--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's…" description: "\"“The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous bear h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/james-goss-19280_doctor-who_the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ank_694907.jpg" --- # The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him… ![“The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous bear hug that squeezed the breath out of him. 'I've been you!' 'Right,' mumbled Rory. 'You've had a gorgeous time, I bet.' 'Not... especially, no.' The…” quote by James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/james-goss-19280_doctor-who_the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ank_694907.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/james-goss-19280_doctor-who_the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ank_694907.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/james-goss-19280_doctor-who_the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ank_694907.jpg) > ““The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous bear hug that squeezed the breath out of him. 'I've been you!' 'Right,' mumbled Rory. 'You've had a gorgeous time, I bet.' 'Not... especially, no.' The Doctor stepped back, his eyes were wide and dancing. 'Did you escape from any monsters? Did you set anything on fire? I'm always doing that. Honestly, one minute it's Tell Me Your Plans, the next it's BOOOM! My insurance premiums are terrible... Anyhow, you're all back to normal, yes?' 'Yes.' Rory was ever so tight-lipped. The Doctor nudged him with his elbow. 'Go on then. What was it like being me? Wasn't it just a bit brilliant? Did it open up your tiny mind?' Rory looked a little ill. 'It's nice to be me, actually. I'm not a hero... And what was it like being me?' he asked. The Doctor tugged at his braces, embarrassed. 'Oh, don't apologize - I'm sure I'll get over it.”” [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shows a playful, chaotic interaction highlighting identity and adventure **In simple terms:** The Doctor teases Rory about wild experiences Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity and humor in odd situations Themes playfulness identity adventure Mood lighthearted confessional Type dialogue fictional When to use this quote - role‑playing games - creative writing - improv comedy - fan conventions Key Concepts character dynamics improvisation meta‑commentary Questions to Reflect On - What does “being me” mean for you? - How does chaos affect self‑perception? A Different Perspective Humor can mask deeper insecurities ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctor who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-who/) [Rory-williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rory-williams/) ## Related quotes > [“She touched his arm. “Are you OK with this?” “I’m curious.” Rory looked down at his shorts. “You’re hard.” “So I’m curious and hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa-turner/she-touched-his-arm-are-you-ok-with-this-i-m-curious-rory-looked-down/) [Alyssa Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa-turner/) > [My doctor grabbed me by the wallet and said,'Cough'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/my-doctor-grabbed-me-by-the-wallet-and-said-cough/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [“When she’d finished, she cut the thread with a pair of scissors, patted the wound once more and stepped back. “Better.” “No bandage?” She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-dee/when-she-d-finished-she-cut-the-thread-with-a-pair-of-scissors-patted/) [Bonnie Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-dee/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “He \[the Doctor\] groaned. 'Why does it always have to be me?' 'Mr Rory is ill. You're the next best thing,' I \[Maria\] said… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/he-the-doctor-groaned-why-does-it-always-have-to-be-me-mr-rory-is-ill/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. I was staring at the Doctor, murderously angry with him. And hiccuping... 'That's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-attack-of-hiccups-i-was/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“The Doctor puffed out some air and looked down to the sea. 'A very charming man. I should be more careful of very charming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-puffed-out-some-air-and-looked-down-to-the-sea-a-very/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Well, what do you want me to say?' The Doctor was so angry he was almost hovering. 'Well done on marrying the only male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/well-what-do-you-want-me-to-say-the-doctor-was-so-angry-he-was-almost/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“At the moment, it's simply a difference of opinon between the Doctor and you.. You both want the best. You've only tried to kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/at-the-moment-it-s-simply-a-difference-of-opinon-between-the-doctor/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Something pretty bad's happening nearby in the space-time continuum.' the Doctor shouted over the noise. 'The TARDIS is a terrible rubbernecker - like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/something-pretty-bad-s-happening-nearby-in-the-space-time-continuum/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory stood up with some difficulty, the chair still tied to him. He leaned over me \[Maria\] and managed to pull my ropes free.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-stood-up-with-some-difficulty-the-chair-still-tied-to-him-he/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory, Rory, Rory - was it your idea to get The Sea to cure me?' \[said the Doctor.\] 'Yes,' said Rory, smiling. 'That was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-rory-rory-was-it-your-idea-to-get-the-sea-to-cure-me-said-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory's not my pet dog!' I \[Amy\] yelled at the Doctor. 'Well, that would be better.' He was truly angry. 'Dogs I can live… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-s-not-my-pet-dog-i-amy-yelled-at-the-doctor-well-that-would-be/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “You see, there's a drill: 1. I \[Amy\] will say 'Right then, let's go and rescue him \[Rory\].' 2. The Doctor will say 'Ah… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/you-see-there-s-a-drill-1-i-amy-will-say-right-then-let-s-go-and/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Don't get me started on the whole Doctor-Amy-Rory thing. It's kind of like... I dunno. Suppose you'd always fancied Ryan Reynolds. That's fine, yeah.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/don-t-get-me-started-on-the-whole-doctor-amy-rory-thing-it-s-kind-of/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## More by James Goss > [“Now here's Amy Pond, standing in the freezing ocean, holding the body of her imaginary friend, and shouting at the sea to make him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-here-s-amy-pond-standing-in-the-freezing-ocean-holding-the-body/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Oh, and I \[Amy\] may also have told him that I quite fancied Dr Smith \[The Doctor\]. Which in the 1780s was probably punishable… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/oh-and-i-amy-may-also-have-told-him-that-i-quite-fancied-dr-smith-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “You see, there's a drill: 1. I \[Amy\] will say 'Right then, let's go and rescue him \[Rory\].' 2. The Doctor will say 'Ah… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/you-see-there-s-a-drill-1-i-amy-will-say-right-then-let-s-go-and/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory's not my pet dog!' I \[Amy\] yelled at the Doctor. 'Well, that would be better.' He was truly angry. 'Dogs I can live… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-s-not-my-pet-dog-i-amy-yelled-at-the-doctor-well-that-would-be/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Now... Just run.' \[said the Doctor.\] One of the things you learn very quickly around the Doctor is never to question him when he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-just-run-said-the-doctor-one-of-the-things-you-learn-very-quickly/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “I've lost the TARDIS as well.' I \[Amy\] was outraged. Considering my husband was dying and we were stranded in the past, the Doctor… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/i-ve-lost-the-tardis-as-well-i-amy-was-outraged-considering-my/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory, Rory, Rory - was it your idea to get The Sea to cure me?' \[said the Doctor.\] 'Yes,' said Rory, smiling. 'That was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-rory-rory-was-it-your-idea-to-get-the-sea-to-cure-me-said-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory stood up with some difficulty, the chair still tied to him. He leaned over me \[Maria\] and managed to pull my ropes free.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-stood-up-with-some-difficulty-the-chair-still-tied-to-him-he/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Which brings me to you, Prince Boris. And I'm sorry, but here's the thing... I think you're one of the nicest Russian aristocrats I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/which-brings-me-to-you-prince-boris-and-i-m-sorry-but-here-s-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “\[The Doctor\] pulled the thing out of Prince Boris's mouth, waving it around. 'Oh. Blimey. This is not a spatula. What is it?' I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-pulled-the-thing-out-of-prince-boris-s-mouth-waving-it/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Maria?... She's been writing all this down? Oh, bless her...' He leafed on through the pile. 'Although that's not how that happened... and no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/maria-she-s-been-writing-all-this-down-oh-bless-her-he-leafed-on/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Something pretty bad's happening nearby in the space-time continuum.' the Doctor shouted over the noise. 'The TARDIS is a terrible rubbernecker - like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/something-pretty-bad-s-happening-nearby-in-the-space-time-continuum/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [I always like toast in a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/i-always-like-toast-in-a-crisis/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Don't worry, I'm shielding you. When we crashed here and it first attacked me, I was caught with my mental trousers down. Not anymore.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/don-t-worry-i-m-shielding-you-when-we-crashed-here-and-it-first/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) [Explore all 33 James Goss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## More Doctor who quotes > [The doctor who diagnosed me with ALS, or motor neuron disease, told me that it would kill me in two or three years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/the-doctor-who-diagnosed-me-with-als-or-motor-neuron-disease-told-me/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Everything was so designed by Hannibal to break down Will in the first season, until Will's sanity became questionable. It's so much easier to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fuller/everything-was-so-designed-by-hannibal-to-break-down-will-in-the/) [Bryan Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fuller/) > [“Of course, the machinery was also operating on similar frequencies to the TARDIS, so there's a possibility that she had a hand in it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tucker/of-course-the-machinery-was-also-operating-on-similar-frequencies-to/) [Mike Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tucker/) > [“If you are an alien, how come you sound like you're from the north?' 'Lots of planets have a north!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-t-davies/if-you-are-an-alien-how-come-you-sound-like-you-re-from-the-north/) [Russell T Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-t-davies/) > [“Now here's Amy Pond, standing in the freezing ocean, holding the body of her imaginary friend, and shouting at the sea to make him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-here-s-amy-pond-standing-in-the-freezing-ocean-holding-the-body/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Because she deserved more than me. She deserved someone who could give her the whole universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/because-she-deserved-more-than-me-she-deserved-someone-who-could-give/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [The thing about 'Doctor Who' is it's chased around the world, so there's 50 fans hanging out at every location.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-riley/the-thing-about-doctor-who-is-it-s-chased-around-the-world-so-there-s/) [Tom Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-riley/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [God has a sense of humor though and he must see funny things in us. He must also have some love. We're still here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/god-has-a-sense-of-humor-though-and-he-must-see-funny-things-in-us-he/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [David Tennant is a massive fan, and grew up dreaming he would be the Doctor Who one day. So I did feel, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freema-agyeman/david-tennant-is-a-massive-fan-and-grew-up-dreaming-he-would-be-the/) [Freema Agyeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freema-agyeman/) > [You've got this world, these pathologists that are, day in and day out, taking apart bodies, coming up with theories about how they died…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-ventimiglia/you-ve-got-this-world-these-pathologists-that-are-day-in-and-day-out/) [Milo Ventimiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-ventimiglia/) > [I'm over the moon to be involved in the 'Doctor Who' Christmas special. I can't quite believe it as it's a part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-jenkins/i-m-over-the-moon-to-be-involved-in-the-doctor-who-christmas-special/) [Katherine Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-jenkins/) > [“LEELA: 'To be, or not to be, that is the question.' That is a very stupid question! THE DOCTOR: It's Shakespeare. LEELA: And that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dorney/leela-to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-the-question-that-is-a-very-stupid/) John Dorney > [“History is a burden. Stories can make us fly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/history-is-a-burden-stories-can-make-us-fly/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) [Browse all 430 Doctor who quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-who/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous bear hug that squeezed the breath out of him. 'I've been you!' 'Right,' mumbled Rory. 'You've had a gorgeous time, I bet.' 'Not... especially, no.' The Doctor stepped back, his eyes were wide and dancing. 'Did you escape from any monsters? Did you set anything on fire? I'm always doing that. Honestly, one minute it's Tell Me Your Plans, the next it's BOOOM! My insurance premiums are terrible... Anyhow, you're all back to normal, yes?' 'Yes.' Rory was ever so tight-lipped. The Doctor nudged him with his elbow. 'Go on then. What was it like being me? Wasn't it just a bit brilliant? Did it open up your tiny mind?' Rory looked a little ill. 'It's nice to be me, actually. I'm not a hero... And what was it like being me?' he asked. The Doctor tugged at his braces, embarrassed. 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