The Enigma of Weeping Angels: Why They Can Look at Each Other Without Freezing

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Weeping Angels in the popular British science fiction series Doctor Who is their ability to look at each other. While their primary characteristic is the inability to move if they're being observed, it raises the question: why can they look at each other, and why do they freeze when they're looked at from the opposite direction?

Why Can Weeping Angels Look at Each Other?

The premise of the Weeping Angels is that they cannot move if they're observed directly. In the episode “Blink,” all four Weeping Angels become frozen when they all look at each other at the same time. However, in other episodes such as "The Angels Take Manhattan," "Flesh and Stone," and "Quantum of Solace," one Angel can look at another without becoming frozen.

This leads to speculation about the rules governing their quantum locking. It is hypothesized that one Angel looks at another, causing that Angel to freeze. The other Angel, however, can move and look away, preventing the quantum locking from becoming complete. This speculation suggests a complex interplay between the Angels' ability to look and the quantum mechanics that govern their movement.

Understanding the Mechanism

The exact mechanism behind why Weeping Angels can look at each other is not explicitly described in the series. However, it is clear that the Angels are very aware of their vulnerability and take steps to avoid vulnerability, such as covering their eyes when in statue form.

This behavior is linked to the nickname “Weeping Angels” due to their appearance of being in constant tears. This is a direct result of being quantum locked, as seen in the episode “Blink.” In this episode, the Angels were tricked into looking at each other, causing them to become frozen and weakening their defenses.

Theoretical Speculations and Event Consistency

There have been instances where the show’s writers have played with the consistency of events. For example, the episode "Blink" depicts fixed points in time, where The Doctor cannot interfere, while in other episodes he is able to change outcomes. This inconsistency is not unusual in a show as imaginative as Doctor Who. It could be that the writers simply forgot that they had set up a rule in an earlier episode, or they may have intended this as a form of meta-narrative to keep the show engaging and unpredictable.

Despite the varying portrayals in different episodes, the core concept of the Weeping Angels remains intriguing, and their ability to look at each other without freezing continues to captivate viewers. This phenomenon adds depth to their character and the complexity of their world, highlighting the brilliant storytelling that defines Doctor Who.

Conclusion

The Weeping Angels in Doctor Who are a fascinating blend of science fiction and mystery. Their enigmatic ability to look at each other without freezing is a testament to the show's sophisticated narrative and its ability to maintain suspense even in the face of the bizarre and inexplicable.