Yeah, this is how I think of it myself--it could have been worse. Paving slab is just horrifying to me on so many levels that I tend to try and ignore that episode completely. (I actually have a half-finished River meta-fic about her ending, which is basically my attempt at reconciling myself to her static ongoing existence.)

In other words, yes to this post.

*goes back to writing Martha fic instead of procrastinating*