The Doctor's Marital Status and Flirtations in The Husbands of River Song

When it comes to the television series Doctor Who and the character Arcadia 'River' Song, one of the most intriguing aspects is the ambiguity surrounding their marital status. River presents a unique case, especially after the fifth series finale, where the series opens with her marrying the Eleventh Doctor in the episode The Wedding of River Song. However, the matter is further complicated by the intricate time travel dynamics and the nature of alternate timelines that Doctor Who enjoys exploring.

The Role of Alternate Timelines

The ambiguity around River's marriage in The Wedding of River Song is significant because, according to the show's narrative, the events of that episode and the subsequent one, A Good Man Goes to War, are set in an "aborted timeline" where different outcomes can occur. Steven Moffat, the showrunner at the time, described this as a product of "an aborted timeline in a world that never was." This raises questions about the legal and ethical implications of the Doctor's ongoing relationship with River in subsequent episodes, despite his apparent marriage to her.

Steven Moffat's Take on the Doctor's Marriages

During an interview in his old DWM column, Moffat delved into the legalities of the Doctor's marriages. When asked specifically about River's status, Moffat humorously stated, "Mrs Who No. 4: River Song. Ahhh now there's a one! A point that no one seems to have noticed is this: in The Wedding Of River Song there is no wedding and River Song doesn't get married. The Doctor never whispers his name to her and is in any event miniature inside a robot replica of himself which even by bloke standards betrays a certain reticence about commitment."

Moffat further elaborated on the issue, suggesting that despite River's frequent references to the Doctor as her husband, "Well, she would wouldn't shen," implying that she might be behaving like a flirt. Moffat also noted that the Doctor did tell her his name at some point, but it's possible that she had "tickled him a lot or something." This playful admission underscores the show's tendency to blur the lines between marriage and flirtation, especially in the context of the Doctor's complex and ever-changing relationships.

The Marriage and Flirtation Continuum in The Husbands of River Song

In the episode The Husbands of River Song, which seems to take place in a different timeline, River's marriage to the Doctor is contradicted by her interaction with other men. At one point in the episode, River encourages the Doctor to marry her while he at the same time pursues other women, suggesting a level of ambiguity and uncertainty regarding their relationship. Moffat's comment that "Hand on my heart I cant swear River and the Doctor didnt misbehave whilst we werent looking" hints at a history of infidelity and a constant state of flirtation between the characters.

Conclusion: The Doctor’s Clearance or Legal Uncertainty?

The nature of time travel in Doctor Who further adds to the complexity of the issue. The Doctor's marriage to River could be seen as an optional future, or they could be divorced by the time they meet in subsequent episodes. This open-ended possibility leaves room for endless speculation and reinterpretation, adding to the series' enduring appeal.

To conclude, while Moffat suggests that there is no legal bigamy involved due to the nature of the timeline, the show consistently portrays a dynamic and flirtatious relationship between the Doctor and River that defies simple categorization. The Doctor’s marital status and flirts, much like the rest of Doctor Who’s narrative, continue to be a source of fascination and comedic undertones for fans of the show.