 In a review for The Independent , Neela Debnath said that " critics of the constant tampering with time will not like this episode " but " it is a cracker in terms of time paradoxes and the hypothetical moral dilemmas caused by said paradoxes " . She praised the character development of Rory and the dynamic between the trio that had not been seen with previous characters in the show , as well as " some great moments of comedy " . She also called it a " sumptuous visual delight " in the sets of the garden and the centre . IGN 's Matt Risley rated the episode 8 @.@ 5 out of 10 , praising MacRae for straying away from a complicated time travel narrative and instead give " a simple yet refreshingly new examination of Amy Pond " . He also praised Karen Gillan 's climactic performance and director Nick Hurran . However , he criticised the " iffy time travel rules " and " <unk> " that ensured a slower pace . SFX magazine reviewer Nick Setchfield awarded " The Girl Who Waited " five out of five stars , praising Hurran as well as the performance of the three leads . Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times praised MacRae 's dialogue because " it works so beautifully and is delivered to perfection by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill " . He also commented on Gillan 's make @-@ up job for the older Amy , which " is brilliant in its subtlety " but wished her hair could have been " chopped or grey " . 
