I…I really don’t see where you find the discrepancy (I had read the interview btw). Or okay, I think I do, but it is explainable. I think that if you place this before my theory, every word uttered on screen makes sense:
As his time with River was coming to an end, the Doctor (rightly) grew to worry that he’d be lonely afterwards. Therefore, he “reassembles” him. But then the actual separation happens (Who leaves first? River or the Doctor? Doesn’t make much difference). And you know, he changes his mind. That happens. He’s suddenly like “Nah, I can do this, I can be alone” and impulsively runs away, it’s his M.O. Very stupid? Yes. Possible? Also yes. I picture a “Hey, you should have your own body, that’s all, what do you think I was thinking, I just help people; now good luck, you do whatever you like, see you around” scenario. Or alternatively a “It… *would* be nice to have you along, but I remembered, I just have to go do… a thing, I’ll be back, time machine”, and he *does* mean it, but you know how these things get with the Doctor: it took him more than a millennium to finally answer that call from the end of The Big Bang. *They* didn’t notice, Nardole wouldn’t have either. But he promised River, so he follows him. (Or, if you like, how and why did the Doctor end up on that planet anyway? They need another Time Lord. Maybe he’s all set to take Nardole along, but they send him a message, “yo, come to this planet, business time”. And he thinks about it, and this is a very complicated and unpleasant thing obviously, and it’s not something he’d want other people with if he is to do it. So he decides to leave and eventually go alone.)
And then you insert my theory. Or your theory. Or any theory. Or you don’t think about it. This is difficult and needlessly complicated, yes, but it works with what we’ve got. And we’re dealing with a highly Watsonian situation here too: The real reason is that Moffat *somehow* needed to have River unexpectedly and gorgeously lecture the Doctor through her diary in that scene. Therefore, it had to be there, someone had to bring it there and surprise him.
Let your heart be light! Write the meta, don’t concern yourself with the logistics, with such trivialities! That’s why my OCPD is here!
Bless you. And I am sure that you too are relived at a show where a 'religious' episode isn't just watchable, it's enjoyable. Far too often films/TV just misunderstand faith. Oh, that may very well be included in the squeeing. (I think Capaldi is a Catholic too, isn't he? /random) Although, I have to add: that was *definitely* a reference/dark joke. “It would take too much time”. I mean, irrespective of religious affiliation or whatever, after the Series 9 ordeal, the Doctor probably hears the word and starts having vivid, Vietnam-style flashbacks. Like, “…ehehehehe, uh, no”.
Re: Your Friendly Neighborhood Consulting Plot-Hole Fixer and Continuity Explainer
As his time with River was coming to an end, the Doctor (rightly) grew to worry that he’d be lonely afterwards. Therefore, he “reassembles” him. But then the actual separation happens (Who leaves first? River or the Doctor? Doesn’t make much difference). And you know, he changes his mind. That happens. He’s suddenly like “Nah, I can do this, I can be alone” and impulsively runs away, it’s his M.O. Very stupid? Yes. Possible? Also yes.
I picture a “Hey, you should have your own body, that’s all, what do you think I was thinking, I just help people; now good luck, you do whatever you like, see you around” scenario. Or alternatively a “It… *would* be nice to have you along, but I remembered, I just have to go do… a thing, I’ll be back, time machine”, and he *does* mean it, but you know how these things get with the Doctor: it took him more than a millennium to finally answer that call from the end of The Big Bang. *They* didn’t notice, Nardole wouldn’t have either. But he promised River, so he follows him.
(Or, if you like, how and why did the Doctor end up on that planet anyway? They need another Time Lord. Maybe he’s all set to take Nardole along, but they send him a message, “yo, come to this planet, business time”. And he thinks about it, and this is a very complicated and unpleasant thing obviously, and it’s not something he’d want other people with if he is to do it. So he decides to leave and eventually go alone.)
And then you insert my theory. Or your theory. Or any theory. Or you don’t think about it. This is difficult and needlessly complicated, yes, but it works with what we’ve got. And we’re dealing with a highly Watsonian situation here too: The real reason is that Moffat *somehow* needed to have River unexpectedly and gorgeously lecture the Doctor through her diary in that scene. Therefore, it had to be there, someone had to bring it there and surprise him.
Let your heart be light! Write the meta, don’t concern yourself with the logistics, with such trivialities! That’s why my OCPD is here!
Bless you. And I am sure that you too are relived at a show where a 'religious' episode isn't just watchable, it's enjoyable. Far too often films/TV just misunderstand faith.
Oh, that may very well be included in the squeeing. (I think Capaldi is a Catholic too, isn't he? /random) Although, I have to add: that was *definitely* a reference/dark joke. “It would take too much time”. I mean, irrespective of religious affiliation or whatever, after the Series 9 ordeal, the Doctor probably hears the word and starts having vivid, Vietnam-style flashbacks. Like, “…ehehehehe, uh, no”.