Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. This not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for young girls to have said example to follow. 

DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Doctor Who. Enough spoilers to fill a TARDIS that’s skyrocketing across the universe. 

River Song

Fast Facts:

Pictured: River Song, portrayed by Alex Kingston

River Song (portrayed by Alex Kingston) was born as Melody Pond to loving parents Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill). She was considered a “child of the TARDIS,” as she was conceived aboard the Gallifreyan ship while travelling through the Time Vortex. Therefore, she possesses some Time Lord DNA. River Song was snatched from her parents by Madame Kovarian and raised by the Silence. She was trained specifically to slaughter the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith).

However, after effectively carrying out her mission and ending the Doctor’s long life, River Song gave him her remaining regenerations in order to revive him. She eventually marries the Doctor. In fact, she is the only one with knowledge of his true name. River Song is also an archaeologist, presumably so she could track the Doctor’s  timeline. She has another alias: Melody Malone, and we see Amy Pond reading one of her mystery novels. River Song was convicted of the Doctor’s murder despite it being unsuccessful. She spent many years sequestered away inside the Stormcage Containment Facility. River would frequently escape her prison to go on dates with her husband. In Doctor Who, we see our husband and wife duo interact at opposing moments of their own respective timelines. The very first time the Doctor meets River is at the end of her life.

Prior to meeting the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) during her last living moments, she spent a 24 year-long night with the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) at the Singing Towers of Darillium. 

The Real Deal:

Now, River Song was trained by an elite religious order intent on slaying the most powerful figure in time and space. So, she knows a thing or two about knowing a thing or two. River is an incredibly skilled fighter with Time Lord DNA. She had the ability to regenerate, prior to gifting her remaining regenerations to the Doctor. Not only that, but River possesses immense knowledge of the complexities of time and space. Brains and the ability to kick some serious space butt. She’s also a doctor – a professor of archaeology to be exact. Don’t forget novelist, with her presumably best-selling Melody Malone mystery series. River Song has a penchant for adventure, an unabated curiosity for the inexplicable and a wicked sense of humor. Oh, and she managed to snag the Doctor as a husband, who typically travels time and space solo.

Why She Matters:

Pictured: River Song, sporting a mean eye patch.

Alright, why does River Song matter? Besides being handy with a sonic screwdriver and a valuable asset in sticky situations, River is loyal. If she gives you her heart, she gives it, ahem, wholeheartedly. River is incredibly loyal. She’s also tenacious. River was able to break her mental conditioning courtesy of Madame Kovarian and the Silence by saving her future husband from death. She married him instead of murdering him (well, she did initially kill the Doctor, but we’ll let that slide). Only a person capable of immense strength could do such a thing. Strength, loyalty, stubbornness where it counts – our Melody Pond has it all. 

Now, River Song is clever – I’d say her cleverness rivals the Doctor. She’s a doctor herself, and let’s not forget her own Gallifreyan connections. River also possesses a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. She runs toward the danger instead of away from it. River Song lives her life to the fullest, squeezing every last drop from it. In reality, this is how we should all live. Who needs 13 regenerations? Lastly, River, despite her seemingly cool exterior, has a great capacity for love. She loves unconditionally. She’ll sacrifice herself to save her loved ones. To me, that’s a true heroine. 

So, be like River Song. Run toward the danger. Embrace a life full of adventure and endless possibilities. Never stop learning about the world around you. Be cheeky. Give time and space a run for its money. Always love without conditions. Oh, and never dole out spoilers on a whim. 

RELATED: Looking for another strong woman to crush on? Check out our other Geek Girl Authority Crushes of the Week here!

RELATED: Read All DOCTOR WHO Recaps Here

 

 

Melody McCune
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