"The Power of Three" pounded home the change on the horizon in what is sure to be the last semi-fun episode to feature Amy and Rory as The Doctor's companions. 

Time literally flew by as Amy and Rory lived their lives without The Doctor, doing normal things such as committing to being in a wedding as a bridesmaid and Rory accepting a full time job at the hospital. With every passing moment, the reality draws nearer; a choice between real life and life with The Doctor is going to have to be made.

As earth was littered with groovy little black boxes that seemed benign at first, and then became some of the worst nightmares earthlings could imagine after they had finally come to terms with living with the strange little invaders, the cold hard truth was that a race was attempting to wipe the blight of humanity and the plague of their existence from being.

It was brilliant to hear The Doctor standing up for his companions and their people as the hopeful bunch that we are, always fighting for love and happiness.

As Rory and Amy spent more and more time away from adventures with The Doctor, he was never far from their hearts. Holidays, anniversaries, and special occasions brought him back like a long lost family member, but he was never far from their thoughts. As they found themselves further engrained into the lives of "normal" human beings, they began to question their future with him, but I really don't think they had any ideas of cutting their ties with The Doctor.

The Doctor, on the other hand, seemed to savor every moment with Rory and Amy. His memories of their faces being his first and their lives being intertwined were heartwrenching. The Doctor's love for them far outweighs anything he needs or wants from them, but instead counts for everything he hopes their lives to be once he is gone.

At the end, the amazing Brian was there to tell Amy and Rory to stay the course. Don't let the opportunity to live such an amazing life pass them by when he knows what mediocrity and normalcy will mean. The Ponds will never know normal lives, but they will always remember the extraordinary ones they lead with The Doctor.

I know this didn't address the oddities of the episode at hand, the fun of the cubes, The Doctor playing Wii, painting fences or doing yardwork. It just felt greater than the sum of the whole of all of those tiny parts. They were fun, and cute and to some extent even frightening, but the most frightening thing at all is the thought this journey is coming to an end. When The Doctor laid out that they were his first faces, how could any of us imagine a live wherein he lived without them?

When it came down to it, once Rory's dad knew the enormity of the lives they lead with The Doctor, even he couldn't imagine a life where they didn't have the advantages and made a push for staying power. After the fun he has had recently, he must be thinking about his own future and what it will be like to go back to being plain ole Rory's dad again. Who could blame him?

With Amy and Rory certain that they can maintain a future that will include a crazy life with The Doctor and their own normalcy, it won't be long before we determine what it is that brings this precious house tumbling down. It could be anything, couldn't it? What is your guess? Maybe The Doctor's wand cures Amy's infertility. Could they lose someone close to them and fear losing even more time away with The Doctor? Might they understand their importance in keeping The Doctor safe and remove themselves for the best of all parties involved?

I have no bloody idea, but if tonight's tender conversations are any indication, I expect tissues might be in order for the next outing of Doctor Who. How about you?

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.