Because regardless of whether Older!Amy ever really existed at all, she still exists in the memories of Rory and Amy. And Older!Amy couldn't stand changing time, because she was scared of being erased. And what defined her existence? Her memories.
I like how dark the doctor is in this, but it seemed oddly placed. Just last week we were led to believe that the doctor's killer is considered even more terrible than Hitler by a future organization that believes they have the right to pass judgements like God (literally...in that they can determine who goes to hell and who doesn't). Then this week we're reminded how fucking crazy and morally grey the doctor really is. I think the doctor risked a lot more than we see on the screen by trying to save Amy. I believe that we're just supposed to assume that, due to past episodes we've seen where the doctor tried to change time streams. And I think the doctor's moral grayness is a great compliment to River's. He isn't willing to shield Rory or Amy from his madness, and neither is River (at least in the point of time we currently know her). In a way both the doctor and River are abusive towards Rory and Amy, dolling out madness and guilt, and just assuming they'll be loved anyway.
For a while now I've suspected that Amy and Rory are much closer to the doctor than any of his former companions (even Rose). I admit this is partially because River described Amy and Rory as his "best friends." But now I realize Amy is so wrapped up in the doctor's present that he can't possibly admit defeat. She's the little girl. She's his best friend. *And* she's the mother of his future (present?) love. And Rory is the boy who was ok waiting 2000 years to protect the girl he loved.
Which reminds me, why didn't Rory bring that up when Amy accused him of abandoning her for 37 years? That was different and it wasn't and I would've liked to have seen that argument. And I also would've liked to have seen someone mention Melody.
I thought it was a little gross how everyone just assumed Older!Amy would be glad to have not existed. It also would've been more interesting to me if Older!Amy hadn't chosen to lay down her life for young!Amy and Rory's future. It makes you wonder what changed this time around that was different from when Older!Amy was in younger!Amy's shoes. Still. All around this episode was extremely touching. I loved Robot!Rory. I loved Rory's quiet acceptance that Robot!Rory was her pet. I fucking adored the concept of the facility as a place where one day can be stretched into a lifetime (although why were all the people separated??? If I had a day to live a lifetime, I'd want there to be other people to be there too. To explore with. To fall in love with. To grow old with). And I loved when Rory says he doesn't want to travel with the doctor anymore, and then accuses him of turning Rory into himself. I'd like to see this episode having some ramifications for their future adventures together.
All around I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.
