(backs away from door to CLARA) Well, he is to them, anyway. But wait! CLARA continues to look for the DOCTOR when a young girl almost runs into her. CLARA squeals as she covers her eyes. CLARA: Really not local. DOCTOR: (puts an arm around CLARA and walks with her) For the Festival of Offerings. DOCTOR: And? DOCTOR: In the universe. DOCTOR: Welcome to the Rings of Akhaten. Every song. How can she be? On that planet. One of the Vigil bellows and the force of it knocks the sonic screwdriver from the DOCTOR'S hands and over to the floor by the wall. Same planet. Sentimental value. She is scared. She was supposed to be having a nice day out. She's sacrificing herself. Something valuable. TEMPLE, NIGHT
We hear MERRY and the others singing as the DOCTOR talks with the Old God. Take my memories. That happens. There is only one Merry Gejelh. They are standing on a large chunk of rock - possible asteroid - that is part of a set of rings circling a large sun. We see that the book belonged to her mother first, Ellie Ravenwood. Who's the Old God?
Plan: A: The Doctor; Q: Who takes Clara to the Rings of Akhaten? A: Clara's past; Q: What does the Doctor investigate? A: Clara; Q: Who asks to be taken to see "something awesome"? A: her mother; Q: Who died when Clara was young? A: a large planet; Q: What is the Rings of Akhaten orbiting? A: the local religion; Q: What religion believes life began on the Rings of Akhaten? A: a young girl; Q: Who is Merry Gejelh? A: Merry Gejelh; Q: Who is about to be sacrificed in the Festival of Offerings? A: the Old God; Q: Who is a parasite of memories and sentiment? A: her treasured leaf; Q: What does Clara offer to the Old God? A: her parents; Q: Who did Clara's leaf cause to meet? A: every choice; Q: What does Clara say has infinite possibilities? Summary: The Doctor investigates Clara's past, finding nothing unusual but discovering that her mother died when she was young. When he returns to Clara, she requests that she be taken to see "something awesome". The Doctor takes her to the Rings of Akhaten, a ring system orbiting a large planet where the local religion believes life began. The society's currency is items of sentimental value. Clara runs into a young girl named Merry Gejelh, who is about to be sacrificed in the Festival of Offerings, which is to appease the Old God. The Doctor and Clara save Merry and discover that the Old God is really a parasite of memories and sentiment that lives inside the large planet. Clara offers it her treasured leaf that caused her parents to meet, and as she points out that there are infinite possibilities to every choice, she defeats the parasite.