This year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Husbands of River Song,” is a great example of the tension that exists in long-term stories broken up into narrative fragments.  While not totally the same as The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, any serial-formatted story has to deal with the short-term benefits of a “big ending.”

Steven Moffatt introduced (is that the right word when it comes to time travel?) the character of River Song back when David Tennant played the  Doctor.  She was almost a regular presence during parts of Matt Smith’s run.  I really thought that her last appearance (during that era) would be her last.  It wasn’t.

The clip below handles the idea of “happily ever after” as well and as honestly as possible, I think.  Be warned: spoilers.

Rumor has it that this was Steven Moffat’s last intended episode as the show’s runner.  I don’t think that is still the case.  If it is, this was the perfect send-off for Moffatt and for River.  A wonderful bookend that revisits that fairy tale motif that started with Amy Pond back in series five.