I don't think what River said about them having the relationship in reverse order is literally true, otherwise there would be no point to the journals: there would be no overlap in their experiences.

I got the impression that while things generally trend that way, it may not be strictly chronological on the micro scale.

I had that thought, as well, Jon.

Also, my current theory: The astronaut who kills the older Doctor is a much younger Song.

My pet theory at the moment is that the astronaut is the Doctor. Otherwise, how would the Doctor know how to set things up so precisely, with the coordinates, the instructions not to interfere, the gas can, etc.? The older Doctor said he had been running faster than ever, and what better way to get things off your tail than to convincingly fake your own death?

Also, I have a nagging feeling that the astronaut mystery will not be completely wrapped up in the next episode, and that it could well play into the season arc.

I also loved the "Sir, she's doing it again. She's packing" call from the guard.

Packing. The most dangerous activity a woman can do. I hear you, brother.

Anne, good theory.

We don't need to use spoiler fonts in this thread, people. Except for the window between when it airs in the UK, and when it airs in th US.

Thank you for the clarification, Tom. I'll edit my posts accordingly.

io9 sez the episode was Quite Possibly the Best Doctor Who Season Opener of All Time

Also, my current theory: The astronaut who kills the older Doctor is a much younger Song.

I thought I saw a flash of hair that looked like River's, so, yes, I thought it was River too, but if it's a younger River, wouldn't the current River remember having killed the Doctor?

My pet theory at the moment is that the astronaut is the Doctor.

That was my first guess as to who it was before I saw the flash of hair.

I loved that Pond's reaction was to take a picture of it as evidence and try and remember it. That's agency, baby.

That was great! Except now she doesn't remember she has the photo! We have to wait until she's just looking at the photos on her phone for no reason and stumbles across it.

On the plus side: P-C's review that paid attention to details.

Thank Mark for that. Since he'd seen "The Lodger" more recently than I had, he recognized the pieces of the machine even before we saw the whole thing. And then after the episode we spent like twenty minutes looking up theories and watching bits of past episodes for clues.

but if it's a younger River, wouldn't the current River remember having killed the Doctor?

Perhaps she does. She has said that she killed a very good man and she's the one who's most insistent that they not interfere and tell current Doctor what's going on. She may know what potential ramifications are and still does it because she loves him and will do what's ultimately best for him/the Universe. She shoots at herself but misses? Come on-- we've seen her shoot a Stetson from many paces.

I like the it's yet another iteration of the Doctor theory.

I wonder, too, if it could be the Master. Oh, to see John Simm and Matt Smith on screen together.