The first images from this coming Saturday’s Doctor Who have been released along with a few more episode details.

The official synopsis from the BBC reads:

Clara wants to see something awesome, so the Doctor whisks her off to the inhabited rings of the planet Akhaten, where the Festival of Offerings is in full swing. Clara meets the young Queen of Years as the pilgrims and natives ready for the ceremony. But something is stirring in the pyramid, and a sacrifice will be demanded.

In an article that largely speaks about the special effects involved in creating a Star Wars-like space station, The Radio Times covers the song that pervades the episode:

For millions of years on Akhaten, a succession of choristers have been engaged in “The Long Song”, a perpetual lullaby that keeps their Old God asleep…the young girl, Merry, Queen of Years, is ordained to warble for the mummy…young Emilia Jones is very endearing. Aged ten when this was filmed (and real-life daughter of former boy chorister Aled Jones), she really sells Merry’s mixture of naivety and immense knowledge, her natural childlike fear, and touchingly brings out Clara’s empathic side.

The newest photos are mostly character solos, coupled with old releases that can now be completely attributed to “The Rings of Akhaten” via the trailers. In the new photos, Clara is carrying the infamous red satchel and the Doctor is wearing Amy Pond’s former glasses.

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Cultbox has a few hints out about the episode as does Doctor Who TV. The most promising ones state that the episode is reminiscent of “A Christmas Carol,” “Father’s Day” and “Gridlock.” Also the word “Susan” is key as is the date 5 March, 2005.

All three sources state the mystery of the red maple leaf is solved pretty quickly at the top of the episode.