marvella15:

So I mentioned in my feelings about the Dark Water/Death in Heaven 3D Theater Experience post about the scene where The Doctor reveals how much he loves Clara. Two things I really noticed about this scene watching it on the big screen.

1. After The Doctor’s confession that Clara’s betrayal in no way changes how much he cares for her, there’s a quick shot of her. As The Doctor is going to point out her eyes are doing that thing where they inflate. Two emotions at once. She’s heartbroken by Danny’s death but stunned by what she’s just heard.

Clara’s not stupid. She knows The Doctor has just confessed his feelings for her. It’s as close as he’ll come to saying those three words. She blinks, licks her lips as if about to say something. Maybe even tell him, to his face this time, that she loves him too. 

And maybe The Doctor knows that and it’s part of why he stops her. Be strong, even if it breaks your heart. So much easier to do when you can fool yourself into thinking yours is the only heart at risk of breaking. He can take Clara’s betrayal and offer to go to hell to find her dead boyfriend because of how much he cares for her. But how much harder would be if he knew she loved him too? 

We’ll see at the end of Death in Heaven how each will make the choice they think will only hurt themselves so that the other can be happy. The set up starts right here when The Doctor selflessly decides to help Clara find Danny simply because The Doctor loves her. 

2. So The Doctor stops her from saying anything by falling back on his usual gruff, slightly insulting demeanor. Neither of them is fooled. But Clara holds back. And The Doctor, bless him, tears up a little. 

(both gifs via e1evenc1ara​)

The look on his face before he takes a moment to compose himself is heart wrenching. This woman he loves, who is seared into his hearts, is crying and he’s about to crack. Five foot one and crying. He never stood a chance. His eyes even well up for a second. It’s hard to see unless it’s on a massive screen in a movie theater but it’s there. And notice Clara also looks away for the first time. Loving two men is tricky and tumultuous but losing both of them is unbearable. She’s lost Danny, perhaps forever or perhaps not, she doesn’t know. But she hasn’t lost The Doctor. I’m right here, standing in front of you.

The level of acting from Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman here is unparalleled. I knew that going in to the theater screening and yet the emotion in these moments between them really hit me. I was holding my breath. We can argue about what kind of love is shared between The Doctor and Clara, but that they do indeed love one another is indisputable.