Doctor. People look at her weirdly as she tries to grab the ladder. Jenny hears her call for The Doctor and runs over to Clara, saying she doesn't want to attract attention. Clara says she's looking for The Doctor. "Doctor who?" Jenny asks and Clara looks back at her.
"And another big coincidence that she just happens to be doing this in full view when Jenny is passing by," Jack noted suspiciously.
"I can honestly say this is a coincidence. There's no way the Siren could have known Jenny was passing by at that moment or her connection to Dad. It was just luck," Jane said with a heavy sigh.
"Luck that doomed the whole universe," Martha muttered as they all watched uneasily.
The scene changes to Strax, in a suit, standing as Jenny leads Clara over. Strax promises to obliterate Clara if she tries to escape before offering to take her coat. Clara awkwardly hands him her coat before walking passed him. Clara is surprised to find Vastra in a garden of exotic plants, taking a drink.
"Nice set up," Mickey noted.
"All the comforts of home for a Silurian living in Victorian London," Jack said with a slight chuckle.
Clara sits down at Jenny's insistence as Vastra puts her beverage down, explaining it is not red wine. Jenny explains that Clara can only address Vastra with one word, asking if Clara understands. Clara asks why. "Truth is singular. Lies are words, words, words," Vastra says.
"She's got a point. The truth is usually quick and short. Lies tend to be a little wordier," Jack mused.
"Interesting test. I doubt The Doctor himself could have done it any better," Martha mused.
"So I guess now we see how Clara and the Siren handle it," Wilf noted as they all watched uneasily.
Vastra asks if Clara has met The Doctor and Clara says she has. Vastra asks why she's come looking for him again and Jenny reminds her she can use only one word. Clara says curiosity and Vastra asks about what. Clara says snow but Vastra knows she's also curious about The Doctor. Clara confirms it and Vastra asks what she wants from The Doctor. Clara says she wants help from danger and Vastra asks why The Doctor would help her. "Kindness," Clara says. Vastra says The Doctor is not kind. Vastra explains The Doctor does not interfere in the affairs of earth, saying he is not Clara's protector. Vastra asks if Clara understands what she is saying and Clara says words. Jenny smiles in amusement as Vastra tells Clara about how The Doctor used to be. "But he suffered losses which hurt him. Now he prefers isolation to the possibility of pain's return," Vastra says.
"Spaceman," Donna said softly as the past viewers all stared at the screen silently.
"He lost everything and then didn't how to go on," Jack muttered, relating strongly to his friend in this moment.
It was how he had felt after what happened to Ianto and Steven.
"And it left him vulnerable," Martha said softly, more determined than ever to find a way to prevent this future.
Vastra tells Clara to pick a word to indicate she understands and Clara says man. Vastra and Jenny exchange a glance before Vastra says, while they assist The Doctor in his isolation, they do not approve. So Vastra has a test for Clara: Clara needs to give Vastra a message for The Doctor to explain the danger and why he should help Clara in one word. On the TARDIS, The Doctor receives a call from Vastra while he's reading, explaining Clara's concerns about the snow. The Doctor says the test is pointless, asking what Clara said. "Pond," Vastra says and The Doctor takes off Amy's treading glasses in shock.
"Seriously? That's what gets a reaction out of him?" Mickey asked as the past viewers stared at the screen in disbelief.
"Like I said, he was already being affected. She could have said anything and he probably would have followed her," Jane explained. "It's how the victims of the Space Siren felt, a call that forced them to obey."
"And she's got the Spaceman caught up in it," Donna said, horrified by the thought as Jane nodded sadly.
At Walter's mansion, the voice in the snow globe warns Walter of danger: An intelligence beyond anything of this time or place. A butler then walks in; informing Walter there's someone here to see him. Walter is dismissive until the butler says it's Sherlock Holmes. The Doctor then walks in, dressed in a coat, hat and having a pipe.
"He's almost back to his old self, even with an outfit to match," Martha noted, having mixed feelings about this. "I want to be happy but…"
"But it's not real. It's just the Siren pulling him out of his funk so she can destroy him further," Jane said softly as they all stared, the bitterness of the Space Siren's plan not lost on any of them.
The Doctor mocks Walter who tells him to get out. The Doctor continues his antics before picking up one of Walter's business cards. Walter takes it from him, demanding to know who The Doctor is and what he wants. "This," The Doctor says before rushing over and striking the globe with his cane. "Wakey wakey!" Walter stops him as the voice declares they are the Intelligence. The Doctor is giddy over talking snow as the voice says he is not of this world. "Takes one to snow one," The Doctor quips before laughing. Ignoring Walter's attempts to get him to leave, The Doctor notes the snowmen are the voice foot soldiers as he wonders what it is, noting it turns up on a planet and generates a telepathic field to learn everything it can. The Doctor uses his screwdriver to lock the doors before wondering what the voice does once it's learned enough, as they can't conquer the world with just snowman.
"He's right. They'd just melt as soon as the temperature rises to above freezing," Martha noted.
"So what's the plan here? They're too smart for that," Jack narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what Walter was after.
The butler bangs on the other side of the door as Walter realizes The Doctor has locked them in. The Doctor realizes the voice needs to translate to human DNA in ice form, wondering where it would find that. As Walter tries to open the doors, The Doctor grabs a file off Walter's desk and opens it to a page. Dropping it, he sees a news article about a governess drowned in a pond. The doors finally open and three of Walter's employees walk in. Walter demands The Doctor be taken downstairs but when they turn back, The Doctor is gone and a window is open.
"Oi! The last governess was trapped under the ice for a month! It would carry an imprint of her DNA," Donna said as the realization washed over her.
"A fusion of human DNA trapped in ice. It all makes sense now; it's the final piece of the puzzle Simone and the snow have been looking for," Jack said darkly as unease filled the room.
"And with the telepathic field, it's going to bring it to life," Mickey realized in horror.
"Doctor, Siren or not, you need to stop them," Martha pleaded as the past viewers watched the screen uneasily.
Outside Latimer's mansion, The Doctor is standing outside the pond, scanning it with his screwdriver. The Doctor notes a frozen body is like a full body scan to the voice before Strax walks up behind him. The Doctor is surprised as Strax explains Vastra thought he might needs grenades. The Doctor is in disbelief as Strax said she might have said help.
"Oh Strax," Martha said as some chuckles broke out across the room, the tense atmosphere breaking slightly.
"Why couldn't he have come along before?" Mickey asked as he barked out a laugh.
"This version of The Doctor meets a lot more fun characters," Jack said with a grin.
Strax says The Doctor might need help in his investigation and The Doctor scoffs, denying he's investigating anything, asking who Strax thinks he is. "Sherlock Holmes."
"He does look like Holmes," Martha noted with a smile.
"While Vastra may be the inspiration, I'm not unconvinced that Dad wasn't the inspiration for the look," Jane shrugged.
"Knowing The Doctor, I wouldn't be surprised," Jack said with a smirk.
Annoyed, The Doctor tells Strax not to be clever before telling him to go home. "Yes, Mr. Holmes," Strax says, chuckling as he walks off and The Doctor tells him to shut up. The Doctor mocks him before a curtain opens in the mansion and Clara looks out at The Doctor. Clara waves at him and The Doctor awkwardly waves back. The Doctor mumbles to himself that he's not going up before signaling that he's going up, to his surprise.
"What the bloody Hell is he doing?" Mickey asked as the past viewers looked at the screen in bewilderment.
"Responding to the Siren's call. He still had enough hold over himself to realize something was wrong, but he couldn't fight it," Jane said softly as they watched, worried and heartbroken for their friend at the same time.
Annoyed, The Doctor begins walking off, not noticing the cracking ice behind him.
No one said a word but they tensed again, the reminder that the Siren was not the only threat causing tension to fill the room again.
Outside, Strax, Jenny and Vastra see Walter arrive in his carriage. Strax suggests they melt his brain and interrogate him before saying it's the other way around.
"He is very violent," Wilf noted.
"He's a Sontaran," Mickey shrugged.
"It's why Vastra and Jenny usually need to rein him in. I really don't want to know what Strax would get up to by himself," Jane said, shuttering at the thought.
In the mansion, Clara is putting Francesca and Digby to bed, assuring Francesca she wouldn't have a nightmare because someone is coming to help. They ask if it's one of her 'definitely true' stories and Clara says all her stories are true. She tells them a bedtime story about The Doctor, claiming he makes it so the children in the world never had bad dreams. Francesca argues she's been having bad dreams and Clara says The Doctor has been on holiday. Hearing the door open, Clara says The Doctor is right here as they turn to see a woman covered in ice walk in. They all scream as the woman says the children have been naughty.
"Blimey," Mickey muttered as the past viewers all started.
"Get out of there," Donna pleaded softly, worried for the kids.
Clara stands protectively in front of Digby and Francesca as the governess approaches them. Clara leads Francesca and Digby out of the room, closing it before telling Francesca to imagine the governess melted. But Francesca can't and the governess opens the door.
"Children aren't as skilled at controlling their fear as adults. Francesca won't be able to calm down enough to melt it," Martha realized in dismay as they all watched the screen tense.
"Lovely," Donna said sarcastically, eying the screen worriedly.
Digby asks Clara where The Doctor is and she says she doesn't know. "Doctor?" they look over to see a puppet come to life. "Doctor who?" the puppet then points The Doctor's screwdriver at the governess and she shatters. "That's the way to do it!" The Doctor says as he pokes his head out, the puppet on his hand.
"Oh thank God," Martha said as they all breathed a sigh of relief, grateful the children were safe.
"Nice one Spaceman," Donna said happy that, even if he wasn't truly himself, The Doctor had managed to save two children.
Outside, Walter activates a machine. A circle with three spikes sticking out of it rises up into the air and snow begins to shoot out of it.
"Well that can't be good," Jack muttered as the all watched uneasily, wondering what Walter was up to.
Inside, The Doctor assures Digby that the governess won't be coming back. Clara says she knew he'd come but The Doctor scoffs, saying he doesn't do this anymore. As he begins to walks out, The Doctor pauses, looking at himself in a mirror. Clara asks what's wrong and he says he didn't realize he'd put it on before adjusting his bowtie.
No one said a word, merely staring at the screen. While it should be a happy moment, it was cheapened by the fact that this was only happening because The Doctor was now being influenced by the Space Siren.
The Doctor says it's an old habit as ice begins to cover the windows. Clara notices its getting colder and The Doctor thinks she's talking about his bowtie but Clara clarifies she meant the room. Something begins to rise out of the carpet and Digby says she's coming back. The Doctor tries the anti-freeze setting on his screwdriver again but it doesn't work, as the governess has learned not to melt.
"It can do that?!" Mickey yelped as the past viewers stared at the screen in horror.
"Apparently. It's learning, adapting," Jack realized horrified. "This is why Simone wants it. So he can replicate it for his army of snowmen."
"And then wipe out humanity," Martha said lowly as Walter's plan became clear.
"The Spaceman has his work cut out for him," Donna muttered, hoping The Doctor could stop them.
The Doctor says she's a beast that's going to eat them before grabbing the children's hands, telling them to run. They flee the room and meet Latimer downstairs, who asks who The Doctor is. The Doctor says he's Clara's gentlemen friend' and he and Clara were upstairs kissing before Alice runs up, saying Snowmen are in the garden and they're growing. Alice opens the door to see Vastra and Jenny. Vastra introduces them and Alice screams before running. Strax walks up, telling her to remain calm. Alice screams again before fainting.
"Well this could not be going worse," Martha muttered.
"It's going about as well as it usually does," Jack noted. "Which is usually when The Doctor does his best work."
The Doctor asks if Latimer has any questions and he is stuck on Clara having a 'gentlemen friend'. The Doctor asks what's happening and Vastra explains about the snow. The Doctor looks out the window as Jenny points to the device by the gates. Strax says a grenade would blow the snowmen to smithereens but The Doctor points out they already are. The Doctor then explains to Latimer who Clara actually is before the Ice Governess walks into view at the top of the stairs.
"Not the time Spaceman!" Donna snapped as they watched worriedly.
The Doctor asks Jenny what she has and she tosses a small device up the stairs and a force field erects around the ice governess. Strax then walks over carrying a blaster, informing The Doctor they have a window to observe the attack and one defendable entrance in Latimer's office. The Doctor instructs everyone to move into the office scanning the ice governess. The Doctor and Vastra bicker about what The Doctor is doing and Vastra says he missed this. The Doctor tells her to shut up before they follow the others.
"I'm sure he did," Martha said with a slight, if sad smile.
"He always loved this part," Donna noted sadly.
It was silent for a long moment as the past viewers realized that they were now seeing the beginning of the events that had led to The Doctor's death. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Upon entering the office, Strax informs The Doctor the snowmen aren't going to attack and haven't concealed their arrival. The Doctor excitedly noogies Strax before kissing him on top of the head, annoying Strax. Vastra notes they want something and Clara realizes it's the ice governess. The Doctor explains why they want her. When Clara tells him the pond didn't melt, The Doctor explains its living ice that will never melt and if the snowmen get a hold of the ice governess, it will be able to make an army of ice. "And it will be the last day of humanity on this planet."
"Not if you have anything to say about it," Jack said with certainty.
"We know humanity didn't end in the Victorian era, so he stopped them somehow," Martha agreed as they all watched, wondering how he managed it.
The Doctor orders the others to stay there before leaving the office. Clara follows after him and they bicker about her not listening, Clara accusing him of liking her before kissing him.
"What the fuck?" Mickey exclaimed as the past viewers stared at the screen in disbelief.
"By God," Wilf muttered.
"When I'm put off by how forward someone is, you've really crossed a line," Jack muttered.
"There's a thing called consent!" Donna snapped angrily.
"Please tell me that this is The Siren," Martha pleaded and Jane grimaced.
"It is. The Siren needed to establish physical contact in order to fully charm, for lack of a better word, her victims. Now she has Dad right where she wants him," Jane explained as the past viewers stared, the screen now more uncomfortable than before.
The Doctor flails as he tries to get away before Clara steps back, laughing as she accuses him of blushing. The Doctor tells her to shut up before heading for the door. The Doctor opens it to find Walter waiting with the snowmen. The Doctor and Walter stare each other down before Walter says they have five minutes to give them the ice governess. Walter walks off and The Doctor closes the door, saying they need to get the ice governess out while keeping her away from Walter and the snowmen. The Doctor grabs an umbrella as Latimer asks about the snowmen. The Doctor assures him there's no danger as long as they get the ice governess out. Sending Latimer back into his office, The Doctor uses his screwdriver to lower the force field around the governess.
"Did he just lower the force field?" Mickey exclaimed, looking at the screen in disbelief.
"Well, what better way to get the governess out?" Martha pointed out.
"It is quite risky though," Wilf noted.
"Well, desperate times Wilf," Jack said as they all watched uneasily.
The ice governess falls down the stairs before getting up. She tries to strike at The Doctor and Clara but they move out of the way, The Doctor leading Clara up the stairs as they bicker. The ice governess follows them as The Doctor moves to strike her with the umbrella before Clara grabs him and leads him out through a window. The snow has surrounded the mansion to the point it almost covers the window.
"Well I guess now we know what the device was for," Donna muttered as they watched in dismay.
"Hurry Doctor," Wilf pleaded softly.
Clara clothes get caught in the window and The Doctor helps her out. Clara falls on him and The Doctor says she needs to take those clothes off. Realizing how that sounded, The Doctor moves to explain but Clara says she understands and asks what the plan is. The Doctor asks how she knows he has a plan and she points out he took the umbrella. The Doctor says he might just be an idiot but Clara knows better. The Doctor tosses her the umbrella, telling her to tell him what his plan is. The ice governess walks over to the window as Clara asks if this is a test. The Doctor confirms it is and says it will kill them before the ice governess seems to turn into snow.
"So The Doctor's usual method of madness then," Jack said dryly as they watched uncertainly.
"It's going to get worse before it gets better," Jane agreed with a grimace.
The Doctor and Clara bicker, Clara saying she knew The Doctor's plan right away. The Doctor demands she show him or they'll be dead in less than thirty seconds. Clara uses the umbrella to pull down the TARDIS ladder. The Doctor tries to let Clara go first but she points out she's wearing a dress. "Eyes front soldier," Clara says. "My eyes are always front," The Doctor says as he begins to climb. "Mine aren't," Clara says as she looks up at The Doctor, making him uncomfortable. He tells her to stop it but she refuses.
"Oi! You bloody creep!" Donna exclaimed angrily as the past viewers looked at the screen uncomfortably.
"Have to agree. Now she's just being needlessly creepy," Jack noted, even he was uncomfortable now.1
"Was that the Siren or Clara?" Martha asked and Jane shrugged helplessly.
"I honestly do not could have been either," Jane admitted.
"Either way, she's sick," Mickey muttered, feeling sympathetic to The Doctor for having to deal with her.
As the Ice Governess makes her way out, Clara tells her that her position has been taken before the ladder begins to pull her up. On the stairwell, Clara asks if The Doctor can move the cloud but he scoffs at the idea of controlling clouds but says he can control the wind a little bit. They then hear the sound of the Ice governess following them and The Doctor explains they need to keep her away from the snow. They begin climbing the stairwell, The Doctor trying to make conversation, to Clara's disbelief. "Well, we can't chat off after we've been horribly killed, can we?"
"Not the time Spaceman," Donna said with a slight smile, remembering many fond moments with her friend where he'd done something like that in perilous situations.
"Since when has that ever stopped him before?" Jack said with a laugh.
Clara wonders how they got up so high so quickly and The Doctor explains the staircase is taller on the inside. They reach the cloud and The Doctor uses his screwdriver, explaining the cloud is made of super dense water vapor and should contain the ice governess for the moment. They head over to the TARDIS and Clara wonders if he lives on this cloud. The Doctor says he has for a long time.
"How long is this after he lost Amy and Rory?" Martha wondered and Jane was silent for several moments.
"A long time," Jane said and the past viewers exchanged uncomfortable looks, realizing The Doctor had been in more pain than they'd realized.
"Spaceman," Donna said softly, her heart going out to him.
They bicker, Clara accusing him of sulking and The Doctor sneers at her. The Doctor heads into the TARDIS and Clara follows him, accusing him of being sexist before the lights turn on. Clara looks around in amazement at the inside of the TARDIS.
"He changed it again, it's like it is now," Mickey noted and Jane smiled sadly.
"He couldn't stand to have it look like it did before. Too many memories, everywhere he looked he saw Amy and Rory. He couldn't bear it, so the TARDIS changed it," Jane explained and the room was silent.
"You won't lose them this time Spaceman. I promise," Donna said softly, although it wasn't a promise she was sure she could keep.
The Doctor explains about the TARDIS before watching in amusement as Clara runs out, looking at the TARDIS before heading back in, saying it's smaller on the outside. The Doctor is put off by this as Clara asks if it's magic. The Doctor explains the TARDIS is the best ship in the universe and Clara asks if there's a kitchen, saying she likes making soufflés. The Doctor pauses as Clara wonders why he's showing her this. He points out she followed him but she points out he didn't need the umbrella for the ladder, he took it for her. She asks why, tossing him the umbrella. "I never know why. I only know who," The Doctor says, pulling out the TARDIS key.
"He's – is he about to give her a TARDIS key?" Martha asked as they stared in disbelief.
"Oi! He barely even knows her!" Donna exclaimed horrified.2
"Doesn't matter. Once the Siren had a hold of him, he didn't think of any consequence, he just wanted to please her," Jane said softly.
"Blimey. We can't let this happen," Mickey said horrified.
"And we won't. I'll make sure she never comes near The Doctor," Jack said darkly, his eyes narrowed as he began thinking of how to do just that.
The Doctor gives Clara the key, saying he's giving in and she begins to cry, although she can't figure out why. The Doctor tells her to remember this moment, heading over to the console as he says this is the day everything begins. He begins fiddling with the controls as the ice governess walks in, grabbing Clara and dragging her out.
The past viewers started, not having expected that.
"Not sure who to root for now," Mickey admitted as they watched silently.
Clara drops the key and The Doctor runs out after them. The ice governess drags Clara back towards the edge as The Doctor scolds himself for not realizing water vapor doesn't stop ice. The Doctor watches in horror as the Ice Governess jumps, taking Clara with her. The Doctor rushes to the edge of the cloud, watching as Clara and the ice governess fall. In the mansion, the others hear a loud bang and see Clara lying on the ground outside. Latimer is horrified as the scanner Vastra is holding detects no life signs. Latimer goes to bring her inside but Vastra informs him Clara is dead.
"You mean she's…" Donna trailed off, all of the past viewers confused.
"Not yet," Jane said with a sad look. "Like I said, it's complicated."
They hear the sound of the TARDIS before it materializes around Clara. Sometime later, inside the mansion the others watch as Strax uses a device to revive Clara. Latimer is confused on how Clara can be alive but Strax says the device is beyond anything his 'puny human mind' could understand. "Try not to worry," Strax says.
"Strax has a strange way of comforting people," Martha said dryly.
"He's Sontaran," Jane said with a shrug.
"That's what I've been saying," Mickey said with a chuckle.
On the TARDIS, The Doctor is using his screwdriver on some crystals as Vastra walks in, wondering if the ice governess could reform. The Doctor says not in the TARDIS and Vastra says he should be with Clara. The Doctor insists Clara will be fine but Vastra says that her injuries are severe and Strax's device will only be able to bring her back for a short time. The Doctor blames himself for what happened to Clara and Vastra asks what the point of that is. "None, because she's going to live," The Doctor says.
"He seems in denial about what's happening," Jack noted.
"Combination of the Siren's call and transference. He transferred his attachment to Amy and Rory to Clara. The Siren did her job too well," Jane said with a sigh as they all watched worriedly.
The Doctor and Vastra walk out of the TARDIS, The Doctor handing Jenny a box before heading over to Clara. Clara comes around, knowing the others think she's going to die but The Doctor insists she'll live. He repeats what he told her earlier, putting the TARDIS key back in her hand. Remembering Vastra's words, Clara asks if The Doctor will save them. The Doctor asks if she'll come with him if he does and Clara agrees. The Doctor kisses her on the forehead, wishing her a Merry Christmas before straightening his bowtie, grabbing the box from Jenny and heading back to the TARDIS. The Doctor opens the front door, seeing Walter and the snowmen waiting outside. The Doctor holds up the box, saying it's a piece of the ice governess. "See you at the office," The Doctor says before running back inside. In the TARDIS, Vastra asks The Doctor if he's making a bargain with the universe, saving the world if Clara gets to live. The Doctor says he's owed one after everything he's done.
"You know that's not how it works old friend," Jack said softly as they all stared, growing more and more concerned about The Doctor.
"The Siren is really messing with his head," Mickey muttered.
"Yeah. And it only got worse," Jane said with a grimace, causing the past viewers to grow uneasy.
Vastra tries to reason with The Doctor and he snaps that it was his fault. Vastra then tells The Doctor to go save the world and he pulls a lever. At Walter's mansion, Walter walks into his office to see The Doctor and Vastra waiting for him. Walter demands to know if The Doctor has brought the box and The Doctor notes the voice has been quiet while Walter has been gone. "Which is only to be expected, considering who he really is."
"So Boss knows who the voice is then?" Mickey wondered.
"Yes…and no," Jane said, confusing them. "Just watch, it'll make sense later.
The Doctor walks over to the snow globe, asking if it recognizes the box. The voice is confused as The Doctor explains it's a map of the London underground in 1967. The Doctor uses his screwdriver and the voice changes to that of a child. The Doctor explains its Walter's voice as a child, as it has no voice without him. Walter falls to his knees, shocked as The Doctor asks how long the Intelligence has been talking to him.
"Bloody Hell," Mickey muttered as the past viewers looked at the screen startled.
"So you mean…" Martha trailed off as Jane nodded.
"It's Walter…partly. It fed off his darkest thoughts. Made him the perfect target," Jane explained.
"I've heard of messed up children, but this is ridiculous," Jack muttered.
Walter tells The Doctor about his snowman and The Doctor explains Walter poured his darkest dreams into a snowman. Vastra is confused as The Doctor explains the voice is a parasite feeding off the loneliness of a child and the sickness of an old man. "Carnivorous snow meets Victorian values and something terrible is born." The Intelligence says they can go on with their plan and Walter goes for the box. The Doctor asks if he's sure but Walter says he's always been sure. He opens the box and takes out the worm. It bites Walter and he falls to the floor.
"Spaceman, you genius!" Donna exclaimed as they realized what The Doctor had planned.
"Nice bait and switch Boss," Mickey said with a grin.
"So it's over now, right?" Martha asked, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that suddenly came over her.
"No. It's just getting started," Jane said grimly in a voice that caused their blood to run cold.
The Doctor notes that since Walter's adult life has been erased, the snow will have no voice and without the governess it will have no form. The Intelligence demands to know what The Doctor has done and he says it has nothing left to mirror, wishing it goodbye. The snow inside then begins flying around wildly as the Intelligence mocks The Doctor.
"Doesn't look like it's going away," Jack noted as the past viewers became uneasy.
"It's not just Walker, is it?" Donna realized.
"No. It's something much worse," Jane said darkly.
The Doctor is in disbelief as Vastra points outside, where a blizzard has come through. At Latimer's mansion, the snowmen have begun growing. Back at Walter's, The Doctor is confused about how the Intelligence can be doing this without Walter. "Now the dream outlives the dreamer and can never die," the Intelligence declares. "Once I was the puppet, now I pull the strings!" Walter then stands, electrified and the Intelligence speaking through him.
"So now we're dealing with bloody zombies?" Mickey exclaimed.
"Not yet," Jane said grimly, thinking of the recording with the Van Baalen brothers. "Not yet Mickey."
"So we will at some point. Brilliant," Donna said sarcastically as they continued to watch.
The Doctor and Vastra look on in shock as The Intelligence explains by erasing Walter; they allowed him to possess Walter's body. Vastra draws her sword and tries to strike him but the Intelligence easily pushes her aside before grabbing The Doctor and pushes him to the floor. The Doctor tries to push him off as the Intelligence reaches out to him, asking if he can feel it. The Doctor screams, the heat in his body beginning to be drained as his skin turns blue.
"Doctor!" Wilf called out worriedly as the past viewers watched tense, worried for their friend.
At Latimer's mansion, Clara is starting to fade. Weakly, Clara tells Latimer to hold his frightened children. He says it's not his area and Clara says it is now. Clara closes her eyes as the snow outside turns to rain. At Walter's, the snow in the snow globe melts and Walter falls off The Doctor.
"Well that was anti-climactic," Jack said as the past viewers looked at the screen in confusion.
"I don't understand. What just happened?" Donna asked and Jane grimaced.
"It's explained in a minute," Jane said softly.
Vastra points to the globe and The Doctor looks down at his hands before Walter's body stills. The Doctor and Vastra check him and see he's dead. Vastra asks what happened and The Doctor explains the snow is now mirroring something so strong it's drowning everything else. The Doctor then runs over to the window, opening it and holding his hand out. He and Vastra taste the rain and note its salt water. The Doctor realizes it's not raining, but crying.
"I am so confused," Mickey declared a sentiment that was shared by the other past viewers.
"It's explained in just a moment," Jane said her voice still soft.
The Doctor explains the only force on earth that could melt the snow was a whole family crying on Christmas Eve. The TARDIS materializes at Latimer's and The Doctor and Vastra head out, seeing Latimer holding his crying children as Strax says Clara has moments.
"I do not understand," Wilf said in confusion.
"The telepathic field around the house. It picked up on the emotions of Latimer and his children. Like The Doctor said, it drowned out the Intelligence," Jack realized.
"Just like that?" Mickey asked in disbelief.
"No, not just that. I doubt this will be the last we see of it," Jack said, glancing at Jane who nodded.
"It'll be back," Jane said but didn't say anything further.
The Doctor kneels down in front of Clara, saying they saved the world. Clara asks if The Doctor will go back to his cloud now and The Doctor says no. She asks why, closing her eyes As The Doctor says it rained. "Run you clever boy," Clara says and The Doctor looks at her sharply. "And remember." The clock dings, signaling that it's Christmas Day. Clara closes her eyes, finally dying.
"So…she died?" Martha asked as they all stared in confusion.
"But if she's The Space Siren…" Donna trailed off, as confused as Martha.
"Just keep watching," Jane said simply, knowing there was no point in trying to explain when the recording would do a far better job.
Sometime later, Latimer, Digby and Francesca stand over Clara's grave as The Doctor, Vastra and Jenny watch. Vastra wonders if the Intelligence melted with the snow but The Doctor disagrees, thinking it learned to survive in physical form. Vastra and Jenny think it can't be very dangerous as The Doctor pulls out one of Walter's business cards, noting that the Great Intelligence rings a bell.
"Has he encountered it before then?" Wilf asked as the past viewers looked at the screen in surprise.
"The TARDIS is very hush-hush about Dad's pre Time War adventures. But from what I gathered, Dad fought it at least once before but it's been so long that he's forgotten," Jane explained as they continued to watch.
As Latimer leads his children away, The Doctor walks over to Clara's grave. He explains to a confused Vastra and Jenny he never knew her full name. Clara's grave reads 'Clara Oswin Oswald'. Remembering Oswin, The Doctor realizes it was Clara again. Jenny and Vastra are confused as The Doctor explains it was same woman twice. The Doctor runs off and Vastra asks if he's coming back. The Doctor says they shouldn't think so. Vastra asks where he's going and he says to find Clara.
"So this is how it starts then," Jack realized and Jane nodded.
"The Siren had a hold of him now, which is exactly what it wanted. From this point on, Dad's journal entries became increasingly obsessed with Clara," Jane explained as the past viewers watched uneasily.
As The Doctor runs off, Jenny wonders what he means. Vastra muses that perhaps the universe does make bargains. Many years later, a young woman walks up to Clara's grave, which is now old. A black woman complains about the graveyard, saying it's creepy. The young woman turns around, saying she doesn't believe in ghosts. It's Clara.
"There she is again," Wilf said in surprised.
"How can she keep popping up? It doesn't make sense," Jack mused as the past viewers stared at the screen perplexed. "And how can they all be possessed by the Siren?"
"We'll get there Jack. For now, just sit back and watch," Jane said softly as the recording continued.
On the TARDIS, The Doctor runs up to the console, flipping levers. He looks at a picture of Clara on the scanner, telling her to watch him run before the screen goes black.
"So he's been charmed by The Siren and is going to run after Clara," Martha noted sadly and Jane nodded.
"It's about to be a wild ride, and it won't be easy to watch. Just hang in there," Jane said softly as the next recording started.
Well, that happened. I've said before I'm not overly fond of the Christmas Specials, but this is one of the few I can honestly say I despise. It starts out with an interesting premise, but any good points it has it loses by disrespecting both The Doctor's depression and his relationship with the Ponds because Moffat decided the only important thing was having The Doctor get over it so he could chase after Clara.
This royally pisses me off not just as a fan of Amy and Rory, but as someone who has battled depression. What kind of message does this send to people watching this who may be experiencing feelings of depression? That past traumas are easily forgotten or you can get over it like ripping off a band aid? It's such terrible, tone-deaf messaging that is disrespectful to anyone who has ever gone though depression.
1: And this episode took the Rory moment from Asylum of the Daleks and turned it up to fifteen. Clara practically stalks The Doctor, kisses him without consent and makes comments about his body that make him visibly uncomfortable. If this episode were to air today and The Doctor was the one doing those things, the outrage would be explosive and The Doctor would be called a sexual predator. But because Clara's a woman, it's somehow okay and supposed to be comedic. Once again, the hypocrisy is horrifying.
2: To anyone who says Clara is not a Mary-Sue, let this sink in. Clara got a TARDIS key, before she was even a Companion. That's classic Mary-Sue; characters who possess rare and dangerous items like the TARDIS will not take reasonable precautions should the Mary-Sue be after them.