Doctor Who’s best companion pairing wasn’t a love story like fans think

Because the very first episode of Doctor Who debuted again in 1963, there’s all the time been one factor that has remained true: regardless of what number of regenerations the time-hopping alien has gone by, the Physician all the time has a companion. That particular person will be the Time Lord’s pal, relative, and even lover — regardless of who they’re, there may be all the time a minimum of one companion by the Physician’s aspect all through their adventures.

Each Whovian has their favourite Physician and companion pairing. As a fan of the Russell T. Davies 2005 revival period, aka New Who, my very own tastes skew in direction of the newer Medical doctors and their companions. In my protection, I’m not the one one. Everybody and their mom adores David Tennant’s Tenth Physician and his first companion, the working-class icon Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). They’re so beloved that, even 20 years later, Physician Who’s final period showrunner, Davies, refuses to let the pair go.

Look. Ten and Rose are nice. Their chemistry is electrical. Their love story is heartbreaking however with a bittersweet, completely happy ending. But I hesitate to name them one of the best Physician/Companion pairing of all time. That title belongs to some who got here a lot later and who completely spotlight the wonder and destruction of what it’s like for a standard particular person to enter the orbit of the Physician.

Peter Capaldi debuted because the Twelfth Physician in 2014 with the collection 8 premiere “Deep Breath.” Reeling from the lack of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill), Eleven spent his closing season with younger schoolteacher Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), and he or she remained with the Time Lord by his regeneration into the Twelfth Physician. Simply as Rose struggled adjusting to the Ninth Physician’s (Christopher Eccleston) transformation into Ten, Clara needed to cope with the shock of seeing Eleven transition into Twelve.

Although their time collectively was temporary, Clara and Eleven’s relationship was burgeoning into one thing romantic at instances, which made Eleven’s become Twelve really feel nearly like whiplash. Very like Rose, Clara has to study that the person she’s shaped an intense companionship with continues to be there beneath these imposing eyebrows and Scottish accent.

The result’s two seasons worthy of the fiery pair, with one of the fascinating dynamics in New Who’s historical past. By the point Twelve arrived, Clara was already a veteran within the TARDIS. Not solely was she used to the wonders of occurring adventures with the Physician, however she was hungry for extra. Moreover, the thriller of who Clara was because the Not possible Woman had been solved with Eleven — there was nothing left on the horizon besides extra adventures by time and house.

But not like Eleven, who had a sort of emotional vulnerability to him, Twelve was much more reserved, pragmatic, and even ruthless at instances. The distinction labored properly in a number of methods, probably the most fascinating of which was its impression on Clara. At first, Twelve’s unsentimental streak infuriated and frightened Clara sufficient that she actively thought of strolling away from the Physician and the TARDIS altogether. In the end, she was unwilling to take action due to the liberty that got here with touring with the Physician, in addition to her personal complicated feelings concerning the Time Lord.

Touring with the Physician modifications your life without end, however the expertise impacts the Physician simply as a lot. Most of those relationships — romantic or in any other case — include the acknowledgment that the Physician and companion convey out one of the best in each other. Take Rose, who helped each 9 and Ten curb their extra damaging tendencies by grounding them of their internal humanity, and who, in return, helped open her eyes to the world. It’s no surprise they fell in love.

But for all of the infatuation Twelve and Clara shared, their relationship was far much less wholesome — some would possibly even say toxic — and I like their partnership for it.

All through their two seasons collectively, the Physician and Clara’s codependency turns damaging — not only for them, however for everybody round them as properly. For instance, Clara started to deceive her then-boyfriend, fellow trainer Danny Pink, about persevering with to see the Physician. She additionally lied to the Physician about Danny, which fuels the antagonistic relationship between the boys. They’re each deeply protecting of Clara, but in addition a bit possessive. Even when Clara betrays the Physician in an try to save lots of Danny’s life, he’s understandably harm, however instantly forgives her, stating, “Do you assume I look after you so little that betraying me would make a distinction?”

This push-and-pull dynamic ultimately results in their undoing, with Clara’s reckless abandon inflicting her to tackle a demise countdown meant for one more in “Face the Raven” the tenth episode of collection 9. Clara is so assured that the Physician will discover a strategy to save her, as he all the time does, that she by no means as soon as entertains the likelihood that he can’t. However the countdown reaches zero. She dies.

Clara’s demise rapidly pushes the Physician to the acute, with the Time Lord going by billions of years of torture within the penultimate episode of collection 9, “Heaven Despatched,” in an effort to escape and confront the Time Lords within the finale “Hell Bent,” all so he can save Clara’s life. This jaw-dropping two-parter nonetheless shocks me even years later, as we see the Physician go in opposition to his personal ethical code — conspiring to interrupt the universe, and even killing one other Time Lord — in a determined try and hold Clara by his aspect. It’s a mind-blowing show that’s deeply unhealthy… and I liked each single second of it.

The Twelfth Physician and Clara could not have the epic highs and lows of the love story that was 9/Ten and Rose, or the found-family allure of Eleven and the Ponds, however its stark distinction to those match-ups makes them one of the compelling duos that’s ever stepped foot within the TARDIS. There hasn’t been a Physician/Companion pairing prefer it since, and even when Physician Who does make its way back to our screens sooner or later sooner or later, I doubt there ever shall be. Twelve and Clara had been really considered one of a sort.

Physician Who’s 2005 to 2025 seasons are available for purchase by way of Amazon or Apple. They may also be streamed by way of AMC+. You may watch the 2 most up-to-date seasons and a few specials on Disney Plus.