Why Does the Doctor Expect Amy to Remember the Daleks?

One of the intriguing elements of Doctor Who is the stark contrast between the Doctor's confidence in his companions' memories and the occasional gaps these companions have in their recollection of significant events. A prime example of this is the Doctor's assumption that Amy Pond would remember the Daleks. In this deep dive into the show's themes of memory, perception, and time travel, we explore the reasons behind the Doctor's expectations and the complexities of Amy's memory.

Memories and Perception in Doctor Who

The show Doctor Who frequently delves into the themes of memory and perception. The Doctor, with his extensive experience across time and space, often assumes that significant events would be vividly etched into the memories of those who experienced them. The expectation that she should remember them ties into the show's overarching themes, which explore the nature of existence, perception, and the passage of time. However, the intricacies of Amy's timeline and the complex narrative of the series mean that her memories are not always as robust as the Doctor would like.

AMY'S FORGETFULNESS AND THE CRACK

AMY’s lack of memory about the Daleks is a testament to the often unpredictable nature of time travel in the series. The invade of Earth by the Daleks and other extraterrestrial entities from Army of Ghosts/Doomsday and The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End is a significant event that one would expect someone like Amy, who is deeply connected to events on Earth, to remember. However, Amy and others on Earth forget these events because of the cracks in time and the human "superpower" of non-belief and forgetting.

AMY’s forgetfulness is not an isolated incident. The crack that she lived near for almost her entire life had a significant impact on her memories and the fabric of the timeline. The reality-erasing effects of the crack forced Amy to operate within a world where she had to constantly question her own reality. This reality-erasing effect explains why Amy, despite her profound connection to Earth, couldn't remember the Daleks, much to the Doctor's confusion.

SHARED EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

The moment in question underscores the emotional connection and the weight of shared experiences between the Doctor and his companions. Amy's lack of memory about the Daleks serves to highlight the impact of the show's overarching mysteries and the consequences of time travel on personal history. It also adds an layer of complexity to the relationship between the Doctor and Amy, reinforcing the idea that their bond is forged through shared experiences and trust, even when those experiences are shrouded in mystery and forgetfulness.

ALTERNATE TIMELINES AND THE CRACK

Another layer of complexity is introduced by the crack and its effects on Amy's timeline. The idea that the Doctor was in a damaged alternate timeline, one influenced by the crack, and didn't return to the normal timeline until after the universe was rebooted, complicates the matter further. This theory suggests that the incident at Canary Warf, where the Cybermen and Daleks were pulled into the void and Rose was lost to the other universe, did not occur in the version of the timeline from which Amy came.

Amy's lack of memory about the Daleks can be explained not only by the crack's reality-erasing effects but also by the fact that the incident at Canary Warf didn't happen in her current timeline. This aligns with the show's exploration of multiple realities and timelines, where events and experiences can be altered or erased based on the reality that is currently being played out.

CONCLUSION

The interaction between the Doctor and Amy regarding the Daleks is a symbolic representation of the complexities of memory, perception, and the ever-shifting nature of the timelines in Doctor Who. Amy's forgetfulness adds a layer of drama and intrigue to the show, highlighting the show’s ability to explore the impact of time travel and reality-altering events on personal history and relationships.

By understanding the intricate elements that contribute to Amy's memory lapses, we gain a deeper appreciation of Doctor Who's exploration of the human experience within the context of time travel and parallel universes. The Doctor's expectation that Amy should remember the Daleks serves as a reminder of the emotional and thematic richness of the show's narrative.